John I. White papers
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence, research files, and artifacts. Includes correspondence related to songs and song makers of the American West; significant correspondents such as Will C. Barnes, Badger Clark, Gail Gardner, Romaine Lowdermilk, Dominick J. O'Malley, Powder River Jack Lee, Austin Fife, and many other cowboy songwriters, singers, and scholars. Also includes fan mail written to White, who sang as "The Lonesome Cowboy" for the "Death Valley Days" radio show in the 1930s. Research files contain research notes, ideas for articles and plays, drafts of articles, original scripts, and related correspondence. Artifacts include White's guitar and the cowboy hat given to him by cowboy poet Dominick J. O'Malley.
Dates
- 1860-1994
Language of Materials
Material in English
Restrictions
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the John I. White papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.
Biographical Note
John I. White (1902-1992) was a writer, singer of cowboy songs, radio personality, and map draftsman. His singing career culminated when he played his guitar and sang as "The Lonesome Cowboy" on the NBC radio drama "Death Valley Days" sponsored by 20-Mule-Team Borax from 1929-1936. He maintained a lifelong interest in cowboy songs and the American West, researching and writing articles and two books on this and other topics.
Extent
36 Boxes (20.5 linear feet)
Abstract
Contains correspondence, research files, and artifacts. Includes correspondence related to songs and song makers of the American West
Arrangement
Correspondence arranged alphabetically by correspondent; research arranged alphabetically in order that John I. White placed them.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated in 1992 by his widow, Augusta Postles White, and two children, Jennifer White Fischer and Jonathan Postles White.
RHL copy of roughdraft of "Big Corral" article in the Arizona Republic in box 5, folder 18 was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Romy Gerould in 2018.
Correspondence from John I. White to Romaine Lowdermilk dated March 14 and May 23 1965, November 28 1966, April 2 and 26, 1967 in box 5, folder 12, and August 2 1968, May 1 1969 in box 5, folder 13 were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Romy Gerould in 2018.
"There is 'Great Grandma' Too" paper in box 5, folder 25 was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Romy Gerould in 2018.
"References to Strawberry Roan" in box 31, folder 14 was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Romy Gerould in 2018.
Processing Information
Processed by USU Special Collections and Archives.
- Title
- Guide to the John I. White papers 1860-1994
- Author
- Finding aid/Register completed by USU Special Collections & Archives
- Date
- 2008
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Revision Statements
- 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu