Bennie Gene Bledsoe Retired As a Professor of English from Henderson State University in 1982

Bennie Gene Bledsoe retired as a Professor of English from Henderson State University in 1982. She was born in Donaldson, Arkansas, on January 9, 1917, the daughter of Bennett Fleetwood and Cora Jane Berry Bledsoe. She graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1935 and received the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939 and the Master of Science in Education in 1960 from Henderson State Teachers College. In 1973, she earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from North Texas State University, Denton.

She taught at Washington, Arkansas, High School, 1939-1942; at Arkadelphia High School, 1943-1966; and at Henderson State, 1966-1982.

Dr. Bledsoe is a member of the Clark County Historical Association, the Arkansas Historical Association, and the Arkadelphia First Baptist Church. In 1949-50, she served as President of the Henderson State Teachers Alumni Association and edited the Alumni News Bulletin

Besides this history of Henderson State University, Dr. Bledsoe has published a book of poetry, Now Will I Sing, which contains verses composed during her freshman and sophomore years at H.S.T.C.1

Box 74

Research materials accumulated by Bennie Gene Bledsoe for her book Henderson State University: Education Since 1890.

 Folder 74-1: Note cards listing state faculty and their departments from 1929 to 1938.  Folder 74-2: Quotations, etc. for Henderson Stale University: Education Since 1890. o A check list for items to be added to Henderson State University: Education Since 1890, handwritten on lined notebook paper. o The first paragraph from Dickins' A Tale of Two Cities, handwritten on unlined paper.  Folder 74-3: Final paragraph of Henderson State University: Education Since 1890. o A rough draft of a proposed last paragraph for Henderson State University: Education Since 1890 typed, with a handwritten notation: The Oracle, July 27,1909. o A rough draft of a proposed last paragraph for Henderson State University Education Since 1890, handwritten on two pieces of scrap paper.  Folder 74-4: Jones Family. o A letter to Mr. Thomas J. Jones, Jr. of Duncan, Ohio, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting death dates of Thomas J. Jones and George C. Jones, typed with an attached carbon copy. Mr. Jones' reply is handwritten on the bottom of the original. o A letter from John D. Hammond of Terrell, Texas, to Dr. Bledsoe providing requested information re: Dr. and Mrs. George Childs Jones, handwritten on letter-head stationery, with accompanying envelope, dated May 23, 1979. o A letter to John D. Hammond from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for his response, typed, dated May 31, 1979. o A letter to John D. Hammond from Dr. Bledsoe requesting more information about Dr. and Mrs. Jones, typed, 2 pgs., dated August 5, 1979. o A letter from Mrs. Appleton H. Seaverns of Suffield, Connecticut, to Dr. Bledsoe providing information about the Jones family, handwritten on Suffield Academy letter-head stationery, dated July 31, 1979, with accompanying envelope. o A letter to Mrs. H. Maxwell Bunch of Houston, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe re: materials about the Jones family collected by Mrs. Bunch, typed, 2 pgs., dated August 4, 1979. o A letter to Mrs. H. Maxwell Bunch of Houston, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for materials collected and to inquire about a Catalogue of Arkadelphia Methodist College and a Jones family bible, typed dated October 13, 1979. o A letter from Martha Jordan of Midwest City, OK, to Dr. Bledsoe providing requested information about the surnames "Jones" and "Moore" handwritten on lined, yellow legal paper, dated July 15, 1979. o A letter to Mrs. Appleton H. Seaverrs (sic) of Suffield, Connecticut, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information about the Jones family, typed, dated May 31, 1979. o A letter to Mrs. Appleton H. Seaverns of Suffield, Connecticut, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for her help and requesting additional information on the Jones family, typed, 2 pgs., dated August 5, 1979. o A letter to Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City from Dr. Bledsoe requesting birth and death dates of George Childs Jones and his wife, Lelia Moore Jones, typed, dated June 14, 1979. o A letter to Edward L. Gaylord, publisher of the Oklahoman, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information about the Jones family, typed, dated May 30, 1979. o A letter to Noble H. Welch, editor of the Terrell Tribune, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for his cooperation and kindness, typed, dated May 31, 1979.  