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Harvey Butler Fergusson Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-40-SC

Scope and Content

This collection contains 57 typewritten letters sent by Fergusson, dated March 18, 1910-November 10, 1911. Primarily, the letters relate to the New Mexico Constitutional Convention of 1910. They are addressed to Felix Martinez, James D. Whelan, E.C. de Baca, J.G. Fitch, M.W. McCoy and others. Also in the collection is a list of names for statehood proceedings in the Senate committee, a paper containing excerpts about Fergusson from Lincoln County newspapers, 1883-1884, and some miscellaneous notes.

All items are one page carbon copies of typed letters unless noted otherwise.

Dates

  • 1910-1911

Creator

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance wht all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

Harvey Butler Fergusson was born in Alabama on September 9, 1848. In 1874 he graduated from Washington and Lee University. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and practiced for a time in West Virginia. Fergusson came to New Mexico in 1882 to represent the Winter heirs in the North Homestake Mining Company litigation at White Oaks. The following year he moved to Albuquerque. Fergusson and his wife, Clara Huning, had three children, Harvey, Erna, and Lina. Harvey and Erna became well-known authors.

Fergusson, a leader in the New Mexico Democratic Party, served in the 55th, 62nd and 63rd U. S. Congresses. In 1898, during his first term, he pushed through the Fergusson Act, which gave millions of acres of the public domain to New Mexico. The revenues were used for funding public schools, thus providing the foundation of a public school system in the territory. Later, Congress passed the Enabling Act of 1910, which provided for the calling of a constitutional convention in New Mexico. Fergusson was a delegate to this constitutional convention. The constitution was drafted the next year and ratified by voters. On January 6, 1912, New Mexico formally became a state.

Extent

1 folder (57 items)

Related Archival Material

Huning-Fergusson Family Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Erna Fergusson Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Octaviano A. Larrazolo Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Holm O. Bursum Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Miguel Antonio Otero Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Marion Dargan Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Nicolas T. Armijo Family Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Robert Gish Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
Title
Finding Aid of the Harvey Butler Fergusson Correspondence, 1910-1911
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by T.S. Reinig
Date
@2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 40 SC::Harvey Butler Fergusson Correspondence)//EN" "nmu1mss40sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451