Descriptive Summary
Watkins, Richard Leigh
Richard Leigh Watkins
Papers
1896-1911 Materials are written in English.
MS 137
2.1 linear feet (about
1,600 items)
University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections
Richard Leigh Watkins
was born circa 1878 and raised in Tennessee. Between 1910 and 1911 Watkins was
business manager for the Beeville Manufacturing Company. Also in 1910 Watkins
and five other men formed the Texas Title Guaranty Company. Watkins was active
in a variety of associations and clubs in San Antonio, and in 1910 was one of
the vestry of St. Mark’s Church. The Richard L. Watkins Papers, 1896-1911
consist of the papers of this San Antonio lawyer and reflect both his social
and business life.
Biographical Note/Historical Sketch
Richard Leigh Watkins was born circa 1878 and raised in Tennessee. In
1896 he attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he
studied English Literature, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Latin. He
graduated from the Law Department of Vanderbilt University in 1899. The next
year he moved west to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and in about 1904 settled in
San Antonio and opened a law practice. In 1909 Watkins formed a partnership
with another San Antonio lawyer, W.A. Wurzbach. In addition to his law
practice, he was a notary public in Bexar County from 1905 to 1911. Between
1910 and 1911 Watkins was business manager for the Beeville Manufacturing
Company. Also in 1910 Watkins and five other men formed the Texas Title
Guaranty Company. Watkins was active in a variety of associations and clubs in
San Antonio, and in 1910 was one of the vestry of St. Mark’s Church.
Scope and Content Note
The Richard L. Watkins Papers, 1896-1911 consist of the papers of this
San Antonio lawyer and reflect both his social and business life. The papers
are divided into two series, Personal and Business Records and include
correspondence, legal documents, invitations, and printed materials. The bulk
of the material dates from 1905 to 1911, and includes some files from the Texas
Title Guaranty Company which eventually was subsumed by the Stewart Title
Company. Correspondence predominates in both the personal and business records.
The Personal series briefly and partially documents Watkins’ private
home life and also the social and cultural life of San Antonio in the first
decade of the 20th century. There are records concerning clubs and associations
that existed in San Antonio at the time, including: the Alamo Athenaeum, the
Publicity League, the Riding Club, the San Antonio Country Club, the Scientific
Society of San Antonio, the Twelfth Night Club, and the Woodmen of the World
fraternity.
The Business Records, and in particular, Watkins’ law office records,
make up the majority of this collection, and they document the practice of a
lawyer who was particularly active in property and land title law. The records
consist primarily of correspondence regarding clients and cases, but there are
also legal documents such as wills, petitions, contracts, court records of
legal cases, abstracts of record title, certificates of title to property, and
insurance policies.
Access Restrictions
This collection is housed at UTSA's Main Campus and must be accessed via the John Peace Library Special Collections reading room. To request access, please use the Collections Request Form.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged as follows:
- Personal
- Business
Related Material
Stewart Title Company Records, 1870-1965, MS 32, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
Richard L. Watkins Papers, 1896-1911, MS 137, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Acquisition Information
This collection was separated from the Stewart Title Company Records in
2004.
Processing Information
Processed by Gerrianne Schaad and Paul Washington, Archives Intern,
July 2005 (accession 2004-22).
Encoded by: Nikki Lynn Thomas, Manuscripts Archivist, September
2007
Permission to Publish
Please contact University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections for information about
permission to publish material from the collection.
Index Terms
Persons
Watkins, John
H.
Watkins, Richard
Leigh.
Wurzbach, William A.
1869-1939
Organizations
Dallas Railway
Co.
Stewart Title
Texas Title Guaranty
Company
Topics
Abstracts of
title--San Antonio
(Tex.)Abstracts of
title--Texas--Bexar County.
Country clubs--San Antonio
(Tex.)
Land titles--Registration
and transfer--Texas.
Land titles--Texas--Bexar
County
Land titles--United
States.
Practice of law--Texas--San
Antonio--History
Societies and
clubs--Texas--San Antonio
Title
companies--Texas
LocationsBexar County
(Tex.)San Antonio
(Tex.)
Genre/form
Abstracts of
title.
Account books.
Contracts.
Correspondence.
Ephemera.
Invitation
cards.
Land titles.
Petitions.
Wills.
