Buddy Thompson Papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Buddy Thompson Papers
- Date
- 1795-1986, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 36.57 Cubic Feet
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject into six series: Mulligan, Arthur Elrod, Belle Brezing, Thompson, Scrapbooks, and Unprocessed photographs.
- Preferred Citation
- Accession 2009ms043 : [identification of item], Buddy Thompson Papers, 1795-1986, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Elmer "Buddy" Thompson was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on March 29, 1920, and moved to Lexington, Kentucky, as a young boy. He married Mildred "Peg,"and they had one son, Joseph Clay Thompson. In 1964, Thompson along with James L. "Jim" Riley established Thompson & Riley auction and realty company. Through his business, Thompson acquired many items pertaining to Lexington history, several of which are included in his papers. Thompson retired in 1982. In addition to being an auctioneer, Thompson pursued several occupations. He served in World War II as an aerial photographer for the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater, 1943-1945, and ran a flying service after the war. In 1985, Thompson finished an autobiography about his experiences in the war, "A Soldier Boy's Adventure." He also ran a pet shop and a traveling zoo. Thompson is best known for his book Madame Belle Brezing published in 1983, in which describes the life of the Lexington prostitute Belle Brezing, who was thought to inspire the character Belle Watling in Gone With the Wind. Throughout his lifetime, Thompson was very active in the Lexington civic affairs, serving as president of the Kentucky Civil War Round Table, 1980-1989; founding member and past chairman of the Lexington-Fayette County Historical Commission; president of Big Brothers of Lexington; and a member of the Kentucky Historical Society, the Filson Historical Society, and the Lexington Cemetery Board. Thompson died on January 9, 1996.
- Thompson collected the papers of Judge James Hilary Mulligan and his family. Mulligan was born in Lexington, Ky., on November 21, 1844, and died July 2, 1915. His father was Dennis Mulligan (1818-1900) and his mother was Ellen McCoy Mulligan (1818-1904). Dennis Mulligan came to Kentucky in 1835 as part of a surveying crew. James Mulligan was educated at St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, Kentucky, and St. Mary's College in Montreal Canada, and earned his law degree from Kentucky University in 1869. Dennis Mulligan had Maxwell Place built in 1870-1872 for his son. The Italianate home and land were purchased by the University of Kentucky in 1917. Today, the house serves as the University of Kentucky President's house. James Mulligan was a Judge of the Recorder's Court of Lexington (1870-1876), served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate, and was appointed General Consul to Samoa by President Cleveland in 1894, resigning in 1896. He returned to Samoa in 1899 to represent various residents before the Samoan Joint High Commission. In Samoa, Mulligan befriended the poet Robert Louise Stevenson. He wrote the famous poem "In Kentucky," first delivered in Lexington in 1902, and many other poems. He married his first wife, Mary Huston Jackson (1848-1876), in 1868, and they had four children: Dr. Louis Huston Mulligan (1869–1954), Alice Shirley Mulligan Malloy (1871–1941), James Jackson Mulligan (1873–1961), and Mary (Mollie) Elizabeth (Mrs. Frank Stevenson) (1875–1955). After Mary's death, James Mulligan married Genevieve Morgan Williams (1858-1915) in 1881. They had six children, four of whom survived infancy. They were Dennis Morgan Mulligan (1882-1942), Samuel Dold Mulligan (1884–1885), Marion Mulligan Ross (1885-1978), Henrietta Duke Mulligan (1887–1893), Kathleen (1889–1971), and Willoughby Williams Mulligan (1899-1966). Kathleen Mulligan became Kentucky's first female judge in 1928. (Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97002729/james-hilary-mulligan)
- Samuel D. Morgan (d. 1877) was a prominent business person and leader in Nashville, Tennessee, and in the state from the 1840s until his death. He was involved with the Confederate States of America (1860-1865) and during the American Civil War as a supplier of war materials and an aid to the Confederate ordinance department. He is one of the two men buried in the walls of the Tennessee state capitol building. His daughter, Mary Morgan Williams (b. 1838), married Robert N. Williams (b. 1835). During the American Civil War, Williams served as a surgeon under John Hunt Morgan. John Hunt Morgan was a nephew of Samuel Morgan and a cousin of Mary Morgan Williams. After the war, Williams managed a family plantation in Arkansas. Robert and Mary's daughter Genevieve Williams married James H. Mulligan in 1881. (Source: collection appraisal found in donor file.)
