Willis R. McCracken Diaries
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Scope and Content Note
The collection contains fifteen of McCracken’s diaries spanning the years 1908 to 1932. Daily entries detail his activities, especially those related to farming. Entries also detail financial transactions of his store in Success, his involvement with target shooting, and in 1912 his membership on the Success Baseball Club. He also commented on notable events, including presidential elections, major weather occurrences (floods, tornadoes, snowstorms), and unique events such as America’s entry into the First World War, the death of Woodrow Wilson, and the Lindbergh flight. During the Great Depression he made frequent mention of the state of the cotton and agricultural markets. Along with the diaries, the collection contains a folder of items left in diary pouches, such as cashed checks, receipts, a 1931 long-distance phone bill, and a 1931 Missouri Hunting and Fishing License.
Dates
- 1908-1932
Creator
- McCracken, Willis R. (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Access Information
Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.
Use Information
No Use Restrictions Apply.
No Interlibrary Loan.
Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).
Biographical Note
Willis R. McCracken was born in Canada in 1878 and emigrated to the United States in 1892. He married in 1897 and settled in Success, (Clay County), Arkansas. For several years he ran a general store in Success and later ran a cotton gin in the area. He had three daughters, Beatrice, Hazel, and Gracie, and a son who died shortly after birth. In 1917, a tornado struck McCracken's house forcing him to rebuild his home. In 1925 he moved to Charleston, Missouri and continued to run a cotton gin operation.
Extent
.8 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Arrangement of the Papers
Materials are arranged in chronological order.
Acquisition Information
The Willis R. McCracken Diaries were bought by Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, on June 12, 2006, from Charles Apfelbaum of Watchung, New Jersey.
Processing Information
Processed by Matthew Lammers; completed August 2006.
- Title
- Willis R. McCracken Diaries
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matthew Lammers
- Date
- 2006
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Department Repository
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444
specoll@uark.edu