Detailed Description of the collection
Personal
The Personal series briefly and partially documents Watkins’
private home life and also the social and cultural life of San Antonio in the
first decade of the 20th century. There are records concerning clubs and
associations that existed in San Antonio at the time, including: the Alamo
Athenaeum, the Publicity League, the Riding Club, the San Antonio Country Club,
the Scientific Society of San Antonio, the Twelfth Night Club, and the Woodmen
of the World fraternity. Watkins retained numerous booklets containing the
annual reports, charters and bylaws for these clubs and associations. A 1909
booklet published by the San Antonio Country Club includes a drawing of the
club building as it appeared at that time. Watkins also kept handwritten and
typed copies of speeches and remarks he made at meetings of these clubs and
associations.
Watkins’ personal correspondence (in the form of carbon copies of
his original typed letters) reflects his interest in exploring potential
investments in railroad companies and various bonds. His correspondence
includes an 18-page report on the Dallas, Cleburne and Southwestern Railway
Company that appears to have been prepared as a background report for potential
investors. Also of note, is a letter to his brother, John H. Watkins, giving
details of the construction of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio in 1909.
Other documents of interest include invitations to family weddings
in Tennessee, a Democratic Party pledge certificate (circa 1908), which reveals
some of the political ideas of the era, and a political button with a
photograph of Republican U.S. President William Howard Taft, dating from his
visit to San Antonio in October 1909. .
1
Associations and Clubs
1
Alamo Athanaeum,
1905-1907
1
Alamo Athanaeum,
1905-1907
1
Democratic Party pledge certificate,
undated
1
Elks Cafe coupon book,
undated
1
The Publicity League, San Antonio,
1910
1
The Riding Club,
1906-1907
1
San Antonio Country Club,
1908-1909
1
Scientific Society of San Antonio,
1904, undated
1
The Twelfth Night Club,
1907
1
Woodmen of the World fraternity,
1907, 1910
1
Corresondence
1
Outgoing
1
Watkins to aunt re: his health and household
affairs,
December 11, 1909
1
Watkins to W.P. Battle re: death in family,
July 5, 1910
1
Watkins to landlord,
1905-1910
1
Watkins to rector of Grace Church, Colorado
Springs, Colorado,
June 25, 1910
1
Watkins to Grace Watkins (mother),
1910
1
Watkins to John Watkins (brother),
1908-1911
1
Watkins to various re: land transactions for
mother,
1906-1911
1
Incoming
1
Invitations to Parties and Functions,
1905-1910
1
Invitation to attend event in honor of U.S.
President Taft’s visit to San Antonio, October,
1909
1
To Watkins from Julia Armstrong,
1910
1
To Watkins from Auntie,
1909-1910
1
To Watkins from Bessie,
1908
1
To Watkins from John Crawley,
1907
1
To Watkins from P.H. Eley,
1908
1
To Watkins from The International Club of San
Antonio,
1908
1
To Watkins from Nat,
1909
1
To Watkins from Nellie P.,
1905, 1909
1
To Watkins from “Teacakes,”
1910
1
To Watkins from the United Daughters of the
Confederacy,
1905
1
To Watkins from Grace Watkins (mother),
1906
1
To Watkins from John Watkins (brother),
1907-1908
1
To Watkins from John Watkins (brother),
1909
1
To Watkins from John Watkins (brother),
undated
1
To Watkins from John Watkins re: Richard’s
application for U.S. District Attorney at San Antonio,
1909
2
To Watkins re: Investment in Dallas, Cleburne and
Southwestern Railway Company,
1906
2
Unidentified senders,
1895, 1904-1904, 1907,
undated
2
Financial
2
Household purchases,
1905-1908, 1911-1912
2
Insurance Policy on piano in home,
1909
2
Poll tax receipts,
1907-1910
2
San Antonio Water Supply Company receipt,
1910
2
Handwritten Note re Marriage decision; prayer,
undated
2
Legal Files
2
Watkins, Grace (mother), discharge from liabilities
and suits,
May 26, 1909
2
R.L. Watkins vs. Claude V. Birkhead,
undated
2
R.L. Watkins vs. J.P. Forrest,
July 1910
2
Photographs of unidentified woman,
undated
2
Presentations and debates,
1905 and undated
2
University of Virginia academic grade record,
1896
2
Miscellaneous files
2
Program for Theatre production at ball high School,
Galveston, TX,
1907
2
History of Grace Church, Memphis, Tennessee,
undated
2
Obituary for John P. Edmonson, Memphis newspaper,
undated
Business
The Business Records, and in particular, Watkins’ law office
records, make up the majority of this collection, and they document the
practice of a lawyer who was particularly active in property and land title
law. The records consist primarily of correspondence regarding clients and
cases, but there are also legal documents such as wills, petitions, contracts,
court records of legal cases, abstracts of record title, certificates of title
to property, and insurance policies. Also included are administrative and
financial documents such as Watkins’ professional licenses, cancelled checks,
receipts, financial ledgers and bankbooks. Of note is an unsigned copy of a San
Antonio Battle of Flowers Association charter and letter of incorporation,
dated March 10, 1910. Mrs. Watkins was to be a Charter member.
