ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

LILLIAN WITMER PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #245 (addition)

DATES: 1884-1975

SIZE: 1.5 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The acquisition record for this addition to the Lillian Witmer Papers is unavailable.

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

OGL#23, John C. West Papers
OGL#28, Joseph Kennedy
OGL#41, Thomas Kane Papers
OGL#81, Vilhjalmur Stefansson Papers
OGL#120, William Bek Papers
OGL#129, Charles Amidon Papers
OGL#141, Frank McVey Papers
OGL#146, Webster Merrifield Papers
OGL#232, Vernon Squires Papers
OGL#464, Lyla Hoffine Papers
OGL#739, George Winship Papers

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This addition to the Lillian Witmer Papers consists mainly of correspondence relating to the history of the University of North Dakota. A majority of the correspondence dates from the Webster Merrifield Presidency. Various subjects are discussed, including salaries, campus improvements, student disciplinary action, and faculty positions, to name a few.

Among the correspondents are Amos Alonzo Stagg, famous football coach at the University of Chicago (Box 6, Folder 24), polar explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson (Box 6, Folder 16), prominent North Dakota politician and lawyer, William Lemke (Box 6, Folder 53), Judge Charles Amidon (Box 6, Folder 30 and Box 7, Folder 1) and George Winship, founder of the Grand Forks Herald (Box 2, Folder 63). Correspondence of several North Dakota governors and members of Congress are also included. Material from important figures in the history of UND is included, notably Merrifield, Joseph Kennedy, William Bek, President Thomas Kane, President John C. West and Vernon Squires. The addition also contains other material relating to UND, including reports, agenda and meeting minutes from various organization on campus, including the Board of Trustees, the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Education.

A small amount of material from the personal lives of the Witmer family is also included. Most notable is correspondence between Lillian Witmer and North Dakota author Lyla Hoffine (Box 7, Folder 16).

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 2
Folders

33. Correspondence: Example of letters relating to selection of the first President of UND, 1884
34. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (A-C)
35. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (D-F)
36. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (G-H)
37. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (I-L)
38. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (M-N)
39. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (O-S)
40. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (T-Z)
41. Correspondence relating to selection of first President of UND, 1884 (unidentified)
42. List of potential first Presidents for UND, 1884
43. Correspondence of Ludovic Estes: 1887, 1893-94, undated
44. Miscellaneous correspondence and petitions from students to UND administration, 1888-89, 1893, 1901, 1904-05
45. Correspondence: R.M. Carothers (Board of Trustees), 1889-1890
46. Correspondence: J.G. Hamilton (State Auditor's Office)-Board of Trustees, 1889, regarding vouchers
47. Correspondence: J.D. Allen-C.C. Gowran, 1890, regarding the sale of biological specimens
48. Correspondence: to Board of Trustees regarding Secretary position, 1890
49. Correspondence: J.P. Bray (State Auditor)-W.N. Roach, 1890, regarding salaries
50. Correspondence: William Patten, 1890, 1893, undated
51. Correspondence: to Board of Trustees from newly appointed faculty members, 1893
52. Correspondence: William Barrett-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding the planting of forestry on campus
53. Correspondence: A.F. Bechdolt-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding botany
54. Correspondence: Melvin Brannon -President Merrifield, 1893, regarding biology department
55. Correspondence: Alfred Dickey-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding biological specimens
56. Correspondence: William Harper-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding convocation exercises
57. Correspondence: Joseph Kennedy-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding faculty position and 1904, regarding convocation exercises
58. Correspondence: M.V.B. Knox-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding creation of an Academy of Sciences
59. Correspondence: Leon Rondiez-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding editorial in Grand Forks Plaindealer newspaper
60. Correspondence: George Rygh-W.G. Larimore, 1893, regarding position in Scandinavian Department
61. Correspondence: Jno. Staley to unknown at UND, 1893, regarding commencement exercises
62. Correspondence: George Thomas-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding position in the Greek and Latin Department
63. Correspondence: George Winship-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding coverage of UND in the Grand Forks Herald
64. Correspondence: H.B. Woodworth-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding faculty position in Psychology, Ethics and History
65. Correspondence regarding land holdings of UND, 1894 and 1906
66. Correspondence: G.S. Perrott-E.E. Parsons, 1894, regarding faculty position in Greek and Latin
67. Correspondence: Henry Bolley-President Merrifield, 1898, regarding teaching of botany and economics
68. Correspondence: E.M. Atwood-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding importance of Christianity
69. Correspondence: J.D. Bacon-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding North Dakota legislature
70. Correspondence: W.W. Bassett-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding appointment to meet with President Merrifield
71. Correspondence: B.F. Brockhoff-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding water certificates
72. Correspondence: Stephen Collins-E. Kelley, 1899, regarding shipment of coal
73. Correspondence: Herman Fisher-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding sermon of Professor Vernon Squires
74. Correspondence: C.H. Mallarian-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding visit to UND
75. Correspondence relating to UND and the railroad, 1899 and 1901
76. Correspondence: Joseph Rose-William Budge, 1899, regarding construction of sidewalks
77. Correspondence: M. Victor Staley and James Vorachek-President Merrifield, 1899, requesting employment at UND

