urn:taro:utexas.cah.03038 A Guide to the Ruth N. Ragsdale Papers, 1854-1925 Original EAD encoding by Maria Soscia according to TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. August 2011 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Ragsdale, Ruth N., b. ca. 1891 Ragsdale, Ruth N., Papers 1854-1925 Materials are written in English. 73-89 5 in. Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin Business records, legal papers, correspondence, and advertisements comprise the Ruth N. Ragsdale Papers, 1854-1925, documenting ranch interests, land deals, and the personal correspondence of Ruth N. Ragsdale. Biographical Note

Ruth N. Ragsdale (b. ca. 1891) lived in Cherokee County, Texas, and was the wife of rancher W. J. Ragsdale.

Scope and Contents

Business records, legal papers, correspondence, and advertisements comprise the Ruth N. Ragsdale Papers, 1854-1925, documenting ranch interests, land deals, and the personal correspondence of Ruth N. Ragsdale. Business records are composed of account books (1886-1901) detailing expenses paid, items bought and sold, and employees’ working time and compensation; a breeders certificate (1916); two promissory notes signed by John Muckleroy (1885); and receipts (1871-1912), primarily pertaining to land taxes. Legal papers include deeds (1854-1879), power of attorney documents (1877-1888), a deposition (1895), and John Muckleroy’s wills (1884-1886). Correspondence consists of a letter to Ruth N. Ragsdale, a post card to Arthur Norman from W. B. Ragsdale, a 1913 pension approval letter to W. B. Ragsdale, and two 1919 letters between the Norman family, including one to Richard C. Norman from his mother declaring her excitement that he will soon be returning home from World War I. Advertisements are for an ad for a free bible catalog, and a flyer concerning land for sale near Jacksonville, Texas.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Ragsdale, Ruth N. b. ca. 1891 –- Archives. Ragsdale, W. J. -- Archives. Ragsdale, W. B. -- Archives. Muckleroy, John. Norman, Arthur. Norman, Richard C. Norman, Mary. Ragsdale family -- Archives. Subjects (Organizations) American Shorthorn Breeders’ Association. Subjects Ranch life -- Texas -- History. World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal Narratives, American. Places Nacogdoches County (Tex.) -- History -- Sources. Cherokee County (Tex.) -- History -- Sources. Jacksonville (Tex.) -- History -- Sources. Troup (Tex.). Preferred Citation

Ruth N. Ragsdale Papers, 1854-1925, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Detailed Description of the Papers Inventory 3F179 Business records: Accounts, 1888-1889 Account books,1886-1901 Breeder's certificate, 1916 Promissory notes, 1885, undated Receipts, 1871-1912 Legal Papers: Appointment of Administrator, 1877 Deeds,1854-1879 Deposition, 1854-1879 Power of Attorney, 1888 Wills, 1884-1886 Correspondence, 1910-1925 Advertisements,