Big Springs

Topographic quadrangle map of Big Spring, Texas, and the surrounding area, showing towns, roads, bodies of water, landmarks, and borders, with relief shown by contours (interval 100 feet with supplementary contours at 50 foot intervals) and spot heights. A location diagram is included in the lower-right corner. Scale 1:250,000
Date: 1954
Creator: United States. Army. Corps of Engineers.
Object Type: Map
System: The Portal to Texas History

Combination Map of Parts of Jones, Taylor, Fisher, and Nolan Counties.

Survey map of parts of Jones, Taylor, Fisher, and Nolan Counties, showing rivers, towns, boundaries, creeks, original land grants or surveys, roads, and blocks of land. A legend indicating drilling wells, gas wells, abandoned wells, and dry holes is included in the lower-left corner of the second sheet. Handwritten notes have been made on the map in red pencil to outline specific tracts of land. Scale [ca. 1:66,667] (2000 varas to the inch).
Date: unknown
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Map
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Envelope Addressed to Paul A. Hill] (open access)

[Envelope Addressed to Paul A. Hill]

Envelope from the United States Air Force addressed to Captain Paul A. Hill.
Date: May 25, 1961
Creator: United States. Air Force.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Schedule of Events for the 1986 WASP Reunion] (open access)

[Schedule of Events for the 1986 WASP Reunion]

Schedule of events at the Sweetwater WASP reunion in September, 1986.
Date: 1986
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Clipping: "The WASPS"] (open access)

[Clipping: "The WASPS"]

Magazine clipping comparing how safe the WASP were compared to the entire United States, Virginia Moffett's service with the WASP, and the amount of hours they logged.
Date: January 1944
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Clipping
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Clipping: 'Like a homesick angel'] (open access)

[Clipping: 'Like a homesick angel']

Newspaper clipping containing two articles about the fiftieth reunion of the WASP by Loretta Fulton: "Reno, Gov. Richards Salute Women Pilots" and "WASP's Return to Sweetwater."
Date: May 23, 1993
Creator: Fulton, Loretta
Object Type: Clipping
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Clipping photocopy: Sweetwater, Texas and Sweetwater Club News] (open access)

[Clipping photocopy: Sweetwater, Texas and Sweetwater Club News]

Photocopy of newspaper clippings with articles about local news in Sweetwater, Texas, including a teacher winning a contest (with the winning poem she wrote included), speakers attending Sweetwater Club meetings, and the operation of the USO in West, Texas.
Date: 1942
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Clipping
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from J. M. Sibley to T. N. Carswell - January 25, 1941] (open access)

[Letter from J. M. Sibley to T. N. Carswell - January 25, 1941]

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from J. M. Sibley, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Sweetwater, Texas, dated January 25, 1941. Sibley requests that Carswell come to Sweetwater for the purpose of organizing their "Dry's".
Date: January 25, 1941
Creator: Sibley, J. M.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from T. N. Carswell to M. H. Applewhite - February 20, 1942] (open access)

[Letter from T. N. Carswell to M. H. Applewhite - February 20, 1942]

A letter written to Reverend M. H. Applewhite, First Presbyterian Church, Sweetwater, Texas, from T. N. Carswell, dated February 20, 1942. Carswell expresses his appreciation to Applewhite for his telephone call confirming that he will be at the conference in Sweetwater in the First Baptist Church and offers to speak on Sunday morning.
Date: February 20, 1942
Creator: Carswell, T. N. (Thomas Norwood)
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from J. A. Schneck to T. N. Carswell - January 24, 1941] (open access)

[Letter from J. A. Schneck to T. N. Carswell - January 24, 1941]

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas, from J. A. Schneck, General Agent, T. J. Tidwell Shows, Sweetwater, Texas, dated January 24, 1941. Schneck explains the property restrictions involved in sponsoring a carnival in Abilene suggesting to Carswell that the owners would probably do more for a show under Legion auspices.
Date: January 24, 1941
Creator: Schneck, J. A.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Mrs. Ora Parker to T. N. Carswell - March 19, 1942] (open access)

[Letter from Mrs. Ora Parker to T. N. Carswell - March 19, 1942]

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas from Mrs. Ora Parker, Roscoe, Texas, dated March 19, 1942. Parker requests a suggestion from Carswell or help in locating employment, some kind of war work. A notation by Carswell at the top of page dated April 18, 1942 advises that he suggested the USO at Sweetwater.
Date: March 19, 1942
Creator: Parker, Ora
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Mrs. J. H. McLaughlin to T. N. Carswell - February 13, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Mrs. J. H. McLaughlin to T. N. Carswell - February 13, 1944]

