University of Oklahoma Libraries Western History Collections Robert Utley Collection Utley, Robert M. (b. 1929). Papers, 1945–2008. 42 feet. Historian and author. Correspondence (1945–2008), journals (1973–1984), calendars (1970– 2006) and research files from the life and career of western historian Robert Marshall Utley. The materials document Utley’s lengthy service as an historian and administrator for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service, his extensive research and writing on the American West, and his role in the development of the Western History Association and the Potomac Corral of the Westerners. His publications focused on a variety of western subjects, including George Armstrong Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn; Texas Rangers and law enforcement in the West; Sitting Bull and the Sioux Nation; mountain men and westward expansion; the Indian Wars; and Billy the Kid. Box 1: Journals Folder: 1. 1973: Journal detailing work for the National Park Service and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include NPS reorganization, President Nixon’s government reforms, Vietnam War and Cold War views, Watergate scandal, and Wounded Knee crisis. 1974: Journal detailing work at the National Park Service and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include NPS business and trips in U.S., India, Istanbul, Rome, and Japan; Purdue University honorary degree, Watergate scandal, President Nixon, and Landmark Services (MCA) scandal. 2. 1975: Journal detailing work for the National Park Service and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include General Haig, the Ford administration, Watergate jury decision, national parks in Alaska, SEC 106 guidelines pertaining to Alaska, the Grand Canyon, and Landmark Services (MCA) scandal. 1976: Journal detailing work for the National Park Service and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include NPS reorganization and Utley’s position, the Presidential and congressional elections, the Ford administration, the Carter administration, Utley’s move from NPS to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Utley’s divorce and personal life. Box 2: Journals 1. 1977: Journal detailing work for the NPS and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include the Carter administration, Utley’s departure from the NPS, development of the National Heritage program, and personal life, including his divorce. 2. 1978: Journal detailing work for the National Park Service and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include the Carter administration, the federal government and the economy, the Alaska Land Use bill failure, U.S. foreign relations with China and the Soviet Union, tensions in the Middle East, the internal political composition of NPS, and works in progress. 3. 1979: Journal detailing work for the NPS and life in Washington D.C., travel, and political issues. Subjects include the 1980 presidential elections, the Carter administration, the U.S. Embassy in Iran, the U.S. economy and gas prices, preparing for retirement from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and relocation to Santa Fe with Melody Webb. 4. 1980-1981: Journal detailing work for the NPS and life in Washington D.C., New Mexico, and California. Subjects include Ronald Reagan’s victory in the 1980 presidential election; the Iran-Iraq war and Iran hostage crisis; the economy, inflation, and auto industry layoffs; retirement from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the Alaska Lands bill and the Historic Preservation Act; marriage to Melody Webb and personal life; USSR-Poland crisis. Box 3: Journals Folder: 1. 1982-1984: Journal detailing work and life in New Mexico, travel, and political issues. Subjects include the Reagan administration; the economy and unemployment trends; completed manuscript for “Indian Frontier” and continuing fictional work on Charles Eastman; personal life including death of his father; involved in local volunteer fire department; changes to NPS management; Lincoln County Wars; honorary doctorate from Indiana University; reunion of his Army OCS graduating class. (note: remainder of 1984 journal was composed on computer format and is not present in this collection.) 2. A personal accounting ledger which belonged to Don Utley, Robert Utley’s father, dated 1929-1939. Box 4: General Correspondence Folder: 1. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘A’, 1950-1982. Correspondents include Alexander Adams, Mrs. Ahern, Don E. Alberts, Horace Albright, Stephen Ambrose, Harry Anderson, Roy Appleman, Sam Arnold, Jack August, Hilda Avery, and others. 2. