Homer Lewis DeGolyer (1892-1963) was a man with varied interests, who managed to successfully combine vocation with avocation. Born November 13, 1892, he was the younger bother of E. L. DeGolyer, Sr., noted geologist and bibliophile. Homer's career included the roles of soldier, historian and business man. He served in World War I as a sergeant first class with the 463 Aero Squadron. Immediately after the war he donned his historian's hat by acting as managing editor in the writing and publishing of The History of the Four Hundred and Sixty Third Aero Squadron, published in 1920. DeGolyer kept in touch with his war buddies and regularly attended squadron reunions. Her served briefly as a captain in the Oklahoma National Guard and held membership in the American Legion.
Mr. DeGolyer was a pioneer in the field of microfilming, and, as such, established Southwest Microfilm, Inc., one of the first companies of its type in the area. Under his leadership the company amassed a collection of films dealing with Early Western Americana, a topic of great interest to several members of the DeGolyer family.
He was a noted researcher on the subject of Dallas history and served as a research associate with the Dallas Historical Society. Other topics of interest to him were the Santa Fe Trail, William Beckness, Texas history, the history of mining and geology and the circus. As a circus fan he was a member of The Circus Historical Society, The Circus Review, The Circus Model Builders and Owners Association and served as historian of the The Circus Fans Association.
After retiring from Southwest Microfilm, Mr. DeGolyer maintained an office at Southern Methodist University, where he continued his historical research. He died on December 15, 1963.
The collection is divided into twelve major categories:
Other items which originally formed part of the Homer DeGolyer Collection, but are now cataloged separately include the following: The Charles Gates Sturtevant Diary; one reel of microfilm (MF79.39) which contains a copy of the original handwritten personal narrative of John Jeremiah "Colho" Smith, entitled "A Comanche Campaign"; one reel of microfilm (MF 79.60) which contains a typescript copy of an unpublished manuscript written by Homer DeGolyer, entitled "Warren Angus Ferris and the Three Forks of the Trinity River"; four reels of microfilm from which approximately 1200 copy negatives were made; and eighteen cubic feet of microfilm reels from the inventory of Southwest Microfilm.
The Personal Papers group contains items which give some insight into the
personal side of Mr. DeGolyer - personal correspondence, including that with
fellow squadron members, and membership and identification cards which show his involvement with a variety of organizations. Selected correspondence of E.L. DeGolyer, Sr. and E.L. DeGolyer Jr., as well as reprints of many of Sr's. geological publications are also included. Material on the genealogy of the DeGolyer family and unidentified photographs comprise the remainder of this category.
Includes letters, cards, graduation announcements and other miscellaneous items from friends, acquaintances and family.
Correspondence relating to historical research, arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, brochures and photographs relating to the 463rd AERO Squadron of World War I; DeGolyer was a member of the group. Most material deals with squadron reunions.
Membership and identification cards of Homer DeGolyer.
Clippings pertaining to the career of Homer DeGolyer.
Miscellaneous personal items: postcards, cartoon book, menu,newspaper clippings.
Original hand-drawn cartoons by Larry Smith.
Typescript copies of extracts from Sr's. correspondence, 1908-1956, arranged chronologically.
Reprints of articles written by Sr. including the texts of several oral presentations; topic is geology.
Selected correspondence of DeGolyer, Jr., 1958-63; arranged chronologically.
Clippings pertaining to the career of DeGolyer, Jr.
Unidentified photographs but probably the DeGolyer family.
Collection of notes and references pertaining to the genealogy of the DeGolyer family.
The Business papers contain items relating to Southwest Microfilm, Inc. Included are Mr. DeGolyer's business correspondence, Southwest Microfilm Catalogs, a lengthy index, possibly to the company's newspaper films, and an assortment of price lists and literature related to the microfilm process.
Business correspondence of Homer DeGolyer Relating to the activities of Southwest Microfilm; arranged chronologically.
Catalogs
Contents appear to be an index of newspapers on microfilm; both Texas and U.S. newspapers are represented.
Literature of the process of producing and using microfilms. Also includes selected Southwest Microfilm price lists and alphabetical lists of films, possibly those of the company.
The majority of the materials consists of either handwritten or typescript extracts from the original records.
Includes hand drawn or traced plats; original copy of "Dallas Street Guide, 1936".
Contains listing of litigants, with index. Also includes excerpts from Record Book A, the proceedings of Commissioner's Court for 1846-47.
Taken from Dallas County Deed Book; shows transfer of property among early Dallas settlers.
Indicates total acreage assessed value and location of each landowner's real property; includes amount assess for personal property.
