Dorothy Ringle collection on Rolla Myers and farmers' associations

The core of the Dorothy Ringle collection is the information it contains on the political activities of several farmer's groups from 1941 through 1959. The minutes, correspondence, membership lists, reports and other materials focus on Rolla M. Myers' activities in the United Farmers of America and the Ohio Market Quota Protest Association. The materials show the Association's concern over farm production quotas, tax laws and price regulations. Correspondence, reports and speeches are included from various fellow activists such as Congressman William Lemke, Henry Fackler, Arthur Booth, Tom Linder and C.C. Hanson.

Correspondence, patent specifications and a blueprint for Myers' Stone Spreading Machine and Road Building Machine are included in the collection. Materials from Myers' early years, approximately 1891 to 1918, appear. School reports, assignments and a teaching certificate give some background information on Myers' life.

Of particular note is a group of Civil War correspondence, dated 1862 through 1864, written by Leander Coe, of Co.D 123rd O.V.I., to his sister, as well as his diary. The letters describe moves, skirmishes and daily life in camp.

A large number of photographs are of Rolla and his wife Nina Myers as well as family members, scenery and road construction using the Stone Spreader and Road Building Machine.

Of interest to those researching farmers' associations is the collection's material on the Ohio Market Quota Protest Association and the United Farmers of America. These groups were especially active during World War II.

MINUTES; Ohio Marketing Quota Protest Association Minutes 1941-1949, Proceedings 1941-1942, Business, Constitution and Resolutions 1943. Arranged chronologically. Contains minutes from regular, special and executive meetings. One set of minutes are handwritten. Also included is an address on the Wheat Quota Referendum. Petitions and resolutions of protest against the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. Bylaws and constitution of the Ohio Marketing Quota Association.

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS; Ohio Marketing Quota Protest Association; arranged chronologically. Book, listing names, addresses and quota acres, undated. Membership applications from 1946 and membership cards from 1948. Lists of names and addresses, some with membership dues between 1943 and 1947.

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS; United Farmers of America; arranged chronologically. Lists of names, addresses (and one including dues) from 1949, 1950 and several undated. Resolutions and recommendations concerning tax laws and price regulations. Programs for Dec., 1947 meeting. Minutes from annual convention, 1951.

MINUTES; Farming Associations; arranged chronologically. Associated Farmers of Ohio minutes, announcements, and some handwritten notes, 1950-1956. United Farmers of Illinois Convention Address, 1948, and list of members. National Farmers Committee Convention minutes, 1947. Farmers Protective League minutes and membership information, 1941-1949, handwritten in notebook. National Association of Wheat Growers minutes from annual meeting, Feb. 2, 1951.

MINUTES; The Pioneer Rubber Company; arranged chronologically. Minutes of the 47th and 48th annual meetings, Oct. 5, 1965 and Oct. 4, 1966.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE; Rolla M. Myers Correspondence; Jan. 30, 1914-Oct. 16, 1936; arranged alphabetically. Letters to and from Rolla Myers. Includes letters between Myers and both Munn and Company, patent solicitors; and Lacey Law Firm, patent lawyers, concerning patents for Myers' Road Building Machine and Stone Spreader. Letters between Myers and Burch Plow Corporation concerning their marketing and distribution of his inventions.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE; Rolla M. Myers Correspondence; Dec. 31, 1942-Nov. 18, 1959; arranged alphabetically. Letters to and from Rolla Myers relating to his position as Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Marketing Quota Protest Association and United Farmers of America. Other correspondents are officers and board members from the following organizations: United Farmers of Illinois, National Association of Wheat Growers, United Farmers of America and the National Farmers Committee as well as the House Agricultural Committee, the House of Representatives and from the Congress of the United States; William Lemke, North Dakota and Jackson Betts, 8th District Ohio. There are three folders of letters from miscellaneous persons and one folder of letters to miscellaneous persons all dealing with the activities of the various farm groups. There is also a file of material relating to Rolla Myers' drive to impeach President Truman.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE; Dec. 8, 1941-Oct. 6, 1946; arranged chronologically. Letters to O.M.Q.P.A. from members of Congress, lawyers and others responding to issues presented by the farmers. Outgoing letters of the O.M.Q.P.A. directed at informing and involving people in the farmers issues.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE; Oct. 10, 1941-Dec. 7. 1947; Henry Fackler Correspondence; arranged chronologically. Letters from William Lemke notifying Fackler of meetings and discussing regulations of the Organization of Price Administration. Letters from J. Harry McGregor, 17th District Ohio U.S. Congress, responding to Fackler's queries on rationing and other issues. Letters from Truman Denham, Ohio cattle and dog breeder, wanting information and to give support. Letter from AAA warning Fackler of penalty because of an amount of wheat over the quota. The majority of correspondence here is to Henry Fackler, Chairman of the O.M.Q.P.A., from members of Congress, businesses and local farmers sharing information, conducting business and expressing approval or criticism of the stands of the O.M.Q.P.A. One file of letters from Fackler of the same nature.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE; July 26, 1941-September 18, 1959; Farm Leaders Correspondence; arranged chronologically. Letters between various members of the O.M.Q.P.A. and the U.F. of A. as well as William Lemke about matters of business and issues which the farming organizations stand for such as the removal of price limitations imposed in the New Deal.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE; Oct. 18, 1862-April 20, 1864; Leander Coe to Cassie Coe; arranged chronologically. A small collection of Civil War correspondence from a man to his sister describing his moves, skirmishes, and daily life at camp, as a corporal with Co.D 123rd O.V.I..

