Rolla Clymer Collection
KSHS Collection no. 9
Introduction:
Rolla Anderson Clymer, son of Presbyterian minister George H. and Ella
Light Clymer, is most closely associated with Kansas journalism and
the geographic region of Kansas known as the Flint Hills. His papers
consist of 51 boxes covering the period of 1909 to 1977. These papers
were donated by Clymer and members of the family in several increments
and are open to the public.
Biographical Sketch:
Rolla Clymer was born at Alton, Osborne County, Kansas, on July 23,
1888. His earliest days were spent in various Kansas and midwestern
towns where his father held pastorates. Much of his adolescence was
passed in Quenemo, Franklin County, Kansas, where he graduated from
high school in 1905. Clymer then attended the College of Emporia in
Emporia, Kansas, and graduated with his A. B. degree in 1909. Later
he completed some post-graduate work at the University of Kansas in
Lawrence, Kansas, and was an alumnus of the William Allen White School
of Journalism. Clymer’s earliest newspaper training began as a
college student in 1907, under the expert tutelage of William Allen
White. First as a part-time reporter, and later as city editor, Clymer
worked on White’s Emporia Gazette from 1907 until 1914. As one
of White’s “boys”, the two men remained lifelong friends.
From 1914 to 1918 Clymer was editor and manager of the Olathe, Kansas,
Register. In 1915 he married Elizabeth Hoisington of Newton, Kansas.
The Clymer’s had two children, David Hoisington Clymer who followed
his father as a Kansas newspaperman, and Catherine Clymer who worked
in a California media advertising agency. In 1918 Rolla Clymer moved
his young family to El Dorado, Kansas, where he became editor and manager
of the El Dorado Republican. Except for a six month hiatus in 1937 as
editor and manager of the Santa Fe New Mexican in Santa Fe, New Mexico,
Clymer served the remainder of his professional career in El Dorado.
In 1919 Clymer oversaw the merger of the Republican and the Walnut
Valley Times into the El Dorado Times. After several years of sharing
publication responsibilities with former editor, J. B. Adams, of the
Walnut Valley Times, Clymer became sole editor and general manager for
the Times Publishing Company. He also later became owner of this same
company. Clymer was widely respected as a writer and editorialist and
his work was often reprinted by other editors throughout the state and
nation. He became quite active and influential in Republican party politics
in Kansas: most notably as part of Alfred M. Landon’s staff during
the 1936 U. S. Presidential campaign. Although his closest associates
often spoke of him as a viable candidate for Governor of Kansas, Clymer
never chose to run for any political office. He served as Public Relations
Director of the Kansas State Republican Committee in 1930 and 1934 and
as the first secretary/director of the Kansas Industrial Development
Commission from 1939 until 1942. In addition, Clymer was quite active
in various regional and statewide editorial, business, and civic positions.
In his later years Clymer devoted much of his time to efforts to preserve
the Kansas Flint Hills region which he dearly loved. In addition to
newspaper editorials, he wrote and published numerous widely circulated
articles and poems about the Flint Hills. Perhaps his best known tribute
was his poem “Majesty of the Hills,” which helped earn him
the designation as Poet Laureate of the Flint Hills. Clymer’s
journalistic, political, and civic contributions were widely and often
recognized. In addition to numerous community awards, in 1957 he received
the annual William Allen White Foundation Award for Journalistic Merit.
He was chosen “Kansan of the Year” in 1960 by the Kansas
Native Sons and Daughters. In 1970 he was awarded an honorary doctorate
from Kansas State Teacher’s College of Emporia, now Emporia State
University. Rolla Clymer died on June 4, 1977, having been the editor
of the El Dorado Times for fifty-nine years.
Scope and Content:
Materials within this collection consist primarily of correspondence,
business and personal financial records, speeches, poetry, newspaper
clippings, photographs, and reports and other items relating to the
various committees, organizations, and meetings in which Rolla Clymer
was involved. The collection has been divided into series according
to the type of material, and then filed chronologically within each
series.
