Partially printed document completed in manuscript, recording a $100 bond paid (or pledged) for Sanders Franklin, who has been charged with operation of an illegal distillery. Very good condition, with a two-inch split along one fold. The form used dates from the pre-Statehood (1907) era, and in several places the printed words "Indian Territory" have been crossed out by hand, with "Okla." or the U.S. court district and location written instead. Though on its surface this is an ordinary legal document, there is a fascinating history related to it. Sanders Franklin (born ca. 1854) was a Chickasaw Freedman or "Black Indian," – meaning he was an African-American born as a slave in the Chickasaw Nation and freed in 1866 as part of a treaty between the United States and the Five Civilized Tribes. Although the treaty dictated that the freedmen were to be adopted as full citizens with rights in their respective nations, the tribes (especially the Chickasaw) did not welcome them, leaving them doubly disenfranchised, without access to education or political power. As explained in the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, "Social interaction, outwardly peaceful in most of the territory, sometimes changed to racial violence when freedmen attempted to exercise their rights." Although we do not know the background behind this liquor-related charge, we do know that less than two years later, Sanders Franklin was charged with the murder of a white man. According to a contemporary newspaper report, Sanders said the man had attacked him with a knife, after a dispute over payment for some whiskey led to the white man calling him "all manner of vile names," to which he took offense. Interestingly, in later accounts, the cause of the fight was listed as a "dispute over a watermelon." Fearing a lynch mob in Garvin County, where the incident occurred, Sanders hid out for several days. But when the Sheriff of neighboring Carter County worked out a plan with some of Sanders' friends, he "stated that he was glad of a chance to surrender to Sheriff Garrett as he knew he would be protected from the mob." The Daily Ardmorite reported that "The old man stoutly denies the killing and maintains that he will be able to establish his innocence when the case comes to trial… [He]was in good spirits this morning, ate a hardy breakfast, said that he enjoyed a good night's rest and was enjoying his pipe and tobacco when interviewed." Sadly, Sanders' belief in Garrett's ability to protect him was misplaced. On August 13, 1914, Sanders and another prisoner were being transported for trial by just one deputy when they were set upon by a mob of 150 white men. Accounts differ on whether they were shot or hung, but both men were murdered, bringing a tragic end to a life lived under circumstances of great social upheaval and racial injustice. (Item #20866)

Archive of 90 original black and white photographs, most large-format, taken by members of the Army Air Corps Aerial Photographic Section. Some are credited on the back to Flight “F” 1st Photo Squadron (based at Fort Lewis, Washington), some to the 2nd Photo Squadron (Fort Lewis), some to the 2nd Mapping Squadron (Felts Field, near Spokane). Some are uncredited. Seventy-eight of the photographs are 8” x 10” or 7” x 9”, nine are 4.5” x 6.5”, and three are smaller snapshots. Minor curling, otherwise about fine, housed in archival sleeves in a binder. The men of the Army Air Corps photo squadrons had high-quality cameras (some of which are shown in these images) and knew how to use them, thus these photographs are exceptionally clear and well composed. The majority were taken in Alaska, and these cover a range of subject matter, including the spectacular Alaskan landscape (glaciers, mountains rivers), street scenes in Anchorage, small Alaskan settlements, Eskimos, military ski patrol training, and one fantastic view of the inside of a highly decorated hunting lodge. Various candid and formal shots show the officers of the 2nd Photographic Squadron—including two of a “de-bearding day” mock ceremony involving a five-foot tall cardboard scissors. Two composite prints contain miniature captioned portraits of all of the officers and men of that unit and allow for identification of those who appear in other photographs. There are five identified photographs of Washington locations (Fort Lewis [2], Grand Coulee Dam, Lake Union/Aurora Bridge, and La Push), another unidentified aerial view that is probably Washington, and about 20 images for which we are unable to determine the location, but suspect it is Felts Field in eastern Washington. These show the men, their aircraft, a barrage balloon. mobile photographic printing trucks, and other equipment. A very nice group of images documenting the work and lives of these Army Air Corpsmen just before the U.S. entry into World War II. (Item #20865)

