Source: https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/ricewrc/00002/00002-P.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 16:35:31+00:00

Document:
Abstract: Business papers, correspondence, photographs and memorabilia related to the James Lockhart Autry family of Texas (1875-present) and of North Carolina (1832), Tennessee (1824-1840) and Mississippi (1840-1875) show the life style of a family who moved into Texas and played an important role in developing both the social and economic framework of Houston. Among the business papers are correspondence and legal briefs from the terms Autry served as general counsel to the Texas Company, president of Fidelity Trust Company, and vice-president and general counsel of the American Republics Corporation.
James Lockhart Autry, II was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on November 4, 1859. Educated in Mississippi schools for most of his life, Autry attended the University of the South on a scholarship before moving to Texas in 1876. He moved to Navarro County to undertake management of a ranch given to his grandfather's heirs for his part in the Texas Revolution.
Once established in Texas, Autry began the study of law in the offices of Judge Sam Frost in Corsicana, and was admitted to the bar in 1880 at the age of twenty-one. While still studying law in 1879, Autry served as enrolling clerk for the House of Representatives of the Texas Legislature and he served again in the sessions of 1880 and 1881. Autry began the practice of law in partnership with Richard Channing Beale; he retired from this partnership, however, to serve two terms as County Judge of Navarro County. He then formed a partnership with W. J. McKie which lasted until Autry left Corsicana to become General Attorney for the Texas Company in Beaumont.
The partnership of McKie and Autry served as counsel to J.S. Cullinan, an oil operator who moved into Corsicana with the oil boom of the area during the 1890's. After the dissipation of oil in the Corsicana area and the discovery of oil in the Spindletop - Beaumont area, Cullinan moved to the coastal town to form the Texas Fuel Company. For several years McKie and Autry continued to serve Cullinan, taking turns on leaving Coriscana to spend one or two weeks at a time in Beaumont. Finally in 1904 the partnership of McKie and Autry was dissolved with McKie staying in Corsicana and Autry moving to Beaumont as general counsel of the Texas Fuel Company.
A reorganization and expansion of the Texas Fuel Company in 1905 resulted in the incorporation of the Texas Company in which Autry was elected a director and became general attorney. The corporate headquarters were moved to Houston in 1908 when Spindletop began to decline and other fields down the Gulf Coast like Humble and Goose Creek began to produce. Autry again moved with the company. He remained with the Texas Company until November of 1913 when a dispute over management of the company became a major issue in a stockholders' meeting and a proxy struggle ensued. Cullinan with the open support of Autry and Will C. Hogg lost the battle and resigned as president and director. Autry and Hogg both resigned at this time.
Autry, Cullinan and Hogg then combined their capital and talents to form the Fidelity Trust Company, Farmers Petroleum Company, American Petroleum Company and Republic Production Company. Autry served as president of Farmers Petroleum Company, president of Fidelity Trust Company and vice-president and general counsel of the last two under the combined name of American Republics Company. In 1915 Autry suffered a stroke and he spent the last five years of his life a semi-invalid seeking rehabilitation and use of his right side. He died on September 29, 1920. He was survived by his wife, the former Allie Kinsloe, whom he married in 1896, a son James Lockhart Autry III, and a daughter Allie May Autry.
Allie Belle Kinsloe Autry was born in Corsicana, Texas in 1873. She married James Lockhart Autry II in 1896. Throughout her life she was active in philanthropic causes in Corsicana and Houston. In 1921 she donated money for the construction of a community house at Rice Institute. A memorial to her husband, Autry House served as social meeting place for students, faculty, and campus organizations at Rice Institute. She also donated $50,000 towards the establishment of a hospital school for children with tuberculosis, Autry Memorial Hospital School, as a memorial to her son, James Lockhart Autry III. She died in 1935.
James Lockhart Autry, III was born in Corsicana, Texas 1899. The only son of James Lockhart Autry II, he graduated from Rice Institute in 1921. After graduation he was the vice-president of the American Supply Company. He died after complications from appendicitis at the age of 23.
Allie May Autry Kelley was the second child of James L. Autry II and Allie Kinsloe Autry. She was born 1903 in Corsicana, Texas. She graduated from Rice Institute in 1925, the first woman in her family to attend college. As a student at Rice she was extremely popular, elected class vice president 1921-22 and 1924-25, queen of May Fete 1925 and was a lifelong supporter of her alma mater. She helped establish Autry Court, the Allie Kelley Dittmar lounge in the student center, and generously supported the Friends of the Fondren Library. She married Edward Watson Kelley in 1935 and had two children, Edward "Mike" Watson Kelley, Jr and Allie Autry Kelley Dittmar. She died in 1998 at the age of 94.
The collection contains business papers, correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia of the James Lockhart Autry family. Among the business papers are correspondence and legal briefs from the terms Autry served as general counsel to the Texas Company, president of Fidelity Trust Company, and vice-president and general counsel of the American Republics Corporation.