The most significant value of the Clymer collection is its information
about the business, editorial, and social aspects of newspaper publishing
in Kansas from the late 1910s until 1970s. Clymer regularly corresponded
with numerous well-known Kansas editors; particularly those whose newspapers
supported the Republican party. Perhaps most noteworthy of these would
be Frederick W. Brinkerhoff, Arthur Capper, Oscar Stauffer, and William
Allen White. Related information about newspaper publishing is included
in the series of financial records which are mostly from the 1940s and
1950s. These records consist of account ledgers and account receipts
which are arranged alphabetically by the name of the account. Another
interesting facet of the Clymer collection is the interconnection it
shows between newspapermen and politicians in twentieth century Kansas.
Also significant is Clymer’s correspondence with various women
involved in Kansas journalism and newspaper publishing. Included among
these women are Ruth Garver Gagliardo, Zula Bennington Greene, Jennie
Small Owen, and Bertha Shore.
The correspondence, which begins in 1909 and ends in early 1977, just
prior to Clymer’s death, comprises the bulk of the collection.
With few exceptions, the correspondence provides a continuous and very
complete view of Rolla Clymer’s activities. Included is correspondence
which he received as well as copies of nearly all letters he sent. Information
about other members of the Clymer family is quite sparse. One exception
to this is a series of letters and monthly reports from David Clymer
to his father regarding the purchase and operation of various Kansas
newspapers in which the elder Clymer had both a personal and financial
interest.
In addition to its information about Kansas journalism, the Clymer
correspondence reveals much about the workings of the Republican Party
in Kansas in the 20th century. This information is most significant
for the 1930s and is highlighted by Clymer’s involvement in Alfred
M. Landon’s 1936 U. S. Presidential campaign. Throughout his life,
however, Clymer regularly corresponded with various local and state
politicians. Some of the more frequent and significant correspondents
include Alfred M. Landon, Ben S. Paulen, Harry J. Allen, and Clyde M.
Reed. Also included is Clymer’s correspondence and reports relating
to his service as Public Relations Director of the Kansas State Republican
Committee in 1930 and 1934 and as the first secretary/director of the
Kansas Industrial Development Commission from 1939 to 1942. Additional
political information can be found in the series of newspaper clippings.
The correspondence also includes information about Butler county and
El Dorado, Kansas. Clymer’s involvement in local affairs and organizations
such as the Kafir Corn Carnival and the Rotary Club is well documented.
Of particular note is Clymer’s leadership during the 1950s when
south-central Kansas faced a severe drouth and water shortage. Another
aspect of Clymer’s involvement in local affairs was his promotion
of and investment in oil and gas production in Butler county. Additional
information about El Dorado and Butler county can be found in the series
of newspaper clippings.
Much of the earliest correspondence in the Clymer collection pertains
to information about the College of Emporia for the period Clymer was
a student there. Scattered throughout the remainder of the correspondence
is information about Emporia athletics and alumni activities and letters
with former classmates. Also included in the collection are related
photographs, Emporia College memorabilia, and a series of the Emporia
student newspaper entitled College Life.
A substantial portion of the correspondence from the 1960s and 1970s
pertains to conservation, the Kansas Flint Hills, and efforts to establish
a Kansas Natural Prairie Park. The correspondence becomes less focused
upon politics and the El Dorado Times, and tends to be more personal
in nature. The series of poetry and speeches also relate most closely
to the subject of the Flint Hills.
