Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center  ·  University of Nevada, Reno

Search | Site Map | HELP

A Guide to the Records and Notes of
Edna B. Patterson
Collection No. 95-87

Edna B. Patterson

Edna Burke Patterson was born in Kansas on May 18, 1907. She attended two years of the Colorado Teachers College in Greely, Colorado, and decided to test the profession before finishing her formal education. She was hired as a teacher in Lamoille, Nevada, in about 1927. At the end of the first year she married the clerk of the school board, John Malcolm Patterson and within a few years they were living on the Patterson family ranch at Lamoille.

During the years that her oldest son attended high school, Edna and her children lived in Elko on weekdays, where she began to gather notes about life in historic Elko and to interview long-time residents. She started writing for the local newspaper and eventually published several books on the history of northeast Nevada, including Who Named It, Nevada's Northeast Frontier, Sagebrush Doctors, This Land Was Ours, Halleck Country, and Indian Paint Brush. She authored many articles for magazine and historical journals.

Mrs. Patterson was a member of the State Central Republican Committee; and the Nevada State Board of Education, on which she served as the first woman president. She was a founder of the Northeastern Nevada Historical Society, was instrumental in the establishment of the Northeastern Nevada Museum, and served on the Museum's board of directors. She was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Distinguished Nevadan Award from the University of Nevada in 1984.

In 1992 Mrs. Patterson finished her unpublished autobiography, entitled "Home Means Nevada: The Autobiography of Edna B. Patterson and the History of the Patterson Family and Their Life in Nevada." A copy is in the manuscript collections of the Special Collections Department (collection number 94-09).

 

Scope and Content

This collection of research materials pertains largely to northeastern Nevada, its early settlement, the people who pioneered there, and the topics of ranching, forestry, and medical care in that area of Nevada. It consists of one cubic feet of material, dating from about 1915-1991. Mrs. Patterson has placed no restrictions on use of these materials: they may be copied and portions published, as long as proper credit is given to the author and collection donor.

A variety of sources were used to gather together this body of research: research into newspapers and public records, interviews with "old-timers," family histories, and historical notes and papers written by others.

The collection consists of photocopies of originals which Mrs. Patterson plans to donate to the Northeastern Nevada Museum. It has been arranged as it was received from Mrs. Patterson; duplicate materials were removed. Original titles have been retained; where no title existed, one has been supplied.

Processed by: Susan Searcy
Date: November 14, 1995

 