In addition to his law practice, Watkins’ had three other areas of
business activity, including: his role as a Notary Public for Bexar County, his
co-founding of the Texas Title Guaranty Company, and his business management of
the Beeville Manufacturing Company. The collection includes as relatively small
amount of records generated by these areas of activity. The papers also contain
correspondence between Watkins and the Stewart Title Company, documenting the
purchase of the Bexar Abstract Company by the Stewart firm.
2
Beeville Manufacturing Company
2
Contracts,
1910-1911
2
Correspondence,
1910-1911
2
Law Practice
2
General Office
2
Business cards of Watkins and associates,
undated
2
License to practice law in Bexar County,
1906
2
Memorandum of agreement for Watkins’ partnership
with Wurzbach,
1909
2
Occupation license and tax receipts,
1906, 1907
2
Office building lease with Alamo National Bank,
1904
2
Samples of legal forms and documents,
1908, undated
2
Telegram receipt book,
1909
2
Telegram receipt book,
1910-1911
2
Miscellaneous work notes,
undated
2
Annotated list and description of cases,
1908-1909
2
Clients
2
Becker, Charles
2
Bosselman, George
2
Clemens, Henry and Clara
2
Dart, Mary
2
Delcuze, E.G.
2
Depew, S.I.
2
Guardian Mercantile Agency
2
Heck Mercantile
2
Higginbotham, A.H.
2
Holder, J.H.
2
Hughes, M.D.
2
Lane, B.P.
2
Lessing Lodge
2
Lester, L.P.
2
Lozano, J.
3
Martinez, Frank and Francisco
3
Paura, Juan F.
3
Rothschild and Company,
1908-1909
3
Rothschild and Company,
1910-1911
3
Saladino, A.
3
Sanchez, Alfredo
3
Smith, J.
3
Sturgess, Mrs. M.J.
3
Vollrath, Mrs. M.J
3
Wolf, Philip H. and Catherine, correspondence,
1907-1911
3
Wolf, Philip H. and Catherine, court documents,
1909-1911
3
Client Legal Documents
3
Abstract of Record Title, Shelby County, Tennessee,
Aug. 29, 1892
3
Blinn, F.H. – Chattel Mortgage and property sale to
E.C. Raymond,
Sept. 8, 1903
3
Certificate of Examination of Record of Delinquent
Taxes, Bexar County,
April 6, 1907
3
Certificate of Title to Farm lands,
March 25, 1907
3
Colvin, Lee and Annie, land purchase,
Dec. 19, 1907
3
S. Crawford vs. J.L. Crawford, M. Crawford and T.S.
Galloway,
Jan. 31, 1889
3
Ector County court petition re: School
redistricting and call for election,
1909
3
Feldman, H.C., land purchase,
Dec. 2, 1908
3
Fredericksberg Independent School Trustees vs. R.M.
Burrier,
Sept. 9, 1905
3
H.C. Heldman vs. National Bank of Commerce,
1905
3
John B. Hildebrandt vs. T.C. Erney, Jan. 1,
1911
3
Augusta Krafft, divorce papers,
October 1909
3
W.C. Lembke vs. H. Odin and Ethel M. Odin,
July 11, 1907
3
Miller, Amos, will,
Feb. 15, 1888
3
Perez, George and Leo, sale of barber shop
materials from 223 S. Alamo Street to Watkins,
April 6, 1907
3
Primm, William, re: will and marriage to freed
slave,
Sept. 28, 1877
3
Sagr, Russell, will,
Feb. 11, 1901
3
San Antonio Battle of Flowers Association, charter
and incorporation,
March 10, 1910
3
San Antonio Horse Show Association, charter and
incorporation,
May 10, 1908
3
George H. Turnery vs. State of Texas (murder trial)