Indicates age, sex and state of birth for names heads of households. Additional data list; in 1850 and the names of individuals representing each occupation.
Includes same data as 1850 census.
Typescript, alphabetized lists of Dallas County residents; possibly extracted from tax lists or deed books, no dates.
Church Circuit Book for Dallas Circuit, East Texas Conference. Book contains yearly membership list, indicating those who died or moved away during the year.
Notebook covering wide range of topics relating to the colony and its history. Also includes a photocopy of article entitled "Emigration to the Trinity and Red River Colony, Texas" dated January 4, 1844.
Includes notes on history of the area, beginning with Coronado and DeSoto and ending with Warren A. Ferris and William P. King. Also includes typescript copies of Ferris and King correspondence, as well as transactions of the Southern Land Co.
Material pinpoints location of fort and relates history of its establishment. Includes photocopy of original muster roll of Bird's fort Company and includes brief biography of some members.
Includes early history of both settlements, of particular interest the name change from Thorpville to Scyene.
Includes photocopies of selected articles pertaining to Dallas history, taken from issues dated May 1940-July 1941. Magazine published by the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Contains two articles, the first entitled 'The Southwest and Dallas", compiled by Clyde V. Wallis, 1942; second article entitled "Story of Dallas, Texas", by Hunt McCaleb.
Typescript extracts from "Dallas Daily Times Herald" and "Dallas Morning News", describing proceedings of annual meetings, usually including names of all officers and committee members. Dates include 1892, 1900-1910 and 1925-1926. Folder also includes list of Garland pioneers.
Lists names of office holders in positions such as chief justice, district judge, sheriff, tax collector, coroner, etc.
Contains numerous lists of survey crews working in the area, 1840-1850. Includes newspaper clipping describing trials and tribulation of Warren Ferris survey crew as it attempted to establish eastern boundary of Dallas County in 1850. Also includes copy of Ferris' field notes and typescript copies of A. G. Walker's correspondence, December, 1846-May 1850; Walker also worked as a surveyor in the Dallas area.
Material contains names of various volunteer companies organized in response to the Civil War; indicates dates of organization and officers of the various units. Also includes list of Dallas area participants in Mexican War and a list of volunteers for service the Indian frontier, 1848.
Includes brief typescript histories of Dallas, plus a lengthy list of published books and articles dealing with all facets of life in Dallas and surrounding areas.
Includes brief typescript histories of Dallas, plus a lengthy list of published books and articles dealing with all facets of life in Dallas and surrounding areas. Also includes article entitled "The Birth of Methodism in Dallas County", author unknown. In addition, a copy of "A Report on N. E. Texas Made in 1849", by Edward Smith and John Barrow, is included.
Contains names and dates gathered from several local cemeteries; some of those included are as follows: Big Springs, Cochran Chapter, Farmers Branch, Fish Trap, Johnson Station. Long Creek School, McCree, Oak Cliff, Old City, Overton, Perry, Pleasant Mound, Roger's, Rylie, Trinity Masonic, West Cockrell, P.A. Watson, Wheatland.
Includes newspaper articles and some typescript material, in particular a list of Dallas businesses, dated 1878-79.
Notebook contains typescript extracts from the county records of several Illinois counties, Pike and Green in particular. Many Dallas pioneers emigrated from those areas in Illinois.
Contains numerous lists of names not easily identified with specific topics and are therefore not cataloged. Many appear to be those of early Dallas residents, while some may be Texas or Missouri pioneers.
Boxes contain material on early Dallas residents. Files are arranged alphabetically by surname. See "Personal Names Files List".
The category on La Reunion includes materials on a variety of subjects pertaining to La Reunion, Victor Considerant and French Socialism. Mr. DeGolyer compiled four notebooks with detailed indices to the contents of each. Also included are handwritten translations of three biographies of Considerant, plus a handwritten translation of his book, Au Texas.
Includes notes on
Photostatic copy of Eloise Santerre's thesis entitled, "Reunion".
Contains photostatic copy of Victor Considerant's book
Typescript translation of
Four loose-leaf notebooks contain material on a variety of subjects pertaining to La Reunion, Considerant and French Socialism. Notebook "A" includes DeGolyer's detailed index to the contents of notebooks "A-D".
Two loose-leaf notebooks contain contain biographical sketches of the major participants in La Reunion; the biographical data appears to come from Santerre's thesis.
Individually boxed are handwritten translations of the following
Contains the personal correspondence of Homer DeGolyer, as relating to his research on William Becknell.
"Finished" manuscript entitled
Extensive notes on the genealogy of the Becknell family.