Four original mounted albumen photos, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, part of a series of six by Fresno-based photographer F.M. Stiffler, with his stamp on the backs. In good condition only - all with some light soiling, one with a chipped corner, and one that was creased from bending and then reinforced on the back with non-archival tape. One photo has explanatory text from the photographer on the verso, proclaiming that "The rabbit drive which so fitly terminated the exercises of the encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in Fresno on March 10, 1892, was one of the most successful and picturesque ever had in California, more than 5000 people being on the ground and about 20,000 rabbits having been driven into the corral and slain." This is followed by a brief description of the content of each of the six photos in the series. The 1892 Fresno drive was one of approximately 200 rabbit drives held in California in the late 1880s and 1890s that resulted in the death of an estimated half-million rabbits.  As increasing numbers of people moved into the San Joaquin valley and began cultivating land on which jack rabbits were abundant, it became necessary to protect the new orchards, vineyards, and fields. The idea of driving rabbits into corrals where they could be easily killed apparently had origins in native American societies. This series of images captures different stages of this brutal--but evidently quite popular--process. We find few holdings for any of these images in OCLC, and no institution appears to have more than two from the series. . (Item #20861)

Sacramento: Press of H.S. Crocker, 1893. 6 x 9.25 inches, [28] pp, in original color lithographed wrappers. Chipping to spine, light soiling and handling wear; about very good. Due to competition from the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, attendance was expected to be down at the 1893 California State Fair. In order to boost their numbers, the fair board decided to try something new. As explained in that year's annual report for the fair, they created "an auxilliary display in the shape of a representation of the Roman Circus Maxiumus, in commemoration of olden times. Therein was given a vivid illustration of ancient Roman games, arranged not only as an historical event, but educational to a great degree, because presenting, for the edification of all, many of the practices and customs so often referred to in Roman history, where man's vigor, as well as valor, was tried in numerous ways. In this we were aided by a representative class of citizens composing the Sacramento Athletic Club...who labored without pay to make the exhibition the splendid success it was." The program contains some wonderful half-tone photographs of the performers, much local advertising, the text of two odes by Horace and the "Ode of the Gladiators" written by Mrs. Douglas Adam (and, when performed, accompanied by music written for the occasion by H.J. Stewart of San Francisco). There is also a lengthy cast list, crediting the roles of standard bearers, mounted swordsmen, Roman soldiers, laureled victors, musicians, lictors, sacrifants, incense burner, cymbal dancers, and dancing girls. OCLC lists one copy, at the California State Library. (Item #20753)

Nineteen unused b/w postcards, all captioned in the negative, clear, and in very good condition. Captions label the location as "Canp 'Iowana'" (presumably an informal name reflecting the presence of many Iowans) and as "Co. 1750." According to Hard Work and a Good Deal, The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota, "Company 1750 opened the Lake City Camp on June 18, 1933, near Wabasha, on the Mississippi River," so we presume this is the Lake City Camp, which was primarily involved in agricultural soil conservation projects. This collection includes images of the camp's facilities, which, with the exception of a root house built into a small hill, seem to have been entirely tent-based -- including general housing, "Officer's Row," Headquarters, the First Aid Tent, and the cooking tent. There are also many good images men engaged in daily activities, including bathing, washing dishes, lining up for meals, getting first aid, lying on their cots, and standing around watching a snake. In all, good, candid documentation of daily life at this camp in the early 1930s. (Item #20807)

Philadelphia: Barclay & Co. Presumed first edition (title page undated, copyright 1875; a later issue had a copyright date of 1881). 95 pp, with nine wood-engraved plates. Lacking rear wrapper, otherwise complete. Front wrapper is chipped around the edges and has a stain measuring about .75 x 1.25 inches. Good. Although most of the sensational crime pamphlets published by Barclay were based on actual events, we find no evidence that Anson Bunker was a real person. The 1870 murder of philanthropist and investor Benjamin Nathan was real, however, and remained (and remains) unsolved. This pamphlet may have been commissioned by Barclay for the publicity boost associated with "solving" a notorious crime. It purports to be memoir by Bunker himself, discovered on his dead body after he was savagely murdered and dumped in--of all places--a cave in the lava beds of far northern California. Several gruesome murders are described in typically graphic detail, allegedly perpetrated by Bunker in the course of a crime spree across that took him across the United States, with action in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, and San Francisco, among other places. At the end, Bunker finds himself in Utah, where he learns "that there was a league between the Mormons and most of the Indian tribes, extending throughout the United States among a class of people known as Free Lovers. The object to be attained by the League was the overthrow of the U.S. government. Enthusiastic about this idea, Bunker heads off to confront the Modoc leader Captain Jack in order to gain the cooperation of the Modoc people in this plan. Evidently it did not go well -- thus his death in a lava cave." Flake 3637a. Not in McDade. (Item #20869)

Cincinnati: Looker, Reynolds & Co. Printers, 1819. First Edition. Hardcover. Good+. 12mo, 312 pp, in contemporary calf binding with black spine label. Some rubbing to corners and joints, old dampstaining and foxing to the text, but still quite sound and presentable. Wagner Camp (15a): The major portion of the work deals with the states and territories on the east of the Mississippi River, from Alabama to Michigan and the Northwest Territory. There are, however, chapters devoted to Louisiana, Texas (at the time still part of New Spain), "Arkansaw" Territory, Missiouri Territory, and "Sketches of the Country Watered by Columbia and Its Tributary Streams." Howes D-47, Graff 997, Sabin 18408, Streeter Sale 840. (Item #20701)