Family papers include correspondence from Autry's grandfather Micajah Autry (1792-1836) to his wife describing his travels to Texas. Micajah Autry came to Texas to fight in the revolution and died at the Alamo. Autry's father, James Lockhart Autry, served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Mississippi and practiced law in partnership with Lucius Cincinnatus Lamar. A number of papers deal with this aspect of his career as well as his service in the Confederate Army in which he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was killed at the Battle of Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862. Also included are correspondence from Autry's mother, Jeanie Valliant Autry Brown to her immediate family.
The bulk of the collection pertains to James Lockhart Autry II's business papers, legal papers, numbered files, personal papers, memorabilia, and papers dealing with administration of his estate.
This material is open for research. Researchers may only use photocopies of Micajah Autry letters.
Boxes 1-87 Stored off-site at Iron Mountain and requires 48-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.
Boxes 88-100 stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586. Allow 24 hours retrieval time.
Permission to publish from The James Lockhart Autry family papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Rice University.
See also Rice University architectural drawings, oversize manuscript material, maps and photographs, UA 226.
The papers were a gift of Mrs. Edward W. Kelley and her daughter Allie Autry Kelley Dittmar. Date Received: Summer 1959. An addendum to the collection was received from Mrs. Edward W. Kelley and her granddaughter Kelley Dittmar in 1989 and 1992.
Researchers may only use photocopies of Micajah Autry letters.
19 Photograph of Dewitt Clinton Smith, n.d.
29 "Sketch of my Life," by Mary Autry Greer n.d.
30 "Siege of the Alamo," and other sketches by Mary Autry Greer n.d.
32 Photograph of Mary Autry Greer n.d.
89 Alexander F. Martin to James L. Autry n.d.
90 Miscellaneous Social Notes to James L. Autry n.d.
James Lockhart Autry served as a representative to the Mississippi Legislature from Marshall County from 1854-1859. He was also elected Speaker of the House 1857-1859.
102 Newspaper clipping mentioning James L. Autry n.d.
James Lockhart Autry served as lieutenant colonel of B/F-S, 9th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry. After reorganization in spring 1862, Autry became lieutenant colonel of the 27th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry. He was killed during the Battle of Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862. His promotion to general, signed by President Jefferson Davis, was on its way to Autry at the time of his death.
Source: The hour of our nation's agony: the Civil War letters of Lt. William Cowper Nelson of Mississippi. Edited by Jennifer W. Ford, 2007.
2 13 Bill of William F. Henderson against the Estate of Micajah Autry n.d.
14 Professional Card of James L. Autry n.d.
Locket with photograph of James L. Autry inside and strands of hair.
33 Correspondence - Mr. Jo Caruthers to Mrs. J.V. Autry ALS 1870 Feb.
46 Jeanie V. Brown calling card n.d.
47 Miscellaneous Poems typed by James L. Autry for his Mother n.d.
2 Photographs - Captain Isaac Newton Brown n.d.
4 Isaac Newton Brown Autobiography - typescript (photocopies from Briscoe Center for American History collection) n.d.
9 Family Correspondence - Received by Jeanie V. Brown after Death of Eloise B. Landon 1912 Jan.-Mar.
10 Photographs - Eloise Brown Landon's grave n.d.
Not all of James L. Autry's business files are represented in the numbered files. Autry wrote a memorandum describing the function, order and safekeeping of his files. From "Memorandum concerning Jas. L. Autry's files" (September 7, 1916): "All of my files are regarded as personal...the plan of filing is numerical...each file takes a title of subject-matter." Although the various represented companies retained most of the correspondence that dealt strictly with the day to day business, there is still a great deal of important business correspondence and personal material in the files, especially that dealing with his Navarro County Ranch, since he apparently preferred that his secretary keep up such files. The files are arranged numerically indicated by number in brackets after file name (e.g., Hughes Rice Farm  1904).
Numbered files pertaining to Autry's work for the Texas Company have been removed and organized numerically in the sub-series Business Papers. Also removed are files containing correspondence and records regarding the building of the Autry residence on Courtlandt Place. These have been organized within the sub-series: Personal. Numbered files relating to Autry's legal career have been removed and organized in sub-series: Legal.
33 "Texas Abstract & Land Company, Incorporated" seal n.d.
4 Wireless-James L. Autry, Jr.  n.d.
Numbered files pertaining to Autry's legal career beginning in 1881 under the apprenticeship of Beale up to and including his partnership with W.J. McKie.
10 Beale Estate Tripoli Mines  1868-1893 Feb.
3-4 Surrogates' Court New York County. In the matter of the transfer tax upon the estate of John W. Gates deceased (2 folders) n.d.