- Arthur N. Elrod was a special agent for the Live Stock Department of Hartford Insurance Company in Baltimore, Maryland. He also owned The Elrod Van and Sales Company located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Bedford, Ohio. The Elrod Co. also had an office in Lexington, KY. Elrod and Thompson were business partners. In addition, Elrod served as treasurer and general manager of the Illinois Breeders Association. Elrod was also instrumental in the construction of the St. Louis horse race track, "Saint Louis Downs" ca. 1927.
- On March 23, 1974, Thompson & Riley Auctioneers held an estate sale at 153 Northeastern St, previously 59 Megowan St, the previous residence of Belle Brezing. The auction lasted three days and drew huge crowds. Belle Brezing was born June 16, 1860 in Lexington, Ky., and died August 11, 1940. She entered the business of prostitution at the age of 16 after the birth of her only child, Daisy Mae Kenney, and the death of her mother. Brezing was a widely-known figure outside of Kentucky. After her death, TIME Magazine ran her obituary and described her establishment as "the most orderly of disorderly houses."
- Scope and Content
- The E.I. BuddyThompson papers (dated 1795-1986, undated; 36.57 cubic feet, 84 boxes) comprises documents, photographs, and scrapbooks on Lexington and Central Kentucky historical figures collected by Thompson as well as Thompson's personal research and correspondence and Thompson family historical material. Collections include materials on the Mulligan family, on Samuel D. Morgan and Dr. and Mrs. Robert N. Williams, on Arthur Elrod and the Illinois Breeders Association, and on Belle Brezing. The Mulligan series contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, personal papers, typescripts, and memorabilia of Denis Mulligan, Judge J.H. Mulligan, Genevieve Mulligan, Dennis M. Mulligan, Kathleen Mulligan, Willoughby Mulligan, and Marion Ross from 1838-1971. There are also correspondence and personal papers of Genevieve Williams Mulligan's parents and grandparents, Samuel D. Morgan and Dr. Robert N. Williams and his wife, Mary Morgan Williams. The Arthur Elrod series contains correspondence and receipts of Arthur Elrod. Also included are pamphlets, papers, track books, a ledger, and forms pertaining to horse racing and the Illinois Breeders Association ca. 1920-1935. The Belle Brezing series contains personal receipts, checks, books, a lock of hair, and other items of Brezing's ca. 1870 to 1890. Also included are notes, recorded interviews, copies of newspaper articles, correspondence and other papers pertaining to Thompson's book Madame Belle Brezing. The Thompson series contains papers, items, and memorabilia from Thomson's family and Lexington, Ky., and surrounding areas ca. 1800s to 1950s. Additionally, multiple scrapbooks of numerous people are included.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Mulligan, 1838-1971, undated
Judge James H. Mulligan Correspondence, 1881-1915, undated
1881-1893
1894-1895
1896-1900
Letter from William Jennings Bryan, 1903
1901-1905
1906-1908
1909-1915
Christmas Cards, undated
undated
Miscellaneous
Judge James H. Mulligan Writings, 1894, undated
JHM poems, 'In Kentucky' drafts, etc., undated
Holograph and Typescript manuscripts of James Mulligan poem 'Over the Hill to Hustonville', undated
Typescript Manuscript-set in Samoa, undated
Typescript manuscript RE: Robert Louis Stevenson and Jack Buckland, "South See Piracy", undated
Typescript about R.L. Stevenson's book, "South Sea Piracy," another version, undated
Typescript manuscript describing Samoa- Apia, Samoa, 1894 October 20
Typescript manuscript- "Some aspects of R. L. Stevenson", undated
Typescript- Search for Artist John Grimes, undated
Typescript of Irish address, undated
Typscript- miscellaneous, undated
Miscellaneous writings, undated
Miscellaneous papers, undated