Research Papers and Interviews

  1. "Eureka to Elko, Nevada via the Oiled Road with Charles B. Evans," 1956.
  2. "Big Entertainment Born at Elko in 1941," Nevada State Journal, 1968.
  3. Earl Wright reminiscences about freighting, 1960.
  4. "Ruby Lake Refuge, Ruby Valley, Nevada," by Edna B. Patterson, 1960; with cover letter (March 20, 1960).
  5. Sarah Winnemucca lectures presented by Edna B. Patterson at Northern Nevada Community College (n.d.):
    1. Princess Sarah Winnemucca of the Northern Piute Tribe of Indians.
    2. Princess Sarah Winnemucca of the Piute Tribe of Indians.
    3. Photocopies of three photographs:
      1. Chief Winnemucca
      2. Princess Sarah Winnemucca
      3. Numana
  6. "Cattle and Ranch History, Upper Humbolt River" compiled by George Banks, Nov. 15, 1959.
  7. "Prunty Ranches in Charleston Valley" by Linda Brummel, n.d.
  8. "Notes on Montello, Nevada," by Bert Robinson, recorded by Edna B. Patterson, 1963; "Derivation of the Name Montello" by Mrs. Westover, recorded by Edna Patterson, 1963.
  9. "Mary Hall, the Western Shoshone Basket Maker, and Her Daughters" by Edna B. Patterson, [1985].
  10. "The History of the J.D. Ranch" by Fern Johnson Barnes, n.d.
  11. "Matilda Jane Keith Englert" by Edna Patterson, 1964.
  12. "Historical View of Prominent Nevada Women with Emphasis on the Rural Areas" by Edna B. Patterson.
  13. "Women of Northeast Nevada" by Edna Patterson, n.d.
  14. "Early Day Elko Medical Profession, Information on Dr. J.J. Meiggs" by Paul Keyser (1958) & Dr. A.J. Hood (1956).
  15. Notes taken at Northeastern Nevada Historical Society Meeting held in Mountain City, Nevada, Sept. 14, 1958 by Edna B. Patterson.
  16. Interview with Dr. and Mrs. Harry Gallagher, July 20, 1971, recorded by Edna B. Patterson; "Life of a Pioneer Women in Nevada: Margaret Taylor Wines", by Florence Wines Sharp, 1956.
  17. Notes taken at Jarbidge, Nevada on the Occasion of the Visit of the Northeastern Nevada Historical Society to the Town, July 21, 1959, recorded by Edna B. Patterson; Notes taken from Hugh Martin in May, 1958: Mountain City and Gold Creek Area by Edna B. Patterson.
  18. Paper on the Gold Creek Area of Northern Elko County by August Rohwer in 1940; "Tales of the Prohibition Era," Free Press Extra, May 31, 1994; "Duck Valley Tribal Leader Benson Gibson Dies at 58," Free Press Extra, June 14, 1994.
  19. "The Family of Margaret Hesson Pearce; One of Elko's Gracious Ladies" by Edna B. Patterson, [1986]; "Cherry Creek, White Pine County, Nevada," by Darwin Lambert. Ely Record, March 17, 1950.
  20. "Life of George Beyers Ogilvie, Pioneer Elko County Rancher" by George Francis Ogilvie, n.d.; "A Pioneer Couple: Mr. and Mrs. Pete J. Ogilvie" by George B. Russell, n.d.; "George Nelson Reminiscence" recorded by Edna B. Patterson, 1963.
  21. Chris Sheerin autobiographies (2). 1985; "A Distinguished Couple: Chris and Evelyn Sheerin," n.d.; Letters written by Marguerite Patterson McQueston Evans to Edna Patterson about life as a rural teacher. 1934-1935.
  22. Speech Delivered At Teachers Institute, October 16, 1957 by Edna Patterson; "First Business Houses of Elko" by Mrs. W.K. Westfall, n.d.; "History of Early Jarbidge" by P.W. Davidson, recorded by Edna B. Patterson, 1957.
  23. Mattie Dakin Griswold Notes by Edna B. Patterson, 1945; "Reminiscences of Early Elko," by George Banks. Notes taken on July 12, 1955 by Edna B. Patterson
  24. Melvin Edward Lundberg Biography, [1981]; Charles B. Evans Notes on the Owyhee Desert Rodeo, 1968.
  25. "[Western Shoshone in] South Fork Valley" by Knox Crane, 1924; Victor Burner Reminiscences of Early Elko and Elko County, Nevada, recorded July 12, 1955 by Edna Patterson; Notes taken from Charles A. Sewell on Sept. 11, 1967 by Edna Patterson.