Contain material pertinent to William Becknell's activities while a resident of Missouri. Consists of typescript and handwritten extracts from original sources such as newspaper articles, circuit court records (primarily Howard Co.), deed records and probate records. Included is a photostatic copy of Becknell vs. Robidoux court proceedings. Also included are copies of Becknell's correspondence as Captain of the Saline Co. Rangers and minutes of the 5th and 6th General Assemblies of the state of Missouri (Becknell was a member of the assembly). Hand-drawn and traced maps, original source unknown, show location of property ownership in the Boon's Lick area, 1795-1830.
Material pertains to Becknell's activities after moving to Texas in 1835. Included are typescript and handwritten extracts from newspaper articles, court records, probate records, deed records and census reports, primarily from Red River and Titus counties. In addition, photostatic copies of muster rolls show membership of the Red River Blues (1836) and the Red River Minute Men (1841). Contains typed copies of correspondence between Becknell and Brig. General Thomas J. Green, Texas Army.
Material pertains to John Becknell, son of William, and his litigation with Etienne Cabet, leader of the Icarians; copies of court records and notes from deed records.
Consists of typescript excerpts from narrative accounts given by early travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. Among the accounts included are those of Jacob Fowler, Joel P. Walker, Stephen Cooper, William Becknell and Joseph Philbert. Also included is material pertinent to the establishment of a permanent route along the Trail: includes a copy of the "Report of the Commissioners on the Road from Missouri to New Mexico, October 1827" and a typescript copy of the diary of Joseph Davis, a member of the survey party.
Newspaper clippings pertaining to the Santa Fe Trail.
Contains almost exclusively, typescript copies of newspaper articles discussing travel along the Santa Fe Trail and the merits of commerce with New Mexico; primarily Missouri newspapers.
Contain a variety of materials pertaining to early Missouri history, with emphasis on the Boon's Lick area: consists mostly of typescript and handwritten notes from original sources. Included are newspaper extracts pertaining to: fur trade, commerce between Missouri and New Mexico, Austin's settlement, travel along the Trail, Indian hostilities and general activities in the Boon's Lick area. Also include extracts from circuit court and deed records, land titles and marriage records, primary from Saline, Howard and St. Charles counties. A separate notebook contains some county records from areas of Kentucky/Tenn./Virginia, 1800-1869. Also include an alphabetical listing of Indian claims, 1804-1830, and some biographical data on Boon's Lick residents and Santa Fe Traders; names include Joseph and Antoine Robidoux, Martin Parmer, Duff Green, Dr. Sappington, Nathan Boon, Morrison, Pryor, Heath, Cooper.
Contains maps, some hand-drawn or traced, some photostatic copies, of the Santa Fe Trail, northern Texas and the Boon's Lick area in Missouri.
Consist of outlines, notes and rough draft copies of the Becknell manuscript.
Homer DeGolyer was an avid fan of the circus and, as such, developed an interest in circus history. One category includes his notes on circus history, plus several issues of contemporary newspapers featuring articles on the circus.
Contains notes on early history of the circus. Material consists of typescript copies of newspaper articles and "Billboard" extracts. Included is extensive flow chart showing the names of early performers and the years the performed.
Include newspapers featuring articles on the circus, primarily the
In collaboration with his brother, E. L. DeGolyer, Sr., Homer researched
several facets of the history of geology and petroleum exploration. Much of
this material dates from the mid
Photocopies of articles pertaining to the early days of oil exploration and discovery. Articles are selected from newspapers nationwide, the earliest dated in the 1860's.
Contains listing of American geologist, beginning in 1769; also general information on petroleum and geology.
Notes on mining and history of mining and oil exploration in the U.S.; taken from newspapers and journals, 1860's-1890's. Also includes photocopies of several articles on mining and a copy of
The Texas history category encompasses a wide span of time and topics. Major topics include: white man's entry into the area, early colonization, the Texas revolution, fall of the Alamo, and battle of San Jacinto. Material related to the revolution includes copies of the correspondence of Thomas Jefferson Gree, James Morgan and John Anthony Quitman, all participants in the cause for independence. Indian related material comprises a large portion of this section, including notes on the capture of Jane Wilson and the journals of Alexander LeGrand and Coho Smith. Selected military topics, early Methodism and personal narrative accounts of Texas pioneers ere other subjects of interest to Homer DeGolyer. Concluding the Texas history section are materials on the history of Texas newspapers and the county histories of forty Texas counties.
Contains material on Indian relations and boundary disputes; typescript copies of newspaper articles and government documents.
Includes material describing Etienne Cabet's attempt to establish an Icarian colony in Denton County in 1847-48.
