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James Edward Ferguson served as governor of Texas from January 19, 1915 to August 25, 1917. Ferguson was born on August 31, 1871 near Salado, Bell County, Texas. His father died in 1876, and as soon as Ferguson was able, he helped out on the family's farm. He entered Salado College at 14, attending for two years. For the next two years, Ferguson worked his way west, taking a variety of jobs. He returned to Texas and worked on the railroads until 1895 when he began studying law. Ferguson was admitted to the bar in 1897 and began his practice in Belton. He developed interests in real estate, insurance, banking, and politics. In 1914 he won the governorship and was reelected in 1916. During his first term, legislation regarding state aid to rural schools, the establishment of the Austin State School, college building programs, and large appropriations for education were passed.
During Ferguson's second term in office, a quarrel with the University of Texas administration grew into a controversy. Resultant charges against him precipitated impeachment proceedings. The Senate, sitting as a court of impeachment, by a vote of 25 to 3, convicted Ferguson on ten charges, which included the misapplication of public funds, and failing to respect and enforce the banking laws of the state. Although he resigned on August 25, 1917, the day before the judgment was announced, the court of impeachment's judgment was sustained, preventing Ferguson from holding public office in Texas. He continued to be politically active. In 1924 and 1932 he conducted the successful campaigns of his wife for the governorship. Ferguson married Miriam Amanda Wallace on December 31, 1899, and they had two daughters. He died on September 21, 1944.
Types of records are correspondence, letterpress books, financial records, and an inventory of property in the Governor's Mansion. Materials date from 1915 to 1918 and 1920 (bulk 1915-1917). Documents are records of James E. Ferguson's terms as governor of Texas. Financial records are accounts, statements, and correspondence for personal and official expenses. Letterpress books contain outgoing correspondence and telegrams. Correspondence includes requests and recommendations for appointments to office, as well as requests for pardons, paroles, requisitions, and extraditions. Letters and telegrams discuss livestock quarantines, border problems with Mexico concerning Pancho Villa, the Galveston storm of 1915, World War I, and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Ferguson's problems with the University of Texas and events leading up to the impeachment are mentioned as well, with many replies to supporters. Correspondents include President Woodrow Wilson and General John J. Pershing.
These records are organized into two series:
(Identify the item and cite the series), Records, Texas Governor James Edward Ferguson. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
October 1985
Tonia J. Wood, January 1996
Accession number: 1936/002
The letterpress books were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the governor's office on October 8, 1936. There is no accession data for the remainder of the records.
Records are 56 letterpress books, containing outgoing correspondence and telegrams written during Governor James E. Ferguson's term in office. Materials date from 1915-1918 and 1920 (bulk 1915-1917). Correspondence concerns requests and recommendations for appointments to office, as well as requests for pardons, paroles, requisitions, and extraditions. Other letters and telegrams discuss livestock quarantines, border problems with Mexico concerning Pancho Villa, the Galveston storm of 1915, World War I, and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Ferguson's problems with the University of Texas and events leading up to the impeachment are mentioned as well, with many replies to supporters. Correspondents include President Woodrow Wilson and General John J. Pershing.
Volumes are arranged in chronological order, except for the letterpress books of political correspondence and telegrams, which follow the others.
(Identify the item), Letterpress books, Records, Texas Governor James Edward Ferguson. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Accession number: 1936/002
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Governor's Office on October 8, 1936.
Records are accounts, statements, correspondence, and an inventory of property in the Governor's Mansion. Materials date from 1915 to 1917 (bulk 1915-1916). The statements and accounts relate to Governor James E. Ferguson's personal and official expenses, including purchases made for the Governor's Mansion. Correspondence includes invitations and letters regarding state agency business.
Arrangement is chronological.
(Identify the item), Financial records and correspondence, Records, Texas Governor James Edward Ferguson. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
No accession information for these records was located.