Special Collections
Judge Reuben F. Roy Collection

FINDING AID (includes Roy bio): pdf (18 KB) | html (171 KB)

The Judge Reuben F. Roy Collection was acquired through purchase from Carmen D. Valentino, Rare Books and Manuscripts. It contains over 400 letters, mostly octavo or quarto, totaling over 1200 pages, many with their original addressed and stamped envelopes. There are manuscript and typed letters, dating from 1863-1922, relating to the personal life and professional career of Judge Reuben F. Roy, of New London, Ralls County, Missouri.

The collection contains a wide range of letters written to Roy from law colleagues, political leaders and close family members and friends. Many of Roy’s friends were school teachers, so the state of education during the 1870s is addressed. There are many references to political personalities and political events of the period as well.

Roy had a large family spread across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas and there are many letters from family members covering contemporary issues, among them impoverished times, health epidemics, and the Temperance Movement. In letters to her husband, Mrs. Roy speaks of women’s rights and the lack thereof.

Mrs. Roy's letter (excerpt) about a women's protest of whisky sales: scanned pages | typed transcript

There are some wonderful letters to Ruth Margaret, Roy’s daughter, from her mother and father, mostly relating to her college life; but unfortunately none from Ruth Margaret to her parents. Because Roy had two brothers who worked as building contractors in Kansas City during the 1880s, there is information relating to Kansas City and its rapid growth during that time.

The collection is rich in late 19th and early 20th century Missouri History, culture and society, especially rural and small town life. Lacking is more concrete information about Roy and his family, and one can only piece together details from names gathered in family letters.

Special Collections is a non-circulating and non-browsing resource center. The Special Collections Reading Room is open to researchers Monday through Friday during the academic year. Public service hours for the current semester are listed at http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col/index.html#hours but researchers are encouraged to call ahead for verification of hours due to University intersessions and other events. Special Collections is located on the fourth floor of the Miller Nichols Library at 5100 Rockhill Road in Kansas City, Missouri. All inquiries concerning access to the collections should be addressed to Special Collections Library Information Specialists Teresa Gipson or Kelly McEniry.