Archie Roy Scott, World War I soldier
Date: 1919
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on Archie Roy Scott, Battery F, 357th Field Artillery, 88th Division. Archie died from pneumonia on October 24, 1918 while serving in France.

Autograph postcard
Date: 1909
Autograph remailing card. Card designed to be circulated to multiple people to collect autographs. The obverse has the image of an open book with blank pages for the signatures. The reverse has six blanks for names and addresses as well as six squares for postage stamps. The card has been circulated to Kansas City, Missouri, Newton, Kansas, and Smith Center, Kansas. Five green one-cent stamps on reverse, all cancelled. Additional postmark on obverse from Smith Center, April 4, 1909. Card copyrighted by "G&B" 1908.

Baseball game handbill from Gaylord, Kansas
Date: 1914
This handbill advertises a baseball game between Gaylord and Smith Center on July 19, 1914. Both teams had competed a few days earlier in a four-team tournament held in Smith Center. Gaylord won the tournament, but Smith Center won the game played on July 19 by a score of 7-5. Many of the players on the Gaylord team were imported from the Kansas City area. The handbill was preserved in a scrapbook with items related to the baseball activities of Ray Stewart from Topeka. Stewart was hired to pitch for the Lebanon team during the Smith Center tournament.

Box scores from a baseball tournament in Smith Center
Date: 1914
These typewritten box scores document the results of games played in a baseball tournament held in Smith Center on July 15-17, 1914. Participating teams included Gaylord, Lebanon, Portis and Smith Center. On the first day of the tournament, Gaylord defeated Portis, 9-2, and Lebanon defeated Smith Center, 9-6. On the second day, Gaylord bested Lebanon, 4-3, and Portis won over Smith Center, 3-2. Lebanon defeated Portis, 6-0, on the final day and Smith Center beat Gaylord, 4-1. Since Lebanon and Gaylord each had two wins, the tie-breaker rule was applied, giving the tournament title to Gaylord. The rule provided that, in the event of a tie in the number of wins, the tournament championship would be awarded to the team with the fewest runs scored against it by opponents. Gaylord's opponents scored 9 runs, while Lebanon's scored 10 runs. Had Smith Center scored one more run in its victory over Gaylord on the final day, Lebanon would have won the tournament, since the next tie-breaker rule to be applied was total number of runs scored. The box scores were preserved in a scrapbook with items related to the baseball activities of Ray Stewart. Stewart was a Topeka pitcher hired to join the Lebanon team for the tournament. The winning Gaylord team was composed largely of players imported from the Kansas City area.

C. D. Smith drug store ledger
Date: 1890-1909
This is an account book of C.D. Smith who owned a drugstore in Lebanon, Kansas.

Chas Thompson and Fred Brown, prisoners 9610 and 9620
Creator: Kansas State Penitentiary
Date: April 14, 1901
This photograph shows inmates Chas Thompson, prisoner #9610 and Fred Brown, prisoner #9620. Chas Thompson, also known as Charley Thompson, was received at the Kansas State Penitentiary on December 17, 1900 from Smith County, Kansas for manslaugher. Inmate Fred Brown was received at the penitentiary on December 26, 1900 from Oklahoma for stealing a horse.

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad depot, Smith Center, Kansas
Date: 1959
This photograph shows the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad depot in Smith Center, Kansas. The one-story wooden structure is no longer standing.

Congregational Church in Smith Center, Kansas
Date: Between 1910 and 1915
A postcard showing the Congregational Church in Smith Center, Kansas.

Council of National Defense Woman's Committee correspondence
Date: 1918
This collection consists of correspondence between individuals and committee members to the state chair of the Woman's Committee of the Kansas Council of National Defense. The Council of National Defense was established at the federal level in 1916 as an emergency agency under the Army Appropriation Act and abolished in 1921. It was created in reaction to World War I to coordinate resources and industries for national defense and improve civilian morale. The Woman's Committee of the Kansas Council of National Defense performed the same functions at the state and local levels, coordinating women's activities for national defense. The materials are organized alphabetically by county. The digitization of this collection was paid for through the Margot R. Swovelan Endowment Fund.

Counties, Russell and Smith
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1877-1879: Anthony)
Date: 1877 - 1878
A letter on November 1, 1878, from Will D. Jenkins, encloses a petition signed by county officials and voters of Smith County, to appoint W. H. Nelson as Probate Judge. A letter from E. Stevens, Smith County Clerk, certifies that John C. Harlan, Probate Judge, died on October 29, 1878. A letter on October 8, 1877, from J. J. A. Dixon states the Probate Judge of Russell County has resigned and recommends A. L. Vovrhis. A letter of resignation on October 9, 1877, from George Landis as Probate Judge of Russell County.

County Affairs, Smith County
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1885-1889 : Martin)
Date: 1885-1889
These letters, spanning 1885 to 1887, are from the residents and offices of Smith County, Kansas regarding county affairs to Kansas Governor John Martin. Letters discuss the resignations from, vacancies in, and appointments to the positions of coroner and probate judge. Endorsements and signed official petitions are among the letters. Smith County was organized on February 1, 1872 and named for Major James Nelson Smith, a Union officer killed at the Battle of Blue River near Kansas City on March 21, 1864.

Dan Kelley
Date: 1880s
This black and white photograph, taken in Providence, Rhode Island, shows composer Dan Kelley of the song "Home on the Range." Kelley a carpenter by trade was also a musician and composer for the Harlan Brothers orchestra. His musical talents and the beautiful verses from the poem "My Western Home" by Dr. Brewster Highley, set to music one of the most popular songs ever written. On June 30, 1947, "Home on the Range" was officially recognized as the state song of Kansas.