undated
3
Ulrich et. al. vs. Wolchen, bill of costs,
Justice’s Court of Bexar County,
April 1910
3
Vendor’s lien notes,
1908, 1910
3
Wentworth, Conrad, title examination,
undated
3
Whittie, W.S. to H.C. Feldman, copy of chattel
mortgage,
May 7, 1908
3
R. Woodruff vs. C.M. Woodruff, L. Woodruff and J.
Loague re: assignment of dower,
Jan. 31, 1889
3
Arthur Wuest vs. Ed Hall,
c. 1907
3
Correspondence
3
To and From Watkins
3
Watkins/Stewart re: purchase of Bexar Abstracts
Co. from Ben Stribling,
Mar. 1910 to Feb. 1911
4
Maco Minor Stewart re: Intervention Security Co.
in Tripis vs. Southern S.S. and Imp. Co.,
1910
4
Richard and John Watkins re: Title company,
June-July, 1910
4
Contract negotiations for sale of Bexar Abstract
Co. from Ben Stribling to Maco Stewart,
May 1910
4
Contract for sale of Bexar Abstract Co.,
May and July, 1910
4
La Feria Grant, Lazaro Solis Tract land purchase
deal,
Sept. 1910 – March 1911
4
La Feria Grant, Lazaro Solis Tract land purchase
deal – supplemental papers,
1885, 1887, 1910
4
La Feria Grant, Lazaro Solis Tract – reports,
Sept. 1910 – March 1911
4
Law books and magazine subscriptions,
1907-1910
4
Outgoing
4
Watkins to American Title and Trust Co.,
Jan. 11, 1911
4
Watkins to L.X. Barron re: repayment of loan,
Dec. 2, 1909
4
Watkins to Bexar County Commissioner’s Court re:
issues of bonds,
Jan. 20, 1909
4
Watkins to L.E. Bowman,
Dec. 14, 1910
4
Watkins to James Bute re: J.C. Bardin and A.H.
Brandes,
Oct. 1908
4
Watkins to Carl and Kircheville,
January 31, 1911
4
Watkins to P. Chapman re: J.T. Sluder and bond
propositions,
Jan. 24, 1911
4
Watkins to W.S. Conness re: repayment of loan,
May 3, 1909
4
Watkins to County Clerk, Anderson Cnty. re: F.A.
Showerman vs. G.B. Staats,
Feb. 21, 1910
4
Watkins to G. Falvey,
May 28, 1910
4
Watkins to Rudolph Groos re: repayment of loan,
Feb. 26, 1910
4
Watkins to Herman Hersch re: German language
lessons,
Dec. 7, 1909
4
Watkins to Reverend J. Lindsey Patton re: illegal
barbed wire fence,
June 7, 1909
4
Watkins to T.H. McGee re: property title,
Dec. 7, 1910
4
Watkins and Wurzbach to H.A. Miller re: abstract
of title for Bertha Christian,
Mar. 28, 1910
4
Watkins to B.W. Martin and Co. re: selling a
safe,
April 1908
4
Watkins to Jake Murie re: failure to pay,
Sept. 25, 1905
4
Watkins to Geo. Perez re: father’s estate,
March 5, 1908
4
Watkins to E.R. Richardson re: property purchase,
Mar.1909
4
Watkins to E.R. Richardson re: delivering
promissory notes,
June 1910
4
Watkins to George Root re: selling cigars,
June 1910
4
Watkins to Schober Brewing Co. re: beer for
workmen,
1910
4
Watkins to John W. Tobin re: repayment of note,
Nov. 1908
4
Watkins to James Walthall, Assistant Attorney
General,
June 30, 1910
4
Watkins to Cary Weisiger re: work with Pierce Oil
Co.,
1909
4
Watkins to John Windlinger re: property title in
Taylor, TX,
Sept. 4, 1909
4
Watkins to W.E. Wright re: repayment of loan,
Dec. 9, 1909
4
Watkins to Wurzbach re: abstract of title, John
Kress and I.T. Pryor,
June 11, 1909
4
Watkins to Charles P. Yadon re: McLaughlin,
April 22, 1910
4
General work issues,
1905, 1908, 1909
4
Incoming
4
August Baack to Watkins and Wurzbach, written in
German,
May 30, 1910
4
