Cadastral map of Kent County, Texas in the Panhandle Plains region. Scale ca. 1:133,334 (4000 varas per inch). Shows boundaries and ownership of land, including that of several railroad companies. Compiled and drawn by William S. Porter, later known as the short story writer O. Henry. Map is notable for its landscape drawings near the top.

Cadastral map of Webb County, Texas in the South Texas Plains region. Some features are marked in color and some sketched illustrations around the title. Scale ca. 1:133,334 (4000 varas per inch). Authorship is attributed to W.S. Porter, later known as the short story writer O. Henry.

Photograph of the lobby of First National Bank, including the bank teller window behind a grill. William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) is the teller. Another man stands behind the front counter, one is seated in back, and a customer is at the teller window. The man behind the open counter is listed as Brackenridge.

A short story set in Texas.

Article excerpted from a literature magazine providing a description of the places in New York that O. Henry used as settings for many of his short stories. The article is illustrated with photographs.

Short story set in New Orleans.

These two pages are exerpts from a 141-page Receivers Memorandum dated 1887-1888. Pages appear to show payroll advances to O. Henry, here identified by his given name William S. Porter or W.S. Porter, for the months of June 1887 through December 1887. These pages are written in O. Henry's hand, and show his signature several times.

Multiple typescript copies of a short character sketch describing O. Henry as a young man in the late 1800s, before he was a published writer. O. Henry worked as a draftsman at the General Land Office and for Maddox Brothers and Anderson.

Photo essay containing images of photos, maps, and documents describing the General Land Office Archives holdings related to O. Henry. Includes a photo of Land Commissioner Bascom Giles standing next to O.Henry's drafting table in the Land Office.

This document was issued to the Houston & Texas Central Railroad Company as the final instrument in the land grant process, assigning ownership to the railroad company for 640 acres in Tom Green County, section 21, block 20, as described in the patent. O. Henry wrote a fictional account of illegal proceedings concerning a land certificate, Bexar Scrip 2692, in the short story "Bexar Scrip 2692.” This is the patent that ultimately gave land ownership to the railroad via that certificate.

Ledger contains lists of General Land Office employees, their job titles, and monthly earnings. Excerpted here are 98 pages covering January 1887-January 1891, which are the dates O. Henry was employed at the land office. W.S. Porter, later known as the writer O. Henry, is listed as draftsman, compiling draftsman and assistant draftsman, earning $100 per month. Porter's name appears on roughly half of the pages.

Pamphlet printed by the Texas Capital Visitor's Center. Contains a foreward and two O. Henry short stories: "Bexar Scrip 2692" and "Georgia's Ruling." Both stories take place in the old land office building where O. Henry worked as a draftsman, and both are about Texas land grants.

Oak flat files stacked vertically. There are eight drawers with metal pulls. These files were used to store documents and maps at the Texas General Land Office around 1900.

Oak flat files in two sections, stacked vertically. There are 10 drawers with metal pulls. These files were used to store documents and maps at the Texas General Land Office around 1900.

Oak flat files in three sections, stacked vertically. There are 15 drawers with metal pulls. These files were used to store documents maps at the Texas General Land Office around 1900.

Drafting table with a single metal pedestal. This drafting table was used at the Texas General Land Office around 1915.

Drafting table with a single metal pedestal. This drafting table was used at the Texas General Land Office around 1915.

Oak flat files in four sections, stacked vertically. The base has four legs and there is a box top as well as 14 drawers with metal pulls. These files were used to store documents and maps at the Texas General Land Office around 1915.

Oak flat files in two sections, stacked vertically. There are paneled sides with 10 drawers and brass nameplates. These files were used to store documents and at the Texas General Land Office around 1915.

Oak flat files in three sections, stacked vertically. There are paneled sides, box top, eight drawers with dark metal nameplates. These files were used to store documents and maps at the Texas General Land Office around 1915.

Wood flat files in three sections, stacked vertically. The base has four legs, box top and 15 drawers with metal pulls. These files were used to store documents and maps at the Texas General Land Office around 1915.

Oak flat files in four sections, stacked vertically. The base has four legs and there are 12 drawers with metal pulls. These files were used to store maps at the General Land Office around 1900.

Pine drafting table. It has a slant top with hinges and no drawers. This drafting table was used at the Texas General Land Office around 1890, when O. Henry worked in the department.

Pine drafting table. It has a slant top, straight legs and three drawers. This drafting table was used at the Texas General Land Office around 1890, when O. Henry worked in the department.