Taylor F. Ealy family papers

The collection contains letters, diaries, and writings of Taylor F. Ealy and members of his family. Ealy operated the U.S. Freedmen's School for black children at Fort Arbuckle, Oklahoma, from 1874 to 1876. He lists pupils for August and September of 1875, and describes conditions at the time. In 1878, he relates their trip to Lincoln, New Mexico, as well as experiences during the Lincoln County War, while they held school and began a church. Writings by his wife, Mary, and daughter, Ruth, give their impressions of Billy the Kid. After moving to the Zuni Pueblo, Ealy describes life there in an 1879 diary. A diary from 1854-1856 by Henry B. Ealy, Taylor's first cousin and a minister in Pennsylvania is also present. Four diaries by Ruth Ealy describe a 1913 trip to Azores, North Africa, and Europe; a 1928 trip to Great Britain, and a 1937 trip to Japan. An undated typescript by her relates conditions of migrant farm workers' families in Tucson, Arizona. Photographs consist of six portraits of family members including Taylor and Mary Ealy.