Bank of Commerce and Trust Co. to Watkins,
Sept. 11, 1909
4
Cocke, Birkhead and Cocke to Watkins re: forming
new law firm,
Mar. 1, 1905
4
R.V. Bowden to Watkins and Wurzbach re: loan to
Herbert E. Schubert,
Sept. 22, 1910
4
D. Cobo to Watkins,
Feb. 21, 1906
4
G. Frost to Watkins re: payment for service,
Jan. 19, 1910
4
Jay A. Hughes to Watkins re: foreclosure on
brother Arthur Hughes,
January 1910
4
Jonesboro, Lake City and Eastern Railroad Co. to
Watkins re: short line railroad at Fredericksburg,
April 24, 1909
4
M. Kovacic to Wurzbach (in German),
Feb. 16, 1910
4
W.L. McCamly to Watkins re: land certificate for
James Worland,
July 12, 1910
4
Memphis Abstract Co. to Watkins re: abstract
plant and abstract photography,
Mar. 7, 1910
4
Memphis Trust Co. to Watkins re: their company
literature used in title business,
Feb. 20, 1905
4
W. Olcott to Watkins re: Albert T. Patrick,
Jan. 22, 1906
4
R.B. Rentfro to Watkins re: Frank C. Pierce,
Mar. 14, 1911
4
John W. Robertson to Watkins re: announcement of
law practice,
Nov. 4, 1907
4
L.B. Robertson to Watkins re: property and city
taxes,
1910, 1911
4
Rockenbach to Watkins re: receipt of deeds and
abstract,
Dec. 16, 1910
4
W.S. Townsend to Watkins re: A.M. Halliday,
Nov. 1910, March 1911
4
Thomas W. White to Watkins re: Watkins’ new firm,
Jan. 3, 1910
4
Williamson and Klingeman to Watkins re: Farr vs.
Dr. McKee,
April 27, 1910
4
W.A Wurzbach to Watkins re: success and
anniversary of their partnership,
Aug. 19, 1910
4
General work issues,
1906, 1908, 1909, 1910,
1911
4
Unidentified sender, cc. to Watkins re: building
a pottery in San Antonio,
March 8, 1910
4
Unidentified senders to Watkins,
1910
3
Financial
4
Bank book, John Woods and Sons Bankers,
1904-1906
4
Bank deposit and debit records,
1905-1910
4
Bank records, Bexar Abstract Company,
1899
4
Cancelled checks
4
Alamo National Bank checks,
1896, 1897
4
Alamo National Bank checks,
1906
4
Alamo National Bank checks,
1907
4
Alamo National Bank checks,
1908
4
Alamo National Bank checks,
1909
5
Alamo National Bank checks,
1910
5
Alamo National Bank checks,
1911
5
Law Office of Richard Leigh Watkins checks,
1906
5
Law Office of Richard Leigh Watkins checks,
1907
5
Law Office of Richard Leigh Watkins checks,
1908
5
Law Office of Richard Leigh Watkins checks,
1909
5
Law Office of Richard Leigh Watkins checks,
1910
5
Woods National Bank checks,,
1905
6
Woods National Bank checks,,
1906
6
Check book,
1910
6
Expenses and fees,
1905-1910
6
Itemized list of fees collected by Watkins and
Wurzbach,
1910
6
Statements and receipts for bills paid,
1907-1910
6
Ledger book,
1906-1907
6
Ledger book,
1909-1910
5
Tax receipt, City Tax Collector,
April 6, 1907
5
6
Notary Public
6
F.O.B. Commission Company, Charter of Incorporation,
November 20, 1905
6
Gross, Fred C. and James V. Upson, contract,
March 9, 1908
6
B.P. Lane vs. Mrs. E. Wilbur,
May 23, 1908
6
Record of Acknowledgments Book,
1905-1910
6
Request for re-appointment,
Feb. 27, 1911
6
Texas Title Guaranty Company
6
Bank account book with Alamo National Bank,
1910
6
Contract starting Texas Title Guaranty Company,
January 20, 1910
6
Watkins correspondence re: organizing Texas Title
Guaranty Company,
1910
6
Stewart Title Company