  26. Letter to Carrie Smiraldo from William Cotant about Halleck, Nevada, 1937; Letter on Tuscarora by Bob Cattin, 1924; "Social Life in the Good Old Days" by unknown author. n.d.
  27. "White Pine County, Nevada, Livestock Information, 1900-1942" by George C. Larson, Forest Ranger, 1941; White Pine County, Nevada, Information by Foyer Olsen, Forest Ranger, 1941.
  28. "Lamoille, Elko County, Nevada" by Edna Patterson, 1984; "Early Lamoille Valley" by Edna B. Patterson, 1984; "Lamoille Valley" presentation given at Historical Society by Edna Patterson. 1965.
  29. "Joe F. Tripplett" by Edna Patterson, n.d.; "The Family of E.C. Murphy, Jr." by Edna Patterson, n.d.; Letter to Edna Patterson from Victor Goodwin, 1966; "Nona Trembath Notes" by Edna Patterson, Sept. 1965.
  30. "Thumbnail Sketch of Joan Reinhart," n.d.; Biographical sketch of Mel and Riva Lundberg. Incomplete, n.d.; "August Rowher Diary Notes," n.d.; "I Know Something about Charley Mayer" by George B. Russell, n.d.
  31. "Potts' Hanging" notes from Patterson files, n.d.; "Hunter Family of Elko, Nevada," Edna Patterson interview, 1952; "A Kingdom in the Hills or the Story of the Garat Ranch of Elko County, Nevada - One of Nevada's Great Ranches" by Edna B. Patterson, 1991.
  32. "Interview with Isabel Short Griswold (Mrs. Isaac Griswold) of Carson City, Nevada about Ruby Valley," Feb. 15, 1967; Letter about early history of Jarbidge to Miss Donna Dove of Elko, Nevada, from J.H. Winter; "Columbia" by George Nelson; Nevada Boies Strode's paper on the Agee Family and on the O'Neils of Elko County, 1959.
  33. "Range and Cattle Information" by August Rohwer, Forest Ranger, 1935; Eureka County, Diamond Valley notes by Ed DeLaney, 1964; "The Diamond Country of Eureka County, Nevada," by Pearl Turner, 1959.
  34. Fern Barnes Notes on Diamond Valley on June 7, 1964; "Elko County, '71 Ranch Notes" by Hannah Smiley with 2 newspaper clippings, 1964; Notes taken from Lou and Mattie Englert in Oct. 1957 on Dan Murphy, Dianna Murphy Hill, Morgan Hill and Captain Worth.
  35. Tait Fairchild Notes by Edna Patterson in 1960; Newspaper clippings: "Slaying in Palm Springs Back in the Spotlight" and "Barbara Hutton $1 Million Fund," 1981; Fred Foreman notes, Dec. 27, 1907; "Thirty-Mile Charlie (Indian) & Old Town of Toano, Nevada," with Bert Robinson by Edna Patterson, Jan. 21, 1963.
  36. "Notes of Carlin, Nevada," by Lulu Bowman, 1963; Lou Englert notes on Missouri Flat, Oct. 1957; Notes of Mrs. Gertrude Bowers about Lamoille. Jan. 28, 1945; Notes on Pleasant Valley, Elko County, Nevada from Howard Brennen, 1960; Interview with Thomas Brennan, 1924.
  37. Marguerite Evans eulogy. n.d.; Earl Wright Notes taken July 29, 1958 about Ruby Valley (2 sets); "Duillo Piccollo" by Edna B. Patterson, n.d.
  38. "Early Elko" by unknown author. n.d.; Ed Price notes; "Hamilton, Nevada" Forest Service Radio Broadcast, 1938.
  39. "Ruby Valley" by Edna B. Patterson; "My Life" by Edna B. Patterson; Elko Free Press article on Edna Patterson, and resume of Edna B. Patterson, n.d.
  40. "Reminiscences of Eva Byrnes Rizzi Smith on Early Days in Tuscarora, Nevada," 1945-1947; Newspaper Clipping on Dr. William O'Brien and Letter to Dr. O'Brien from Edna Patterson, 1989; "Cattle History of Elko County & Northeast Nevada," given as a lecture at a Nevada Historical Society meeting by Edna Patterson, 1987.
  41. "Notes taken in Tuscarora at the Meeting of the Northeastern Nevada Historical Society in 1957."; "The Story of My Grandfather (Valentine Walther)" by Dora Walther. n.d.; "G.S. Garcia" by Edna B. Patterson, n.d.; "Cowboy Garb-The Garcia Rodeo" by Edna Patterson, n.d.
  42. "Japanese Interment Camps during WWII" (recollections of Charles A. Harper) by Edna B. Patterson and newspaper clipping on death of C.A. Harper; "The Family of Ruthe Gedney Gallagher," n.d.; Grayson Hinckley materials, n.d.