Folder 74-5: Research requests. o A letter to Mary Ellen Stephenson of Fredericksburg, Virginia, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information about Dr. Clifford Lee Hornaday, typed, dated November 10, 1979. o A letter to Mrs. H. H. Nygaard, Jr. of Red Springs, North Carolina, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for information re: Dr. Clifford Hornaday, typed, dated November 10, 1979. o A letter to Beatrice seals of Maxton, North Carolina, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for information re: Dr. Clifford Hornaday, typed, dated November 10, 1979. o A letter to the head librarian of Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information about George Childs Jones and Cadesman Pope, typed, dated July 14, 1980. o A letter to Mrs. W. W. Herron of Trenton, Tennessee, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for her help, typed, dated May 31, 1980. o A letter to Mrs. H. Maxwell Bunch of Houston, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting the death date of Mary Dale Jones Nelms, typed, dated May 17, 1980. Mrs. Bunch's reply is added to the original, typed, with a handwritten note. o A letter to John D. Hammond from Terrell, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for information re: George Childs Jones, typed, dated August 16, 1979. o A letter to Martha Jordan of Midwest City, Oklahoma, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for information re: George Childs Jones, typed, dated July 23, 1979. o A letter to Mrs. Willis J. Richardson of Savannah, Georgia, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for information re: Cadesman pope, Jr., typed, dated August 13, 1980. o A letter to the Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information re: Cadesman Pope, typed, dated May 30, 1980. o A letter to Mrs. Willis J. Richardson of Savannah, Georgia, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for information re: Cadesman Pope, typed, dated May 19, 1980. o A letter to W. J. Franklin of Zebulon, Georgia, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information re: Cadesman Pope, typed, dated May 19, 1980. o A letter to Mrs. Austin P. Cook, Jr. of LaGrange, Georgia, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for his continuing help re: information about Cadesman Pope, typed, dated May 12, 1980. o A letter to Mrs. Robert H. Thomas of Dallas, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting a photo of Cadesman Pope, and includes an information sheet on Cadesman Pope to be filled out, typed, dated October 13, 1979. o A letter to O.D. Hendrix of Helena, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for information re: Cadesman Pope and requesting a photo of Pope, typed, with handwritten notations, dated July 10, 1979. o A letter from O.D. Hendrix of Helena, Arkansas, to Dr. Bledsoe providing information re: Cadesman Pope, typed on Hendrix Shoes letter-head stationery, accompanying envelope included, dated June 27, 1979. o Carbon copy of July 10, 1979 letter to O.D. Hendrix. o A letter to Mrs. E. H. Thomas of Little Rock, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information re: Cadesman Pope, typed, 2 pgs., dated July 14, 1979. o A letter from Lue Vera Turner, Periodicals and Archives Librarian at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, to Dr. Bledsoe re: a correspondence file of Judge w. w. Herron, typed on Lambuth College letter-head stationery, dated August 7, 1980, and including a photocopy of an article re: the Jones family, uncited. o A photocopy of the officers of Memphis Conference Female Institute in Jackson, Tennessee, taken from the Thirty-Seventh Annual Catalogue, dated