Collections

The papers include biographical materials of Beck, poems, ballads, and recordings of lumbermen songs.

His undated papers include typed copies of shanty-boy type songs, folk ballads, poems, and music that Beck collected, possibly in the 1930s, as well as two cassette recordings of his group singing lumberjack songs.

Two audiodisc recordings (ca. 1960?) of Beck talking about, singing and reciting various songs, and the three 2005 CDs made from the recordings, are also included. The recordings include a spoken introduction to each section by Beck who then sings or recites the songs. Tracks 1 and 2 are from Audiodisc #1 and Tracks 5 and 6 are from Audiodisc #2. Please note that only the CD labeled “Unprocessed Recordings of Earl C. Beck” plays in a CD player. The other two CDs apparently were used to create the playable CD.

Track 1: Ballads: ‘Barbara Allen’ (short and long versions) and ‘Little Mohee’ (11:11); Track 2: Ballads: ‘Barbara Allen’ (long versions) and ‘Little Mohee’ (10:14); Track 3: Miscellaneous chorus; chipmunks (Chip N Dale)? (0:22); Track 4: distorted voices (0:37); Track 5: Lullabies: ‘Little Old Sod Shanty’; Michigan Lumber Jack Songs: ‘Shanty Boy’ and ‘Pete Batiste’ (both recited) (7:37); Track 6: American Cowboy Songs: ‘Railroad Corral’, ‘Old Saddle’ (recited), and Round Up Time This Fall (verses recited, chorus sung) (8:52).

Digitized letters, legal documents, notes, honors, awards, certificates, ecclesiastical notes, sermons, small publications, images, and other materials created by or about Fr. Gabriel Richard, biographical materials, and project administration materials.

In 2018, at the behest of the Archdiocese of Detroit (AD), the Clarke Historical Library digitized letters, legal documents, notes, honors, awards, certificates, ecclesiastical notes, sermons and documents, small publications, images, and other materials created by or about Fr. Gabriel Richard. During processing the paper copies printed from the combined digitized project resulted in 16 boxes (7.75 cubic feet) of materials. Original manuscripts were in the Early Church Records and Gabriel Richard Collection, 1735-1835, 4 manuscript and 2 oversized boxes, housed at the Archdiocese of Detroit (AD) Archives, and the collection of Monsignor Edward J. Hickey, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, 1767-1976, 4 cubic feet, housed at Sacred Heart Major Seminary Archives (SHMSA), Detroit. This resulting collection also includes biographical material on Richard; finding aids for both original paper collections; spreadsheets (file naming lists) which list and describe the folder contents of both original collections linked with digital file folder numbers; and paper prints created from the watermarked JPEG files which were converted to PDF files. Please note that three folders listed on the spreadsheets were not given to the Clarke for digitizing, including: SHMSA Box 2 folders 1-2 and Box 8 folder 1. Part of the agreement with the AD is that the Clarke has permission to allow researcher’s access to the digital project collection paper prints only in our reading room, not online. The collection is mostly in English, although there are numerous letters and documents in French. Hickey transcribed letters in his collection from French into English. Some of the publications are in various combinations of English, French, Latin and German. The Clarke also has many hardcopy versions of most of the publications about Richard found in this collection. There is also a list of legal terms in Latin and a letter that might be in Dutch. There are some inconsistencies due to spelling in original documents. Copyright questions should be referred to the AD.

The collection is organized alphabetically by the name of the original collection. The folder labels are AD 1-1 or 1-2, indicating the first two folders in the original AD or SHMSA collection. Further description of each folder content has been added to this box and folder listing from the original finding aids to assist researches, but is not found on this collection’s labels in the boxes. Original folder listing continues in this collection’s boxes. For example, in this collection, Box #7 includes the last AD folders originally from AD Box 2. AD 2-30 through 2-33, and the beginning of the first Hickey box SHMSA 1-1 through 1-9.

Originally oversized materials were housed out of order in oversized boxes in both AD and SHMSA. As a result of digitizing all prints now fit into legal-sized folders. For example, oversized AD-13 is in folder AD-13, not in a separate folder or box marked as oversized items.

The Early Church Records and Gabriel Richard Collection, 1735-1835, 4 manuscript and 2 oversized boxes, is housed at the Archdiocese of Detroit (AD) Archives. The collection contains some of Father Richard’s papers as well as papers of other Detroit settlers. The appointment of Frederick Rese as the first bishop of Detroit is in the collection, as are documents relating to the parishes of St. Antoine in Monroe and St. Felicity in St. Clair Shoes. The collection documents the growth and development of the Catholic Church in Detroit in the late 18th and early 19th century.

In addition, the collection includes books thought to have been printed on Richard’s press and a few items that belonged to Father Richard.

