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Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Jane Campbell Dawson, Diary and Other Material, A&M 3587, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Scope and Contents

Diary kept by Jane Campbell Dawson (died March 30, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri), sister of Archibald W. Campbell (1833-1899), a leader of the West Virgina statehood movement, editor and part owner of the Wheeling 'Daily Intelligencer', and prominent Republican. Most noteworthy in terms of West Virginia history is her "In Memoriam" statement regarding her brother found in the back of her diary. This statement regards his character and conveys her sentiment; he died in her Missouri home. Jane Dawson was an aunt to Jessie Campbell-Nave, daughter of Archibald W. Campbell.

The diary also contains references to other family members, and religious activities and feelings. There are two brief entries regarding author Rebecca Harding Davis, one regarding a letter sent to her, and the other a brief obituary newspaper clipping with an inscription by Dawson claiming friendship.

The larger part of her diary regards time spent in San Francisco from May, 1909 to June, 1910. Although San Francisco had 'recently' suffered from the earthquake of 1906, there is no apparent evidence in her diary regarding the status of recovery efforts. There is documentation of people she knew and places she visited in California, but no detailed record of observations. She liked California and stayed on several months longer than she originally intended.

The diary also documents a trip her family took in July, 1910 to Huronia Beach, Port Huron, Michigan to escape the heat of St. Louis; it does not include a record of events after arrival.

Topics documented by the diary include:

People:

Archibald W. Campbell, her brother (2/14/1910, 4/4-5/1910, 'In Memoriam' in back of diary).

Theodore Campbell, concerns for her son (1/15/1909, 9/18-19/1910).

Mr. Dawson, concerning her long deceased husband (7/23/1909).

Thomas Campbell, her recently deceased brother (5/16/1915).

Rebecca Harding Davis, author and friend (1/7/1910; news clipping regarding death, 9/29/1910).

Mary, her recently deceased friend (11/19/1913).

Health:

Circumcision of baby (4/28/1910).

Vaccination of baby (4/28/1911).

Vaccination against small pox (1/4/1910).

Culture:

German songs performed at the piano (1/11/1910).

Stage drama 'The Music Master' by Klein (1/11/1910).

Italian band in park in Oakland, California (4/28/1910).

Travel:

Trip from St. Louis, Missouri to San Francisco, California, including references to scenery (from 5/11/1909).

Trip from San Francisco, California to Chicago, Illinois on the ""Overland Limited"" railroad, including references to salt breezes in the vicinity of the Salt Lakes, snow in the mountains, and the good quality of service (from 6-1-1910).

Trip from Chicago, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri on the Chicago and Alton Railroad (6-5-1910).

Trip from St. Louis, Missouri to Detroit, Michigan by train (7-1-1910).

Trip from Detroit, Michigan to Point Huron, Michigan and Huronia Beach by trolley (7-2-1910).

Miscellaneous:

Celebrating the Fourth of July, including fireworks, cake, and ice cream (7-5-1910).

Viewing Halley's Comet (5-27-1910).

This collection also includes a manuscript memo book from the 1880s by Reverend W. Dawson of Burlington, Vermont. He was probably her father-in-law. It includes lists of Sunday school students, names with addresses, Latin inscriptions, and financial records.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Campbell, Archibald W., 1833-1899.
• Dawson, Jane Campbell.
• San Francisco (Calif.)