00211 Guide to the Rienzi Melville Johnston papers, 1899-1926 Inventory prepared by Tyler Kruse, Summer intern, 2005 Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, Texas 2005 Finding aid encoded by Amanda Focke, Fondren Library July 11, 2005 Finding aid written in English. Collection Summary Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX Johnston, Rienzi Melville, 1849-1926 Rienzi Melville Johnston papers 1899-1926 1 lin. ft. (2 boxes) MS 117 Materials are in English. Newspapers, clippings, personal correspondence, and photographs relating to the political life and professional life of Rienzi Melville Johnston, co-founder of the Houston Post and Texas and U.S. Senator. Biographical Sketch

Rienzi Melville Johnston was born in Georgia in 1849. He served as a drummer in the Confederate Army when he was twelve then reenlisted as a soldier when he came of age. Johnston moved to Texas in 1878 in order to edit the Crockett Patron newspaper, but after a year began to edit the Coriscana Observer. In Corsicana, Johnston founded the Independent newspaper. In 1880 he moved to Austin and quickly became a correspondent for the Austin Statesman, later to be renamed the Austin-American Statesman. The Houston Post later hired Johnston as a political correspondent in the capital and Johnston served there until he was appointed editor-in-chief of the newly reorganized Houston Post. Johnston was a vice president of the Associated Press and a strong Southern Democrat. He served as a member to the Democratic National Committee for the early part of the 1900's until 1913 when he was appointed by Governor Colquitt to serve the remainder of Senator Bailey's unexpired term. After he month long service in the United States senate, Johnston resumed his position with the Houston Post until his retirement in 1919. He served as a state senator and chairman of the state prison commission until his death in 1926. Johnston was a profoundly influential member of the press and a strong voice within the Democratic Party of the South, which he proudly served until his death. Quotes from Johnston's various political editorials surfaced in every Democratic newspaper in the Southwest and he was repeatedly asked to serve as higher positions within the state and national government.

Scope and Contents

This body of personal papers relating to Johnston's life as politician, press, and a prominent member of Houston society includes newspaper clippings and entire newspapers relating to Johnston's service as a senator and as co-founder of the Houston Post. The collection also includes personal correspondence with men such as John Wortham (1862-1924), Nelson Phillips (1873-1939), E.M. House (1858-1938), H.F. MacGregor (1855-1923), O.B. Colquitt (1861-1940), and E.O. Lovett (1871-1957).

Restrictions on Access

This material is open for research.

 Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish material from the Johnston papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Wortham, John, 1862-1924 - correspondence Phillips, Nelson, 1873-1939 - correspondence House, E.M., 1858-1938 - correspondence MacGregor, H. F., 1855-1923 - correspondence Colquitt, O.B., 1861-1940 - correspondence Lovett, Edgar Odell, 1871-1957 - correspondence Subjects Newspapers - Texas - history Legislators - United States Legislators - Texas Formats Correspondence Newsclippings Photographs Arrangement

This material has been arranged in the following four series:

Series I. Newspaper Clippings, 1908-1926 Series II. Correspondence, 1899-1918 Series III. Newspapers, 1900-1925 Series IV. Photographs and Ephemera, 1909-1920, n.d. Preferred Citation

Rienzi Melville Johnston papers, 1899-1926, MS 117 Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University

Acquisition Information

The collection was a gift of Harris Masterson III, 1967.

 Detailed Description of the Collection Series I. Newspaper Clippings, 1908-1926 11 Johnston for Vice President, 1908 12 William Jennings Bryan's Candidacy for President, 1908 13 Johnston as Democratic National Committeeman, 1908, 1911, 1912 14-5 Johnston's Appointment to U.S. Senate, 1913 16 Johnston's Term as State Senator, Acting Lieutenant Governor, Acting Governor, 1913, 1917, 1918 17 Various clippings regarding Johnston, 1917 18 State's Rights and Prohibition ,1917, 1918 19 Regarding Johnston's candidacy for Governor, 1918 110 Johnston's Resignation as Editor of the Houston Post, 1918, 1919 111 Johnston's Death, 1926 112 Regarding Johnston, 1903-1924, 1926 Series II. Correspondence, 1899-1918 113 Personal and Political, 1899, 1901, 1909, 1911, 1912 114 Notes to Texas Senator R.M. Johnston, Jan. 1-8, 1913 115 Notes to Texas Senator R.M. Johnston, Jan. 9-23, 1913 116 Notes to R.M. Johnston and Political Correspondence, 1913 117 1914-1917 118 1918 119 Personal, undated Series III. Newspapers, 1900-1925 120 Apalachicola Times, June 6, 1900 121 Brickbats and Bouquets, April 1, 1908 122 Daily Times-Herald, August 13, 1916 123 Editor and Publisher and Journalist, 1913, 1915 124 Fourth Estate, 1912, 1925 125 Galveston Daily News, August 15, 1912 126 Houston Post: Miscellaneous Clippings, 1913-1918 21 Houston Post: January 12, 1919 22 Houston Post: June 8, 1922 23 Houston Post-Dispatch: March 1, 1926 24 Houston Post-Dispatch: March 2, 1926 25 Houston Post-Dispatch: May 26, 1927 26 Pensacola Evening News, November 23, 1911 27 Post-Searchlight: October 24, 1918 28 Texas Republic: January 11, 1913 Series IV. Photographs and Ephemera, 1909-1920, n.d. 29 Photographs: 1909 210 Decree Appointing R.M. Johnston A Member of the Prison Commissioners Board, January 12, 1920 211 Stationery