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Rocky Mountain Online Archive

Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Administrative History

Arrangement

Scope and Content

Restrictions

Preferred Citation

Archivists Notes

Processing Information

Acquisition Information

Related Collections

Inventory of the Hunt Family Papers, 1860-1994. Bulk [1933-1984.]

Pikes Peak Library District, Special Collections in the 1905 Carnegie Library

Email:  http://library.ppld.org/SpecialCollections/SpecialCollectionsContact.asp
URL:  http://library.ppld.org/SpecialCollections/default.asp



©2005 Pikes Peak Library District

Administrative History

Inez Hunt

Sylvia Inez Whitaker Hunt, a writer, historian, poet, lecturer, and teacher, was born August 21, 1899, in Willow Hill, Illinois. She was an only child to her parents, Andrew Buck Whitaker and Minnie (Steers) Whitaker. Her father died when she was five years old. In 1908 her mother married Calvin B. Thompson. By 1910 she moved to Colorado Springs with her parents. She finished Columbia grade school in 1914; graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1918 and attended Colorado State College of Education, in Greeley, Colorado, in 1919. Inez married her high school sweetheart, Nelson Hunt on September 20, 1919. They lived in Colorado Springs and later moved to Manitou Springs when Colorado College bought their home in 1965. They bought the Colorado Midland Depot in Manitou Springs in 1965. The previous owner, Harvey and Maye Jones, had remodeled it (from conversation with Fran Kiester). They had one daughter Dorothy Frances born September 9, 1934, who married Kenneth Kiester in 1954. The Hunt's grandchildren are Dwight and Kirk. Inez died May 28, 1983.

Inez’s writing career crosses many genres including fiction, non-fiction, biography, poetry, short-stories, and articles. Her professional writing career started in 1933, when she wrote a fiction piece, "Mystery by Moonlight" published in Journal of Outdoor Life. She wrote the piece in order to qualify as a member of the Quill Club. Even though it was her first publication, she received first prize. Her career has mostly focused on Colorado history. Texts include: Ghost Trails to Ghost Towns in 1958; Horse Feathers and Applesauce in 1959; To Colorado's Restless Ghosts in 1960; and Lightening in His Hand: The Life Story of Nikola Tesla in 1964. All were published by Sage Books. Later works included The Lady Who Lived on Ladders, 1970, published by Filter Press and Colorado Crazy Quilt, 1971, published by HAH publications.

Throughout her writing career Inez collaborated with Wanetta Draper Tesker. Much of her research for her early work Ghost Trails to Ghost Towns was completed on family camping trips with Wanetta. During the writing of the text Horsefeathers and Applesauce, Inez and Wanetta founded the College of Western Research and Psychic Phenomena. “A fun project to show how easy a diploma mill can be established in this state.” After paying $3.50 and submitting a request at the capital, the college was established.

Inez wrote a series of minority focused pieces for School District 11 including: The Adventures of Barney Ford;The Story of Blind Tom;The Story of Bristol and the Little Red Brick Schoolhouse;Youngster with a Goal;A Story from the Lady of Cherry Blossoms;Otto Mears: The Little Giant;Tzedakah: a Story of the Woman in the Golden Dome; and Barela Brand.

Inez was also a poet. Her works include Windows Through the Wall, published in 1956, and High Country, published in 1962. Big Mountain Press published both works. She also published poetry in newspapers including the “Golden Echo” in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph; the “Poetry Corner” in the Free Press; and “Poetry Forum” in the Denver Post.

Inez wrote articles for numerous publications. She held a weekly column in the Pikes Peak Journal titled, Behind the Kitchen Curtain from 1964 to 1967. She has also published articles in True West and Empire Magazine of the Denver Post.

Inez has been recognized numerous times for her literary ambitions. One of her most notable recognitions regarded the work, Lightening in His Hand: The Life of Nikola Tesla, which took four years to research. With acclaim, Inez was offered to write the “Nikola Tesla” entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica as well as accept an award from the National League of American Pen Women in 1966 for the work. Earlier in her career she was awarded first prize for a lecture in 1960 by the same organization. Other awards include: Andy Adams First Place Award for short story; The Lee-Huff award from Colorado Springs Poetry Fellowship, 1963; Hafen Award for Poetry, 1966; Senior League Service Award, 1970; and the Silver Spur Award, 1981.