Judge James H. Mulligan items, 1881-1912, undated
Bank notes, receipts, undated
Legal papers-JHM marriage certificate to Mary Jackson, estate papers, undated
Memorial card for Ellen McCoy Mulligan, undated
JH Mulligan bookplates, undated
Newspaper clippings concerning JH Mulligan, undated
Mulligan house attic plans, undated
Handbill of public sale to JH Mulligan, 1905
Kentucky State College, third annual class day program, 1897
Last program memento- The Grand Opera House, 1881 April 9
Invitation to Kentucky Trotting Horse Breeders Association meeting, 1895 October
Reuben T. Durrett portrait, undated
"Chic" magazine, 1896 August 29
Autographed poem 'On Board the Derelict' by Young E. Allison, undated
'A Kentucky Welcome' by G. Allison Holland autographed postcard, undated
"'In Kentucky' and its Author Jim Mulligan" by John W. Townsend, undated
Seal of the Republic of Hawaii, undated
Political papers-Bills pertaining to Kentucky, 1906, 1912
Speech of JH Mulligan nominating John G. Carlisle for US Senate, 1890
Memorabilia- Campaign souvenir state senator, LIFE magazine, volume 1, 1889
JG Carlisle to Ella Shirley Mulligan, 1895 July 17
Samoa Political Papers, JHM's consul appointment certificate, undated
Samoa items, undated
Samoan newspapers, undated
Booklets concerning Samoa, undated
Memorandum suggesting amendment to the Berlin General Act, 1891
Robert Louis Stevenson check, 1892 July 30
'Father Damien-an open letter to the Reverend Dr. Hyde of Honolulu' from Robert Louis Stevenson
Scribner's Magazine, "Robert Louis Stevenson in his Home Life" article, 1896 May
Articles concerning R. L. Stevenson, undated
Memoranda -trip to Samoa to prepare war claims, 1899 May
Memorandum and Samoan clippings, undated
Genevieve W. Mulligan Correspondence, 1872-1913, undated
1872-1880
1881
1882-1890
1891-1892
1893-1894
1895 January-March
1895 April-December
1896
1897-1898
1899-1900
1901-1902
1903
1904-1910
1911
1912
1912-1913
undated
Genevieve W. Mulligan from family members, undated
Correspondence between Genevieve W. Mulligan and mother, undated
Correspondence between Genevieve W. Mulligan and James H. Mulligan, undated
Miscellaneous correspondence, undated
Empty Genevieve W. Mulligan envelopes, undated
Genevieve W. Mulligan diary, clippings, financial material, and miscellaneous, 1875-1896, undated
Genevieve W. Mulligan received clippings, et cetera, undated
Genevieve W. Mulligan diary, undated
Bills/receipts, undated
The United States of Freedom Stock Certificate, 1895
Name cards including Mrs. Cassius Clay, James Lane Allen, undated
Henrietta Mulligan hair clipping and memorial card, 1893 March 20
DAR/UDC documents, undated
Nazareth Academy praise cards, undated
Jennie Williams book keeping notebook, Nazareth Academy, 1875-1876
Jennie Williams/ Sister Theonela Nazareth Academy notebook- poems and other writings, undated
School notebook, undated
Books and booklets, undated
Scrapbook (3 photographs included), undated
'Chic' Magazine article about Mrs. James Mulligan, 1896 August 19
Writings and notes on Committee of the Morgan Monument Association, undated
Morgan Family Genealogical notes, undated
Genevieve Mulligan newspaper clippings, undated
Miscellaneous clippings, undated
Miscellaneous papers, undated
Dennis Mulligan Correspondence, 1838-1916, 1942, undated
Dennis M. Mulligan Papers, 1843, 1882-1942, undated
Deeds, undated
Receipts and bills, undated
"Message of the Governor of Kentucky" December Session, 1843
Miscellaneous documents and papers, undated
Newspaper clippings, undated
Receipts
Cumberland Telephone Company papers, undated
Legal and official papers, undated
Memorial record, 1882 July 17-1942 December 28
Miscellaneous correspondence, envelopes, undated
Miscellaneous papers, undated
Kathleen Mulligan Correspondence, 1898-1980, undated
1898-1911
1912-1914
1915-1916
1918-1929
1930-1932
1933-1934
1935-1936
1937-1948
1950
1951
1952-1954
1955-1957
1958-1960
1961-1980
Miscellaneous, undated
Kathleen Mulligan Papers, 1908-1938, undated
Notebook, 1908
Bills, receipts, and tax notices, undated
Scrapbook, 1927-1929
Engagement book, 1909
"A Man That I Knew" by Young E. Allison, undated
Dinner programs and seating lists, 1928-1936
Democratic party fliers, Democratic National Convention tickets, 1936 June
Pocket diary, 1938
Typescript concerning Kathleen Mulligan, undated
United States Court of Appeals, Coca-Cola vs. Carlisle Bottle Works brief, 1929
'State of New Mexico Municipal and other Bonds' by Kathleen Mulligan, 1935
Address book, undated
Newspaper clippings, undated
Miscellaneous papers, undated
Willoughby Mulligan Papers, 1900-1968, undated
Baptismal Certificate, First Communion Certificate, 1900, 1914
Willoughby Mulligan and Florence Wheeler marriage certificate
Correspondence, 1909-1961
Letter received from Lora Dana Movosini, 1955-1959
Medical Bills, undated
Bills, undated
Hospital records, undated
Estate of Willoughby Mulligan bank statements, undated
Legal correspondence concerning Willoughby Mulligan estate, undated
Estate bank books, undated
Papers concerning Willoughby Mulligan estate, undated
Inventory of W. Mulligan personal belongings by Marion Ross, 1968
Legal Papers, undated
Insurance papers, undated
Medical Insurance policy, undated
Miscellaneous papers (brochures, race track ID, travelers' checks, name cards, etc.), undated
Newspaper clippings concerning Willoughby, undated
Marion Ross Personal Correspondence, 1889-1971, undated
1889-1902
1903-1906
Clippings, correspondence, and biography from Brown M'Millin, 1909
1907-1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915 February-July
1915 August-December
1916 February 1-17
1916 February 21-July
1918-1920
1921-1923
1924
1925
1928-1933
1936-1939
1940-1941
1942-1950
1952-1953
1954
1955
1956
1957 January-March
1957 April-July
1957 August-November
1957 December
1958
1959
1960
1961 January-November
1961 December
1965-1966
1967
1968-1971
undated
Marion Ross Business, Legal, and Writing Correspondence, 1919-1971, undated
Cards, miscellaneous correspondence, undated
Business/ legal correspondence, 1919-1924
Business/legal correspondence, 1929-1958
Business/legal correspondence, 1962-1969
Marion Ross publishers correspondence, 1919-1955
The Home Correspondence School lessons and correspondence, undated
Real estate correspondence, undated
Liberty Green real estate rent statements, undated
Correspondence with Marion Ross- drafts and copies, undated
Thank you cards, mourning cards, name cards, invitations, et cetera, undated
Legal correspondence concerning Mary Stevenson estate, undated
Mollie (Mary) Mulligan (Mrs. Frank Stevenson) correspondence, 1955-1956
Marion Ross Papers, 1790, 1889, 1916-1970, undated
Newspaper clippings from letters, undated
Newspaper clippings concerning Book of Verse, other clippings concerning Marion and James Ross, 1913
Bills, 1916-1939
Bills, 1940-1970
Blank checks and checkbooks, undated
Examples of cancelled checks, undated
Legal papers- deeds, lease, undated
Legal papers- insurance policies and mortgages, undated
Tax return, property appraisal, 1965-1966
United Daughters of the Confederacy membership certificate, undated
Passport, undated
Booklets, undated
Ledger and notebook on 1790 Census, 1790
Mary M. Peter cookbook and clippings, 1889
Marion Ross Typescripts (alphabetical order), undated
Typescript- "Athenis", undated
Astrology Typescript, undated
Typescript "Corwaine, Aaron H.", undated
Typescript "The Deserter's Lamentation", undated
Typescript, play "The Discovery" letters concerning the play, undated
"The Discovery" printed brochures, undated
Typescript "Fair Rosamond" Part One, Part Two, undated
Typescript "Fair Rosamond" Part one, Two, Three, undated
Typescript "Fair Rosamond" Part One, undated
Typescript "Fair Rosamond" Part Two, undated
"Fair Rosamond" Gallery Proof, undated
Typescript "Faust" Part One, undated
Typescript "Faust" Part Two
Typescript "The First Fee", undated
Typescript "Florida"
Typescript "The Grey Dawn", undated
Correspondence and papers concerning "Grey Dawn" and "Kentucky" movie, undated
Typescript "The Grey Dawn" Part One, undated
Typescript "The Grey Dawn" Part Two, undated
Typescript "The Grey Dawn" Part Three, undated
Typescript "The Grey Dawn" Part Four, undated
"The Grey Dawn" summary, undated
Chester Harding Biographical Typescript, undated
Chester Harding Inquiries, 1921-1924
Typescript "The Hitchhiking Ghost and Other Stories", undated
Typescript "Holidays Dance" Part One, undated
Typescript "Holidays Dance" Part Two, undated
Typescript "The Law of the Sea", undated
Typescript "Love in a Village", undated
Typescript "Medieval France in Retrospect", undated
Typescript "The Mystery of Baringer Manor", undated
Play Typescript "On the Old Plantation", undated
Typescript "The Penance of Philip Rowan", undated
Typescript "The Power of Mind", undated
Typescript "The Power of Thought", undated
Typescript "Radios Unknown Inventor", undated
Typescript "The Return of Betty Ward", undated
Typescript "The Significance of Betty Blair", undated
Typescript "The Sleeping Beauty", undated
Typescript "Speaking of Mrs. Wallis Simpson", undated
Typescript "Tide of the Years", undated
Typescript "Track Record Time", undated
Typescript "West, William Edward", undated
Typescript "Where Wealth Accumulates" Part One, undated
Typescript "Where Wealth Accumulates" Part Two, undated
Typescript "Williams, Mary Morgan", undated
Typescript "Zenobia", undated
Typescripts- Brief biographies on miscellaneous historical figures, undated
Unknown typescript "During the first half of the 18th Century...", undated
Writings "The Dreamer", undated
Miscellaneous Typescripts, manuscripts, and fragments, undated
James Ross typescript on "Chaumiere du Prairie", undated
Scrapbook with miscellaneous brief typescripts, undated
Marion Ross Typescripts "Radio Unknown Inventor"- "Zenobia", undated
"The Negro in the Early Years of the Republic" typescript part one, two, three, undated
Typescript Notes on "Negro" manuscript, undated
Typescript Notes on "Negro" manuscript, undated
Marion Ross- Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1940-1942
Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1940 June-July
Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1940 August-October
Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1940 November-1941 February
Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1941 March-April
Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1941 May-1942 January
Research Correspondence concerning "Negros in Early Republic" Manuscript, 1940-1942
Marion Ross Invention Correspondence, pamphlets, miscellaneous papers, 1936-1948, undated
Invention Correspondence, 1936 January-May
Invention Correspondence, 1936 June-1937 December
Invention Correspondence, 1938
Invention Correspondence, 1939 January-February
Invention Correspondence, 1939 March-May
Invention Correspondence, 1939 June-August
Invention Correspondence, 1939 September
Invention Correspondence, 1939 October
Invention Correspondence, 1939 November-1940 February
Invention Correspondence, 1940 March-December
Invention Correspondence, 1941-1948
Invention Correspondence Miscellaneous, undated
Pamphlets and papers concerning invention and patents, undated
Photographs of toy dog, undated
Toy dog patent, undated
Toy dog instruction pamphlets, undated
Papers concerning toy dog and other inventions, undated
Butterfly drawings, undated
Marion Ross- Scrapbook, artwork, other miscellaneous, 1899, undated
Samuel D. Morgan and Dr. RN Williams papers, 1843-1881, undated
S. D. Morgan incoming correspondence, 1843-1860
S. D. Morgan incoming correspondence, 1861