--Randy Roberts
Lela Barnes Intern
1983
Rolla Clymer
Collection no. 9, Container List:
Box List
Box 1
Folder A 1909, 1912-1917
B 1918, 1919
C Jan – Mar 1920
D Apr – Jun 1920
E Jul – Dec 1920
Box 2
Folder A 1921-1922
B Jan – Nov 1923
C Dec 1923 – Jul 1924
D Aug 1924 – Mar 1925
E Apr – Aug 1925
Box 3
Folder A Sep – Oct 1925
B Nov 1925 – Jan 1926
C Feb – Apr 1926
D May – Jul 1926
E Aug – Sep 1926
Box 4
Folder A Oct – Dec 1926
B Jan – Mar 1927
C Apr – Jun 1927
D Jul – Sep 1927
Box 5
Folder A Oct – Dec 1927
B Jan – Mar 1928
C Apr – Jun 1928
D Jul – Aug 1928
E Sep – Oct 1928
Box 6
Folder A Nov – Dec 1928
B Jan – Feb 1929
C Mar – Apr 1929
D May – Jul 1929
E Aug – Oct 1929
Box 7
Folder A Nov 1929 – Jan 1930
B Feb – Mar 1930
C Apr – May 1930
D Jun – Aug 1930
E Sep – Nov 1930
Box 8
Folder A Dec 1930
B Jan – Mar 1931
C Apr – Jul 1931
D Aug – Oct 1931
E Nov – Dec 1931
Box 9
Folder A Jan – Feb 1932
B Mar – Jun 1932
C Jul – Sep 1932
D Oct – Dec 1932
E Jan – Mar 1933
Box 10
Folder A Apr – Jun 1933
B Jul – Oct 1933
C Nov – Dec 1933
D Jan – Mar 1934
E Apr – Jun 1934
Box 11
Folder A Jul – Oct 1934
B Nov – Dec 1934
C Jan – Mar 1935
D Apr – Jun 1935
Box 12
Folder A Jul – Aug 1935
B Sep – Oct 1935
C Nov 1935 – Jan 1936
D Feb – Apr 1936
E May – Jul 1936
Box 13
Folder A Aug – Oct 1936
B Nov – Dec 1936
C Jan – Mar 1937
D Apr – Jun 1937
E Jul – Aug 1937
Box 14
Folder A Sep – Nov 1937
B Dec 1937
C Jan – Feb 1938
D Mar – May 1938
E Jun – Aug 1938
Box 15
Folder A Sep – Oct 1938
B Nov – Dec 1938
C Jan – Mar 1939
D Apr – May 1939
Box 16
Folder A Jun – Sep 1939
B Oct – Dec 1939
C Jan – Mar 1940
D Apr – Jun 1940
E Jul – Sep 1940
F Oct – Dec 1940
Box 17
Folder A Jan – Apr 1941
B May – Sep 1941
C Oct 1941 – Feb 1942
D Mar – May 1942
E Jun – Sep 1942
Box 18
Folder A Oct – Dec 1942
B Jan – Apr 1943
C May – Jul 1943
D Aug – Oct 1943
E Nov – Dec 1943
Box 19
Folder A Jan – Mar 1944
B Apr – May 1944
C Jun – Aug 1944
D Sep – Oct 1944
E Nov – Dec 1944
Box 20
Folder A Jan – Mar 1945
B Apr – Jun 1945
C Jul – Sep 1945
D Oct – Dec 1945
E Jan – Feb 1946
Box 21
Folder A Mar – Apr 1946
B May – Jul 1946
C Aug – Oct 1946
D Nov 1946 – Jan 1947
E Feb – Mar 1947
F Apr – May 1947
Box 22
Folder A Jun – Aug 1947
B Sep – Nov 1947
C Dec 1947 – Feb 1948
D Mar – Apr 1948
E May – Jul 1948
Box 23
Folder A Aug – Oct 1948
B Nov – Dec 1948
C Jan – Apr 1949
D May – Jul 1949
E Aug – Oct 1949
F Nov – Dec 1949
Box 24
Folder A Jan – Mar 1950
B Apr – May 1950
C Jun – Jul 1950
D Aug – Sep 1950
E Oct – Dec 1950
Box 25
Folder A Jan – Apr 1951
B May – Aug 1951
C Sep – Nov 1951
D Dec 1951 – Feb 1952
E Mar – Apr 1952
Box 26
Folder A May – Jul 1952
B Aug – Oct 1952
C Nov – Dec 1952
D Jan – Mar 1953
E Apr – Jun 1953
Box 27
Folder A Jul – Sep 1953
B Oct – Nov 1953
C Dec 1953 – Jan 1954
D Feb – Mar 1954
E Apr – Jun 1954
Box 28