June 8, 1881. o A photocopy of the officers of Memphis Conference Female Institute in Jackson, Tennessee, taken from the Thirty-Eighth Annual Catalogue, dated June 14, 1882. o A photocopy of the officers and faculty of Memphis Conference Female Institute in Jackson, Tennessee, taken from the Forty-First Annual Catalogue, dated 1884-85. o A photocopy of the Board of Trustees and faculty of Memphis Conference Female Institute in Jackson, Tennessee, taken from the Fifty-Seventh Annual Catalogue, dated 1900. o A photocopy of the Board of Trustees and faculty of Memphis Conference Female Institute in Jackson, Tennessee, taken from the Annual Catalogue, dated 1905. o A photocopy of Amos W. Jones' diary entries, 2 pgs, dating from May 15, 1876 - October 10, 1876. A letter from Judith Hazelwood, Head Librarian at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, to Dr. Bledsoe re: information on George C. Jones, typed, dated July 25, 1980, and including a completed information sheet. o A letter to Judith Hazlewood, Head Librarian at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for her help, typed, dated July 31, 1980. o A photocopy of a biography of George C. Jones and a history of Arkadelphia Methodist College, taken from Methodist College Magazine, Vol. I, 8, October, 1891, 4 pgs.  Folder 74-6: Research requests. o A note from Dolores Thompson, Assistant Librarian at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, to Dr. Bledsoe reporting that she had copied and sent requested information to Dr. Bledsoe, typed on a note card, dated October 301981. o A note from Dolores Thompson, Assistant Librarian at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, to Dr. Bledsoe reporting that she had copied and sent requested information to Dr. Bledsoe, typed on a piece of scrap paper. o A letter to Dolores Thompson, Assistant Librarian at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for her help, typed, dated November 21, 1981. o A letter to Dolores Thompson, Assistant Librarian at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking her for her help, typed, dated October 10, 1981. o A letter to Dolores Thompson, Assistant Librarian at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting photocopies of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College, typed, dated November 27, 1981. o A letter to Dolores Thompson, Assistant Librarian at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting photocopies of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College, typed, dated January 14, 1982. o A letter to Dolores Thompson, Archivist at Hendrix College Library in Conway, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting a photocopied list of graduates of Henderson-Brown College who paid to have their credits transferred to Hendrix College, typed, dated January 20, 1983.  Folder 74-7: Book numbers of HSTC and HSC Board Minutes and dates of books.  Folder 74-8: Volume numbers of publications. o Volume numbers of Arkansas Methodist. o Volume numbers of LRMC, MEC,5. o Volume numbers of HSC and HSTC. o Volume numbers of the Star. o Volume numbers of minutes of Little Rock Annual Conference. o Volume numbers of The Oracle.  Folder 74-9: Copy for ads. o Ad in the Reddie Report for Henderson State University: Education 5ince 1890. o Order form for Henderson State University: Education Since 1890.  Folder 74-10: Roma Garrett Meier. o A personal letter to Roma Garrett Meier of Hot Springs, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe, typed, 2 pgs., dated February 4, 1983, with accompanying envelope. o A letter from Roma Garrett Meier of Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Dr. Bledsoe relating her early memories of Henderson, 12 pgs., handwritten on lined notebook paper, dated January 11, 1983.  