The collection is organized in five series: I.Correspondence and Legal Documents, 1782-1834; II. Financial Records, 1802-1832, This series contains materials relating to the financial and business transactions of GR (both personal and on behalf of the Church of St. Anne) as well as private citizens in the Detroit area. Included are such items as promissory notes, ledger and accounting records, receipts and bills of sale.; III. Personal Papers and Notes, undated, The series has material relating to GR’s discussions of the theories and principles of various academic subjects.; IV. Printed Materials, 1735-1831, This series contains printed materials relating to GR’s work in the community as well as Detroit history. Included are US Congressional bills with provisions regarding efforts to educate and care for deaf-mutes.

The collection of Monsignor Edward J. Hickey, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, 1767-1976, 4 cubic feet, is housed at Sacred Heart Major Seminary Archives (SHMSA), Detroit. This material was transferred to the AD in 2017 and is on deposit there from SHMSA. The collection includes: artifacts and documents related to Father Gabriel Richard and the early history of the Diocese of Detroit. The collection may only be accessed with the permission of the SHMSA Library Director. Monsignor Hickey transcribed numerous original letters of Father Richard in French, and then translated them into English. There are also texts of speeches and talks given by Monsignor Hickey on the subject of Father Richard; pamphlets and articles by others on the life of Father Richard; a list of the books in the private collection of Father Richard; paintings, photographs and prints of Father Richard and important places in his life; and other material pertaining to Monsignor Hickey and his family. The collection mostly follows the original organization by Father [Earl] Boyea. The collection was inventoried by Steve Wejroch, Archivist for the Archdiocese of Detroit, in August 2017.

The collection is organized in eight series: Box 1: Articles on Gabriel Richard; Box 2: Gabriel Richard’s Correspondence; Box 3: Honors to Gabriel Richard, 1929-1948; Box 4: Honors to Gabriel Richard, 1949 – Present; Box 8: Richard Correspondence – Originals

The collection includes 1960s photostatic copies and English transcripts of Fr. Richard’s correspondence and other materials.

The collection includes 1960s photostatic copies and English transcripts of Fr. Richard’s correspondence and other materials. There are no original Richard materials in the collection. The collection was probably copied from various archives including the Clements Library and the Library of Congress. Among the correspondents are other Catholic prelates, Francis Navarre, the Michigan Legislature, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, William Woodbridge, Alexander Fraser, and St. Anne’s Parish. The collection is arranged mostly chronologically.

Other papers (copies) include Richard’s last wills and testaments, October 1, 1806 and October 31, 1821; his inventory, 1833; a report about a fire in Detroit, 1809; petitions to the Michigan Legislature, including one promoting the education of Indians, 1809; papers about the Society of Catholic Schools in Michigan, 1815; and testimonies of court cases involving Fr. Richard, 1823.

Most of the letters and other papers were written by Fr. Richard in French. Topics cover political, religious, and educational matters and Detroit.

Information about and correspondence with Fr. Richard may also be found in the Richard digital project collection, Francis Navarre, St. Anne’s Church, and Charles J. Walker Collections in the Clarke Historical Library, as well as in numerous books. Item-level index cards are also available to assist researchers.

Collection of research materials Westbrook amassed for his book on historic homes of Mount Pleasant and Isabella County, Michigan.

The collection consists of materials, scanned photographs, copies of pages from historical books, notes, and other materials Westbrook amassed for his book, and drafts of his chapters. A copy of the Morning Sun [Mount Pleasant, Mich.] newspaper article about his research and the release of the book, 2012, and a CD of Westbrook’s work is also included.

The collection includes CD recordings of book signings, which is the focus of the collection, WCMU recording and release forms, a list of Michigan authors and their writings, a written calendar of Michigan authors’ book signings, and fliers for book signings.

The collection was kept by the Clarke in a number of folders, which were titled and dated. Materials were processed by format, then in alphabetical and chronological order. Materials covered by the Michigan Authors collection include CD recordings of book signings, which is the focus of the collection, WCMU recording and release forms, a list of Michigan authors and their writings, a written calendar of Michigan authors’ book signings, and fliers for book signings.

Processing Notes: One folder of peripheral material was withdrawn from the collection. Items that were fragile or acidic were copied and their originals withdrawn from the collection.

Collection of materials about Jones and materials derived from his book.

The collection includes Biographical Information: his obituary (copy), autobiography, and memorial service programs and video; and materials related to the chancel play derived from his book (A) Non-violent revelation to John, (copies of which are available in the CMU Libraries).

Of particular interest to CMU students will be his autobiography which documents how the increasing racial violence and numbers of murders, particularly those of Robert and President John F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., affected him. He also details incidents of racism against African-Americans in Mount Pleasant and CMU and the efforts of CMU students and Father John Goodrow of St. John’s Episcopal Church to work towards positive integration and changes at CMU and in Mount Pleasant.

