Inventory of the Waddell F. Smith Papers
D-392
University of California, Davis Library, Dept. of Special Collections
2003
1st Floor, Shields Library, University of California
100 North West Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Davis Library, Dept. of Special Collections
Title: Waddell F. Smith Papers
Creator:
Smith, Waddell F.
Identifier/Call Number: D-392
Physical Description:
21.6 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1939-1976
Abstract: Waddell F. Smith, historian and collector, was the great grandson of
William B. Waddell, member of freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell, founders of Pony Express (1860). Smith retired
from military service (1949) to devote time to study and promotion of Pony Express history. He settled in San Rafael, Calif.
and organized a Pony Express History and Art Gallery. The Gallery became headquarters for the National Pony Express
Centennial Association, of which Waddell Smith was President. In this capacity Smith organized and staged a reenactment of
a
Pony Express run (1960). He published "Stage Lines and Express Companies in California" (1965) and a number of pamphlets,
such as "Pony Express versus Wells Fargo Express" (1966) The Papers contain the Pony Express Gallery Records as well as
Smith's Pony Express scrapbook, research notes, writings and photographs.
Physical Location: Researchers should contact Special Collections to
request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Biographical Narrative
Waddell F. Smith (1899-1970) was a great grandson of William B. Waddell, member of the freighting firm of Russell, Majors
and Waddell, founders, owners and operators of the Pony Express. Smith retired from military service in 1949 and fulfilled
his lifelong wish to study the history of the Pony Express and correct "misinterpretations of history" crediting Wells Fargo
as taking over the Pony Express. He settled in San Rafael, Calif. where he created the Pony Express History and Art Gallery.
The Gallery was a part-time headquarters for the Pony Express Centennial Association, of which Smith was founder and
President. Waddell Smith wrote Stage Lines and Express Companies in California (1965) and a number of smaller works.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Waddell Smith Papers contain the Pony Express Gallery Records as well as Smith's Pony Express scrapbook, research
notes, writings and photographs.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Waddell F. Smith Papers, D-392, Special Collections, UC Davis Library, Davis, California.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All applicable copyrights for the collection are protected under chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code. Requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items. It is
not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Acquisition Information
Acquired in 2003
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pony express -- History
Postal museums -- California -- San Rafael
Historians -- Correspondence
West (U.S.) -- History -- Sources
Firearms -- History
Smith, Waddell F. -- Archives
Pony Express History and Art Gallery
Box 1
Letters to Individuals Subseries 1.1
Box 2
Letters to Historical Organizations Subseries 1.2
Box 3
Chronological Subseries 1.3.1
Box 3
Letters of Mrs. Waddell Smith Subseries 1.3.3
Financial records of Pony Express Museum Series 2
Box 4
Financial statements Subseries 2.1
Scope and Contents note
Contains balance sheets, journals, and tax reports.
Sales records Subseries 2.2
Box 5
Medal sales Subseries 2.2.1
Scope and Contents note
Contains sales records, ordering invoices, and correspondence.
Box 5
Memorabilia sales Subseries 2.2.2
Historical research material Series 3
Box 6
Pony Express vs. Wells Fargo Subseries 3.1
Scope and Contents note
Contains editorials, speeches, pamphlets, books, clippings, and correspondence.
Box 6
Pony Express Riders Subseries 3.2
Scope and Contents note
Contains lists of riders and research on individuals.
Box 6
Pony Express Company Subseries 3.3
Scope and Contents note
Contains research notes, manuscripts, and correspondence.
Box 6
Pony Express Gallery records Series 4.
Scope and Contents note
Contains files on tours and information requests.
Pony Express Museum printed matter Series 5.
Box 7
Books Subseries 5.1
Scope and Contents note
Contains corrections, sales, and correspondence files.
Box 7
News stories Subseries 5.2
Box 8
Magazine articles Subseries 5.3
Box 10-12
Newspaper clippings Series 6
Box 13
Pony Express memorabilia Series 7
Box 13
Pony Express scrapbook Series 8
Box 18
Personal financial records Series 11
Box 18
Overland Mail Centennial Association records Series 12
Addenda
Scope and Contents
Assorted photographs, memorabilia, printed historical brochures, clippings, and leaflets.
Box 22, Folder
1
Reproduction Holy Bible with stamp "Presented by Russell, Major, and Waddell, 1860"
undated
Box 22, Folder
2
Photographs of original? Bible presented by Russell, Major, and Waddell
undated
Box 22, Folder
3
Preamble to Pony Express versus Wells Fargo Express by Waddell Smith
1967
Box 22, Folder
4
Pony Express versus Well Fargo Express by Waddell Smith
1966
Box 22, Folder
5
Pony Express embossed stamp envelopes
1960
Box 22, Folder
6
Pony Express embossed stamp envelopes
1961
Box 22, Folder
7
Photograph of painting of Pony Express rider
undated
Box 22, Folder
8
Unidentified carte de visite of young girl holding doll (Photographer located in Lexington, MO)
undated
Box 22, Folder
9
Yearbook of the Baptist College for Young Ladies, Lexington, MO
1896?
Box 22, Folder
10
Commemorative Pony Express plate for the Bicentennial
1967
Box 23, Folder
1
Pamphlet for California National Productions Pony Express television show
undated
Box 23, Folder
2
Poster for the 2nd Annual Pony Express Days, Pollock Pines
undated
Box 23, Folder
3
Print of unidentified woman
undated
Box 23, Folder
4
Print of Central Overland California wagon and team of horses
undated
Box 23, Folder
5
Sketchbook with colored sketches of Pony Express related scenes
undated
Box
24
Clippings, Leaflets, and Brochures on the Pony Express
Physical Description:
3 folders
Scope and Contents
Formerly part of the vertical file at the University of the Pacific Special Collections.
