Guide to the Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs Collection
SC0103
Daniel Hartwig & Jenny Johnson
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Note
This encoded finding aid is compliant with Stanford EAD Best Practice Guidelines,
Version 1.0.
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Stanford student letters and memoirs collection
creator:
Dyke, Charles Bartlett.
creator:
Stanford University. Libraries. Department of Special
Collections and University Archives
Identifier/Call Number: SC0103
Physical Description:
9 Linear Feet
(27 boxes)
Physical Description:
109.62 gigabyte(s)
Date (inclusive): 1871-2016
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs Collection (SC0103). Dept.
of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Scope and Contents
The first series of this collection contains letters, reminiscences, diaries and account
books, autobiographies, and other items from a number of Stanford University students. Most
of the letters are written home to family members; typical subjects include academic
affairs, social life on campus and off, fraternity and sorority affairs, and athletics.
Other subjects include events at the Stanford home and the settlement of Leland Stanford's
estate.
The second series consists of email and text messages sent home from students.
Access to Collection
The materials are open for research use.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must
be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California 94305-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special
Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s) or assigns. See:
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Stanford Student Letters and Memoirs Collection (SC0103). Dept.
of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford,
Calif.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in two series. Series 1: letters, series 2: emails and text
messages.
Existence and Location of Copies
The materials have been digitized and are available online:
https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/4085089.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Beckwith, Burnham P. (Burnham Putman)
Marschutz, Herbert Stanton.
Nichols, Walter E.
Nolan, Lloyd.
Osborne, Clarence.
Hyde, Harriet Sophia.
Kautz, Austin.
Klette, Ernest.
Barzen, Alva Emrich.
Allen, Tex Bollman.
Allabach, Lucy
Crawford, Irma Zschokke.
Dyke, Charles Bartlett.
Colliver, John.
Burr, Myron.
Blake, Thomas B.
Durand, Samuel B.
Dyke, Charles Bartlett.
Perry, Frederick Jewell.
Stanford University -- General subdivision--Students.;
Schulte, William.
Sindo, Michitaro.
Stahl, Edith Osborne
Evans-Wentz, W. Y. (Walter Yeeling)
Taggert, James D.
Taggert, Katherine.
Payne, Theodora.
Stanford University. Libraries. Department of Special
Collections and University Archives
Osborne, Raymond.
Osborne, Henry.
Payne, Rose.
Osborne, Sherill.
Letters and memoirs Series 1
Letters and memoirs
Harriet Sophia (Hallie) Hyde Letters
1894-1895
Custodial History note
Gift of William Hyde Irwin, 1973
Scope and Contents note
Letters, 1894 to 1895, from Harriet Sophia (Hallie) Hyde, a freshman at Stanford, to
her mother, Mrs. William Birelie Hyde, including one letter mentioning the campus
reaction to news of the decision on the settlement of Leland Stanford's estate.
box 1, folder 1
Correspondence fom Harriet (Hallie) Hyde to her mother
Fall 1894 -Spring 1895
Physical Description: 10 items
Thomas A. Blake Diary
1907
Custodial History note
Purchased from Edward Morrill and Son, 1973
Scope and Contents note
This bound typescript entitled "A Semester at Stanford" includes contemporary
photographs and a note from Blake to Mrs. A. G. Everett, describing the manuscript.
Subjects include hazing, the Frosh-Soph Tie-Up, the Plug Ugly fights, excursions off
campus, pajama parades, and the football game between Stanford and Berkeley.
box 1, folder 2
"A semester at Stanford," [1907], bound together with contemporary
photographs
A Semester at Stanford
Physical Description: 124 pages
box 1, folder 3
Blake to Mrs. A. G. Everett; and unbound photographs
Dec. 1908
John Colliver Letters and Memorabilia
1894-1895
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Nancy Bohlander, 1976
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of four letters from J. T. Colliver to his son John Adams
Colliver (A.B. 1896) at Stanford, along with a handwritten fight song and
miscellaneous receipts.