The collection consists of biographical materials about Lentz, reference materials (copies) about silos, and Lentz's photographs of silos in Michigan.

The collection, compiled and created by Lentz, includes: Biographical Materials by/about Lentz, 1982, 2003, undated; Articles about silos published by Lentz, 1994, 1998, undated; materials relating to his research and photography of silos, such as Correspondence, with photographs and clippings (copies), 1974, 2003, undated; Literature and Research, 1876, 2000 (copies made from 1980 on); Photographs and Negatives of silos, related buildings and farm people photographed by Lentz, 1982, 2001, undated; Slides (copies on CDs) and his accompanying Speech Notes, 1980, 2003; and the contents of a Photograph Album and two Scrapbooks on silos, 1982, 1988, undated. Also included are one oversized black and white Photograph and ten oversized, matted, colored Photographs of interesting silos, undated. A late addition to the collection is Old Farm Silos, June 2008, a CD.

This collection, collected by Cappel, documents her work with Kiogima on their book, including biographical material, clippings, and copies of books and translations by Ray Kiogima.

This collection, collected by Cappel, documents her work with Kiogima on their book. It includes Biographical Information on Kiogima, mainly clippings (copies) and Internet articles about him and his book, 2006; Biographical Information on Cappel from her website, 2006; Correspondence from Constance Cappel to Martha Bates, Editor of Michigan State University Press re: Kiogima's Odawa to English Dictionary, 2004; Cynthia Hayne's notes (copies) from Ray's Ottawa language class at Harbor Springs (Mich.), Spring 1976; an Introduction to Ray Kiogima's Book II, pp.1-3, by Cappel, 2004; Odawa Language and Legends: Andrew J. Blackbird and Raymond Kiogima, 2005 (2 copies); Odawa to English (copy) by Kiogima, 2004; Original Odawa voices: Andrew J. Blackbird and Raymond Kiogima, compiled and edited by Constance Cappel, 2004 (pp.1-8, draft); Ottawa Stories, translated by Ray Kiogima (copies), 2004; and an untitled Prayer (in Ottawa and English), undated, probably translated and prayed by Ray at the opening of a tribal meeting.

Collection of research materials (mostly photocopies) of Dr. Charles E. Feltner. The collection’s focus is Great Lakes diving, maritime history (both American and Canadian), shipping history, and shipwrecks. Other major topics include 1905 and 1913 storms, insurance, marine casualties, merchant vessels, sailing, shipbuilding/construction, and underwater logging.

Dr. Charles E. and Jeri Baron Feltner Great Lakes Maritime History Collection, 1978, 2018 and undated, 17.5 cubic feet in 30 boxes and 3 oversized folders contains the research materials (mostly photocopies) of Dr. Charles E. Feltner. The collection’s focus is Great Lakes diving, maritime history (both American and Canadian), shipping history, and shipwrecks. Other major topics include 1905 and 1913 storms, insurance, marine casualties, merchant vessels, sailing, shipbuilding/construction, and underwater logging.

The photocopies are from numerous historical collections and/or research institutions housing the collections, almost always identified in detail by Dr. Feltner. If the source information was on or in the folder, it was retained during processing. Of particular note are copies from the Louden G. Williams collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University.

The contents includes: articles, bibliographies, copies of manuscripts, correspondence, essays, geological surveys, information on diving on shipwrecks, rigging and masting, marine vessel enrollments, insurance, legislation, maritime genealogy bibliographies (American and Canadian), newspaper clippings, Old Mariners’ Church, Detroit, photographs (some of which are originals), reports, ship salvage, shipwrecks, vessel inspections, underwater archaeological surveys, underwater heritage research, U.S. Lighthouse and Life-Saving services, and Dr. Feltner’s original notes, correspondence and essays. Boats of particular interest in this collection include the Calypso, the Challenge, the Chicora, the Daniel J. Morrell (built in 1906, sank in 1966), the Edmund Fitzgerald, the Huron Brave (a fictitious ship), and the Lady Elgin. Included are also materials concerning Dick Race, Jacques Cousteau, and Peter Elias Falcon. Materials from corporate authors include Association of Canadian Lake Underwriters, Board of Lake Underwriters, Bureau of Navigation, Inland Lloyds, Institute of Marine Engineers, Lake Underwriters (this is the American underwriters), U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Lake Surveys, U.S. National Archives, and U.S. War Department Corps of Engineers. Many locations are documented in this collection. Major, but not inclusive, locations include Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Mackinaw City, MI, Milwaukee, WI, Ontario, Canada, Port Huron, MI, Presque Isle, MI, Sandusky, OH, Sault Saint Marie, MI, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Thunder Bay.

