Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

The Lacy family papers consist primarily of correspondence written by railroad engineer Robert L. Lacy to his parents and sister in Baltimore, Maryland, while he was a graduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and during the first years of his professional career. Robert discussed his studies, life in Boston and Tennessee, and occasionally gave his opinions on international politics.

The Lacy family papers consist primarily of correspondence written by railroad engineer Robert L. Lacy to his parents and sister in Baltimore, Maryland, while he was a graduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and during the first years of his professional career.

The Correspondence series comprises the bulk of the collection. The first few letters are personal notes between Benjamin Lacy and Reverend Maltbie Davenport Babcock, both of Baltimore. The bulk of the material is dated between 1896, when Robert L. Lacy first moved to Boston, and 1907, when he was working at Oates Island, Tennessee, for the Southern Railway Company. In his letters from Boston, Robert told his parents of his daily life, and often shared stories about his landlady, fellow boarders, and other acquaintances; he also frequently reflected on his studies, a New Year celebration with the Technology Club, and on at least one occasion he shared his grades. Though predominately preoccupied by his social life, he occasionally mentioned politics, and in one letter mentioned placing a bet against the outbreak of war with Spain, which he discussed at length (March 14, 1898). Later, he explored the consequences of postwar United States actions in the Philippines and the effects of the Russo-Japanese War. After beginning his engineering career, he wrote mainly about his work and his places of residence, including South Carolina and Virginia; between 1905 and 1906, he spent most of his time on Oates Island, in southern Tennessee. Among the later letters was one written by Robert's future wife Dorothy about their upcoming wedding (April 5, 1925), and two written to the couple during their honeymoon in Bermuda that May.

The Ephemera series holds three greeting cards presented to Robert L. Lacy after 1925, celebrating the birth of a new baby (1928), Valentine's Day, and Easter. The series also contains a urinalysis report for "Mr. Lacy" from 1903, a photograph of a tree-lined river, and a printed poem entitled "The Lily of the Valley."

This collection consists of letters Fred Bach wrote to his wife and children in Delaware while he lived in Havana, Cuba, where he worked with the assistant auditor of customs accounts. He described his journey to the island, local culture and foods, as well as his daily life.

This collection consists of letters Fred Bach wrote to his family in Delaware while he lived in Havana, Cuba, where he worked with the assistant auditor of customs accounts. He wrote most frequently to his wife Anna, and also wrote to his daughters, Ethel, Barbara, and Winifred. In February 1899, he travelled to South Carolina prior to his departure for Cuba, and shared his impressions of the local people and scenery in Charleston and Orangeburg. Throughout August 1899, he composed a lengthy composite letter in which he described his journey to Havana, and after his arrival he concentrated on his daily activities, which frequently included reading and listening to music. He also wrote of the foods he ate and of the local buildings and culture. One letter from 1892 documents Bach's request for a transfer to the United States Post Office Department, where he had worked before leaving for Cuba. Also included is a public letter of recommendation for Mr. Abraham L. Lawshe for the position of first assistant postmaster general, addressed to the editor of the Star in Washington D.C. (August 21, 1900). In another letter, addressed to Joseph L. Bristow, the fourth assistant to the postmaster general, Bach provided examples of how partisan politics affected his position, and in the same letter he shared his desire to leave Cuba (September 21, 1900), though he did not submit a formal transfer request until April 15, 1902. The collection additionally holds several undated letter fragments, a short poem, and an essay entitled "In Perpetua," about the longevity of republics. Anna Bach also wrote two letters to her husband, dated February 14, 1899, and August 12, 1899.

The Conesus Lake Camping commonplace book contains poetry, drawings, and autographs compiled by a group of friends who camped near the New York lake in August 1889.

The Conesus Lake Camping commonplace book contains poetry, drawings, and autographs compiled by a group of friends who camped near the New York lake in August 1889. The loosely bound, 32-page volume opens with an inscription from William Cullen Bryant's poem "The Painted Cup," (p. 1) and also includes a copy of "Of a'the Airts the wind can blaw…," a poem by Robert Burns (p. 3). Of particular interest is a cheerful and humorous narrative poem composed by a woman staying with several female friends under the watchful eye of a chaperone, Aunt Margaret, and a male "protector," Rob. The poem, entitled "Camping Out," describes each of the six members of the camping party and includes a few of their adventures as well as a hint of nostalgia (pp. 19-25; p. 10). The book also contains a series of short cheers associated with prestigious colleges, including Princeton and Yale (p. 12), and, two ink drawings of three male friends: Newton Shepard, William S. Church, and F. B. Foster. One drawing, a tree labeled "Log Cabin" and adorned by an owl (p. 5), appears to be a detail of a larger image of a log cabin labeled "Eagle Point" (p. 32). The book also contains a number of autographs collected from camp visitors from around the country.