Ernest Klette Letters
1904
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Harold Hjelm, November 1975
Scope and Contents note
Ernest Klette attended Stanford University from 1902 to 1905; this series consists of
two letters and one postcard from Klette to his sister Birdie discussing a reception
for new students at Mrs. Stanford's house, the choir, and his schoolwork.
box 1, folder 4
Klette, Ernest
Aug. -Nov. 1904
Osborne Family letters Series 2
1871-1914
Scope and Contents note
April 2002: These letters have been removed and processed with additional letters as Osborne Family Papers (SC0636)
James D. Taggart and Katherine Taggart Spinks Papers
1905-1915
Custodial History note
Gift of Mr. Taggart Spinks, 1975
Scope and Contents note
Miscellaneous receipts, cancelled checks, and student documents of James Dean
Taggart, class of 1909, and Katherine Taggart Spinks, class of 1914.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Taggart, James Deacon.
Spinks, Kathrine Taggart.
box 1, folder 5
Taggart, miscelleous documents
1905-1915
Taggart letters
Frederic Jewell Perry Letters
1896-1900
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Ruth G. Allen, 1976
Scope and Contents note
This series contains approximately 125 letters from Frederic Jewell Perry, class of
1900, to his mother, discussing student life on campus, especially the affairs of the
Kappa Sigma fraternity.
William Henry Schulte Letter
1893
box 2, folder 16
Schulte, William Henry (A.B. May 1895) to his sister Nannie, discussing
professors and literary activities.
1893 Nov. 5
Tex Bollman Allen Papers
1929-1930
Scope and Contents note
This collection of papers from Tex Bollman Allen, class of 1933, includes his letters
to his family discussing his friends, sports, classes, and potential fraternity life;
one letter from Benjamin A. Clark, 3 Dec. 1929; and miscellaneous receipts and
notes.
box 2, folder 17
Receipts, notes, and letter from B. A. Clark
box 2, folder 18
Letters to Allen family,
Jan. 1930 -May 1930
Herbert Stanton Marshutz Letter
1941
box 2, folder 19
Letter to Kenneth Smith, Stanford Alumni Association, regarding the
Stanford Crew Team of 1912 to 1918
1941 Dec. 24
box 2, folder 20
Letter to Bessie Anderson regarding the December 1892 Big Game
1892 Dec. 17
Physical Description: Transcript included
box 2, folder 21
Letter to Dave, (possibly David Lamson), relating to Nolan's blossoming
stage career
17 April (1935?),
Payne Family Letters
1895-1897
Scope and Contents note
These letters were written by Rose Payne, A.B. 1898, and Theodora Payne, A.B. 1900,
to "Nannie" in San Jose, possibly an aunt. They describe their student life at
Stanford including classes and lectures, athletics, sorority matters, and social
events with other students and faculty. There is also some mention of Jane Stanford
and the govenment suit against the estate of Leland Stanford.
Freshman-Sophomore reception; death of Mrs. Pease.
1895 October 6
Production of "Tribly;" Bonfire; celebration on account of decision for
suit processions.
1895 October 13
Sorority question-refusal of Kappa bids.
1895 October 18
Roble reception for the faculty.
1895 October 28
Big Game; Thanksgiving Day at Stanford.
1895 November 10
Big Game results; Thanksgiving vacation and dance; course
descriptions.
undated
Cheating incident; possible appointment of student committee on cheating;
burning of the chemical lab; Prof. Anderson's article on "Napoleon's Retreat from
Moscow."
1895 December 17
Prof. Clarke description; Fort Stoniax bank failure.
1896 Feb.
Celebrations over suit decision; Founder's Day; University
committees.
1896 March 15
Vacation dances; Prof. Anderson's course.
1896 March 24
Chancy M. Deperd speech with Cornelius Vanderbilt.
1896 March 4
House mortgage; junior dance.
1896 April 20
Exams and commencement; Roble reception for the faculty.
1896 May 4
French Revolution lectures; English 11; Stanford Day.
1896 May
Commencement week.
1896 May 29
Description of courses.