Box 6
Folders

  1. Correspondence: John Amort-President Merrifield, 1900, subject unclear
  2. Correspondence to Board of Trustees regarding the planting of trees on campus, 1900
  3. Correspondence: Dinnie Brothers' bid for Old Science Hall, 1900 or 1901
  4. Correspondence: Robert Oliver-William Budge, 1900, regarding shipment of wood
  5. Correspondence: Charles Elliott-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding vacant position in English Department
  6. Correspondence: R. Ferguson-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding student travel arrangements
  7. Correspondence: C. Gunnlogson-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding transfer credits
  8. Correspondence: Charles Hamel-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding employment at UND
  9. Correspondence: J.C. Jones-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding chair of English Department
  10. Correspondence: A.A. Love-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding vacant faculty position
  11. Correspondence: John Mahon-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding Cecil Mahon, a student at UND
  12. Correspondence: Thomas Marshall-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding UND Postmaster
  13. Correspondence: Arthur Miller-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding the need for a Presbyterian college in North Dakota
  14. Correspondence: Samuel Radcliffe-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding mortgage on a house
  15. Correspondence: Vernon Squires-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding Squires' move to Kalamazoo, Michigan
  16. Correspondence: Vilhjalmur Stefansson-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding employment in the library
  17. Correspondence: W.L. Stockwell-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding high school football in Grafton
  18. Correspondence: H.G. Vick-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding chair of the Scandinavian Department
  19. Correspondence: Frank White (North Dakota Governor)-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding speech at UND
  20. Correspondence: J.H. Worst-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding salaries at North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University)
  21. Correspondence to President Merrifield regarding Dr. A.G. Leonard, 1902-03
  22. Correspondence: John Hancock-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding gift of student annual, the Dacotah, to a library in Tower City, North Dakota
  23. Correspondence: Life and Letters Magazine-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding America's greatest social problem
  24. Correspondence: Amos Alonzo Stagg-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding the application of Mr. Rex Kennedy
  25. Correspondence: G.W. Stewart-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding laboratory facilities at UND
  26. Correspondence: K.S. Thordarson-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding UND advertisements
  27. Correspondence: Victor Wardrape-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding recruitment of football players
  28. Correspondence: Frank Weed-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding Weed's grade in Algebra
  29. Correspondence from alumni on occasion of the first Founder's Day at UND, 1904
  30. Correspondence: Charles Amidon-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding appointment to visit with Merrifield
  31. Correspondence: R.B. Bryan-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding UND accreditation
  32. Correspondence to President Merrifield regarding convocation speaker, 1904
  33. Correspondence: Durick and Co.-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding a check
  34. Correspondence: G.E. Hult-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding Hult's visit to UND
  35. Correspondence: W.L. Nuessle-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding a gift from Merrifield
  36. Correspondence: Charles Templeton-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding salaries of domestic servants
  37. Correspondence: George Bancroft-President Merrifield, 1905, theft of a lamp
  38. Correspondence: David Boise-President Merrifield, 1905, regarding Budge's residency in Budge Hall
  39. Correspondence: E.C. Carney-President Merrifield, 1905, regarding Merrifield's efforts to assist Carney in finding a job
  40. Correspondence: George Johnson-President Merrifield, 1905, regarding a voucher
  41. Correspondence: John Wood-Merrifield, 1905, regarding Wood's residency on campus
  42. Correspondence: Andrew Drysdale-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding a course in Pharmacy
  43. Correspondence: James Foley (ND Governor's Office)-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding the uniform divorce congress
  44. Correspondence: Ella Fulton-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Kalamazoo (Michigan) College
  45. Correspondence: A.J. Gronna-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding the metric system
  46. Correspondence: Charles Hartwell-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding teacher education at UND
  47. Correspondence: Lydia Hinman-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Merrifield's comments on Hinman's essay
  48. Correspondence: Frank Hitchcock-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding UND and the Bachelor of Arts Degree
  49. Correspondence: Jas. Jensen-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding invitation for students to visit the President's home
  50. Correspondence: Leroy Jackson-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding letter of recommendation for a job
  51. Correspondence: John Johnson and Henry Lykken-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding UND debate team
  52. Correspondence: Louis Larson-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Merrifield's address at the dedication of the new high school in Minot
  53. Correspondence: William Lemke-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Lemke's sister and UND
  54. Correspondence: Mrs. H.H. Lykken-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Cora Lykken's absence from class
  55. Correspondence: L.C. Lord-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Lord's lecture at UND
  56. Correspondence: Cameron Mann-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding a speech Merrifield was to give
  57. Correspondence: L.L. Martineau-President Merrifield, 1906, Martineau's absence from class
  58. Correspondence and interview with President Merrifield regarding Rhodes Scholarship, 1906
  59. Correspondence: Gregor Schmid-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding status of Edward Schmid