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘A’, 1982-1993. Correspondents include James Abarr, Mollie Yasuda-Abramitis, Don Alberts, Horace Albright, Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich, Craig Allin, Stephen Ambrose, Gary Anderson, Margaret B. Anderson, Aaron and Ethel Armstrong, Jason Armstrong, Rex Arrowsmith, Jack August, and others. 3. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘B’ 1947-1961. Correspondents include Frances Baker, Joseph Balmer, Casey E. Barthelmess, F. Lee Benns, Ray Billington, Ruth Blickenstaff, John P. Bloom, David Blumberg, Jim Bowers, Louis Brechemin III, Willis Briggs, and others. 4. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘B’, 1960-1977. Correspondents include Andy Baldwin, Ray Billington, Nick Blesser, Joe Tice Bloom, John P. Bloom, David Blumberg, Dicie Bower, Sidney B. Brinkerhoff, Thomas Buckley, Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., and others. 5. Correspondence received by year, ‘B-2’, 1977-1981. Correspondents include Warren E. Barnard, Edwin C. Bearss, John Bernard, Ray Billington, Peter Blodgett, John P. Bloom, David Blumberg, Reyman R. Branting, Jack Burrows, and others. 6. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘B-2’ 1982-1988. Correspondents include Edwin C. Bearss, Brian W. Beltman, Senator Charles Bennett, Randy Beutler, Senator Jeff Bingaman, John P. Bloom, David Blumberg, William Boyes, Bill Brown, and others. 7. Correspondence received by year, ‘B-3’ 1988-1990. Correspondents include Allen Barker, Edwin C. Bearss, Bill Bell, Senator Jeff Bingaman, David Blumberg, William Boyes, Raymond L. Breun, Chet Brooks, Leonard R. Bruguier, Michele Butts, and others. Box 5: General Correspondence Folder: 1. Correspondence received by year, ‘B-3’ 1991-1993. Correspondents include Edwin C. Bearss, David Blumberg, and John P. Bloom. 2. Correspondence received by year, ‘C’ 1951-1980. Correspondents include Jack Carroll and Col. Brice Custer; and the Department of the Interior regarding work at the Custer Battlefield. 3. Correspondence received by year, ‘C-2’ 1979-1981. Correspondents include David Clary and Jack Carroll. 4. Correspondence received by year, ‘C-2’ 1983-1987. 5. Correspondence received by year, ‘C-3’ 1987-1988. Correspondents include John M. Carroll, Jack Carroll, and Bill Chalfant regarding book chapters. 6. Correspondence received by year, ‘C-3’ 1989-1990. Correspondents include John Carroll and Bill Chalfant about research and personal news. 7. Correspondence received by year, ‘C-4’ 1990-1993. Correspondents include Bill Chalfant, Jack Carroll, and Ernest Connally. Box 6: General Correspondence Folder: 1. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘D’ 1945-1983. Includes correspondence about the Utley family tree and other subjects. 2. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘D’ 1984-1987. Includes correspondence from Russell Dickenson, Director of the National Parks Service, concerning policy changes and John S. duMont relating to the Custer Battlefield. 3. Correspondence received by year, ‘D’ 1988-1993. 4. Correspondence received by year, ‘E’ 1961-1993. 5. Correspondence received by year, ‘F’ 1948-1987. Includes correspondence from Bert Fireman, Lawrence Frost, and others, plus inquiries about the availability of Custer’s Last Stand. 6. Correspondence received by year, ‘F’ 1987-1993.. 7. Correspondence received by year, ‘G’ 1950-1987. Includes correspondence from Rowland Gill, Congressman Charles A. Halleck concerning appointment at West Point, and Colonel W.A. Harris concerning the Custer Battlefield. 8. Correspondence received by year, ‘G’ 1985-1993. Box 7: General Correspondence Folder: 1. Correspondence received by year, ‘H’ 1987-1988. Correspondents include Eugene Hollon, Paul Hutton, and James Hutchins. 2. Correspondence received by year, ‘H-2’ 1983-1985 . Correspondents include Hardwood P. Hinton, Representative Barbara Boxer, and Mike Harrison of UC-Davis. 3. Correspondence received by year, ‘H-3’ 1985-1993. Correspondents include Paul Hutton, Mike Harrison of UC-Davis, Robert Hart, Jim Hutchins, George Hartzog Jr., and Eugene Hollon. 4. Correspondence received by year, ‘H-4’ 1989-1993. Correspondents include Don Horn concerning the Little Big Horn Associates newsletter, Paul Hutton, Robert Hart, and Eugene Hollon. 5. Correspondence received by year, ‘I-J’ 1949-1993. Including correspondence from Colonel Wilfred Jackson about visits and Custer history. Box 8: General Correspondence Folder: 1. Correspondence received, alphabetical by year, ‘K’ 1951-1991. Includes correspondence from Michael Koury about research and other news. 2. Correspondence received by year, ‘K-2’ 1991-1993. Includes correspondence from Carla Kelly, a grad student writing about Utley, and Dr. Robert Keller about research. 3. Correspondence received by year, ‘L’ 1947-1982. Includes correspondence from Savoie Lottinville of the OU Press about