Two-page handwritten letter on lined paper (8" x 10"), approximately 500 words, dated March 16, 1882. Some staining, but fully legible; accompanied by original stamped envelope addressed to Cora L. Harris of Valley Hill, Mississippi. Intense spring rain storms beginning on February 19, 1882, and coming in a second wave late in the month led to flooding that left thousands homeless and has been described as "probably the most destructive flood in the recorded history of Mississippi River overflow." In this letter, written two weeks after the worst of it, John (apparently Cora's suitor) writes from Greenwood, Mississippi to report that he is unable to visit because everything is still under water: "I have been nearly crazy to come out & see you but it has been almost impossible for me to get off. I had to go up home last week. Found the place completely under water & I fear I will loose a good deal of our stock. Found several of the familes moved off the place but didn't better themselves much....Very little dry land to save the stock. A great many above shipped their horses & mules off on the boat & lost most of their cattle. The boat had about 300 head of mules & horses when it went down. Last I heard, up above, that it was 5 feet higher than ever known before. The water here is about 6 inches higher than ever known before. There is not a particle of land out in town. It likes about 6 inches of being in our house....Nearly everybody has moved from their houses. There is about 5 families in the court house & 20 head of cattle tramping around the court house." The scope of this flood resulted in new cooperation among various counties in the region to develop better flood control planning and led to the creation of the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee District. (Item #20839)

Albany: Charles Van Benthuysen & Sons, 1880. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. 8vo, 96 pp, with nine mounted heliotype prints by George Barker, a folding view "ideal view of the American Rapids, after the Village Shore and Bath Island and restored according to the proposed plan," six folding maps, and additional facsimiles and engravings. Printed presentation slip from Gardner tipped in. Original green cloth boards are lightly soiled, all else very good or better. The three maps related to the Falls are: Map Showing the Recession of Niagara Falls; Topographical Map of the Region About Niagara Falls Showing the Proposed State Reservation," and "Part of the Original Property Map of Niagara Falls Village, showing the lots and streets included in the proposed State Reservation." Concerns about the preservation of Niagara Falls had begun to emerge in the late 1860s, as industrialists situated power plants along the shoreline and entrepreneurs bought up land so they could charge visitors for a view. Frederick Law Olmsted was one of the leaders of the "Free Niagara" movement, which urged New York State to take control of the Falls so the natural beauty of the surrounding land could be protected from commercial interests and exploitation and remain free and open to the public. This report, authored in part by Olmsted, was commissioned by the State to survey current conditions and make recommendations on what should be done. As anticipated, the report concluded that "we find its treasures in the grasp of money-getters, and its sacred groves assailed by the axes of the mill-man of desecrated by the purveyor of public amusements; and are convinced that destruction of the scenery will be swift and certain unless the all-powerful State shall appear as the preserver of Niagara." The recommendations of Gardner and Olmstead, along with Barker's compelling photos of area's natural beauty and the development along the shoreline, helped turn the tide of both public opinion and rouse state bureaucrats into action. Niagara Falls State Park -- America's oldest state park -- was established in 1885. (Item #20710)

Thirty-two 6" x 8" gelatin silver photographs mounted to both sides of black cardstock leaves, string-tied, with new black paper covers added. Undated, but the year 1920 appears on a chalkboard in one image. Pencil writing in a hard-to-decipher language—possibly Lithuanian—on first image, otherwise clean. Images are very clear and appear professional. The Sisters of Mercy—an international Catholic women’s association dedicated to helping those in need—established the Baltimore City Hospital School of Nursing in 1899. They offered a rigorous three-year training program with classes taught by experienced nurses and by professors from the nearby College of Physicians & Surgeons. The school quickly drew large numbers of applicants and needed a place for them all to live. They soon constructed a “spacious home of modern engineering and equipment” that offered “more than 100 sleeping rooms which are well lighted and ventilated, spacious parlors, library, lecture room, study and recreation halls” (Costello, Sisters of Mercy of Maryland). Some of the images in this album appear to show parts of the nurses’ home (a courtyard, parlor, and dining room), while others show nursing student in the classroom, learning to make a hospital bed, assisting during surgery, working in the pharmacy and the kitchen, tending babies in the maternity ward, and ministering to the sick and wounded. A valuable record of the lives of nursing students at this school, of which little visual documentation seems to remain. (Item #20857)