Olive T. Dargan papers

Abstract

The Olive T. Dargan papers (dated 1860s-1970, bulk 1900-1968; 1.5 cubic feet; 5 boxes) comprise correspondence, literary publishing, biographical materials, clippings, and financial affairs of the Appalachian writer and poet Olive Tilford Dargan.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Olive T. Dargan papers
Date
1860s-1970 (inclusive)
1900-1968 (bulk)
Extent
1.5 Cubic Feet
Subjects
American poetry -- Women authors.
Appalachian authors
Authors, American -- 20th century.
Authors -- Correspondence.
Communism -- United States.
Europe -- Description and travel.
Muster rolls
National socialism.
North Carolina
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into three series by format: Biographical and Writing Career; Correspondence; Finances and Real Estate. Within each series the files are organized alphabetically.
Finding Aid Author
Carol Street
Preferred Citation
2012MS120: [description of item], Olive T. Dargan papers, 1860s-1970, bulk 1900-1968, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Olive Tilford Dargan was born in 1869 to parents Elisha Frances Tilford and Rebecca Day Tilford on a farm in Grayson County, Kentucky. The family later moved to Missouri where her parents founded a school. Olive attended Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, and later Radcliffe College, where she met her husband, the poet Pegram Dargan, who attended Harvard. They married in 1898 and settled into literary life in New York City. From 1904 to 1914, Olive published numerous plays and poems that were well reviewed. The Dargans bought property in North Carolina and also traveled extensively. In 1915, however, Pegram drowned at sea during a voyage to the West Indies. Olive dedicated a series of sonnets titled The Cycle's Rim to her husband after his death. Olive moved to North Carolina after his death and continued to write plays and poems until she turned her focus to writing novels under the pseudonym Fielding Burke. Her highly acclaimed novels Call Home the Heart and A Stone Came Rolling were written in the 1930s and focused on social issues such as poverty, race, and class. She continued to write later in life, publishing her last book, Innocent Bigamy, in 1962. She lived at her beloved Bluebonnet Farm in Asheville, North Carolina, until her death in 1968.
Scope and Content
The Olive T. Dargan papers (dated 1860s-1970, bulk 1900-1968; 1.5 cubic feet; 5 boxes) comprise correspondence, literary publishing, biographical materials, clippings, and financial affairs of the Appalachian writer and poet Olive Tilford Dargan. The collection is organized into three series that reflect Dargan's career as a writer and personal papers; correspondence; and her financial affairs. The first series contains biographical material, correspondence by Dargan, poems, book reviews, clippings, royalty statements, and copyright documents. A scrapbook contains clippings of book reviews, correspondence, and articles about her work.
The series of correspondence contains letters Dargan received from personal friends, family members, readers admiring her work, literary organizations, and organizations related to causes she supported. Of particular interest are letters from Rose Pastor, who was a very close friend. One letter appears to be written on Pastor's deathbed. Other correspondents include John F. Blair, Dorcas Carland, John P. Dalzell, Itzok Isaac Granich (pen name Mike Gold), Sylvia Latshaw, Jean Lattimer, Netha Roe, Jerome Romaine, Helen Salls, Edwin Seaver, and Don West writing as Jim Weaver. A few letters, such as from Pastor and Seaver contain notes written in the margins by Dargan. The correspondence reflects Dargan's literary interests, rental property concerns, strong connection to family, appreciation of her home and land, and interest in socialist and communist causes.
The financial series reflects Dargan's banking and purchases of real estate, stocks, and bonds, as well as paperwork associated with settling her estate and her wills. Included in this series are stock certificates, land descriptions, land deeds, and work toward creating a water race on an adjoining property to provide Bluebonnet Lodge with electricity.
The collection also contains two Civil War muster rolls for the Darlington Volunteers of Darlington, South Carolina, that belonged to Olive Dargan's father-in-law, E.K. Dargan.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Biographical and writing career, 1907-1968

Biographical information, undated

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Clippings about Olive T. Dargan, 1924-1936

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Name and address book and list, undated

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Olive T. Dargan correspondence, 1922-1963

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Medical bills and correspondence, 1940-1965

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Olive T. Dargan obituary and funeral arrangements, 1965-1968

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Sketches, 1923

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Printed images and ephemera, undated

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Family photographs, undated

  • Box 1, folder 9
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Poems, undated

  • Box 1, folder 10
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List of books written by Olive T. Dargan, undated

  • Box 1, folder 11
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Dreamer in the Wind copyright certificate, 1951

  • Box 1, folder 12
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The Spotted Hawk publishing contract, 1958

  • Box 1, folder 13
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Book royalty statements, 1934-1965

  • Box 1, folder 14
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Book reviews, 1922-undated

  • Box 1, folder 15
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Book review clippings, 1922-undated

  • Box 1, folder 16
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Call Home the Heart play adaptation correspondence, undated

  • Box 1, folder 17
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Izvestia newspaper request telegram, 1937