Inez was involved in numerous literary organizations including: President of Colorado Springs Quill club in the 1930s; President of Poetry Fellowship in Colorado Springs; Monday Book Review; Colorado Authors’ League; Colorado Poetry Society; National League of American Pen Women; National Federation of Press Women; and the Author’s Guild of America.

Other roles Inez played include: lecturer for conventions and civic groups, book reviewer, sales clerk for Van Briggle Art Pottery in 1949, radio broadcaster, teacher for the University of Colorado Extension in Colorado Springs, county librarian, and teacher at the YMCA. She also conducted ghost town seminars and ghost town tours usually dressed in period clothing.

Inez was a member of numerous organizations including: First Presbyterian Church; President of the Historical Society of the Pikes Peak Region; Portia Club, “[Whose] object shall be to further social intercourse, create a broader tolerance, and a larger culture;” Fortnightly Study Club; D.A.R.; State Historical Society of Colorado; Manitou Women’s Club; and fund campaign secretary of the Pikes Peak Chapter of Red Cross.

Nelson Hunt

Nelson Vincent Hunt was born April 16, 1898, in Clarksville, Ohio. He graduated from high school in Colorado Springs in 1918 and joined the Student Army Training Corps at Colorado College. He worked in his father’s granary and later worked for Crissey-Fowler Lumber Company starting as a truck driver in 1921. He was also a coach for the Crissey-Fowler basketball team called the “Crissey-Fowler Lumberjacks” in 1927. He was laid off in 1941 and found work at Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming, as a carpenter. This same year he joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. His wife, Inez, and daughter, Fran, joined him in Wyoming. The family then moved back to Colorado Springs at an unknown date when Nelson took a job at Peterson Field as an aircraft woodworker. From 1959 to 1965 Nelson worked at the amusement park The North Pole as Santa, where he took the nickname, “Old Stormy.”

After 1965, Nelson focused his attention on his small business, Hunt’s Wood Shed. He sold various apparatuses: the Park Patrol, to pick up trash; the Pickeruppers, for the handicapped; the Snake Snatcher-for handling snakes; and Nelson’s Sewer Trap: to remove rocks and sand from a sewer trap. He patented his products and sold them to many parks throughout the United States including Disneyland, until he sold Hunts Wood Shed in 1971.

Nelson was extremely involved in the community. He was a member of the Manitou Springs Kiwanis Club, Ohio Society in Colorado Springs (past-president), Toastmaster Club, and the Carpenters Union. He was extremely active with his church the First Presbyterian Church holding the titles: Deacon; Elder; Sunday school teacher; and Past-President of the Pikes Peak Council of Churches.

Nelson also held a competitive spirit by enrolling in beard contests. He grew beards for several occasions and contests including: the Colorado Springs Pioneer Celebration; Penrose Rodeo Parade; and the Colorado State Fair; which won him the “Best Full Beard” award in 1972. Nelson died in 1984 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inez and Nelson are buried in Crystal Valley Cemetery in Manitou Springs.

Luther Hunt

Nelson's father, Luther M. Hunt, was born in Martinsville, Ohio, January 19, 1874, to Quaker parents. Luther attended Martinsville High School in Ohio, Wilmington College in Ohio for his bachelors degree, and Haverford College in Philadelphia for his masters degree. He began his teaching career in Clarksville, Ohio, in 1896. On August 11, 1897, Luther married Lena Hadley (one of his pupils) in Wilmington, Ohio,in a double wedding ceremony. Lena had three sons, Nelson, Donald, and Chauncy Hunt, who died in infancy of whooping cough. Luther came to Colorado Springs in 1905 to seek treatment for tuberculosis when he was given only six months to live. Once he survived, his family joined him in Colorado. Luther became a prominent Colorado Springs grain dealer, teacher and realtor. He worked for the Robinson Grain Company in 1905 and became a partner in the business in 1907. He taught American history and mathematics for 16 years from 1922 to 1938 at the Colorado Springs High School and South Junior High. He also served on the District 11 school board for five years. In 1938 he started working for the State Realty Company until his retirement October 3, 1950.

Luther enjoyed involvement in many organizations. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Monday Downtown Quarter Backs Club, First Congregational Church, Masonic Lodge, and charter member of the Ohio Society of Colorado Springs. Laster in life he was a member of the Fossil Foursome, a bridge club, Second Horizon Club, and the Gay 90’s Singers, sponsored by the Colorado Springs Recreation Division, which entertained at nursing homes.