Folder 74-11 & 12: Research materials accumulated by Dr. Bledsoe re: Captain C. C. Henderson. o A handwritten note stating that Captain C.C. Henderson and his wife attended the funeral of Stella Henderson on April 24, 1902. o A typed note re: the adoption of John Harry Henderson and Margaret Hall Henderson by C. C. Henderson and Laura B. Henderson on March 4, 1895. o An information sheet re: C. C. Henderson and family with entries made by Henry J. Ponsford of El Paso, Texas. o A letter to Evergreen Cemeteries and Mausoleum in El Paso, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting the birth and death dates of Charles Christopher Henderson and Laura Bell Hall Henderson. The dates have been recorded on the original letter. o A letter to Henry J. Ponsford of El Paso, Texas, thanking him for in formation re: C. C. Henderson and including an information sheet, typed, dated May 24, 1981. o A note with Henry J. Ponsford's address. o A completed information sheet re: C. C. Henderson and family completed by Henry J. Ponsford. o A letter to Henry J. Ponsford of El Paso, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information re: C. C. Henderson and family, with attached information sheet, 2 pgs., typed, dated 0511711981. o A letter from Henry J. Ponsford of El Paso, Texas, to Dr. Bledsoe, typed on Trinity-First United Methodist Church letter-head stationery, dated April 11, 1981. o A letter to H. L. McAlester of El Paso, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for his help, typed, dated May 17, 1981. o A letter to Evergreen Cemeteries and Mausoleum in El Paso, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting the death date of Laura Bell Hall Henderson, typed, dated March 28, 1981. o A photocopy of C. C. Henderson's obituary from the El Paso Herald Post, dated June 5, 1923. o A photocopy of a picture of Harry Henderson, Jr. from an El Paso newspaper, dated June 10, 1923. A photocopied section of History of Trinity. o A photocopy of the marriage record of C. C. Henderson and Laura B. Hall, dated October 5, 1880. o A letter to the County Clerk's Office in El Paso, Texas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information re: the Deed Records of C. C. Henderson and Laura B. Henderson, attached is the information sent by Danny Flores of the El Paso County Clerk's office.  Folder 74-13: A photocopy of an article in The Southern Standard re: Capt. C. C. Henderson, dated September 24, 1903.  Folder 74-14: Briney Parmenter. o A letter to the editor of the Clay County Democrat in Rector, Arkansas, requesting information about John Hartwell Hinemon and his wife, Mrs. Carlie P. Hinemon, typed, dated April 22, 1982. A photocopy of Mrs. John Hinemon's obituary taken from the Clay County Democrat in Rector Arkansas, dated June 7, 1973. o A photocopy of a program for a recital given by "Aunt Carlie Hinemon, dated 1929. o A letter from Lillian Randleman of the public library in Rector, Arkansas, to Dr. Bledsoe re: information about John H. Hinemon, handwritten, dated March 19, 1982. o A letter to Briney Parmenter of Rector, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe inquiring if Carlie Peyton Hinemon was buried next to her husband, J. H. Hinemon, typed, dated March 14, 1982. The response is handwritten on the original. o A carbon copy of the above letter. o A letter from Briney Parmenter of Rector, Arkansas, to Dr. Bledsoe re: the grave site of Carlie P. and John H. Hinemon, handwritten, no date. o A letter to Hershel Smith, Superintendent of Schools in Rector, Arkansas, from Dr. Bledsoe requesting information about John H. Hinemon, typed, dated March 15, 1982.  Folder 74-15: Lucretia Henry Richter. o A calendar page for March, 1982, with handwritten notations. o A handwritten note with information re: Mr. and Mrs. John Hinemon. o A handwritten note with Lucretia's address.  Folder 74-16: AIC data. o A letter to Harry Hall, Commissioner of the Arkansas Intercollegiate conference, from Dr. Bledsoe thanking him for the photocopy of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference 1975-76 d/rectory and 1974- 75 Review of Sports typed, dated September 25, 1984.  Folder 74-17: Methodist faculty. o A note stating that Pansy McLaughlin replaced Grace Lamme as art teacher, citing The Oracle, October 3, 1908, handwritten. o A list of faculty, 1890-1929, handwritten. o A photocopy from the Henderson College Catalog of the faculty of Henderson College, 1909-10. o A photocopy from the Henderson College Catalog of the faculty of Henderson College, 1910-11.  