Folder A Jul – Aug 1954
B Sep – Nov 1954
C Dec 1954 – Jan 1955
D Feb – Apr 1955
E May – Jul 1955
Box 29
Folder A Aug – Oct 1955
B Nov – Dec 1955
C Jan – Mar 1956
D Apr – Jun 1956
E Jul – Aug 1956
Box 30
Folder A Sep – Oct 1956
B Nov – Dec 1956
C Jan – Mar – 1957
D Apr – Jun 1957
E Jul – Sep 1957
Box 31
Folder A Oct – Nov 1957
B Dec 1957 – Jan 1958
C Feb – Mar 1958
D Apr – May 1958
E Jun – Jul 1958
Box 32
Folder A Aug – Sep 1958
B Oct – Nov 1958
C Dec 1958
D Jan – Feb 1959
E Mar – Apr 1959
Box 33
Folder A May – Jul 1959
B Aug – Sep 1959
C Oct – Nov 1959
D Dec 1959 – Jan 1960
E Feb – Mar 1960
Box 34
Folder A Apr – May 1960
B Jun – Jul 1960
C Aug – Sep 1960
D Oct – Nov 1960
E Dec 1960
Box 35
Folder A Jan – Feb 1961
B Mar – Apr 1961
C May – Jun 1961
D Jul – Aug 1961
E Sep – Oct 1961
Box 36
Folder A Nov – Dec 1961
B Jan – Mar 1962
C Apr – Jun 1962
D Jul – Sep 1962
E Oct – Dec 1962
Box 37
Folder A Jan – Mar 1963
B Apr – Jun – 1963
C Jul – Sep 1963
D Oct – Dec 1963
Box 38
Folder A Jan – Mar 1964
B Apr – Jun 1964
C Jul – Sep 1964
D Oct – Dec 1964
E No Date – 1963-1964
Box 39
Folder A Jan – Mar 1965
B Apr – Jun 1965
C Jul – Sep 1965
D Oct – Dec 1965
E No Date – 1965
F Jan – Mar 1966
Box 40
Folder A Apr – Jun 1966
B Jul – Sep 1966
C Oct – Dec 1966
D No Date – 1966
E No Date – 1967
Box 41
Folder A Jan – Mar 1967
B Apr – Jun 1967
C Jul – Sep 1967
D Oct – Dec 1967
E No Date – 1968
Box 42
Folder A Jan – Mar 1968
B Apr – Jun 1968
C Jul – Sep 1968
D Oct – Dec 1968
E No Date 1969
Box 43
Folder A Jan – Mar 1969
B Apr – Jun 1969
C Jul – Sep 1969
D Oct – Dec 1969
E No Date – 1970
Box 44
Folder A Jan – Mar 1970
B Apr – Jun 1970
C Jul – Sep 1970
D Oct – Dec 1970
E No Date 1971
Box 45
Folder A Jan – Mar 1971
B Apr – Jun 1971
C Jul – Sep 1971
D Oct – Dec 1971
E No Date 1972
Box 46
Folder A Jan – Mar 1972
B Apr – Jun 1972
C Jul – Sep 1972
D Oct – Dec 1972
E No Date 1973
Box 47
Folder A Jan – Mar 1973
B Apr – Jun 1973
C Jul – Sep 1973
D Oct – Dec 1973
E No Date – 1974
F Jan – Mar 1974
G Apr – Jun 1974
H Jul – Sep 1974
Box 48
Folder A Oct – Dec 1974
B No Date – 1975
C Jan – Mar 1975
D Apr – Jun 1975
E Jul – Sep 1975
F Oct – Dec 1975
G No Date – 1976
H Jan – Mar 1976
I Apr – Jun 1976
Box 49
Folder A Jul – Sep 1976
B Oct – Dec 1976
C Jan – Dec 1977
D No Date – 1977
E Funeral Services
F School Reports 1896-1913
Box 50
Folder A Speeches 1909-1975
B Speeches 1954-1975 & undated
C William Allen White Correspondence 1925-1929
D William Allen White Correspondence 1930-1934
E William Allen White Correspondence 1935-1943
F Misc. William Allen White material
G William Allen White Foundation 1956-1968
H 1957 Correspondence re: Clymer’s receipt of WAW award
Box 51
Folder A Account Ledgers A-G
B Account Ledgers H-S
C Account Ledgers T-Z
D Account Sheets A-Z
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