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Arrangement

Record Group I: Inez Hunt

Series I: Professional Papers

Subseries A: Correspondence

Subseries B: Creative Works

Subseries C: Research files/case files

Subseries D: Lectures/Interviews

Subseries E: Organizations

Subseries F: Publications

Subseries G: Financial Documentation

Subseries H: Photographs

Subseries I: Scrapbooks

Subseries J: Clippings

Subseries K: Ephemera

Subseries L: Media

Subseries M: Artifacts

Series II: Personal Papers

Subseries A: Correspondence

Subseries B: Diaries/Appointment books

Subseries C: Financial Documentation

Subseries D: Legal documentation

Subseries E: Photographs

Subseries F: Clippings

Subseries G: Ephemera

Record Group II: Nelson Hunt

Series I: Correspondence

Series II: Subject Files

Series III: Financial Documentation

Series IV: Ephemera

Series V: Creative Works

Series VI: Scrapbooks

Series VII: Clippings

Series VIII: Photographs

Series IX: Cassettes

Series X: Artifacts

Record Group III: Luther Hunt

Series I: Correspondence

Series II: Diaries

Series III: Creative Works

Series IV: Ephemera

Series V: Clippings

Series VI: Photographs

Series VII: Artifacts

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Scope and Content

This collection contains16.4 cubic feet of correspondence, creative works, research files, subject files, financial documentation, diaries, lectures, publications, scrapbooks, ephemera, scrapbooks, photographs, clippings, media and artifacts. These papers, from 1860 to 1994 in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, document the lives of Sylvia Inez Whitaker Hunt, her husband Nelson Vincent Hunt, and her father-in-law Luther Milton Hunt. The collection has been divided into three record groups including Inez Hunt, Nelson Hunt and Luther Hunt. Inez’s papers constitute the largest porition of the collection, which are divided into professional and private papers. This division is not made in the other two record groups due to smaller amounts of material. Inez’s professional papers emphasize her creative works and research methods, while her personal papers provide insight into her relationships with family and friends.

Inez Hunt

Her professional correspondence documents her relationship with publishers and Colorado Springs Public Schools. The correspondence regards lecture requests, reference requests, and letters from children in School District 11. A Portrait of Inez is included in the “Appreciations” folder. Although written by another individual, it provides insight into her personal life as well as her research practices. Also, in the folder are children’s letters from Taylor School, Jefferson School, and Mark Twain School.

Manuscripts comprise the bulk of the creative works in the collection. These include drafts, handwritten notes, and other corrections. For many of the corrections, the new text was taped over the old. In some cases the tape has lost the adhesive causing the corrections to be loose. The most prominent manuscript is “Lightening in his Hand” with seven drafts. These have remained in the original order they were found. Parts of the manuscript are missing in some cases. Research files are also associated with this text. However, it was been noted by the donor that most research files concerning this text were donated to Rutgers University. The manuscripts for Colorado Crazy Quilt include: "Portrait in Sandalwood and Pine;" "There Was a Little Man and He had a Little Gun;" "Painless Parker;" “Oh, Say Can You See?;” "…Doctor, Lawyer, Merchant, Chief?;" and "Colorado’s Living Doll." These were marked in sequence. For example Colorado’s Living Doll is marked “story 5.”

Another genre included in Inez’s creative works is poetry. Some poems are named individually. However, most are in subject files. The scrapbook of poems in box 4 is dedicated “For Dad.” “Dad” refers to Luther Hunt and not her father. There are additional poems in a scrapbook in box 20.

Research files may include manuscripts, ephemera, and/or clippings. The “American the Beautiful” folder contains the manuscripts, Story from Cape Cod, 1865 and God Mend Thine Every Flaw. The “Anne Ellis” folder contains the manuscript: The Corset Conflagration, or Women's Liberation, 1923. Black Pioneers is authored by Dorothy Bass Spann as told to Inez Hunt. Blind Tom was recorded by Inez Hunt for blind children in conjunction with Phi Beta, a professional fraternity of music and speech. The “Blind Tom” case file, includes the manuscript, Ghost Echo of a Concerto and sheet music. Photocopies of sheet music written by Blind Tom are in the oversize clippings box. The “Coxey’s Army” folder includes the manuscript, High Country Hijackers,Cripple Creek's Petition in Boots, and Picks and Papers. The file refers to the article Inez wrote titled, The Poverty Marchers featured in Empire, a magazine of the Denver Post. The file “A Quest for Olympus” refers to Kelley Dolphus Stroud, who suffered discrimination at the Bristol school. Research notebooks contain sources, notes, loose paper and poems. It is not determined if each notebook is for a specific work or if multiple works are referenced in the notebooks. Research/lecture note cards are included. Some cards are easily discernable if they were used for research or used during a lecture. However, in some cases the distinction is not noticeable. Other research note cards are found in a purse. The purse was originally housed with the note cards, but separated for preservation purposes.

