Morda C. Slauson Collection on William Polk Gray
Scope and Contents
The Morda C. Slauson Collection on William Polk Gray contains correspondence, writings, poetry and short stories by William Polk Gray and secondary historical accounts and clippings. The majority of the collection consists of autobiographical information by W. P. Gray and contains honest portrayals of life in early territorial Washington. Genealogical information on the Gray family is also included in the collection. The materials date from 1891 to 1968.
Dates
- Creation: 1891-1968
Creator
- Slauson, Morda C. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
Morda Coleman, later Morda Slauson, was introduced to William Polk Gray in 1923. Slauson was a journalist for the Walla Walla Union Bulletin and collecting pioneer stories for the Walla Walla Pioneer Pageant. Gray and Slauson corresponded regularly. Gray wrote to Slauson, daily sometimes. Slauson later became the publicity agent for the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, but she continued her friendship with Gray until his death in 1929.
William Polk Gray was born to William Henry and Mary Dix Gray in 1845 at Oregon City. He was the second of six children. Gray was introduced to sailing at an early age; at fifteen, he operated a mail boat out of Astoria, Oregon. At sixteen, he became Captain of a four-man crew primarily composed of Native Americans, which carried freight along the Frasier River. Gray led expeditions to Alaska during the Alaskan Gold rush, ferried supplies and troops during the Indian Wars, carried automobiles up and down the Columbia, and ferried cargo across the Snake River. Gray and his wife claimed land in Pasco, WA, where he became involved in city council and commerce. He founded the first Congregational Church in Pasco in collaboration with Luther and Clara Wilkins.
W. P. Gray and his wife built their home in Pasco, WA, and Gray was employed with the Northern Pacific Railroad as captain of the steamer "Frederick Billings". Three of the Gray daughters died from diphtheria during a two-day period. The Grays survived their other two children, Willeta and Hawthorne. Willeta passed away in 1922, and his last son, Hawthorne, died tragically in a successful attempt to earn the world record for high altitude in a free balloon in 1929. His writings reflect a deep sadness at the loss of his children.
William Polk Gray died on October 26 1929 at his home in Pasco, Washington.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Morda C. Slauson Collection on William Polk Gray, which dates from 1891 to 1968, collection contains correspondence, writings, and photographs of early Washington resident and steamboat Captain William Polk Gray.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Morda C. Slauson on November 12, 1970. The accession number is retro-0080.
Subject
- Gray, William Polk (Person)
- Gray family (Family)
- Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Organization)
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Morda C. Slauson Collection on William Polk Gray
- Author
- Erin Hall and Colleen McFarland
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding the finding aid was awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the Whitman College and Northwest Archives Repository