Newberry Library - Olin Dunbar Wheeler papers, 1892-1924

Olin Dunbar Wheeler papers, 1892-1924

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Title Olin Dunbar Wheeler papers, 1892-1924

Creator Wheeler, Olin D. (Olin Dunbar), 1852-1925

Date 1892-1924

Subjects Lewis and Clark Expedition, Little Bighorn, Battle of the, Mont., 1876, Manuscript maps, Northern Pacific Railway Company

Description Formerly known as Ayer 975a.

Summary Mainly material relating to Wheeler's investigations of Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn, but also a few items regarding the Pacific railway route, newspaper articles about Wheeler, and reviews of his The Trail of Lewis and Clark. Little Big Horn material includes correspondence with individuals interested in or involved in the battle (Custer's wife, the photographer D.F. Barry, F.F. Girard, Capt. E.S. Godfrey, Theodore W. Goldin, Capt. Charles King, C.A. Lounsberry, Valentine McGillycuddy, Richard A. Roberts, and T.A. Warburton). There are also battlefield maps drawn by Indian guides in 1892, a questionnaire completed by Bob Failed Horse, Medicine Bear, and Spotted Blackbird in 1902, and Wheeler's manuscript and proof copies for the 1893 issue of Wonderland. Pacific railway route material includes typed transcripts of Senate and House debates regarding the issue, 1853-1859, and an undated typescript of an article by Wheeler, "Pacific Railway Congressional Debates of Antediluvian Days."

Biographical/Historical Note Topographer, author, and railroad executive. Born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1852, Olin D. Wheeler was a topographer with John Wesley Powell's survey of the Colorado River, 1874-1879. From 1892 to 1909 Wheeler was in charge of advertising for the Northern Pacific Railway, and was the author of its annual publication, Wonderland, which highlighted the history and scenic beauty of the northwestern United States. For the 1893 issue, Wheeler wrote about Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn; he continued to investigate the subject until his retirement in 1909. Wheeler also became interested in the history of the selection of a Pacific railway route and in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. After exploring the trail of the latter extensively, he published his two-volume The Trail of Lewis and Clark in 1904. Active in his retirement, Wheeler in 1924 was appointed historian of the Veterans' Association of the Northern Pacific Railway; he died a year later.

Extent 0.2 cubic ft. (1 box)

Format Correspondence, Manuscripts, Maps

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection, Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection

Citation Please refer to the catalog record or finding aid for citations. Though it is not required when repurposing Newberry content, please use the credit "From the Newberry Library," and provide a link back to the item in our digital collections website. This helps us track how our collections are used, and provides justification for adding more digitized content in the future

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Ayer MS 3220

BibID 991646758805867

Projects Tag Edward E. Ayer Digital Collection

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Manifest

Unique Identifier NL11ORJL

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