Inez’s file titled “Inez Lectures” includes many lectures, which are titled: Gadabout; Ghost Town Stories of Colorado; Women of Destiny; Yes Virginia_There Is; Interview with Pete Didero; Lavender and Old Lace; Briarhurst; The Theatre in Colorado or From Candles to Footlights; The Art of Conversation; Let Us Try to Understand Russia; Youth Asks Questions; The Marryin and the Buryin; Pat and Mike; Judaism; How to Live Beyond Your Means; Antique Furniture; Sky Pilots; Women in Men’s Shoes; An Oil Well In Your Backyard; and Literary Anecdotes on Poets and Prose Writers of Colorado. There are also notes and a centennial symposium program in this file. In “Larry Ochs Introduction,” there is a detailed biographical sketch of Inez written by Nelson.

Publication material refers to materials Inez has written but also published material that may have been used for research.

In Inez’s financial documentation the “self employment” folder includes information regarding her income and expenditures such as royalties, lectures, mileage, postage, and library expenses. For her personal finances, refer to the “Personal” series.

The oversize clippings include an article about “Sanders Army” from Kansas in the Newspapers, 1963, as well as photocopies, reproduced by the Library of Congress, of sheet music from Blind Tom. The titles include: The Rainstorm; March Timpani; Reve Charmant Nocturne; Cyclone Galop; Oliver Gallup; Virginia Polka; Wellenklange (voice of the waves); Military Waltz; Blind Tom’s Mazurka; Blind Tom’s March; Sewing Song; Water in the Moonlight; Columbus March; Grand March Resurrection; and Daylight.

In the ephemera subseries “organizational certificates” are included from the Poetry Fellowship of Colorado Springs, Delta Kappa Gamma and Kiwanis Club. The publicity folder includes brochures for Ghost Towns of Colorado, envelopes from Ghost Trails to Ghost Towns, and biographical information about Inez in a brochure titled “Generally Speaking.”

Gold shoes are included in the collection, which were placed on her casket at her funeral. A photo of her casket can be found in Nelson’s record group.

The personal correspondence to Inez Hunt’s children include letters from Inez Hunt, Nelson Hunt and Luther Hunt from 1954 to 1981. Inez’s diary from 1941 describes Nelson’s move to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for work. Her daughter, Dorothy Frances, is referred to as “Fran.”

Nelson Hunt

Nelson Hunt’s records primarily focus on his life involvement in church, the Colorado Springs Centennial in 1972, his inventions with his company Hunt’s Wood Shed, and his work at the North Pole. Nelson is sometimes referred to as simply “Nels.”

Nelson’s correspondence references the topics of religion, business, Colorado Springs Centennial, and the YMCA. There is also a letter concerning an Annual Rattlesnake Roundup in Okeene, Oklahoma. The “Get Well” folder includes greeting cards and correspondence from Nelson’s knee surgery in 1974.

Nelson’s subject files cover a range of interests. The folders that contain mostly religious materials include: “Bethel,” “Church Work,” “Layman’s Thoughts, Material and Devotionals,” “National Council of Presbyterian Men,” “Poetry and Programs” and “United Churchmen.” The “Erps memorial” folder refers to Joseph Erps, Nelson’s physical instructor at the YMCA and coach at the Colorado Springs High School. Nelson served on the Erps Memorial Committee to dedicate a room to him in the YMCA. The file “Horse Sense” includes quiz questions, which appears to be a quiz show on the radio played on station TMI. “Patent Papers” give information regarding his inventions associated with Hunt’s Wood Shed.

Nelson’s finanical documentation primarily focuses on his small business, Hunt’s Wood Shed. Financial documentation titled “Hunt’s Wood Shed-purchases and expenses” for 1949, 1950 and 1953 include a ledger. Another ledger of loose paper can be found for 1965 in the “purchases and expenses” folder of 1953-1970. The “purchases and expenses” folder for 1952 includes an agreement with Richard Quinn to purchase equipment and letters from handicapped individuals who wish to use the Pickeruppers. “Finances” in this section refers to both Inez and Nelson’s personal finances in 1973 and 1974, including rentals, Inez’s lectures, etc.