1896 Sept. 4
McKinley's election; Dr. Jordan's party; Thanksgiving Dance.
1896 November 8
Visit with Mrs. Stanford; description of her home and dress and
personality.
1896 Nov. 14
Card party at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Angell with Dr. and Mrs.
Fairclough.
1896 Nov.
Winning of Big Game; pride in the University; Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Dance; Mrs. Stanford's contribution.
1896 Nov. 29
Prof. Hudson's course re Mathew Arnold.
1896 Dec. 11
Suspension of 7 Roble girls and Mrs. Clement (Roble director) due to
drinking incident; mentions Mrs. Baker as replacement.
1897 Jan. 1
Dr. Jordan's 46th birthday party; visit with Prof. Anderson and his
family.
1897 Jan. 23
Jordan's poem published in
Sequoia; dance with Sigma Rho Eta.
1897 Feb. 6
Invitation to Sophomore Cotilion.
1897 Feb. 16
Description of Cotilion; comments on fraternity question at
Stanford.
1897 Feb
Informal party at the home of Prof. Allardice with Profs. Campbell,
Kellogg, Fairclough and Hodges; proposed improvment of Roble dining
room.
1897 March 2
New Orleans French Grand Opera Co. at the California and description of
Shakespeare exam.
1897 March 15
Welsh rarebit party given by Mr. Nash in Encina; comments on the party,
Mr. Nash.
Intercollegiate field day and debate.
1897 April 25
Change in room and board.
1897 May 2
Jordan's reception for the seniors; mentions Mrs. Stanford.
1897 May 31
Description of classes.
1897 Oct. 4
Lucy Allabach Correpondence
1891-1895
box 2, folder 25
Transcripts of Allabach's letters to family, primarily her
mother,
1891-1895
Allabach correspondence
Edward Meylan Memoirs
1979
Custodial History note
Gift of Edward F. Meylan, 1979
box 2, folder 26
Typescript memoirs of his student life stressing influence of particular
professors
1924-1927
Myron Burr Correspondence
1905-1940
Scope and Contents note
This series includes letters by Myron Burr, class of 1907, written while a student,
describing Jane Stanford's funeral and the 1906 earthquake; and correspondence
pertaining to reunions of the Class of 1907, 1932-1940.
Irma Zschokke Crawford Diary
1968
box 3, folder 3
Diary describing life in early Palo Alto, impressions of Jane Stanford, and
experiences in the 1906 earthquake at Stanford.
1886-1968
Physical Description: Photocopy of
typescript.
Samuel B. Durand Correspondence
1893-1894
Custodial History note
Gift of Samuel R. Durand, 1981 and 1982
Scope and Contents note
Samuel B. Durand earned his Civil Engineering degree in May 1894; these letters to
his brother discuss campus buildings, Benjamin Harrison's lecture series, Junior Day
activities, Berkeley Day activities, student tennis matches, and his negative
impression of David Starr Jordan, the University President.
box 3, folder 4
Letters to his brother
1893-1894
Charles Bartlett Dyke Papers
1893-1896
Custodial History note
Gift of P. Meissner, 1979
box 3, folder 5
Diary of a journey from Ohio to California; and cash accounts at Stanford
University
1893; 1894-1896
W. Y. Evans-Wentz Papers
1906-1927
box 3, folder 6
Letters of recommendation from David Starr Jordan, Orrin Leslie Elliott,
and J. E. McDowell; and letter from Evans-Wentz to Ray Lyman Wilbur regarding an
educational trust fund, endowing a professorship at Stanford.
