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J.H. Horner papers

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 6031

Scope and Contents

Collection consists principally of J. H. Horner's unpublished manuscript, "Wallowa River and Valley," dealing with regional history, as well as the history and cultural traditions of the Nimiipuu (Nez Percé) people. Other papers include correspondence (circa 1889-1985); legal documents (1898-1931); patents for window construction (1921-1922); and manuscript materials (undated). Horner's main correspondent is Otis Halfmoon of the Nimiipuu people, who collaborated on Horner's manuscript. The collection also includes a list of other contributors who assisted Horner in his research.

Dates

  • Creation: 1889-1985

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Biographical Note

John Harland Horner (1870-1953) was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Enterprise, Oregon, in 1911. He served as Wallowa County's deputy assessor from 1918 to 1924, before being elected county assessor in 1924. Horner also had a long-standing interest in the history of Wallowa County. For more than thirty years, he collected historical information and interviewed most of the early emigrants to the area and local Native people. His research resulted in an unpublished manuscript of more than 1,500 pages. Horner committed suicide on July 13, 1953, at the age of 83.

Extent

0.9 Cubic Feet (2 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Papers of a Wallowa County, Oregon, official and amateur historian, consisting primarily of a manuscript of his unpublished book "Wallowa River and Valley," as well as correspondence with Otis Halfmoon and other documents.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series: Series A. Correspondence and general papers; Series B. Manuscript of "Wallowa River and Valley."

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of C.N. Gaylord, October 1991 (Lib. Acc. 20491).

Separated Materials

Photographs were separated to photograph collections, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Title
Guide to the J. H. Horner papers
Status
Completed
Date
2004; revised 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2015: Revised to reflect updates to best practices.
  • 2023: Revised to reflect current best practices and incorporate additional series-level information about the unpublished manuscript in the collection.

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240