Of particular note, rare insurance materials are included in the collection. Also of special interest are diving educator’s materials, a single slide of an artist’s drawing of the Daniel J. Morrell breaking up in 1966 (See Box 28 Wreck files…), meteorological wreck charts and shipwreck locations, ship model plans/ building, and notes on how to conduct research.

This collection is likely one of the top ten marine history research collection in the United States, complied from research collections in national and international historical institutions. Original variant spellings were retained in the box and folder listing.

The Photographs folder includes one image each of a Northern Line vessel, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and Goderion.

All items in Oversize Folder 1 measure 11x17 inches. All items in Oversized Folder 2 measure 11x15 inches. The contents of Oversize Folder 3 have varying measurements as noted in the box and folder listing.

Arrangement: Collection materials are organized by size, then alphabetically and chronologically within original order.

Cataloging Note for Marine Historians: Please note that pre-existing Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) do not match normal maritime designations, especially for ship designations ex. Chicora of 1895 (Steamship). Also, Enrollments is not an official LCSH. The Archivist provided the most descriptive finding aid and best cataloging possible for this collection, in consultation with Professor Jay Martin.

Processing Note: Duplicate copies and peripheral non-Michigan materials, both primary and secondary sources, and miscellaneous notes were withdrawn from the collection during processing, a total of 1 cubic foot. Acidic materials and poor quality photocopies were photocopied and the originals were withdrawn. All withdrawn materials and duplicates were returned to the donor as per the donor agreement, amounting to 9.5 cubic feet. 70 titles were separately cataloged. 17 items were added to the Michigan Vertical Files.

Correspondence from John and Ingrid Hepler to Jett and Shelley Whitehead, 1978-1993 (Scattered), and undated.

Correspondence from John and Ingrid Hepler to Jett and Shelley Whitehead, 1978-1993 (Scattered), and undated. The collection is organized chronologically. The collection documents their deepening friendship between themselves and their families and numerous interests they shared. Towards the end of Hepler’s life, as he became unable to read and write himself, his wife Ingrid wrote on his behalf to Jett and his wife, Shelly. Broadly, they discussed many topics in their letters. One major topic they discussed is writing. Mainly, Hepler and Whitehead discussed poetry, poets and authors, Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost (most frequently), and Shakespeare. They also discussed and critiqued their own writings and mailed each other written material that they found interesting (See July 1978 – May 1980, July 1980 – May 1981, July 1981 – May 1982, July 1982 – July 1983, August 1983 – March 1984, April – December 1984, January – June 1985, July 1985 – March 1986, January – August 1989, September – December 1989, February – May 1990, and June 1990 – June 1993, Hepler Writings, 1976, 1983 folders, and Jett Whitehead Poetry folder). Another major topic they often wrote about was their families. Throughout the collection, Hepler wrote about his children and grandchildren. When deaths in the extended families occur, condolences are sent and when someone is sick, well wishes are sent (See July 1980 – May 1981, July 1981 – May 1982, April – December 1984, January – June 1985, July 1985 – March 1986, April 1986 – November 1987, January – August 1989, September – December 1989, February – May 1990, and June 1990 – June 1993 folders). They also frequently wrote about everyday occurrences and sent each other good wishes. The relationship between the Hepler and Whitehead families strengthened over time. The Heplers sent the Whiteheads advice, encouragement, and considered them as part of their own family (See August 1978 – May 1980, July 1982 – July 1983, April – December 1984, July 1985 – March 1986, April 1986 – November 1987, September – December 1989, February – May 1990, and June 1990 – June 1993 folders). While health was discussed throughout the collection, it becomes a main topic when Hepler is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease towards the end of the collection. Ingrid informed the Whiteheads about John’s condition and carried on the correspondence for John when he could no longer read nor write. She also included her own feelings on the situation in her letters to the Whiteheads, noted that she missed the conversations she once had with her husband, and who he was before the disease as it sometimes made him abusive towards her (See June 1990 – June 1993 folder). In his letters, Hepler occasionally mentions CMU. He writes about other CMU professor like Daniel Weber (See July 1980 – May 1980 folder), Clarke Historical Library Reference Librarian and Faculty member Bill Miles (See July 1981 – May 1982 folder), and negative publicity that CMU received from the Detroit Free Press, regarding former Sigma Phi Epsilon president Paul Bonaccine, who was accused of sexually assaulting another student. The charges were reduced to attempted fourth degree criminal sexual conduct to which Bonaccine plead no contest. Sigma Phi Epsilon was stripped of its rights as a CMU Fraternity in 1984 for four years (CM Life, November 19, 1984, January 14, 1985, and See January – June 1985 and July 1985 – March 1986 folder).