Dan Kelley
Date: 1880s
This black and white photograph shows composer Dan Kelley of the song "Home on the Range". Kelley a carpenter by trade was also a musician and composer for the Harlan Brother orchestra. His musical talents and the beautiful verses from the poem "My Western Home" by Dr. Brewster Highley, set to music one of the most popular songs ever written. On June 30, 1947, "Home on the Range" was officially recognized as the state song of Kansas.

Dr. Brewster Higley
Date: 1880s
This is black and white photograph shows Dr. Brewster Higley, author of the song, "Home on the Range". It was officially recognized as the state song of Kansas on June 30, 1947.

Earl Scott Gregg, World War I soldier
Date: 1918
Around 1919, the Kansas State Historical Society and the American Legion solicited biographical information from returning veterans (primarily members of the 35th and 89th infantry divisions) and the families of those who died in service, notably from the Gold Star Mothers. Each veteran or family member was asked to provide letters, photographs, a biography, and military records. This file contains information on Earl Scott Gregg, Company l, 137th Infantry. Earl died on October 2, 1918 from wounds he received in action.

Edna Heim to Clarice Snoddy
Creator: Heim, Edna
Date: March 25, 1936
This letter from Edna and Bill Heim was sent to Clarice Snoddy, a resident of Topeka. The Heims were caring for Snoddy's farm in Smith County and thus remained in close contact. Mrs. Heim describes the condition of the wheat crop, which has suffered during the drought and also expresses her distaste for relief programs. According to Mrs. Heim, the only people who receive relief are those who have not "helped themselves."

Edna Heim to Clarice Snoddy
Creator: Heim, Edna
Date: August 31, 1938
Tenant farmers Bill and Edna Heim of Kensington, Kansas, wrote this letter to farm owner Clarice Snoddy of Topeka regarding drought conditions and government soil conservation programs on the farm. The letter demonstrates the use of local and federal government programs to counter the removal of a dangerous amount of topsoil from farms on the southern Plains. Kansas began appealing for emergency federal aid in 1937 to counter sever drought and wind erosion in what is commonly known as the Dust Bowl.

Edna Heim to Clarice Snoddy
Creator: Heim, Edna
Date: May 24, 1937
This letter from Edna and Bill Heim of Kensington, Kansas, was sent to Clarice Snoddy, a resident of Topeka. The Heims were caring for Snoddy's farm in Smith County and frequently updated her on its condition. Edna, who wrote the letter, was please to announce that they had had half an inch of rain, and Bill had checked on Snoddy's farm to see how the wheat was faring.

Edna Heim to Clarice Snoddy
Creator: Heim, Edna
Date: May 11, 1936
This letter from Edna and Bill Heim was sent to Clarice Snoddy, a resident of Topeka. The Heims were caring for Snoddy's farm in Smith County and frequently updated her on the status of her farm. According to Edna Heim, Smith County had experienced rain on and off for the last few days, which had prevented her husband Bill from planting any corn on Snoddy's farm. Heim also mentions her chickens and her vegetable garden.

Edna Heim to Clarice Snoddy
Creator: Heim, Edna
Date: March 31, 1936
This letter from Edna and Bill Heim was sent to Clarice Snoddy, a resident of Topeka. The Heims were caring for Snoddy's farm in Smith County and frequently updated her on its condition. According to Mrs. Heim, the wheat crop on Snoddy's farm was doing as well as could be expected during a drought. Also, in anticipation of Snoddy's visit, Heim gave her directions to their farm in Kensington, Kansas.

Edna Heim to Miss Clarice Snoddy
Creator: Heim, Edna
Date: July 4, 1938
Tenant farmers Bill and Edna Heim of Kensington, Kansas, wrote to the farm owner, Clarice Snoddy of Topeka, regarding a hail storm that destroyed most of their crop. The letter discusses the insurance claim to be filed for the damage and the tenants' feelings, economic condition, and related problems. The letter illustrates the considerable vulnerability of farming to unfavorable environmental and economic conditions. Farms on the plains had been ravaged by drought and wind in what is commonly known as the Dust Bowl.

Eighth biennial report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, 1891-1892
Creator: Kansas State Board of Agriculture
Date: 1893
This biennial report from the Kansas State Board of Agriculture contains two parts and the page numbering starts over at the beginning of Part II. The volume contains a section on each county, providing summary information about the history of the county, a description of the landscape, crops, livestock, schools, and churches. A large number of tables with statistics about Kansas residents and crop yields, broken down by county, are also included. Other chapters are devoted to interesting subjects such as apiculture, artificial forests, loco weeds, and chinch bugs.

Elementary school students in Smith Center, Kansas
Date: 1956-1960
Four photographs showing elementary school students and teachers in Smith Center, Kansas.

Eleventh biennial report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, 1897-98
Creator: Kansas State Board of Agriculture
Date: 1899
This biennial report from the Kansas State Board of Agriculture includes information on beef and pork production, farm poultry, Kansas mineral products, livestock, and other agricultural topics. Also covered are county statistics for population, acreages, productions, livestock, assessed valuation of property, and a listing of churches for each county. Proceedings and other activities of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture are included.

Fair of the Smith County Agricultural Society, Smith Center, Kansas
Creator: Smith County Agricultural Society
Date: August 31 - September 3, 1886
This poster announces a fair at Smith Centre, Kansas, sponsored by the Smith County Agricultural Society. Highlights include $2,000 in premiums, races, and a grand balloon ascension each day. The poster includes a color illustration of a sulky race with horses and riders. Fair officers are C. D. Hendrickson, president, and F. J. Patter, secretary. NOTE: Patter is listed as Pattee on the other 1886 Smith County fair poster.