Box 7
Folders

  1. Correspondence: Charles Amidon- McVey, 1910, regarding Amidon’s attendance at McVey’s inauguration
  2. Correspondence: C.G. Mead-N.C. Abbott, 1912, regarding lectures given by members of UND administration to the Commercial Club
  3. Correspondence: Vernon Squires-President Kane, 1918-1929, regarding UND business
  4. Correspondence: T.A. Anderson-President Kane, 1919, regarding student government in Davis Hall
  5. Correspondence: William Bek-John C. West, 1932, regarding speech by West at UND
  6. Correspondence: O.O. Burtness (North Dakota Representative in Wahington, D.C.)-A.H. Yoder, 1932, regarding the postal service
  7. Correspondence: Sveinbjorn Johnson-William Bek, 1932, regarding economic problems and controversy at UND
  8. Correspondence: “Kane vs. Bek”, 1932, regarding rumors which stated that Bek wished to become UND President
  9. Correspondence: William Bek-President West, 1933, regarding UND business
  10. Correspondence: W.A. Sheaffer-President Kane, 1933, regarding possible scholarships at UND
  11. Correspondence: William Bek-West, 1934, regarding UND business
  12. Correspondence: Charles Burke-President West, 1934, regarding Burke’s academic credits
  13. Correspondence: Glenn Cook-William Bek, 1934, regarding reorganization at North Dakota State College (now North Dakota State University)
  14. Correspondence: William Bek-President West, 1935, regarding UND business
  15. Correspondence: A. Hoyt Taylor-R.B. and Lillian Witmer, 1958, regarding gift of University of the Northern Plains by Louis Geiger
  16. Correspondence: Lyla Hoffine-Lillian Witmer, 1971, regarding Hoffine’s novels
  17. Correspondence from Ross and Lois Bloomquist, 1975 Christmas card letter
  18. Correspondence: UND Board of Trustees-North Dakota Governor John Miller, undated, regarding salaries
  19. Correspondence: E.C. Cooper-President Merrifield, undated, regarding Merrifield’s acceptance of appointment as President
  20. Correspondence: Adelphi and A.D.T.-President Merrifield, undated, regarding Gansl debates
  21. Correspondence: Board of Trustees-E.J. Babcock, undated, regarding School of Mines
  22. Agenda: Advisory Committee, 1925
  23. Athletics: Interview between Dr. John Sweetland and M.A. Brannon regarding administration of intercollegiate athletics, undated
  24. Board of Trustees: By-laws
  25. Board of Trustees: Meeting minutes, 1889
  26. Board of Trustees: Report to the Board by President Merrifield, 1895
  27. Board of Trustees: undated memorandum
  28. UND Catalog, 1884-1885 and UND Bulletin, 1910, 1916
  29. College of Liberal Arts: Administration, undated
  30. Dormitory rules, undated
  31. UND Enrollment Figures: 1884-1903, 1922
  32. UND Financial Information: 1884-1926
  33. Miscellaneous documents relating to students
  34. Miscellaneous university business
  35. Program: Installation of Frank McVey as UND President, September 1910
  36. Program: “Dear John Night,” honoring John E. Howard, UND Band Director, 1959
  37. Promotional material for UND, undated
  38. Transcript of radio broadcast of Joseph Kennedy to UND Alumni, 1930
  39. Report: Grand Forks City Council Meeting, 3 March 1890
  40. Report: Committee on Residence Hall Furnishings, 1917
  41. Report: “Views of the Heads of Departments, College of Liberal Arts and School of Education,” 1925
  42. Report: “Report of Sub-Committee on Regulation of Off-Campus Trips Taken by University Groups and Organizations,” 1934
  43. Report: “For the Assistance and Instruction of Campus Sisters and Brothers,” undated
  44. Paper reproductions of UND Presidents Sprague, Merrifield, McVey and Kane
  45. Speech: Speaker unknown, 1904
  46. News release regarding UND and Wesley College, undated
 Original Donation  First Addition: 1958-1980
 Second Addition: 1884-1975  Third Addition: 1923-1993

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