Lily Klasner historical research material, 1867-1972

Series

Identifier: MSS 1963 Series 4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, legal documents, maps, notes, and other documents gathered for the purpose of historical research by Lily Klasner, mainly on the Casey family and 19th century New Mexico. A few letters are original holographs, and some of the other documents are originals, but most are transcribed and typed. Also contains the original diary of John Simpson Chisum, dated 1878. Materials dated 1867 to 1972 (reflects the date of all original items).

Dates

Creation: 1867-1972

Creator

Klasner, Lily, 1862-1946 (creator, Person)

Language of Materials

Materials are mainly in English with some in Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Lillian "Lily" Klasner was born December 18, 1862, in Mason County, Texas, during the American Civil War. Her parents were rancher Robert Adam Casey and Eveline Ellen Shellenbarger. At age five Lillian's family moved from Texas to Rio Hondo, New Mexico. While in her early teens Lily began collecting letters and documents to inform an autobiographical account of her pioneer experiences. She attended the New Mexico Highlands University at Las Vegas and became a teacher, telegrapher, and rancher. Lily married Joseph A. Klasner on December 18, 1893, in Texas, but later divorced him. She died in Roswell, New Mexico, on May 31, 1946. Lily's history, written from her diary, collected letters, photographs, and other documents, was found twenty years after she passed away. It was published posthumously as "My Girlhood Among Outlaws," in 1972, edited by Eve Ball.