Student notes, unidentified
box 3, folder 7
List of rules for student conduct,
undated
Burnham P. Beckwith Papers
1923-1924, 1982
Custodial History note
Gift of Burnham P. Beckwith, January 1983
Scope and Contents note
These papers of Beckwith, class of 1926, include letters, a class paper, and a
chapter from his autobiography. Subjects in the letters include his academic work,
being on the staff of the student newspaper, excursions to San Francisco, his
activities on the debating team, athletic and social events, and lectures attended,
with occassional discussion of ideas such as socialism and religion.
box 3, folder 8
Letters home to his parents
1923 Jan. -Nov.
box 3, folder 9
Letters home to his parents; paper on religion; and two photographs :
Beckwith with friends and Branner Hall
1924
box 3, folder 10
"My four years at Stanford, 1922-1926." Chapter VI, Autobiography of
Burnham Putnam Beckwith,
circa 1982
Walter E. Nichols Letters
1898-1899
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Winifred Gabrielson, April 1984
box 3, folder 11
Letters, Six letters to his cousin, Mabel
Sept. 1898-April 1899.
Henrietta Martin Letters
1893-1986
box 3, folder 12
Two letters from Ellen F. Thompson; three letters from Dora
Murdy
4 Jan. 1893 and 30 Oct. 1893; 24 Dec. 1895, 12 Jan. 1895,
and 26 March 1896
Ethel C. Duncan Letter
1906
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Ralph Weinrichter, 1992
box 3, folder 13
Letter to Andrew Durham, describing what she likes about Stanford, the
fraternities, the surrounding countryside, and the students.
19 Jan. 1906
Alva Emrich Barzen Letters
1913
Custodial History note
Purchased from Howard Hein, 1985
box 3, folder 14
Two letters to his family describing his race at a track event, writing for
the student newspaper, fraternity life and affairs, and meetings with Charles
Lathrop, business manager for the University, and John C. Branner, President of the
University.
James Cone Letter
1900 Oct. 6
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Dorothy Cone Moore, 1985
box 3, folder 15
Letter to his mother concerning football, boarding costs and the members of
his club, and family matters.
Michitaro Sindo Letters
1901-1902
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Dorothy Cone Moore, 1985
Biographical/Historical note
Michitaro Sindo, a Japanese student at Stanford from 1900 to 1906, worked with David
S. Jordan on ichthyological studies and the Commission to study Hawaiian fishes. While
at Stanford he was tutored by Elizabeth Cone, who earned her A.B. in English in 1901
and was a graduate student and assistant in the English Department, 1906-1908.
Scope and Contents note
These letters to Cone discuss his ichthyological work in Hawaii with Dr. Jordan,
1901, and in Samoa with Jordan and Dr. Kellogg, 1902; his description of Samoa and its
people, including his visit to Robert Louis Stevenson's residence and grave; his
assessment of Japanese home and social life (in reaction to an article in
Outlook); and his academic work at Stanford,
1901.
box 3, folder 16
Letters to Elizabeth Cone
1901-1902
Carl Emil Knecht Letters
1895-1896
Custodial History note
Gift of Peter and Carl Knecht, 1985
Biographical/Historical note
Knecht earned his B.A. in geology at Stanford in 1899 and his M.A. in 1900. After a
year in California as a geologist, Knecht worked for several mining companies in South
Africa. He died in Johannesburg on July 12, 1925.
Scope and Contents note
These letters were written to his family in Los Angeles from September 1895 to May
1896 and discuss his classes, exams, fees and expenses, the celebration on campus
after decision in court case on Leland Stanford's estate, excursions to S. F. Bay, and
advice from Dr. Branner. Also included is the English entrance exam test he took.
box 3, folder 17
Letters, and English exam
1895
Eri Horner Richardson Letters
1905-1906
Custodial History note
Gift of Eri Horner Richarson, Jr., 1985
Biographical/Historical note
Richardson attended classes at Stanford between 1905 and 1907. From evidence in the
letters, he supported himself in part by rebuilding the Jordans' chimney after the
1906 earthquake.
box 3, folder 19
Letter from G. A. Clark; sheet on self-support for students; and letter
from Jessie Knight Jordan, with endorsement by D. S. Jordan on Richardson's
work
1905; 1905; 1906 Oct
Beulah Weeks Letter
March 5, 1896
Custodial History note
Gift of Mrs. Beulah Weeks Hemenway, 1951
box 3, folder 20
Letter to family regarding celebrations on campus after decision in court
case on Leland Stanford's estate and an excursions into Santa Cruz mountains in the
snow
Joseph B. Scudder Letter
Nov. 26, 1924
Custodial History note
Gift of Tom Flood, 2007
Biographical/Historical note
Scudder earned his A.B. in pre-law, June 1927.
box 3, folder 21
Letter to his parents discussing Big Game and upcoming appearance in Rose
Bowl against Notre Dame and his activities on Thanksgiving Day
Leon Thomas David Letter
July 6, 1921
Custodial History note
Gift of Carolyn David Eskra, 2007
Biographical/Historical note
David earned his A.B. in pre-law in June 1924 and his J.D. in 1926.
box 3, folder 22
Letter to his parents relating the "paddling" he experienced as an Encina
freshmen by upper classmen as well as the dunking tradition
George A. Tarbell Letters
1902-1903
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mrs. Robert Jaffee, 1988.
Biographical / Historical
Tarbell earned his A.B. in electrical engineering in May 1907.
box 3, folder 23
Three letters to his family generally about life on campus and his classes,
including an encounter with Prof. Marx.
Kurt Widmer minute letter
January 1930
Acquisition Information
Gift of George Schaetti, 2010.
box 3, folder 24
Pre-printed “Stanford University Minute Letter” postcard sent to Grete
Hoffman [Romer]
Jan 21, 1930
Scope and Contents
The postcard has 6 segments with various options that the sender can check.
Mary Carol Stearns letters Accession ARCH-2015-160
1946
Additional Mary Carol Stearns letters Accession ARCH-2017-275
George D. Green letters Accession ARCH-2016-028
1960 Jan-Jun
Scope and Contents
Letters from George to then girlfriend (now wife) Anne Rose Green from Stanford in
Germany IV; copies typed of letters to parents.
Processing Information
Letters scanned and returned to donor. Digital surrogates available.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Overseas Studies
Bartlett/Gould family letters and diaries Accession ARCH-2016-034
1906-1934
box 1
Mabel Bartlett letters
circa 1906-1909
box 1
Richard Bartlett Gould letters and diary
1930-1934
Katherine J. Stephenson letters Accession ARCH-2016-035
Hall family letters Accession ARCH-2016-036
1916
box 1, folder 1
Letter from Benjamin Frederick Hall to Mrs. Addie S. C. Hall
1916-4-23
box 1, folder 2
Letter from Myron Crawford Hall to Benjamin Frederick Hall
1916-5-14
John Murray Huneke and Chrissie Kremer student letters ARCH-2016-050
1947-1983
John Murray Huneke letters home
1947-1983
Chrissie Kremer letters home from Vienna and Cliveden
1983
Chris Seaman letter ARCH-2016-059
1973
box 1
Letter from Chris Seaman to Diane, Ned, Kate, and Anne Keller
1973
Elaine Lindheim (Class of 1963) letters ARCH-2016-071
1960-1963
Scope and Contents
PDF scans of letters sent home from Elaine Lindheim (class of 1963).
Barbara Armentrout (Class of 1967) letters ARCH-2016-072
1965 Apr-Aug
Scope and Contents
PDF scans of letters sent home from Stanford in France X by Barbara Armentrout (class
of 1967).
Mary Caballero (Class of 2018) letters ARCH-2016-073
Scope and Contents
PDF scans of letters sent home from Mary Caballero (class of 2018).
Ethan Meyers (Class of 2014) letters ARCH-2016-076
2013-2015
Scope and Contents
JPG images of letters sent home from Ethan Myers (class of 2014) on Mother's Day 2013
& 2015.
William Quinn (Class of 1992) letters home ARCH-2016-077
1991-1992
Scope and Contents
PDF scans of letters sent home from William Quinn (Class of 1992).
