Please contact the contributing institution: Indiana University Archives or Indiana University Digital Library Program
Dominated by the writings of John William Cravens, the Cravens family papers also include the writings of his second wife, Mellie Parker Greene, and his daughter by his first marriage, Ruth Ralston Cravens. This collection spans 1891-1972 and includes correspondence and draft articles relating to John Cravens’ research, personal correspondence by Mellie and Ruth Ralston Cravens, as well as a limited number of memorabilia relating to Mellie Cravens’ life.
Spanning from 1900-1922, the first series of John W. Cravens consists of correspondence, writings, and research. The first sub-series, General correspondence, includes a letter from Benjamin F. Kimberly written in 1901 from the Indiana State Prison, and a solicitation to vote by Cravens in 1901. The "History of Indiana University" sub-series contains materials accumulated during Cravens’ research from 1921-22 on the development of the IU campus. Cravens’ research includes correspondence with former IU students asking for their recollections of university buildings to aid his work in "preparing an article for the Alumni Quarterly on the buildings which were located in the old college campus." These letters are arranged alphabetically by author in 21 folders. Many of the letters received include detailed recollections of the campus geography at the turn of the century. This sub-series also includes Cravens’ research notes. The third sub-series, identified by the name of Cravens’ article "Educational Publicity," spans 1920-1922 and is comprised of some correspondence as well as two copies of the published article in the 1922 Indiana University Bulletin and a draft of a speech. Cravens sent copies of the Bulletin to universities throughout the Midwest, and the correspondence here are letters of appreciation for the article. The final sub-series, Other writings and research, spans c.1911-1934. It includes Cravens’ research notes and drafts on the history of the Indiana University Board of Trustees, as well as several unidentified articles, reports, and speeches. Items in this sub-series include an 1835 legal agreement between Andrew Wylie and George L. Troop and a man identified as McDonald; draft articles about IU president William Lowe Bryan and IU history; as well as topics of mutual concern to university and local officials.
Mellie Cravens’ active life is also represented in this collection, and is the second series, spanning 1891-1962. Correspondence from both William and Charlotte Bryan are included here, as well as letters from Mary Dingle Craig, John Cravens, and her step-daughter Ruth Ralston Cravens. Between May and July of 1938 Mellie and Herman B Wells corresponded about a position for Mellie at the Riley Hospital. Biographical materials include a 1902-03 Hendrick High School event program, an undated Danville High School Commencement program, a report from the Riley Hospital Hostess Desk, minutes and news clippings about the Indiana University Faculty Women’s Club, as well as an Indiana University Certificate of Appreciation from 1956. There are three untitled and undated speeches in addition to a copy of Mellie’s speech "Indiana Circuit Rider."
The final series for Ruth Ralston Cravens is comprised of two letters. The earliest, from 1968, is a letter from C.E. Harrell expressing condolences on behalf of the Indiana University Board of Trustees over the passing of Mellie Cravens.
