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Ten Dons Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-74-BC

Scope and Content

This collection consists of correspondence, poems by and about the members, clippings, programs, speeches, invitations and other general materials of the Albuquerque social, literary group, the Ten Dons. The programs tell where and when the meetings were held, what was served for dinner, who was to present his paper and on what subject. There are copies of a few of the papers presented, a history by Earl Lake Moulton of the first 50 years of the Ten Dons, and a newsletter, the Ten Don Din.

Dates

  • 1904-1957

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

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

Biography

The Ten Dons was a literary and social organization consisting of ten men living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tradition has it that the organization grew out of a history study club. The object was "to provide opportunity for social recreation and mutual mental development." There were no rules or regulations, no constitution, and no dues. Each member of the Dons was required to prepare and read a paper to the club, the subject of which was assigned to him by a Program Committee. At their monthly meetings they had a dinner, presentation of their papers on various themes, followed by discussion. The charter members attending the first meeting on September 27, 1904 were Rupert Asplund, E.B. Cristy, H.E. Fox, G. H. Fitzgerald, M.E. Hickey, Charles E. Hodgin, A.B. McMillen, F.H. Moore, A.B. Stroup, and W.G. Wroth. If a member was unable to attend, a male guest was invited to complete the required number of attendees: ten. When a member died, moved or resigned, a new member was selected to replace him. Members were from various occupations such as dentist, photographer, judge, jeweler, educator, architect, business manager, etc. Club meetings were held in different locations: in members' homes; sometimes outdoors; at the Alvarado Hotel, where they were nicknamed "The Jolly Boys" by the waitresses; and at the Petroleum Club. After the death of Randolph Lovelace in December of 1968 no new member was named and by 1970, after the death of Fred Pettit, the organization went out of existence.

Extent

1 box (.23 cu. ft.)

Related Material

Charles Elkanah Hodgin Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Earl Lake Moulton Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to the Ten Dons Photograph Collection.

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Doolittle, George L. As I Remember. Albuquerque, N.M.: Aiken Publishing Co., 1973.
  • Moulton, Earl Lake. Odyssey of a Flockmaster: a Story of the 1934 Drought in the Southwestern United States. S.l.: s.n., 1945.
Title
Finding Aid of the Ten Dons Records, 1904-1957
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 74 BC::Ten Dons Records)//EN" "nmu1mss74bc.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