Gladys Galvin kept this school notebook between winter and summer terms of 1888. She filled 107 pages with vocabulary lists (pages 1-46), copies of poetry (pages 47-48, 62-66), and arithmetic and algebra (pages 49-61, 67-107). She apparently copied the mathematical exercises from a textbook; the poetry is by John G. Whittier and Charles Kingsley. The volume has printed two-color (blue and red plus black and white) covers depicting "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show, with one vignette of the show and portraits of a buffalo, Chief Good Face, William F. Cody, and Chief Red Shirt. The back cover bears a history of Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Show.

Gladys Galvin kept this school notebook between winter and summer terms of 1888. She filled 107 pages with vocabulary lists (pages 1-46), copies of poetry (pages 47-48, 62-66), and arithmetic and algebra (pages 49-61, 67-107). She apparently copied the mathematical exercises from a textbook; the poetry is by John G. Whittier and Charles Kingsley.

The volume has printed two-color (blue and red plus black and white) covers depicting "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show, with one vignette of the show and portraits of a buffalo, Chief Good Face, William F. Cody, and Chief Red Shirt. The vignette shows Native American men on horseback in the background with Buffalo Bill on horseback in the foreground. The cover text states, "The CONGRESS of the "ROUGH RIDERS" gathered from various parts of the world. BUFFALO BILL on his famous horse 'DUKE'. The back cover bears a history of Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Show.

This autograph album contains 33 signatures from male and female acquaintances of Clara McCarron of Detroit, Michigan, which she collected between 1887 and 1893.

This autograph album contains 33 signatures from male and female acquaintances of Clara McCarron of Detroit, Michigan, which she collected between 1887 and 1893. Many of McCarron's friends wrote quotations, poetry, and other brief messages beside their names. Minnie Doran (April 1, 1887) and Grace Maley (June 2) shared brief humorous thoughts on marriage, and Chikanori Tomohira's message is accompanied by a note in Japanese (January 23). Some signatures are accompanied by sets of dates. The volume was originally manufactured as a diary, with pre-printed lines for each calendar date. Colored illustrations for each month are accompanied by brief "birthday wish[es]." The book's cover has a relief illustration of a hand, writing on paper with a pen.

This volume contains diary entries and essays about sea travel between New York City and San Francisco, railroad travel between California and Florida, and life in Florida during the late 1880s. The volume also includes drawings, several incomplete acrostic poems about Grover Cleveland, two laid-in essays, and a list of theatrical performances.

This volume (80 pages) contains diary entries and essays about sea travel between New York City and San Francisco, railroad travel between California and Florida, and life in Florida during the late 1880s. The volume also includes drawings, several incomplete acrostic poems about Grover Cleveland, and a list of theatrical performances.

The bulk of the volume consists of diary entries and essays about the author's trip from New York City to San Francisco on the St. David between July 13, 1887, and December 17, 1887 (pp. 1-39); his time in San Francisco from December 1887 to January 1888 (pp. 41-46); his visit to the New Almaden quicksilver mine in December 1887 (pp. 47-50); his railroad trip from San Francisco to Jacksonville, Florida, in January 1888 (pp. 52-58); and his life in Florida from January 1888 to May 1889 (pp. 59-61). The diary of the voyage on the St. David documents weather conditions; sightings and captures of birds, porpoises, and fish; and leisure activities (such as card playing). When describing San Francisco, the author noted the population density of Chinatown and the city's preference for gold bits over paper money and pennies. During his visit to the New Almaden mine, he descended into a shaft, where he saw Mexican laborers carrying ore to the surface, a mule that had been underground for around a year, and a group of miners preparing a blast.

The author's account of his railroad voyage from California to Florida focuses on the cold temperatures and snowfall that caused him to miss all but one of his intended connections. During the trip, the author stopped at and briefly described Salt Lake City, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis. A clipping from a Denver & Rio Grande Railway circular contains a description of the route. While in Florida, the author noted how little Lake Geneva, his primary residence, had changed since his visit four years previously; he also commented on the effects of a yellow fever epidemic.

The travel writings are followed by a group of unfinished acrostic poems utilizing the name "Grover Cleveland" (pp. 62-65), an excerpt of dialogue (pp. 67-68), and a list of plays and theaters, including several that starred Edwin Booth (pp. 75-80). Pages 71-74 have been removed from the volume. Two loose essays laid into the book concern the purchase of hunting dog and a story about the author's travels with an itinerant dentist named Henry Carter. The names John Moore (Brooklyn, New York), Edward R. Wilbur, Jr. (New York City), and Mrs. Samuel Clemens are written on the final page of the volume.

The volume contains several illustrations, including a laid-in watercolor drawing of a sailor making a sail onboard the St. David. Drawings of "A Frisco Beauty" (p. 40) and "From the Car Window (Injuns)" (p. 57) are pasted into the book; the latter drawing shows Indians standing near a group of tepees. A sketched outline of part of a horse (p. 64) is drawn directly into the volume. The author's description of his trip to the New Almaden mine is illustrated with ink drawings of a canyon, the buildings over a mineshaft, and the mine's condenser.

The Samuel F. Smith collection contains material related to the author of the poem "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" ("America"), including holograph manuscripts of the lyrics, correspondence, and photographs.

