Stanley C. Smith (1928-1999), Papers, 1951-1971 (C3607)

34 folders

INTRODUCTION

Papers of a newspaper editor, tavern operator, teacher, and close friend of the poet John G. Neihardt. Smith managed one of Neihardt's public speaking tours and the two corresponded regularly for twenty years. The papers consist primarily of letters, but also include records related to the 1965 speaking tour, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Stanley C. Smith Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Stanley C. Smith on March 20, 1979 (Acession No. 4217) and Hilda Neihardt Petri on March 1, 1979 (Accession No. 4213).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Stanley Smith and John Neihardt first met in 1948 at the University of Missouri, where Smith was an undergraduate English student and Neihardt a sixty-seven year old guest lecturer in poetry. Smith became a frequent visitor at Neihardt's farm outside Columbia, "Sky-Rim", and maintained the friendship by correspondence after his graduation. Following a period of military service Smith returned to his native Nebraska where he edited and published a weekly newspaper, The Waunetta Breeze, for ten years. Smith led the 1961 campaign to elect Neihardt to the Nebraska Hall of Fame and to erect a bust of him permanently in the state capitol building. He also served as publicist and business manager for Neihardt's 1965 public speaking tour of Nebraska. On several occasions the two men vactioned together, retracing Western pioneer routes and visiting historic sites. From 1965 to 1967 Smith managed a tavern and tourist attraction, "Front Street", in Ogallala, Nebraska. In 1969 he returned to graduate school and earned a Master of Science degree in education at Kearney State College. His thesis, Aeschylus Wanders Back: Neihardt Comes Home, 1970, is based largely on his correspondence with the poet. Smith later taught English in the public schools at Gibbon and Minden, Nebraska, where he helped inspire future generations of writers.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Stanley C. Smith Papers consist of correspondence and other papers related to Smith's 25 year relationship with John G. Neihardt and are arranged into six series:

The Correspondence series covers the period 1951-1971, with the bulk of the series consisting of approximately 225 letters from Neihardt to Stanley Smith and members of his family. Documenting their twenty year friendship, the letters provide insights into Neihardt's life and work during his later years as he relates his thinking on philosophy, religion and literature. He also discusses aspects of his major works and reminisces on his early years, travels, and acquaintances. Also included in the series are letters to Smith from Myrtle Young concerning Neihardt.

The Neihardt Memorial series is comprised of correspondence - mainly letters of endorsement - petitions, and receipts for contributions connected with the 1961 campaign to elect Neihardt to the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

Materials related to the Neihardt Speaking Tour in 1965 include correspondence, contracts, schedules, advertisements, and programs.

The Writings series is comprised of Smith's 1970 University of Missouri thesis, Aeschylus Wanders Back: Neihardt Comes Home, an article, The Expanding Consciousness of John Neihardt, and works by Neihardt, Neihardt on Creative Writing, Report on a Seance, The Story of Captain George Wallace, and My Ghost Dog Story.

The Newspaper Clippings span the years 1954-1971, originated in Nebraska, Missouri, and Oregon newspapers, and chronicle some major events in Neihardt's life: the Neihardt Memorial Collection, the Neihardt Study Restoration Project and National Register of Historic Sites, television appearances, bust and portrait dedications, lectures and poetry readings, election to the Nebraska Hall of Fame, memorial banquets and other award ceremonies, Neihardt Days, productions of plays, and birthdays.

The Photographs are primarily of John Neihardt and various friends.

Folder List

Correspondence

f. 1 1951-1959
f. 2-31961
f. 4-51962
f. 61963
f. 7-81964
f. 9-111965
f. 121966
f. 131967
f. 141968
f. 151969
f. 161970
f. 171970-1971

Neihardt Memorial

f. 18Letters of endorsement
f. 19Receipts, petition, and program

Neihardt Speaking Tour

f. 20Correspondence and contracts
f. 21Schedules, advertisements and programs

Writings

f. 22-25"Aeschylus Wanders Back: Neihardt Comes Home", 1970
f. 26"Neihardt on Creative Writing" "Report on a Seance"
f. 27"The Story of Captain George Wallace" "My Ghost Dog Story"
f. 28"The Expanding Consciousness of John Neihardt"

Newspaper Clippings

f. 29-321954-1971

Photographs

f. 33-34

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at The State Historical Society of Missouri-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.