A letter written to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Abilene, Texas from Mrs. J. H. McLaughlin, Sweetwater, Texas, dated February 13, 1944. McLaughlin requests Carswell's advice regarding her son John, who will turn 18 in April, is a Freshman at Hardin-Simmons University and will be joining the service. She describes John regarding his education, intelligence and physical attributes expressing her hope that Carswell can advise him since his father had died when he was nine. She advises that John would like to train for Chaplin service but is hesitant to request advice from strangers fearing it "might be interpreted as finding a way to shun Army service". She also advises Carswell of her other sons noting that Charles is in his last period of training for Combat Bomber service at Biggs Field in El Paso. The reverse side of the last page of this letter includes a postscript advising of their hope that John can finish his freshman year before entering the service and requests any assistance from Carswell to make this possible.
Date: February 13, 1944
Creator: McLaughlin, Mrs. J. H.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter to R. C. Crane, March 27, 1908] (open access)

[Letter to R. C. Crane, March 27, 1908]

Letter from an unknown author to R. C. Crane discussing the author's promise to vote for William John Bryan of Abilene int he senatorial race and discussing political conflict surrounding Senator Bailey.
Date: March 27, 1908
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Clipping: Historians Meet At Hotel Today] (open access)

[Clipping: Historians Meet At Hotel Today]

Newspaper clipping with an article describing a meeting to take place of the West Texas Historical association at the Wooten Hotel. The meeting is said to feature senator W. J. Bryan as a speaker. Partial articles ar visible int he clipping and a cartoon of a train is printed on the reverse side.
Date: 1946
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Clipping
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Lien Release Confirmation from Henry Sayles] (open access)

[Lien Release Confirmation from Henry Sayles]

Document stating that Henry Sayles was the the legal owner and holder of particular vendor's lien notes upon the date that he released said notes.
Date: June 3, 1913
Creator: Sayles, Henry
Object Type: Legal Document
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Henry Sayles to J. F. Newman, January 31, 1895] (open access)

[Letter from Henry Sayles to J. F. Newman, January 31, 1895]

Letter from Henry Sayles to J. F. Newman discussing taxes.
Date: January 31, 1895
Creator: Sayles, Henry
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Report of Henry Sayles. Franco Lands. (open access)

Report of Henry Sayles. Franco Lands.

Financial report on the purchase of land from Franco Land Co. over the course of several years.
Date: 1890-05-02/1898-05-02
Creator: Sayles, Henry
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter to Thomas Trammell, July 7, 1909] (open access)

[Letter to Thomas Trammell, July 7, 1909]

Letter to Thomas Trammell discussing the route of a proposed Texas & Pacific railroad between Coleman and Post City and stating that the writer suggested a route through Abilene to Mr. Storey and Mr. Ripley. The back of the paper has Sayles & Sayles letterhead printed on it.
Date: July 7, 1909
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Henry Sayles Tax Statement 1896] (open access)

[Henry Sayles Tax Statement 1896]

Statement of taxes due on lands owned or controlled by Henry Sayles for the year of 1896.
Date: March 19, 1897
Creator: Hall, Pete W.
Object Type: Legal Document
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter Regarding Railway Line in Abilene, Texas] (open access)

[Letter Regarding Railway Line in Abilene, Texas]

Unsigned. draft letter discussing efforts to raise money for a short railroad line connection at Abilene, Texas, which was taken over by the Santa Fe Railroad and indefinitely postponed.
Date: 1910~
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Wooden Plane]

Small, wooden plane with the words, "Keep 'em flying" burned into the wings and "Abilene, Tx" burned into the back. A label is attached to the plane with string and is address from "Mother" to Moris Baxter.
Date: 1944
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Physical Object
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from L. L. Armor to Truett Latimer, August 12, 1953] (open access)

[Letter from L. L. Armor to Truett Latimer, August 12, 1953]

Letter from L. L. Armor to Truett Latimer regrettably declining an invitation to a breakfast meal held by Latimer and a man name Harley.
Date: August 12, 1953
Creator: Armor, L. L.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Lucile Wise to  Mr. & Mrs. Frances, June 24, 1989] (open access)

[Letter from Lucile Wise to Mr. & Mrs. Frances, June 24, 1989]

Letter from Lucile Wise to Mr. and Mrs. Frances thanking them for the invitation to hold their 50th birthday reunion in Sweetwater, Texas in 1992 and potentially building a memorial wall for WASP. Included are other papers that give information about the history of WASP and specific members.
Date: June 24, 1989
Creator: Wise, Lucile
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Rig Edwards Biographical Information] (open access)

[Rig Edwards Biographical Information]

Biographical information on the life of Rigdon Edwards, flight instructor for the Women Airforce Service Pilots program.
Date: unknown
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History