The Samuel F. Smith collection contains material related to the author of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" ("America"). Many items pertain to the song, such as holograph copies of the lyrics signed by the author and a facsimile of its first printed version. Other items include handwritten copies of the poem "The Eve of Decoration Day" and the hymn "The Morning Light is Breaking," along with a letter to D.A. Wilbur in which Smith expressed doubts about the legitimacy of what Wilbur believed to be an original copy of "The Morning Light is Breaking" (January 4, 1895).

The collection also has several personal letters that Smith wrote near the end of his life, a brief autobiographical statement, a prose work entitled "The Prayer," a statement about the Harvard College Class of 1829, and several portraits, including one bearing Smith's autograph. Also included is a printed program from a "Testimonial Benefit Tendered to Rev. S. F. Smith, D. D.," held on April 3, 1895, as well as a published volume, Poems of Home and Country, once owned by J. F. C. Hyde. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for a complete inventory.

The Eleazar Smith biographical sketch is Thomas A. Dickinson's 1881 transcription of Smith's memoir, originally written in 1828. Smith described his experiences as a militiaman during the Revolutionary War, as well as his work as an inventor and machinist in Medfield and Walpole, Massachusetts.

The Eleazar Smith biographical sketch (54 pages) is Thomas A. Dickinson's 1881 transcription of Smith's memoir, originally written in 1828. Smith described his experiences as a militiaman during the Revolutionary War and his work as an inventor and machinist in Medfield and Walpole, Massachusetts.

The first 2 pages consist of Dickinson's introduction to the manuscript, including a history of the original document and the date and place of Dickinson's transcription. A paper laid into these pages describes one of Smith's clocks, which ran until at least 1883. Pages 3-50 contain the transcription; the original manuscript's first 2 pages, lost prior to 1881, are not copied. Smith's biography consists of reminiscences and stories about his professional life, but he also discussed his finances and business relationships with men in Medfield, Walpole, and Boston. He frequently commented on his lifelong affinity for the clocks and other machinery that he repaired and made, and the memoir includes a detailed description of a nail-making machine he created (p. 32). Pages 12-18 pertain to Smith's time in a militia regiment during the Revolution, including his imprisonment on suspicion of counterfeiting and his decision to desert. The biographical sketch is followed by a poem about "General Smith," thought to include contributions by Eleazar Smith (pp. 51-52); brief notes about Mrs. Adams of Medfield, Massachusetts, one of Eleazar Smith's neighbors (p. 53), and a card tooth machine (p. 54); and a copy of Eleazar Smith's epitaph from his grave at the Walpole Rural Cemetery (p. 54).

The Kate G. Geary Autograph Album contains signatures, poems, proverbs, and other contributions of Geary's male and female acquaintances in Michigan from 1877 to 1884.

The Kate G. Geary Autograph Album contains signatures, poems, proverbs, and other contributions of Geary's male and female acquaintances in Michigan from 1877 to 1884. The bulk of the entries were written in Pinckney, Michigan, as well as nearby locations in Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Oakland counties. Main topics are love and friendship, the passage of time, and religion. Several printed stickers appear within the volume.

The Field papers contain eleven letters from the popular American writer, Eugene Field; one undated letter from J.M. Stoddart to Field; two manuscript poems; a newspaper edition of "The House," with marginal editorial notes; and a set of proof sheets from Field's "autobiography," Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac.

The Field papers contain eleven letters from the popular American writer, Eugene Field; one undated letter from J.M. Stoddart to Field; two manuscript poems; a newspaper edition of "The House," with marginal editorial notes; and a set of proof sheets from Field's "autobiography," Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac. Field's letters are addressed variously to his wife or children, and to Harvard linguist, Francis J. Childs.

Although the letters in the Field papers are miscellaneous, and touch on a wide variety of subjects, several stand out for their individual interest. One letter, apparently written to a son (1886 September 10), includes a brief, pleasant description of a baseball game between Chicago and Detroit, and is accompanied by a charming example of Field's ability as an illustrator. The most important letters in the collection are those few that reveal some of Field's attitudes toward marriage and family. Two letters addressed to his 16-year-old fiancee (1873 January 10 and 1873 October 10), for instance, provide advice on how to prepare for their impending wedding night, adding confidently, "Oh Julia, you know not what bliss is in store for you!" Another letter written to his wife shortly after the death of a young son (1890 October 4) suggests the fragile distance that Field was able to place between himself and his deceased child. "I fear that I am regarded quite hard hearted," he wrote "I have been so peaceful since the end came. While our boy still lived, I battled constantly in spirit and I think that another week would have killed me. Now that all is over, I am content, wholly reconciled. I believe our boy is happy now. It is selfish to wish him back."

The collection contains final manuscript drafts of Field's poems, "De Amicitus," "A French Crisis" (published as "The Fair Limousin") and "Holly and Ivy" (which was decoratively illustrated by the author), and the newspaper edition of "The House," with marginal editorial notes, some of which are in Field's hand. A single cabinet card photograph of Field in this collection was signed by him and dated May, 1895.