This sub-series contains numbered files pertaining to The Texas Company and correspondence regarding Autry's other business interests. Autry's files on American Republics Corporation, Fidelity Trust Company, Mexico Fuel Company, and Texas Land & Abstract Company can be found in the Numbered Files series. An example of the business files of importance is the correspondence between McKie and Autry while they were still partners and representing the Texas Fuel Company. Also there are files related to Autry's resignation from the Texas Company with personal letters from friends commenting on his actions. Correspondence with Autry's other business partners: J.S. Cullinan and Will C. Hogg is also included.
10 Texas Court of Civil Appeals - Brief, Texas Co. v. D.W. Strange n.d.
11 District Court Abstract, Acadia Parish, La. "Houssiere - Latreille" Cases n.d.
12 Supreme Court of Louisiana, Jennings-Heywood Oil Syndicate v. HoussiereLatreille Oil Co., et. al., vol. I, II n.d.
13 Supreme Court of Louisiana, Reply to Brief - Houissiere-Latreille Oil Co. v. Jennings Heywood Oil Syndicate n.d.
14 Supreme Court of Louisiana, Brief - Caddo Oil and Mining Company v. Producers Oil Company n.d.
15 Texas Court of Civil Appeals, Brief - Lena Bender, et. al. v. R.E. Brooks et. al. n.d.
16 Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Brief - State of Oklahoma and Jim Crow Oil Company v. Larry Nolegs et. al. n.d.
17 General Corporation Laws of the State of Delaware n.d.
This sub-series contains correspondence between family members and friends; numbered files referring to Autry's personal residences (Corsicana, Beaumont, and Courtlandt Place in Houston); family genealogy; photographs, clippings, memorabilia, and Autry family histories.
31 James L. Autry, Jr. to Jeanie V. Brown n.d.
31 C. Cotton to J.L. Autry n.d.
8 Miscellaneous Autry notes n.d.
7 Memorabilia - programs n.d.
7 Friends of Autry, n.d.
6 Printed Material - Poem; Author unknown n.d.
7 Printed Material - book belonging to James L. Autry while at St. Thomas Hall including Latin exercises and newspaper clippings on the Know Nothing Party n.d.
The materials in this sub-series deal with the administration of James L. Autry's estate: correspondence, financial statements, trust indentures, and personal bequests. Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.
9 Autry Estate - Garden Furniture Pamphlets n.d.
Removed from the collection are programs from the annual meeting of the United Daughters of the Confederacy from years 1897, 1899-1902, 1904, and 1908. These have been catalogued separately.
This sub-series contains correspondence, personal financial statements, photographs, and memorabilia related to Allie Kinsloe Autry. Also included are materials related to her mother, Katherine S. Kinsloe and other Kinsloe family members.
Removed from the collection is the program from the Salvation Army convention in 1922. This has been catalogued separately.
53 1 Correspondence - Personal n.d.
8 Party Plans given by Allie & James L. Autry n.d.
6 Photographs: Dr. Kinsloe n.d.
8 Photographs: Ralph Kinsloe n.d.
10 Photographs: Kinsloe Family n.d.
6 "Allie May and Jane's Chariter Book" n.d.
10 Correspondence - to Allie Autry Kelley 1932-1995, n.d.
61 1 Correspondence - to Allie Autry Kelley 1932-1995, n.d.
6 Various Correspondence - Cards n.d.
5 Floorplan for the "Kelley Lounge" [Rice University] n.d.
14 Memorabilia - Ration Books [World War Two] n.d.
5 Photographs - U.S.S. Brush D.D. 745 n.d.
9 Photographs - vacations 1927, 1953, n.d.
10 Printed Material - "Songs of the Confederacy and Plantation melodies"
11 Printed Material - "Why Kinkaid School needs a gymnasium"
4 Scrapbook - [pages] Wedding Guests, Christmas cards n.d.
Col. Edward Watson Kelley was born June 12, 1896, in Newport, Rhode Island. He was a veteran of World War I and World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart in World War I and remained in the army until 1936 when he retired with the rank of Major. He re-entered the army in 1941 and retired from service in 1944. He married Allie May Autry in 1930. He purchased the Kelley Manufacturing Co., a steel manufacturing plant in 1936. He was active in civic, church and business affairs in Houston. He died May 1, 1946.
15 Photographs - military n.d.
4 Photographs - Mike Kelley, Baby 1932-35, n.d.
5 Photographs - Mike Kelley n.d.
6 Photographs - Mike Kelley + Friends 1931-57, n.d.
4 Photographs - Dittmar and Kelley family 1962, 1975, n.d.
4 Photographs - Allie Kelley Dittmar, n.d.
7 Printed Materials - "Shadyside Amature" n.d.
5 Texas Corinthian Yacht Club Scrapbook pages n.d.
6 Allie Autry Kelley baby portrait n.d.
4 Photograph - Group with train, Corsicana n.d.
7 Photographs - Ralph Kinsloe n.d.
12 Photographs - Allie Kelley Dittmar n.d.
3 Matthews Garden Craft Catalog n.d.
5 Inventory of Furnishings, No. 5 Courtlandt Place n.d.
94 Judge James L. Autry, Jr.

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