TABLE OF CONTENTS
Collection Summary
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Restrictions
Index Terms
Administrative Information
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I. Business and Legal Documents, 1901-1949
Series II: Personal records, 1910-1952
Series III: Politics, n.d.
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This collection requires 24 hrs. for retrieval.
Please call ahead at 713-348-2586 or e-mail woodson@rice.edu.
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| Repository: |
Woodson Research Center, Fondren
Library, Rice University, Houston, TX
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| Creator: |
Haynes, William Allen |
| Title: |
William Allen Haynes
papers
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| Dates: |
1901-1953 |
| Quantity: |
1 lin. ft. (2
boxes)
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| Abstract: |
Over one half of the collection documents
cattle ranching, oil prospecting, and banking in Texas) as well as personal and
family life during the Great Depression. The William Allen Haynes collection
offers a view of living conditions of a prosperous Central Texas rancher and
entrepreneur as well as providing information on conditions in Texas in the
first part of the 19th century.
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| Identification: |
MS
268
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| Language: |
Materials are in
English.
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William Allen Haynes (1873-1953?), a native of Bell County, Texas, came
from ranching stock. He carried on the family tradition and by the turn of the
century was an established rancher. As oil became increasingly lucrative
adjunct to ranching, Haynes together with his brother Robert branched out into
oil well drilling and leasing oil lands. Haynes, like most ranchers, suffered
ups and downs of the cattle market, from difficulties with transporting his
cattle, and from the vagaries of weather. Despite these problems, he managed to
stay solvent and even make money during the 1920’s. One reason for his solvency
was that he was never simply a rancher, but derived additional income from oil
and investments in real estate. In 1928 Haynes was named a director of the
struggling First National Bank of Killeen, and he became president of the bank
just in time for the Great Depression. His Bank limped along through the early
1930’s as Haynes and the other officers and directors of the bank reduced
capitalization and discussed possible liquidation. About 1935 Haynes left
banking and focused his energies on ranching and land speculation.
As he grew older, the scope of his activities became increasingly
limited, but he maintained an active interest in ranching well into his 70’s.
Haynes’ life was not strictly business however. He was interested in politics
and although never serving in an elected position, he often acted as an
election judge in his precinct or campaigned for the Democratic Party. Among
his political friends were Miriam and Jim Ferguson who both served as Governor
of Texas. Parrie and Allen apparently did not have children, but they were very
close to their nieces and nephews. Haynes also provided a guiding hand and
monetary support for his brothers who were never quite the businessman he was.
In later life, as Haynes suffered from sickness and various ailments his
familial loyalty paid off, as his family took care of him in his weakened
state. In 1952 his last letter was received and in 1959 his collection was
donated to Rice University. His actual death occurred at some point between
1952 and 1959.
Return to the Table of Contents
Over one half of the collection documents cattle ranching, oil
prospecting, and banking in Texas) as well as personal and family life during
the Great Depression . The William Allen Haynes collection offers a view of
living conditions of a prosperous Central Texas rancher and entrepreneur as
well as providing information on conditions in Texas in the first part of the
19th century. Haynes corresponds with his wife Parrie and family. Of additional
interest are the letters which describe the Great Depression years and the
letters commenting on politics or seeking Haynes’ endorsement. Among the most
noteworthy of the political letters are those dealing with James and Miriam
Ferguson who also appear in the business letters.
Return to the Table of Contents
This material has been arranged in the following
two series:
Return to the Table of Contents
Restrictions on Access
This material is open for research but requires 24 hrs. for retrieval.
Please call ahead at 713-348-2586 or e-mail woodson@rice.edu.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to publish material from the Haynes papers must be obtained
from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.
Return to the Table of Contents
Subjects (Persons)
Ferguson, Miriam -
correspondence
Haynes, Parrie -
correspondence
Haynes, William Allen -
correspondence
Subjects
Banking - Texas -
history
Cattle ranching - Texas -
history
Great Depression -
Texas
Oil business - Texas -
history
Formats
Correspondence
Newsclippings
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William Allen Haynes papers, 1901-1953, MS 268 Woodson Research Center,
Fondren Library, Rice University.
Gift of Elizabeth White, 1959.
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| Series I. Business and Legal Documents, 1901-1949
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William Allen Haynes was an inveterate collector, saving
everything from cattle bulletins to the dietary cure for gonorrhea. From
1901-1917 Haynes was primarily interested in ranching, and his papers proved
considerable information on range conditions in central Texas, the cattle
markets in Ft. Worth, and his efforts to build up and maintain his ranch
through the use of numerous loans and mortgages.
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About 1918 Haynes
obtained an interest in the Leon Valley Oil Company, and for the next few years
he received extensive correspondence from his brother Robert on the ups and
downs of the oil business. From 1919 to about 1935, Haynes’ business papers
cover a much wider spectrum than in previous years. Besides ranching and oil,
the papers deal with land speculation, litigation concerning land titles, and
banking. Of special interest in the papers is the correspondence concerning
Haynes’ efforts to keep the troubled First National Bank of Killeen open. From
1929 to 1935 Haynes served as the president of this bank, and corresponded with
prominent Texas bankers as well as Governor Miriam and Jim Ferguson.