  • Box 1, folder 18
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Harrison, Richard Clarence: "A Romantic Realist Among Modern American Poets" essay on Olive T. Dargan, undated

  • Box 1, folder 19
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Young, Charlotte: "Who is Fielding Burke?" essay on Olive T. Dargan, undated

  • Box 1, folder 20
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Clarke, George Herbert: "Ode on the Burial of King George the Fifth" essay, 1936

  • Box 1, folder 21
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Scudder, Antoinette: The Masque of our Lady in Egypt: play, 1933

  • Box 1, folder 22
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Sinclair, Upton: The Flivver King published work, 1937

  • Box 1, folder 23
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Wilberforce, Bishop: "The Oxford Puzzle", undated

  • Box 1, folder 24
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Literary scrapbook, 1907-1952

  • Box 5
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Correspondence, 1900-1968

Anderson, Estes correspondence, 1941

  • Box 2, folder 1
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B., B.K. correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Bennett, Jean correspondence, 1962

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Benton, Joy Kime correspondence, 1933-1948

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Bjorkman, Lucy correspondence, 1957-1963

  • Box 2, folder 5
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Blackwell, Barry correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Blair, John F. correspondence, 1963

  • Box 2, folder 7
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Brasington, G.B. correspondence, 1924

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Brasington, Virginia correspondence, 1933-1965

  • Box 2, folder 9
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Bromwell, G.H. correspondence, 1930s

  • Box 2, folder 10
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Bryan, John correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 11
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Buttnick or Buttrick, Bill correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 12
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Carland, Dorcas correspondence, 1933-1959

  • Box 2, folder 13
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Cave, Edith correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 14
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Collins, Alan C. correspondence, 1941

  • Box 2, folder 15
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Conant, Isabel Fiske correspondence, 1939

  • Box 2, folder 16
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Coomadt, Paul correspondence, 1932

  • Box 2, folder 17
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Cunningham, Bertha correspondence, 1952

  • Box 2, folder 18
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Dalzell, John Percy correspondence, 1934-1963

  • Box 2, folder 19
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Daniels, Jonathan correspondence, 1935

  • Box 2, folder 20
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Dargan, Woods correspondence, 1924

  • Box 2, folder 21
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Davis, William correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 22
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Douglas, Clem correspondence, 1937

  • Box 2, folder 23
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Dykeman, Jerome correspondence, 1936

  • Box 2, folder 24
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Edwards, G.W. correspondence, 1934

  • Box 2, folder 25
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Franklin, Hazel and Doug correspondence, 1940-1943

  • Box 2, folder 26
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Franklin, Vestal correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 26
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Fritz, Florence correspondence, 1935

  • Box 2, folder 27
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Gold, Michael (pen name of Itzok Isaac Granich) correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 28
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Harris, Robert E., Pine Forest Rest Home correspondence, 1965-1968

  • Box 2, folder 29
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Himes, Jennie Mae correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 30
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Hoch, Irene Childrey correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 31
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Holmes, John Haynes correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 32
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Jerome, V.J. correspondence, 1943

  • Box 2, folder 33
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Kitchen, Sally correspondence, 1947

  • Box 2, folder 34
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Knight, R.E. correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 35
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Kuntz, Annie correspondence, 1957

  • Box 2, folder 36
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Latshaw, Sylvia correspondence, 1949-1961

  • Box 2, folder 37
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Lattimer, Jean correspondence, 1922-1927

  • Box 2, folder 38
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Long, Willie (Shorty) correspondence, 1939

  • Box 2, folder 39
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Lucas, Mary correspondence, 1905

  • Box 2, folder 40
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Lyon, Florence L. correspondence, 1937

  • Box 2, folder 41
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Marr, Hazel correspondence, 1952

  • Box 2, folder 42
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May, Jessie correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 43
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McFalt, Agnes correspondence, 1946-1947

  • Box 2, folder 44
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McLean, Margaret correspondence, 1944

  • Box 2, folder 45
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McSwain, Dora correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 46
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Miller, Leona Worley correspondence, 1932-1966

  • Box 2, folder 47
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Neal, Mary correspondence, 1930

  • Box 2, folder 48
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Oliver, Cecile Worley correspondence, 1924-1967

  • Box 2, folder 49
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Panton, Harrison correspondence, 1924

  • Box 2, folder 50
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Pastor, Rose correspondence and clippings, 1923-1933

  • Box 2, folder 51
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Pearl, Jeannette correspondence, 1946

  • Box 2, folder 52
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Peele, J.C. correspondence, 1967

  • Box 2, folder 53
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Peterson, Antoinette and Frederick correspondence, 1900-1954

  • Box 2, folder 54
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Peterson, Mildred correspondence, 1957

  • Box 2, folder 55
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Pomeroy, William J. correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 56
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Roberts, Holland correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 57
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Roberts, Margaret correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 58
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Robinson, Anne correspondence, 1936

