William A. Carter papers
Scope and Contents note
This collection includes several personal and business letters between 1863 and 1925 and letters of condolence at the time of Carter's death in 1881. Many of the letters are from William A. Carter to his wife Mary. Some letters are to and from various associates of Carter's, and the condolences are from General George Crook, General William Harney and Ellen McClellan, wife of General McClellan. In addition, there is a map detailing the water lines and buildings in Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Newspaper clippings are included to tell about events such as Carter's death, and when the first threshing machine arrived in Fort Bridger, Wyoming.
Dates
- 1863-1925
Creator
Conditions Governing Access note
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 William A. Carter Papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical/Historical note
William A. Carter was born April 15, 1818 in Virginia. Around 1857 to 1858 William A. Carter came with Johnston's Army as a sutler or storekeeper to Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Carter and his wife, Mary E. Carter, had six children: Ada, Anna, Lulie, Roberta, William A. and Edgar. He stayed at Fort Bridger with his family rebuilding and restocking the fort. One of the region's early businessmen, Carter was involved in mining, oil, logging, and cattle ranching, and he also operated a sawmill. He raised hay and grain on the land surrounding the Fort to fill contracts with the government. Carter was soon known as Mr. Fort Bridger
, and became Wyoming's first millionaire. In addition to his business activities Carter was justice of the peace and probate judge for Green River County.
Extent
5 folders (0.08 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection includes several personal and business letters between 1863 and 1925, and letters of condolence at the time of Carter's death in 1881. In addition there is an undated map of Fort Bridger detailing the water lines and buildings.
Arrangement note
William A. Carter papers are arranged in two series: 1. William A. Carter correspondence; 2. William A. Carter collected materials.
Other Finding Aids
Folder-level inventory available online. http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/MSSSC490.xml
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Purchased from Fred A. Rosenstock, 1974.
Appraisal note
19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts.
Processing Information note
Processed; Dennis Rowley; 1995.
- Title
- Register of the William A. Carter papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Dennis Rowley
- Date
- 1995
- 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; National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Western Waters (WWDL) Grant, 2007-2010
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States