In Nelson’s writing sub-series it includes works written by and him and works given to him. The text, Musings of a Nebraska Sand Hills Farm Boy” was not written by him, but sent to him from Elsie Lane. “Changing…” and the “The Continental Army” were also written by other individuals. Nelson’s autobiography, “Trails I Have Followed” gives a chronological account of his life.

In his business clippings there is an ad to sell his business and an article about the Park Patrol’s patent. In Nelson’s assorted clippings folder, the Toastmasters, Kiwanis Club, and Carpenter’s Union are documented.

The photograph labeled “Inez’s funeral” includes a photo of her casket and a postmortem photo of Inez.

Luther Hunt

Luther’s correspondence includes “circular letters” from 1940-1965 in which he relates everyday life to his family and friends. The last circular letter (no. 42) is written collectively by the Hunt family to say a final farewell after his death on October 24, 1965. Producing the “circular letters” were so much a part of Luther’s life that there is even a “circular letter napkin” in his artifacts.

The “recommendations” folder contains letters of recommendations from the Ohio State Board of School Examiners, Clinton County National Bank in Ohio, and other individuals from Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin to be used when Luther moved to Colorado Springs.

Diaries include an address section in the back of them. Some of the handwriting is written in pencil, which is difficult to read.

In Luther’s “educator clippings” there is a newstory of Luther and a former pupil at a reunion and information regarding the school board election. “Family Member” clippings cite Fran Kiester, Kenneth Kiester, and Inez Hunt.

Luther’s oversize certificates and diplomas are from high school, college, and graduate school. Also included is Lena’s high school diploma as well as teaching certificates from Ohio.

The photographs in Luther’s record group include “family members,” which do not have Luther in the photograph. Those individuals identified include: Dorothy and Janice; Janice, Betty, and Margaret; Margaret, Betty, and Lawrence; Sarah Margaret; Luther Hunt’s sister, Clark and Grace (Luther’s brother); Chauncey Hunt; Lena Hunt; and a few unidentified individuals. The “group photographs” include Luther. There is also a photograph of the house that Luther Hunt grew up in as well as exterior and interior photographs of the Hay and Grain store in which he worked. The photograph of Luther and Lena Hadley in 1947 was taken on their golden wedding anniversary. The oversize photographs include Clarksville, Ohio, high school commencement in 1897 and a photograph of “produce exchange,” which displays a wagon carried by horses.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection.

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Preferred Citation

Hunt Family Papers, 1860-1994. Bulk [1933-1984]. MSS 0271. Special Collections in the 1905 Carnegie Library, Pikes Peak Library District.

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Archivists Notes

The donor has made notes on some of the material to clarify relationships or provide further explanation.

The Lever Annual (the couple’s yearbook) has been separated from the archives collection and placed in the Regional History Book Collection.

Many of the photographs in the collection are from the Colorado Historical Society and the Denver Public Library. These photographs should be credited as such. For reproductions contact the appropriate institution.

Newspaper clippings have been photocopied onto acid-free paper for preservation purposes. Oversize material and photographs have been separated from the collection and housed in appropriate storage. Paperwork clearly delineates where the materials are held.

Duplicates and unsuitable material from the collection have been returned to the donor.

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Processing Information

Amy Ziegler processed this collection in October 2007.

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Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by Fran Hunt Kiester (Nelson and Inez's daughter) in 2002. Roger Hunt, a nephew to Inez, also donated materials regarding Luther Hunt in 2002.

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Related Collections

MSS 0050 Marshall Sprague Papers

MSS 0181 Colorado Springs Centennial Celebration Collection

MSS 0211 Nellie V. Walker Papers

MSS 0239 Pikes Peak Seniors

MSS 0270 Juan A. del Regato Oral History

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Christmas

Colorado Springs School District 11

Crissey Fowler Lumber Company

Del Regato, Juan A.

Draper, Wanetta

Encyclopedia Britannica

Erps, Joseph

Ghost Towns

Hunt, Inez

Hunt, Luther

Hunt, Nelson

Hunts Wood Shed

L. M. Hunt Hay and Grain Company

North Pole Amusement Park

Poetry Fellowship of Colorado Springs

Quill Club

Tesla, Nikola

Tom, Blind

Walker, Nellie

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Box and Folder List