Photograph of the original Abilene Hall fire at Hardin-Simmons University, showing smoke rising up from behind buildings in the distance. Handwritten note on the back of the photograph in blue ink reads, “Abilene Hall fire. Taken in backyard of where I live – 1024 N. 21st – 10 Feb. 47.”

Photograph of the cowboy statue in front of Abilene Hall during the fire that burned down the building on February 10, 1947. Rubble and bits of the roof can be seen laying on the front stairs and sidewalk running along the front of the building.

Photograph of the Abilene Hall fire, showing a crowd of people in the foreground, watching as firefighters attempt to control the blaze. A fireman on a truck ladder can be seen over the building in the upper-left corner.

Photograph a firefighter on the very top of the truck ladder attempting to fight the fire at Abilene Hall. Black smoke can be seen emanating from the roof and side of the building.

A letter written to Dr. Jeff Davis, Dallas, Texas, from the Secretary of the Taylor County Drys, dated June 10, 1941. The Secretary informs Davis of a meeting which was held pertaining to the question employing Judge Miller for legal assistance to secure mandamus proceedings on the liquor bill. He requests that Davis contact Miller to secure his services due to it being a statewide issue rather than county or district. He advises of an enclosure listing the names of ministers who were included in the meeting.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from Law Sone, President, Texas Wesleyan College, Fort Worth, Texas, dated March 10, 1942. Sone advises that Wesleyan College has no specific course listed as The Effects of the Use of Alcohol.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from Bryan Bradbury, Texas Liquor Control Board, Austin, Texas, dated November 10, 1942. Bradbury reports his findings on the "Report and Recommendations of the Senate Committee Investigating Crime, 43rd Texas Legislature, 1933-1934" recommending strongly that Carswell obtain a copy and read certain sections citing that "any 'spot' information would not be considered valuable unless considered a part of the entire report". He advises that Carswell will find analysis by county annually including the number of indictments for liquor violations.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from Edward B. Dunford, Attorney, The Anti-Saloon League of America, Washington, D. C., dated February 10, 1948. Dunford explains how Alcholics Anonymous began, the origin and purposes of the group and the National Committee forming as an outgrowth of the Yale School of Alcohol Studies.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Parramore Post No. 57, American Legion, Abilene, Texas, from Harry S. Truman, United States Senate, dated December 10, 1941. Truman expresses his appreciation for the letter from Carswell and the work he is doing to revive patriotism among the American people and concludes the letter stating, "I think they received a jolt last Sunday which I think will awaken them to what they will have to face".

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Parramore Post No. 57, American Legion, Abilene, Texas, from John Benjamin Magee, President, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, dated December 10, 1941. John Benjamin Magee defines Americanism.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from C. W. Elsey, D. D., Pastor, First Baptist Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky, dated December 10, 1941. C. W. Elsey defines Americanism within a narrative which he entitles "AMERICANISM TODAY".

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Parramore Post No. 57, American Legion, Abilene, Texas, from F. C. Hockema, Assistant to the President, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, dated December 10, 1941. Hockema responds to the question "What is Americanism?" by drawing attention to the fact that Dr. Elliott is now in Washington, D. C. on defense activities.

A letter from Ed Riedel, Department Commander, The American Legion, Department of Texas, Austin, Texas, dated January 10, 1941. Riedel provides a letter of reference/recommendation for Mr. T. N. Carswell, Post Commander of Parramore Post 57, Abilene.

A letter written to Major R. E. Froiseth, Constructing Quartermaster, Camp Barkeley, Abilene, Texas, from T. N. Carswell, Post Commander, dated February 10, 1941. Carswell advises Froiseth of the plans for the Defend America meeting featuring speaker Judge Allen Wight and requests that Froiseth give a short address.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Public Accountant, Abilene, Texas, from Omar Burleson, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C., dated May 10, 1949. Burleson discusses the Labor Bill and advises Carswell that he voted against the Wood Amendment and the Administration's "so-called" Substitute Bill to retain the Taft-Hartley Law; he voted for recommittal of the Lesinski Bill, which included the Wood Amendment. Burleson comments on legislative procedures, how complicated it has been and his doubts concerning future legislation involving the Taft-Hartley Law.

A letter of reference for T. N. Carswell, written by Merle Gruver, Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, Abilene, Texas, dated January 10, 1941.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from Moody Campaign Headquarters by James Shaw, Austin, Texas, dated July 10, 1942. Shaw acknowledges the receipt of the letter from Carswell, addressed to the Governor, advising that the letter is being answered by him due to "the Governor is out campaigning". He advises Carswell that the Governor will speak in Abilene on July 16th and requests a big crowd with radio and all the things that go into making a speech a big success.

A letter addressed to the President of the United States, The White House, Washington, D. C., from T. N. Carswell, dated June 10, 1946. Carswell advises the President that on June 5 Dr. L. D. Newton, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and others urged upon the President the advisability of the withdrawal of the United States representation from the Vatican. Carswell confirms that he is in full accord with that request.

A letter written to T. N. Carswell from Omar Radford, Dallas 16, Texas, dated April 10, 1947. Radford expresses his appreciation for the letter from Carswell of March the 6th in which he said so many nice things about him, but he advises that "you do not find many men in this day and age who are square shooters". Radford lists several qualities of Abilene noting that it is "well located for the making of a good city" and Camp Barkeley is ideal for some kind of plant.

A letter addressed to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from J. D. Sandefer, Jr., Breckenridge, Texas dated November 10, 1944. Sandefer announces an upcoming meeting of the trustees of Hardin-Simmons University listing the matters to be discussed including the type of building to be erected as the Sandefer Memorial noting that it has been twenty-five years since a major building has been built on campus. Sandefer handwrites a postscript stressing his hope that Carswell will be present.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas from Jake--J. D. Sandefer, Jr., Breckenridge, Texas dated August 10, 1948. Sandefer advises regarding the program which was selected for the Hunter Hall dedication.

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas from Geo. S. Anderson, President, Hendrick Memorial Hospital dated January 10, 1948. Anderson provides the names of the men selected to be on a committee which was created to finish the funding of the new building addition. Committee members: W. W. Haynes; T. C. Campbell; C. M. Caldwell; E. S. Cummings; O. D. Dillingham; Thomas E. Roberts; H. J. Moreland; T. N. Carswell; Wickliffe Skinner; Ewell Bone; Pete Olds; Leroy Jennings; Oscar Rose; Dallas Murphy; T. T. Harris; Dr. C. E. Adams; Dr. Earl D. Sellers; Dr. Wm. R. Snow.

A bulletin from The First Baptist Church, titled The Edinburg Baptist, Rev. A. E. Riemann, Pastor, dated October 10, 1943. The bulletin front includes the poem "Wages" by Jesse H. Rittenhouse. Inside page includes the article, The Stewardship of Life, a poem by Grace Troy titled What Would He Say?, and a photo of Lawson H. Cooke, Memphis, Tenn., General Secretary, Baptist Brotherhood. The bulletin back includes the ORDER OF WORSHIP and a note introducing T. N. Carswell as guest speaker.

A memorandum from L. M. Fellbaum, Major, Q. M. C., Policy Supervisor to Mr. T. N. Carswell dated September 10, 1943. Fellbaum instructs Carswell to instruct and assist Taylor County Local Boards Nos. 1 and 2 in Abilene, Texas at the termination of his annual leave then return to Austin on October 1, 1943. A handwritten notation by Carswell advises of a phone call on September 27, 1943 changing the return date to Austin to September 29, 1943.