Marijean Crow (Class of 1979) letters ARCH-2015-129
Eric Johnson (Class of 1991) letter ARCH-2015-129
1990
Nancy Christine Smith letters ARCH-2016-081
1946-1947
Robert Lowell Swetzer (Class of 1951) letters ARCH-2016-085
Vickie Rozell (Class of 1981) letters ARCH-2016-086
Wendell Birkhofer (Class of 1978) letters ARCH-2016-087
William R. Poppino (Class of 1956) letters ARCH-2016-088
Julia Hamilton Conkling (Class of 1915, 1916 MA) letters ARCH-2016-089
Box 3
Photographs and memorabilia
Blossom Parke McBrier (Class of 1945) letter home Accession ARCH-2016-123
Fred Brosio (Class of 1957), letters Accession ARCH-2017-041
1953
Christina Kohlmann (Class of 2015), letters Accession ARCH-2017-042
2016
Lanny Levin (Class of 1971), letters, 1968 Accession ARCH-2017-043
1968
Madeleine Rowell (Class of 2018), letters Accession ARCH-2017-045
2015
Russell Smith (Class of 1941), letters Accession ARCH-2016-141
1938
Terry Yoschak Koehler (Class of 1966), letters Accession ARCH-2017-047
1962-1966
Theer, Maryeda Hayes (Class of 1957, MA 1958), letters Accession ARCH-2017-055
1953-1956
Peter King (Class of 1965), letters Accession ARCH-2017-056
1961-1965
Joseph L. Jacobs (Class of 1965) letters home Accession ARCH-2016-080
1961-2015
Alison Carpenter Davis (Class of 1975) letters Accession ARCH-2018-047
1975-1977
Mary Lesnett Carpenter (Class of 1948) letters Accession ARCH-2018-046
1944-1948
Anne Battle (Class of 1975) letters Accession ARCH-2018-080
Will Prichard (Class of 1898) letter Accession ARCH-2017-311
1894
Eleanor Elizabeth Hardman Furst Roberts (Class of 1933) letters Accession ARCH-2018-094
Natalie Stevenson Rittenhouse (Class of 1948) letters Accession ARCH-2018-096
Emails and text messages Series 2
Scope and Contents
Email and text message correspondence between Stanford students and their families.
Materials submitted to the University Archives electronically as part of the Stanford
Alumni Legacy Project initiative. Emails are submitted directly to the Stanford
University Archives at yourstanfordlegacy@stanford.edu; text messages are submitted
directly to (415) 952-7241. Files consist of email and/or text messages, or screenshots
thereof. Contextual explanations and descriptions of messages are sometimes provided by
donors. File formats primarily include: .eml, .jpg, .pdf, .docx, .csv, and .htm.
Anonymous (Class of 2016) anon_001
2015
Bennett-Fite, Nicole (Class of 2016)
2013-2015
Bruzek, Laine (Class of 2016), texts Accession ARCH-ARCH-2017-048
2013
Clonts, Michael (Class of 1985)
1982-1983
Franich, Darren (Class of 2007)
2006
Glazer, Grant (Class of 2017)
2013
Goetze,Catherine (Class of 2018), texts Accession ARCH-2017-049
2016
Hua, Vanessa (Class of 1997) ARCH-2016-074
1995
Johnson, Bryant (Class of 2017)
2015
Larson, Sydney (MBA Class of 2015) ARCH-2016-075
Lucas, Christopher (Class of 2018)
2015
Morgan, Tamandra (Class of 2007), email Accession ARCH-2017-051
2007
Ram, Vignesh (MA, 2012) email Accession ARCH-2017-094
2011
Richardson, Kady (Class of 2018), texts Accession ARCH-2017-052
2015
Rosen, Valerie (Class of 2013)
2009-2011
Rumberg, Roneil (Class of 2015)
2011
Seter, Jason (Class of 2018), texts Accession ARCH-2017-053
2014
Sharpe (Class of 2015)
2015
Tjossem, Nora (Class of 2015) ARCH-2016-078
2011
Toews, Erica (Class of 2010), email Accession ARCH-2017-054
2008-2009
Weber, David (Class of 2018)
2014
Weintz Cerf, Beppie (Class of 1979)
1976-03-29
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Weintz Cerf, Beppie
Weintz, J. Fred, Junior