  • Box 2, folder 59
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Roe, Netha correspondence, 1932

  • Box 2, folder 60
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Romaine, Jerome correspondence, 1933-1938

  • Box 2, folder 61
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Russ, Phillipo correspondence, 1938

  • Box 2, folder 62
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Salls, Helen correspondence, 1933-1945

  • Box 2, folder 63
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Schopp, Eva correspondence, 1939-1945

  • Box 2, folder 64
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Scott, Karen Gram correspondence, 1960-1963

  • Box 2, folder 65
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Seaver, Edwin correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 66
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Shamburger, Mary correspondence, 1934

  • Box 2, folder 67
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Smith, Jane correspondence, 1932

  • Box 2, folder 68
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Strobridge, H. or N. correspondence, 1940

  • Box 2, folder 69
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Thornburg, Bobbie correspondence, 1933

  • Box 2, folder 70
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Verner, S.P. correspondence, undated

  • Box 2, folder 71
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Watson, Blanche correspondence, 1942

  • Box 2, folder 72
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Watson, Richard correspondence, 1953

  • Box 2, folder 73
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Weaver, Jim correspondence, 1934

  • Box 2, folder 74
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West, Hedy correspondence, 1956

  • Box 2, folder 75
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Williams, Ruth correspondence, 1942-1946

  • Box 2, folder 76
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Williamson, Bright correspondence, 1916-1924

  • Box 2, folder 77
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Woods, C.A. correspondence, 1904

  • Box 2, folder 78
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Worley, Leona T. correspondence, 1935-1943

  • Box 2, folder 79
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Nini (niece) correspondence, 1938-1953

  • Box 2, folder 80
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Peter (nephew) correspondence, 1961

  • Box 2, folder 81
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Pi (family member) correspondence, 1939

  • Box 2, folder 82
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Invitations, 1934-undated

  • Box 3, folder 1
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Christmas cards, undated

  • Box 3, folder 2
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Easter and Mother's Day cards, undated

  • Box 3, folder 3
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Unsigned or illegible signature postcards and letters, 1911-1962

  • Box 3, folder 4
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The American League for Peace and Democracy, 1939

  • Box 3, folder 5
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George Peabody College for Teachers, 1966

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Highlander Folk School, 1932-1939

  • Box 3, folder 7
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Houghton Mifflin Company, 1940

  • Box 3, folder 8
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International Relief Association, 1933

  • Box 3, folder 9
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John Reed Club, 1932

  • Box 3, folder 10
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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1936-1937

  • Box 3, folder 11
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National Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners, 1933-1935

  • Box 3, folder 12
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National Council of American-Soviet Friendship, Inc., 1943

  • Box 3, folder 13
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National League of American Pen Women, 1939

  • Box 3, folder 14
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The Neighborhood Playhouse, New York, 1927

  • Box 3, folder 15
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New Masses, 1936

  • Box 3, folder 16
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The Peoples Progressive Party of Georgia, 1949

  • Box 3, folder 17
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Poetry Council of North Carolina, 1954

  • Box 3, folder 18
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Poetry Society of America, 1949

  • Box 3, folder 19
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The Southern Committee for People's Rights, 1936

  • Box 3, folder 20
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University correspondence, 1922-1966

  • Box 3, folder 21
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Empty envelopes, 1933-1964

  • Box 3, folder 22
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Blank postcards, undated

  • Box 3, folder 23
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Finances and real estate, 1903-1970

Wachovia Bank statements, 1926-1966

  • Box 4, folder 1
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Stocks and bond certificates, 1921-1964

  • Box 4, folder 2
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Insurance statements, 1923-1963

  • Box 4, folder 3
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Real estate descriptions and correspondence, 1945-undated

  • Box 4, folder 4
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Land deeds and correspondence, 1921-1938

  • Box 4, folder 5-7
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Allford mortgage correspondence, 1923-1924

  • Box 4, folder 8
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Water race for electricity deed, 1926

  • Box 4, folder 9
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Rental properties and loans, 1933-1934

  • Box 4, folder 10
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Bryson City Bank receipts, 1925

  • Box 4, folder 11
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Monongah Glass Company bond correspondence, 1935-1943

  • Box 4, folder 12
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Tax receipts, 1920-1954

  • Box 4, folder 13
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Bills and receipts, 1903-1962

  • Box 4, folder 14
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Checks written by Olive T. Dargan, 1933-1936

  • Box 4, folder 15
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Olive T. Dargan Guardianship, 1963-1967

  • Box 4, folder 16
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Olive T. Dargan estate, 1963-1970

  • Box 4, folder 17
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Olive T. Dargan wills, 1915-1965

  • Box 4, folder 18
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E.K. Dargan Civil War muster rolls for the Darlington Volunteers, 1860s

  • Box 4, folder 19
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

Requests

No items have been requested.



You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.