Frank M. King Papers

The collection contains 3,932 items spanning the years 1880-1953 in 20 boxes. The bulk of the material spans 1935 to 1953. There is one item from before 1900 which is a facsimile of a land resolution from 1880. The papers are divided into three series and one sub-series: Manuscripts (Boxes 1-2), Correspondence (Boxes 3-18), Correspondence: Book Requests (Box 19), and Ephemera (Box 20).

The Manuscript series is arranged alphabetically by author. Drafts of Frank M. King's book, Long Horn Trail Drivers , make up the majority of the manuscript material. There is a copy of the manuscript that King sent to the publisher in 1940 and one incomplete draft of the book. In addition, there are a variety of manuscripts written by Frank M. King relating his memories and stories about the American West and cattle drives, some of which were used in his books or printed in his column "Mavericks." Many of these items are untitled short stories, folklore, and biographies. Other book materials include Frank M. King's handwritten inscriptions, an incomplete set of chapter drafts from Pioneer Western Empire Builders , and the image proofs for Western Empire Builders. Other items in the manuscript series are short stories, memoirs, and nonfiction writings of King's cowboy friends and associates, which King often quoted for use in his books and articles. Frank King's Diary is blank except for a single entry on January 1, 1947. There are also nine sketches by R. S. Carroll (two of which are in Oversize).

The Correspondence series is arranged alphabetically by author. The majority of the correspondence expresses interest in King's life in the West, requests, praise, and questions about King's books, praise for his writing and activism on American Indian welfare issues in his "Mavericks" column for the Western Livestock Journal, and submissions of personal stories about life in the American West. The correspondence also includes Frank M. King's letters responding to requests for information on his book and the Western Livestock Journal. Prominent correspondents include many of the individuals who King included in his books and articles such as Bob Beverly, J.F. Hinkle, Jack Kinney, Chuck Martin, Jeff Milton, Tex Moore, R.P. Pankey, Jack Potter, Cole Railston, and Loraine M. Reynolds. In addition, the correspondence from Erle E. Howe, Loraine M. Reynolds, Laura Mohl, and "Sunflower" provides insight into Frank M. King's work regarding American Indian rights and welfare issues. In particular, the Loraine M. Reynolds letters highlight her work with the Navajo Indians on the Alamo Indian Reservation and her critique of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Finally, the correspondence of R.A. Griffin, Tommy Madeiros, Lee M. Rice, and Shorty Wallin includes pen and pencil drawings and illustrations of cowboy and trail herding images.

The Correspondence Sub-series is arranged alphabetically by author. All of the items are requests for King's various books addressed to both Frank M. King and to the Western Livestock Journal. Some of the book requests include personal notes that did not contain substantive details warranting inclusion in the correspondence series.

The Ephemera is arranged alphabetically by type. Materials include items regarding the copyright agreement and applications for King's books, Weekly Market Reports by the Arizona Cattle Growers Association, book announcements and advertising, and newspaper and magazine clippings.

Subjects include American Indian education; American Authors; American West Authors; E. A Brininstool; Cattle brands; Cattle trade; Cherokee Indians; Cheyenne Indians; Jesse Chisholm; Chisholm Trail; John Collier; Cowboys; Frontier and pioneer life; Crow Indians; Democratic Party; Hopi Indians; horses; Indian reservations; Indians of North America; Jesse James; Bruce Kiskaddon; Klamath Indians; Chuck Martin; Jeff Milton; Tex Moore; National Congress of American Indians; Navajo Indians; Con Price; May Davison Rhodes; Robert F. Wagner; Will Rogers; John K. Rollinson; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Sioux Nation; John H. Slaughter; Texas Cowboy Reunion; Trail of Tears; Bureau of Indian Affairs, Five Civilized Tribes Agency; United States Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes; Pancho Villa; Western stories, American West Folklore.