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The
papers for 1935 to 1952 show a decline in Haynes’ business activity. The
primary importance of this segment of the collection is the information it
gives on the cattle market in Fort Worth, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and
Illinois. Besides business records the Haynes collection contains personal bank
records, private correspondence and material pertaining to Bell County Politics
from1914 to 1922.
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Typical contents: Court Summons, Real Estate
Advertisements, Bank Loan Application and General Correspondence, Receipts for
Various Business Purchases, Bail Bonds, Jury Summons, Official Complaint Forms,
Criminal Subpoena Forms, Livestock Manuals, Farmer’s Bulletins and
Advertisements, Life Insurance Forms, Political Messages, Bank Deposit Slips,
Tax Receipts, Warrant of Arrest Form.
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| Box |
Folder |
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1 |
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1901-1915 |
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Distinctive Documents: “Rid-O-Fat” weight loss
supplement advertisement, Medicated Livestock Salt advertisement, Various
automotive parts advertisements
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2 |
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1915 |
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Distinctive Documents: Freight Bill for transportation
of cattle, Receipt for the sale of cattle, Bank collection notice
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1916 |
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Distinctive Documents: Stock Company Correspondence,
Temple Daily Telegram subscription notice, Livestock Contract, Mortgage Forms,
Diamond Tire Advertisement with two steel nails to test puncture resistant
tires
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1917 |
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5 |
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1918 |
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Distinctive Documents: Automobile Tire Caps
Advertisements
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6 |
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1919 |
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Distinctive Documents: Oil Stock and Land
Advertisements
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7 |
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1920 |
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Distinctive Documents: Cattle Registration
Certificate, Army Auction Notice, Furniture Sale Notice,
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8 |
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1921 |
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Distinctive Documents: Chiropractor’s Business Card,
Membership Card to the United States Live Stock Association
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9 |
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1922 |
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Distinctive Documents: Law Suit Correspondence,
Holland’s Magazine of the South, Lumber Company Receipt, Shaving Cream Receipt,
Cotton Price Index and History from 1829-1922
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10 |
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1923 |
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Distinctive Documents: Cotton Price Index and History
from 1829-1922, Tickets to Central Texas Fair
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11 |
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1924 |
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Distinctive Documents: Campaign Letter For R.H. Buck
for Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Texas, List of School Lands coming to
Market as of September 1, 1924, Receipt for a Hat
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12 |
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1925 |
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Distinctive Documents: Surgical Appliances Magazine,
Warranty Deed
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13 |
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1926 |
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Distinctive Documents: Information Booklet regarding
Milk Goats and Goat Milk, Ray Montieth for County Clerk, Poultry and Stock
Show
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14 |
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1927 |
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Distinctive Documents: Poll Tax Receipt, Taxidermy
Advertisement, Traveller’s Insurance Document, Scott and White Hospital
Documents, Women’s Shoes Magazine
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1928 |
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Distinctive Documents: Rural Telephone Company Check,
Political Discourse on Tariffs in a telegram
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1929 |
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1930 |
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Distinctive Documents: Ford manual |
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1931 |
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19 |
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1932 |
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Distinctive Documents: Poll Tax Receipt, Temperance
Movement Document
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1933 |
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Distinctive Documents: Tax Redemption, Letter from
Governor Miriam Ferguson regarding Banks buying relief bonds
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1934 |
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Distinctive Documents: Banker Lobbyist Group letter to
W.A. Haynes, Letter from a Texas Congressman regarding Civil Service Exam
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Folder |
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1-4 |
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1936-1949 |
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Distinctive Documents: Texas Banker’s Association
official guest list.
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| Series II: Personal records, 1910-1952 |
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The personal letters received by Haynes and his wife
Parrie are among the most interesting portions of the collection. These letters
from family and friends give an authentic account of the condition of rancher
in Central Texas in the first half of the 19th century. Of particular interest
are the letters which describe the Great Depression years and the letters
commenting on politics or seeking Haynes’ endorsement. Among the most
noteworthy of the political letters are those dealing with James and Miriam
Ferguson who also appear in the business letters.
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| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
5-9 |
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Personal banking records, 1910-1940 |
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Contents: Personal Checks and other monetary records
demonstrating his financial situation year to year. Haynes kept practically
every canceled check, bank statement, and note payment receipt he ever
received, and taken into consideration together give a fairly accurate gauge of
his financial situation in any particular year.
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Personal Correspondence 1910-1952 |
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Contents: Marriage Invitations, Commencement
Invitations, Postcards, Letter from Soldier, Personal Finance Records, Personal
Letters regarding W.A. Haynes and Family
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| Series III: Politics, n.d. |
| Box |
Folder |
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15 |
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Politics |
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Contents: Civil Vote Tally on the Prohibition of Beer,
Civil Vote Tally on the Prohibition of Pool Halls, Civil Vote Tally on
Prohibition of Alcohol, Farm Mortgages, Letters addressed to W.A. Haynes
regarding his position as overseer of general and special election
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