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Will W. Bowman papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 88

Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, inter-office memoranda, certificates, newspaper clippings, albums, scrapbooks, journalism class assignments, class lecture notes, editorial budgets, genealogy, photographs, publications, memorabilia, and other items. The materials relate to Bowman's work on different newspapers, his early college years, and his work with the Utah Power and Light Company.

Dates

  • 1916-1973

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from Will W. Bowman papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Will W. Bowman (1901-1974) was a Utah journalist and publicity director of Utah Power and Light Company.

Will Wattis Bowman, the son of Archie Bowman and Eunice Wattis, was born on August 23, 1901 in Ogden, Utah. He received his early schooling in the public schools of Ogden and graduated from Ogden City High School in 1919, having completed a major in English. Later that year he entered Utah Agricultural College from which he graduated in 1923. During his years at U.A.C. he was active in sports and played on the football team. Bowman also became a Reserve Officer in the U.S. Army and a member of the Scabbard and Blade Fraternity.

Soon after graduating from Utah Agricultural College he began his journalistic career by becoming a correspondent in Logan, Utah for the Salt Lake Tribune. In October of 1923 Will Bowman became assistant sports editor of the Salt Lake Telegram. He remained interested in sports throughout his life as evidenced by the number of sports clippings he collected. About six months later he left the Telegram for a position as a reporter with the Ogden.

In 1926 he left to finish his education at the Columbia University School of Journalism from which he graduated in 1927. During the year he lived in New York, Mr. Bowman worked for the New York World and the Real Estate Daily News.

Upon returning to Ogden in 1927, Will Bowman became a reporter again for the Standard-Examiner. It was during this time that he covered police stories and wrote newspaper articles of their activities. He advanced to city editor and then managing editor which position he left in 1937 to become the managing editor of the Salt Lake Telegram. On July 19, 1938 he changed positions again and became the managing editor of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Bowman left the Tribune in 1941 to become the publicity director of Utah Power and Light. In 1953 his position was enlarged to publicity and advertising director. He held this position until 1968 when he retired.

Following his retirement, Bowman served as the volunteer editor of the newsletter of the Utah Division of Aging. He also served on the News Advisory Board of KCPX as the senior citizen representative.

On October 16, 1974 Will W. Bowman died of a heart attack in Salt Lake City leaving his wife, Hazel Mills Bowman, and a son, Anthony Will Bowman.

Extent

4 boxes (2 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Bowman papers include correspondence, inter-office memos, certificates, newspaper clippings, albums and scrapbooks, journalism class assignments, class lecture notes, editorial budgets, genealogy, photographs, publications, and memorabilia.

Arrangement note

Arranged in seven series: 1. Biographical papers. 2. Papers from the Columbia School of Journalism. 3. Papers on the Ogden Standard-Examiner. 4. Collection of Salt Lake Telegram newspaper clippings. 5. Collection of Salt Lake Tribune records. 6. Collection of Utah Power and Light records. 7. Collection of newspaper clippings.

Other Finding Aids note

A more detailed finding aid is available in print in the repository.

Custodial History

Collection was primarily created by Bowman during his years as a student and journalist. They were later donated to the Manuscripts Division by his wife, Hazel Mills Bowman, on February 18, 1975. The papers were retained in the order as received until March, 1976 when they were arranged for greater access by researchers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Crae Wilson; 1976.

Appraisal note

Arts and Communications.

Separated Materials note

The following items were separated from the collection: "Miles Goodyear", by Charles Kelly and Maurice L. Howe, 1937; NCAA 1922 Football Rules (two copies); NCAA 1923 Football Rules; Rocky Mountain Wonder, William H. Crane, comp., 1933; Picture postcards; Family photos; Photos of Bowman at work, meetings, parties, conventions; First day issue envelopes and stamps; 2 Christmas cards with photo of Will and Hazel Bowman; Greeting cards and postcard like pictures; Two publications of "Ogden Utah--Gateway to the Play Grounds of the West" published by the; Ogden Jr. Chamber of Commerce; Two copies of "Playbill"; Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Mallorca; Costa De La Luz, Costas Colombinas; Mapa General de Carreteras Espana; Original copy of pamphlet, "Morals and the Mayor"; Salt Lake Telegram section, 1937 July 19; Progress Edition, 1938 January 30; Scenic Section, 1938 May 15; Salt Lake Telegram section, 1938 July 18; Intermountain Progress Edition; Scenic Travel section, 1939 May 21, 1940 January 28, 1940 May 19; Scenic Section, 1941 May 18, 1945 April 13; Progress Edition, 1940 January 28.

Also included in the collection were copies of "The World" from the 1920's and articles from The Ogden "Standard-Examiner" about Charles Lindberg's visit to Salt Lake City.

Processing Information note

Processed; James D'Arc (Curator Arts and Communications Archives) & Sue Monson; 1997 September.

Title
Register of Will W. Bowman papers
Status
Completed
Author
James D'Arc & Sue Monson
Date
1997 September
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States