Contains notes on the history of the colony. Includes maps, biographical material on Charles F. Mercer and typescript copies of newspaper extracts and Mercer's correspondence.
Include material on the establishment of this colony in northeast Texas in 1826. Present are photostatic copies of the contract contract and original register of colonists. Typescript material includes: brief biography of Arthur G. Wavel, correspondence between Wavel and Stephen F. Austin, a bibliography of the history of the settlement in NE Texas, including the genealogy of some early settlers.
Typescript copy of the
Selected items on colonization, including typescript copies of selected items from the Stephen F. Austin papers.
Contain material describing the activities related to declaring independence, establishing a provisional government and forming an army. Typescript newspaper extracts reflect great nationwide interest in the Texas cause, some sympathetic, some opposed. Included are extracts depicting Santa Anna's rise to power in Mexico and that nation's view of the upcoming conflict.
Sixteen notebooks, well indexed and chronologically arranged, present an almost daily record of revolution activities from November 1, 1835 through June 30, 1836. Contain typescript copies of official correspondence and newspaper extracts. A separate notebook entitled
Material pertinent to the battle. Included are maps, muster roll listings of all participants, typescript copies of correspondence relating to the battle and a bibliography of battle-related material. Also included are typescript copies of contemporary battle accounts, taken mostly from newspaper articles, and typescript copies of accounts given later, primarily by participants.
Contains typescript extracts from depositions given by selected survivors of the battle of San Jacinto. The depositions were given as part of the libel suit between Col. John Forbes and Dr. Nicholas Labadie in 1866.
Information on the formation of the Regular Army, fall of the Alamo, battle of San Jacinto and surrender of Santa Anna. Includes typescript extracts from Lamar papers, Sam Houston's correspondence, newspaper articles and various Texas histories.
Well indexed notebook containing several Mexican versions of the Texas campaign. Reports include those of Santa Anna, Juan Almonte, Juan Andrade, Col. Pedro Delgado and Ramon Caro. Also included is typescript copy of
Material traces the career of Sam Houston; includes typescript extracts from secondary sources, newspaper articles and selected items from the Houston and Rusk papers. Also includes an index to the writings of Sam Houston.
Contains typescript extracts from materials describing the controversy resulting from a pamphlet published by Captain M. Coleman, in which Houston's actions as the battle of San Jacinto are severely criticized.
Typescript of copies of selected newspaper articles which follow his activities during the revolution.
Contains biographical material on Mirabeau B. Lamar, David G. Burnet, James Long and Thomas J. Rusk. Also includes typescript extracts from the Lamar Papers, as well as copies of selected correspondence of all four.
Photostatic copies of Morgan's correspondence written during the Texas Revolution. He was an early merchant and landowner in south Texas and established the town of New Washington. Morgan held the rank of colonel during the Texas Revolution and served as commandant of Galveston Island.
Contains photostatic copies of selected correspondence of John Quitman. He was a Mississippi lawyer and planter who raised a group of volunteers to aid the Texas cause. Most of the letters are addressed to his wife Eliza, who was back home in Mississippi.
Typescript extracts from army correspondence, mostly that of General Gaines, who was charged with maintaining the neutrality of the states surrounding Texas, including that of the citizenry.
Typescript copies of the Morfit correspondence, August-Sept., 1836. Morfit was sent to Texas by Andrew Jackson to report on the state of the new republic.
Material pertains to Colonel Cooke's activities in Texas, 1830-1840's; mostly typescript copies of newspaper articles and official correspondence.
Photostatic copies of his official correspondence, 1836-1857. Green held the rank of brigadier general during the Texas Revolution.
Typescript extracts from secondary sources describing the flags of Texas, with emphasis on those which originated during the revolution.
Contains material pertaining to the capture, in 1853, of
Includes information on LeGrand and his activities in Texas and New Mexico. Contains much on Indian activities and his role as surveyor for the New Arkansas and Texas Land Company. Typescript copies of newspaper articles, state papers and LeGrand's journals.
Material on Indian activities in early Texas; typescript copies official correspondence relating to Indian activities.
Notebook of research notes on Indians, compiled from primary and secondary sources. Also included is a typescript copy of the Sibley Report on the Red River Area, 1804, and a photocopy of
Contains typescript copy of the narrative of
Material pertains to the Snively Expedition, 1843. Includes typescript copies of newspaper articles, state department papers and extracts from history journals.
Photostatic copies of selected records from three Texas forts -- Concho, Brown, and Richardson.