Folder 74-18: Jones and Henderson. o Dr. Bledsoe's notes on Jones and Henderson, handwritten. o Dr. Bledsoe's comparison 0f Jones to Henderson, handwritten. o A photocopy of an article in the Arkansas Methodist re: Prof. G.C. Jones and Arkadelphia Methodist College, dated August 6, 1902. o A photocopy of an article in the Arkansas Methodist re: Prof. G. C. Jones and Arkadelphia Methodist College, dated August 20, 1902. o A photocopy of an article in the Arkansas Methodist re: Prof. G. C. Jones and Arkadelphia Methodist College, dated September 3, 1902.  Folder 74-19: 1897: Jones - Pope. o A photocopy of an article in the Southern Standard re: the faculty of Arkadelphia Methodist College,2 copies, dated July 16, 1897. o A photocopy of an article in the Southern Standard re: Cadesman pope, dated June 11, 1897.  Folder 74-20: Lake Lelia. o A notecard with a quote from the Southern Standard re: Lake Lelia, handwritten, dated November 2, 1899. o A photocopy of an article in the Southern Standard re: Lake Lelia, 2 copies, dated November 22, 1960.  Folder 74-21 to 23: Research materials accumulated by Dr. Bledsoe re: George Childs Jones and family.  Folder 74-24: Photocopies of documents signed by G. C. Jones and C, C. Henderson, dating from 1903-1913.  Folder 74-25: Research materials accumulated by Dr. Bledsoe re: G. C. Jones and Arkadelphia Methodist College.  Folder 74.-26: Marriage record of George Childs Jones to Lelia L. Moore dated January 13, 1885.  Folder 74-27: Research materials accumulated by Dr. Bledsoe re: John McLauchlan, J. G. Thweatt, and Margaret Virginia Thweatt.  Folder 74-28: Research materials accumulated by Dr. Bledsoe re: John McLauchlan  Folder 74-29: Oracle nameplates. o A copy of School with a Heart, Henderson State University published by the Henderson State Alumni Association, summer, 1975. o Examples of styles for nameplates for The Oracle, dating from 1909 to the 70's.  Folder 74-30: Several photocopies for an ad designed to raise funds for Henderson-Brown College.  Folder 74-31: Henderson memorabilia. o Musical score for Alma Mater, Henderson autographed by James W. Workman. o Photocopy of play money, 3 copies. o Songs and Yells of Henderson-Brown College. o Henderson Song, as seen printed in The Oracle, November 25, 1910, handwritten, with attached photocopy of it printed in The Oracle. o A newspaper clipping of a photo of the Henderson College Band, uncited, n.d. o A newspaper clipping of an ad for Arkadelphia Methodist College, taken from the 5outhern Standard, dated June 30, 1899.  Folder 74-32: Photos and notes re: the past presidents of Henderson.  Folder 74-33: Dr. Bledsoe's notes re: The cover design of Henderson State University: Education Since 1890.  Folder 74-34: Negatives and photos of people and places mentioned in Henderson State University: Education Since 1890.  Folder 74-35: Responses of Henderson alumni (1935-42)to questionnaires created by Dr. Bledsoe.  Folder 74-36: Responses of Henderson alumni (1942-45) to questionnaires created by Dr. Bledsoe.  Folder 74-37: Responses of Henderson alumni (1947-51) to questionnaires created by Dr. Bledsoe.  Folder 74-38: Responses of Henderson alumni (1962-69) to questionnaires created by Dr. Bledsoe.  Folder 74-39: Responses of Henderson alumni (1975-76) to questionnaires created by Dr. Bledsoe.  Folder 74-40: Dr. Bledsoe's correspondence and notes re: Nellie H. Alfrey.  Folder 74-41: Research materials accumulated by Dr. Bledsoe re: Nellie Hartsfield and the Redjackets.  Folder 74-42: Mailing list of alumni.  Folder 74-43: Completed questionnaires from alumni of the 1920's.  Folder 74-44: Completed questionnaires from the class of 1929.  Folder 74-45: Dr. Bledsoe's notes and correspondence re: George Henry Crowell.  Folder 74-46: "My Will in My Life", an essay written by George Henry Crowell, 18 pgs, typed.  Folder 74-47: Dr. Bledsoe's correspondence with Dr. P. G. Horton re: the history of Henderson.  Folder 74-48: A letter from Rea Scroggin re: special privileges at Henderson College, typed, dated November 3, 1977.  Folder 74-49: Dr. Bledsoe's correspondence with Marvin Warlick re: the history of Henderson College.  Folder 74-50: Faculty of Arkadelphia Methodist College, Henderson College, and Henderson-Brown College from 1890-1929, listed on note cards and including their teaching field.