Texas Governor James Edward Ferguson:
An Inventory of Records at the Texas State Archives, 1915-1918, 1920 (bulk 1915-1917)
Overview | ||
| Creator: | Texas. Governor (1915-1917 : Ferguson) | |
| Title: | Records | |
| Dates: | 1915-1918, 1920 | |
| Dates: | (bulk 1915-1917) | |
| Abstract: | 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. | |
| Quantity: | 8.24 cubic ft. | |
| Language | English. | |
| Repository: | Texas State Archives | |
Biographical Sketch
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.
Scope and Contents of the Records
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.
Organization of the Records | ||
| These records are organized into two series: | ||
| Letterpress books, 1915-1918, 1920, (bulk 1915-1917), 8 cubic ft. | ||
| Financial records and correspondence, 1915-1917 (bulk 1915-1916), 0.24 cubic ft. | ||
Restrictions
Restrictions on Access
None.
Restrictions on Use
None.
Technical Requirements
None.
Index Terms | ||
| The terms listed here were used to catalog the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related records. | ||
| Personal Names: | ||
| Ferguson, James Edward, 1871-1944--Impeachment. | ||
| Ferguson, James Edward, 1871-1944. | ||
| Corporate Names: | ||
| Texas. Office of the Governor. | ||
| Texas Governor's Mansion (Austin, Tex.) | ||
| Subjects: | ||
| Governors--Texas. | ||
| Quarantines--Texas. | ||
| Pardon--Texas. | ||
| World War, 1914-1918--Texas. | ||
| Places: | ||
| Texas--Politics and government--1865-1950. | ||
| Texas--Relations--Mexico. | ||
| Texas--Officials and employees--Selection and appointment. | ||
| Document Types: | ||
| Correspondence--Texas--Governors--1915-1917. | ||
| Letterpress copybooks--Texas--Governors--1915-1917. | ||
| Financial records--Texas--Governors--1915-1917. | ||
| Inventories--Texas--Governors--1915-1917. | ||
| Functions: | ||
| Appointing. | ||
| Pardoning. | ||
Related Material
The following materials are offered as possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by the records. The listing is not exhaustive. |
||
| Texas State Archives | ||
| Texas Secretary of State, Executive record books, 1835-1917, 14 reels of microfilm | ||
| Texas Secretary of State, Executive clemency records, 1840, 1845-2002, 103.62 cubic ft., 168 reels of microfilm (originals), 22 reels of microfilm (duplicates) | ||
| Campaign material, [19--?]-[19--] (bulk 1928, 1933, 1941-1944), 10 inches. | ||
| King, A.K. The Public Life of James E. Ferguson, 1940. [MS] | ||
| Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin | ||
| James Edward Ferguson Collection, 1911-1936, 7 in. | ||
| University of North Texas Archives, Denton, Texas | ||
| Oral History Collection, 1,100+ bound volumes of interview transcripts. [Transcripts from The Texas Political History Project concerning James Ferguson include interviews of Ghent Sanderford, Fred H. Minor, H. Grady Perry, and T. Bullock Hyder.] | ||
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item and cite the series), Records, Texas Governor James Edward Ferguson. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Accession Information
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.
Processing Information
October 1985
Tonia J. Wood, January 1996
Detailed Description of the Collection