Typescript copies of muster roll listings for Texas military groups, including regular army and volunteers, from approximately 1835-1860. Also included is a personal names index from the
Material on early Methodism in north Texas. Also included are typescript copies of extracts from the
Typescript copies of autobiographical and personal
narrative accounts of several early Texans. Names include:
Biographical material, plus typescript copy of the Coffee papers. He was a businessman, trader and politician who operated a trading post on the Red River during the 1830's-1840's.
Include material pertaining to the history of the newspaper, particularly in Texas. Numerous lists indicate the holdings of several newspaper repositories throughout the U. S. Also included is a typescript copy of
Clippings cover a wide range of topics relating to Texas history.
Contains limited material about early Fort Worth and
Tarrant County. Included are plats, tax roll, census and election register, all
dated 1850, several newspaper extracts, photostatic copy of E. H. Tarrant
sketch and several Chamber of Commerce publications. Included is a
Material on a variety of subjects related to Texas history: Mexican insurrection, annexation, secession, Horse Marines, pioneer recollections, typescript copy of the
Includes highway maps and Chamber of Commerce type material describing several areas of Texas.
These boxes contain the histories of 40 Texas counties, as compiled by Homer DeGolyer. The vast majority of material consists of typescript newspaper extracts, personal narratives, family papers, county court records and tax rolls, plus several theses and dissertations. In addition ,many of the histories contain excerpts from
The following county histories are
included:
The Bowie County folder includes the
The folder on the Red River County also includes a lengthy manuscript index
to the
Typescript copy of a series of newspaper articles entitled
Newspapers served as a major research tool for Mr. DeGolyer. Consequently, his collection includes several boxes of extracted material in different forms. Nine folders contain indices to headlines of the
Articles written on early history of Dallas; appeared in Dallas Morning News, 1920-23.
Booklet issued by the Texas Historical Survey, 1933-35; lists the Texas newspapers from which personal names indices were prepared by workers from the Civil Works Administration. Also includes key to
Also included are typescript extracts from the almanacs, directories and books listed below. The extracts generally pertain to Dallas and surrounding area.
Transcripts of articles written by Gus L. Ford, pertaining to Dallas history. Subjects include: Peter's Colony, Isaac Webb, J. N. Bryan, early Methodism in Texas and articles about many pioneers of Dallas.
A few selected items comprise a category on U.S. history. Included is material on the early exploration of North America, copies of several early newspapers and other miscellaneous items.
Material pertinent to the exploration of North America by the Spanish, French and English. Included is a typescript copy of
Original copies of the following newspapers
Contains copy of
Includes material on Oklahoma, Kansas and California - roadmaps, newspapers and a bibliography of Oklahoma history. Also includes notes on the Louisiana Purchase and New Mexico history; handwritten typescript and photocopied material.
A varied assortment of research materials comprises the last major group in the collection. Included are research notes, maps, biographical material, index cards and resource notebooks, chronologically arranged, covering a vast array of topics related to U.S. and Texas history.
Contains lists of historical events, chronologically arranged. Topics include: Texas Revolution, military actions, exploration of North America, penetration of white men in Texas.
Include information on a variety of individuals: Texas pioneers, leaders of Texas Revolution, early Texas legislators, several writers and publishers. Material is mostly typescript extracts from secondary sources.
Surveys from selected newspapers, on subjects of interest to Homer DeGolyer; dates and topics are quite variable.
Notes on research material resources: National Archives holdings, Texas Almanac extracts, indices to surveys of historical records, land office extracts, Wagner-Camp extracts, biographical indices, guides to manuscript depositories, bibliographies on various topics in Western history.
Typescript and photocopies material on various topics: Army installations, U.S. Government, Grand Canyon.
Mostly handwritten material on various topics: Dallas history, Dallas pioneers, Texas history, Missouri history, Santa Fe trade, U.S. history.
Depict a wide variety of subjects, including: military roads, world maps, county and city maps, state maps, routes of early explorers, Texas land grants. Some are photocopies from the originals, some are commercial, and others are hand-drawn or traced.
Miscellaneous topics include: slavery, Ohio history, Salt Lake City, Arizona history, army medical records, state coach travel, railroads.
Box contains twenty notebooks, chronologically arranged, and containing source material on numerous topics; most notebooks contain a detailed index. Includes typescript extracts from American state papers, War Department correspondence, Austin and Lamar Papers, court records and newspapers. The subject matter includes events occurring from the 1500's through the 1800's; examples are:
Possibly an index to Homer DeGolyer's research notecards and notebooks.
Several issues of historical publications, plus several miscellaneous notebooks. Box also includes a file containing research notecards.
Contains photographs, some labeled, of early Texas residents.
Contains photostatic copies of the