University of Oklahoma Libraries
Western History Collections
S. E. Andrus Collection
Biography
Selden
Eugene Andrus (1858-1941) moved to Oklahoma during the run of 1889. He
originally settled near Yukon, moving to Kiowa territory at its opening in
1901. He built the first building in Kiowa City, at Wildman (later named
Mondamin, and then, a ghost town). Here he operated a store and served as
postmaster. He was justice of the peace at Roosevelt 1908-1940. He was a 32
degree mason, school board member and fish and game warden under Governor
Walton. He had mining interest in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona
territories. One of the primary focuses of the collection is placer gold mining
in the Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., Oklahoma, 1903-1906. Documents
include mineral location deeds, quit claim deeds, stock certificates, and
listing of claims. Also, pertaining to mining, are several legal documents.
These include: chattel mortgages, corporation certificates, court
correspondence regarding the status of homestead and mining claims in the new
state. Andrus’ general store business is documented by receipts, bills and
advertisements of such items as pianos, which Andrus sold. There are two
folders of correspondence, personal and
business letters. The business letters reflect Andrus’ involvement with mining
and the store. They also reflect his involvement with secret societies
including the Masons and the Woodsman Circle. Several of Andrus’ business
associates were fellow members of these societies. The personal letters are
addressed to Andrus and some to his daughter Nellie. They are primarily from
family members. One recurrent topic is Andrus’
involvement in the secret societies and the family’s reaction to this
membership. Both personal and business letters would be of interest to a
researcher interested in the relationship between business and secret societies
in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Box 1
Folder
1. Bank,
Store and Personal Receipts 1901-1908
2. Society
Membership Receipts, 1898-1904.
3. Checkbooks,
Canceled Checks, 1905-1908.
4. Quit
Claim Deeds - Wildman Oil Co., Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., 1902.
5. Mineral
Location Notice, Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., 1901-1903.
6. Piano
Advertisements, song book, Southwest Oil and Gas Co., Business Cards.
7. Personal
Correspondence 1886-1907, to S. E. Andrus and to Daughter Nellie from friends
and relatives.
8.
Business correspondence including letters from Department of Interior regarding
Federal Mining laws for the new state of Oklahoma; letters from fellow society
members, 1902-1908.
9. Prospectus
of Wildman Mining and Milling Co. and Consolidated Mineral Co. Brochure.
10. Location
Certificates.
Box 2
Folder
1. Abstract
of Title-Placer Mining Claims, Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts.
2. Legal
Papers, Chattel Mortgages, Affidavits, Kiowa County, 1907-1909.
3. Property
Assessment Papers, Appraisements, Adjustment Application, Property Insurance,
Indemnity Bond.
4.
Petition for Incorporation, Bonds and vote on Incorporation for Roosevelt,
Oklahoma, 1903.
5.
Location Notices, Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., by claim names,
A-L, 1901-1905.
6. Locations
Notices, Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., by claim names, M-Z,
1901-1905.
7. Mineral
Location Notices, Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., by claim names,
A-Z.
8. Mineral
Location Notices, Union Mining district, Wichita Mts., 1900-1903 by claim
names.
9. Mining
deeds, Otter Creek Mining District, Wichita Mts., 1902-1903.
10. Quit
Claim Deeds, Otter Creek Mining District Records, Wichita Mts., 1902-1903.
11. Consolidated
Mineral Co. Receipts and Papers and List of Claims.
12. David
Crockett Mining Co. Stock Share Certificates
13. Stock
Share Certificates Entering Wedge Mining Co., Kiowa Copper Co. The
Consolidation Mineral Co., Montezuma Mining Co., Wildman Mining and Milling
Co., 1903-1906.
14. Stock
Share Certificates Bryan Gulch Mining Co.
Oversized
Box 3
The Hobart News
8/31/1. Vol 1, No. 1
Three certificates of corporation for the Consolidated
Mineral Co., July 1 1902; David Crockett Mining and Milling Co., 3-21-04; and
the Iron Mt. Mining Co., 1/12/03.
Supreme Court Land Patent Case Syllabus, Baldwin
vs. Keith, 3/4/04.
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