S. D. Morgan incoming correspondence, 1863-1867
S. D. Morgan incoming correspondence, undated
S. D. Morgan incoming correspondence sent, 1867-1877
From S. D. Morgan to M.F. Maury, 1859
Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence, 1864-1865
Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence, 1866
Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence/ empty envelopes, 1868-1870
Correspondence concerning RN Williams, undated
RN Willliams funeral notice, undated
Mrs. Robert N. (Mary Morgan) Williams incoming correspondence, 1862-1866
Mrs. Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence, 1867
Mrs. Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence, 1868
Mrs. Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence, 1869-1881
Mrs. Robert N. Williams incoming correspondence, undated
Mrs. Robert N. Williams photography receipt, empty envelopes, undated
Mrs. RN (Mary Morgan) Williams obituary, undated
Miscellaneous Mulligan items, 1796, 1846-1851, undated
Jenny Lind concert ticket, 1851 April 9
Miscellaneous maps/brochures, undated
Copies of letter to James Overton written by George Washington, 1796
Postcards, undated
Secrets of Ancient and Modern Magic booklet, undated
"Battle Hymn of the McKennas" poem, undated
List of paintings by Troye, undated
Miscellaneous- blotters, YMCA cafeteria ticket, Centre vs. Harvard ticket (1922), booklets, 1922
Promise of labor, 1846
Miscellaneous booklets, undated
Miscellaneous tickets, records, publications, undated
Miscellaneous Mulligan correspondence, undated
Letters to "Miss Mulligan", undated
Memorabilia, undated
Clippings concerning Mulligan family and Maxwell Place, undated
Miscellaneous Mulligan Family papers, 1847-1888, undated
Unidentified Mulligan family letter fragments, undated
Unidentified Mulligan family fragments of writings, undated
Willoughby Williams Correspondence, 1868, 1870
Ellen McCoy Mulligan newspaper clippings, undated
Mollie Mulligan- Abege D'Histoire Du Canada, 1888
Alice Mulligan Correspondence, 1847-1882
Alice Mulligan Molloy newspaper clippings, undated
JH Mulligan Jr. newspaper clipping, undated
Mrs. Frank Stevenson name card, undated
Thompson's Mulligan Notes and Mulligan biographical information, undated
Thompson preliminary inventory, undated
Copies of items give to the University of Kentucky inventory, undated
Draft of Mulligan article by Thompson, undated
Thompson biographical booklets concerning Mulligans, undated
Thompson copies of newspaper articles concerning Mulligans, undated
Copies of Mulligan items, undated
Thompson notes on Mulligans, undated
Thompson correspondence concerning Mulligans, undated
Miscellaneous newspaper clippings and clippings concerning Mulligan, undated
Important Mulligan biographical information, undated
Mulligan cemetery plot information, undated
Marion Ross genealogical information, undated
Biographical information written by child of JH Mulligan, undated
Miscellaneous Mulligan genealogical information, undated
Mulligan Family Photos
Scope and Contents
This collection of 794 photos and negatives belong to the family of Judge James H. Mulligan. The majority of the photos belong to his children from his second marriage, to Genevieve Mulligan. The collection contains many portraits of family members, the Maxwell Place home, and the Mulligan family tombstones. There are a few posthumous photos of their children. There is a large collection of photos that belonged to Willoughby Williams Mulligan, Judge Mulligan's son. Willoughby's subseries include a photo album containing his childhood photos, as well as photos and negatives of him later in life, living in Miami Beach, Florida with his wife. Included in the collection are photographs of Judge Mulligan's time in Samoa with Robert Louis Stevenson, as well Stevenson's photos in Samoa. There numerous unidentified portraits, homes, and animals in the collection.