  43. Notes taken from Hugh Martin in May, 1958 and recorded by Edna Patterson; "Lamoille Valley, Elko County, Nevada," by Edna Patterson; Original interview with Isabel Short Griswold related To Edna Patterson about Ruby Valley.
  44. "Sadia Davidson dies in Winnemucca at 99" from Elko Free Press, and "History of Early Jarbidge" by P.W. Davidson; "The Dunphy Estate" by Joe Schlager; "Good Fighters I Have Known: Ceasare Alexander," by George B. Russell, n.d.
  45. "The Johnstons of Starr Valley, Nevada," n.d.; "Peggy Read information."; "Script Land Notes" by Charles Sewell, 1967.
  46. "Notations made from a Letter by J.I. Wines, Son of Norman Wines about Fort Ruby and the Pony Express," 1957; "Chief Frank Temoke Tells History of Shoshone Tribe in Ruby Valley." newspaper clipping from the Free Press Extra, May 18,1993; "Interview with Chief Frank Temoke in Ruby Valley, recorded by Edna Patterson. 1967; "United States Indian Agent Garland Hunt of Salt Lake City Reports to Brigham Young," Sept. 15, 1856.
  47. Edna Patterson Notes on Indians in Nevada, n.d.; "Indian Stories and Lore as told by Mrs. Sylvia Dick in 1956."; "Tanning Buckskin" by Sylvia Dick, recorded by Edna Patterson; Notes taken from Tillie and Dick Richards, Aug. 25,1967.
  48. "Maggie Mose" by Edna Patterson, 1989; "Ruby Valley Indians" by Florence Sharp, 1959; "Indian Legends--How the Indians Trapped Deer," 1924.
  49. "Piute [sic] Indian Legends of Southern Nevada; Shoshone Indian Customs of Ruby Valley" by Lewis Sharp, 1959; Letter from Earl F. Wright to Edna Patterson about Shoshone Indians in Ruby Valley, Aug. 14, 1958; "Elko Indian Colony" by Edna Patterson, 1978.
  50. Sheet of notes on Ruby Valley Temokes in 1860s; Letter to Elmer R. Rusco in 1970 from Edna Patterson about blacks in the Elko Area; Eva Escamilla interview about Shoshone Indians and their customs, recorded by Edna Patterson, 1965.
  51. "Goisute Indian Reservation Notes" by Edna Patterson, 1965.51. "Early Elko County Medical Profession" by Edna Patterson; "Dr. Hager," by Edna Patterson.
  52. Biographical sketch of Dr. John M. Read; "Dr. Leslie Arthur Moren," by Edna Patterson; Notes on medical history of Elko.
  53. "History of Elko County" by Edna Patterson; Extracts from August Rowher Diary; Notes on Frank Baker, Forest Guard, 1935.
  54. "Roger Bruffey" by Edna Patterson, 1958; "Jack Creek History" by R. N. Woodward, 1924; Ike Griswold genealogy. n.d.
  55. Eureka, Nevada, notes of Eugene Johnson, 1967; "Humboldt National Forest and Cattle Numbers" by Sid Tremewan, 1915; "Ruby and Clover Valley Information" by L.E. McKenzie, Forest Ranger, 1942.
  56. "Nevada Range History and Nevada National Forest," Oct. 22, 1935; "Ruby Valley" by Florence and Lewis Sharp, 1957; Letter to Mrs. Patterson by Jon B. Coppa re Indian health care, Jan. 10, 1971.
  57. Review-Miner articles of June 5, 1941 about death of John G. Taylor in Winnemucca; "Remarks of Orville S. Smiley about the History of Starr Valley at the Northeastern Nevada Historical Society's Field Day," 1959; "The Cattle Drives of Lewis Sharp" by Edna Patterson, 1957.
  58. Clarence Lucy Notes recorded by Edna Patterson, 1960; "Notes on Carlin, Nevada," by Lulu Bowman, 1963; "My Life in the Twin Bridges, Elko County, Nevada C.C.C. Camp" by Louis Kamps, 1983.
  59. Notes from Laura Gloser's Diary; "Pony Express Station Still Stands" by Edna Patterson; Notes on Humboldt Wells. n.d.
  60. "Tenabo, Nevada" by Edna Patterson, 1958; "Nevada Reminiscence from Nevada Service News," Feb. 15, 1954; "History of Fox Springs Ranch" by Cathy Oldham, 1965.
  61. Mike Papas Interview on Jan. 9, 1973; [History of Cattle and Cattlemen in Elko County] by Edna Patterson, 1980; Information on Dr. Frank N. Drake, n.d.

University of Nevada, Reno · Copyright Notice · Privacy · Accessibility · Tech Support · xhtml · css ·