SOUTHERN COMMISSIONERS OF AGRICULTURE; Aug. 3, 1946-Dec. 8, 1950; arranged chronologically. Correspondence between Tom Linder and C.C. Hanson of the Southern Commission of Agriculture and Rolla Myers and Arthur Booth concerning matters of business and common goals. Letters to Linder and Hanson discussing their proposals and programs from others. Various memos and outline of Plaw Materials National Council.

O.M.Q.P.A. CONGRESSIONAL RELATED MATERIAL; July 4, 1942-March 10, 1949; arranged chronologically. Correspondence relating to state business meeting. Press releases about agriculture quotas. Resolutions dealing with the A.A.A. Letter discussing Supreme Court case Filburn v. Wickard which involves the Department of Agriculture. Printed material includes a copy of the Congressional Record; a flyer for Ray D. Walter, democratic candidate for State Representative in Oklahoma and a pamphlet treating the subject of the wheat penalty.

UNITED FARMERS OF AMERICA STATEMENT TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SUBCOMMITTEE; July 15, 1941-March 2, 1949; arranged chronologically. Correspondence, statements, resolutions and petitions by Edward E. Kennedy, Arthur Booth, Ray Iberg, Legislative Committee of the U.F. of A. and a joint statement involving the United Dairy Farmers and United Mine Workers concerning tax laws, price regulations, wheat production, trade treaties and the threat of communism during and after World War II.

WILLIAM LEMKE FILE; May 9, 1946-June 14, 1950; arranged chronologically. Literature about the Agricultural Adjustment Act and wheat penalty including a speech printed in the Congressional Record. Bill proposing Agricultural Equality Act, 1947. Tribute to Lemke by his secretary. Acknowledgment of sympathy from Lemke family.

REPORT; Report to the United Farmers of America; Dec. 9, (c. 1954); Describes proceedings at meeting of National Board of Directors for U.F. of A.

FACT SHEETS; Ohio Marketing Protest Quota Association; Number of farms and the average size in acres in the states of the United States and the total wheat production of each state for 1953. File also contains two fact sheets, one dated 1943, which emphasize the threat of communism and foreign influence in America. Also a report on long-range agricultural policy.

REPORT CARDS; Rolla Myers' School Report Cards; Oct. 17, 1895-ca.1908; Report cards for grades through twelve inclusive.

PRESS RELEASES AND RADIO ADDRESSES; 1941-1946; Series of press releases titled "Doings In Congress" written by William Lemke. Press release entitled, "Ohio Wheat Production Penalty Protestors File First of Test Suits in Union County, Ohio," Radio addresses by E.H. Everson, KGFX, Pierre, South Dakota, on price control, agricultural policies, economies and government.

"NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MARKET ASSOCIATION CONTROLLED BY FARMERS"; Booklet by John Porrell: containing group of notes. Letter from Porrell: to H.H. Fackler presenting ideas in booklet. Letter dated July 8, 1946.

ROLLA MYERS' SECRETARIES COLUMN FROM THE FARMERS VOICE (U.F. OF A. NEWSPAPER); Two from 1950s, most undated; Myers writes about wheat production, the effect of World War II on the farmers, the policies of the Department of Agriculture, government's interference with farmers and Truman's dismissal of MacArthur.

DIARIES AND DAILY JOURNALS; Jan. 1-Jan, 23, 1864, 1912; March, 1913-June 5, 1913; arranged chronologically. Three daily journals containing scattered entries which recount farm chores and possibly weather. Some accounts also listed, Civil War Diary of Leander Coe who discusses movements, skirmishes, becoming wounded and other activities of camp life. Teachers notebook which contains quotes, notes on foreign languages, literature and history.

SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS; ca.190(?); High school papers on geometry, government and drama as well as an oration and part of a debate.

POEM; Undated; Amusing verse complaining of prevalence of taxation.

SPEECHES; Rolla Myers Speeches; ca. May 1907-Dec. 23, 1947; Speeches range over time from Myers' high school days to the years he was active in the United Farmers of America. Earlier speeches include witty and romantic writing, a report on George Washington, Myers' first raccoon hunt and graduation speeches. Also included are Myers' portion of a debate over the question of who was more wronged by the white man, the black slave or the American Indian; and a speech entitled "Family Portraits" in which Myers warns of the dangers of vanity and intemperance. Later speeches are addressed to the Rotary, the Department of Agriculture and the United Farmers of America about such issues as the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Board of Education, the Reciprocal Trade Agreement and rationing.

SPEECHES; Speeches on Issues of Concern to Farming Organizations; Oct. 28, 1943-May 1, 1959; Speeches by the Presidents of the National Association of Manufacturers, Frances Bolton; Arthur Hellman, President of the United Farmers of America; William Lemke, N. Dakota, Congress of the United States; Harry McGregor, 17th District Ohio, Congress of the United States; and Carl Mote, President of the National Farmers Guild about the governments activities in the realm of agriculture.

CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS; 1914, 1915; State of Ohio Highway Department Specifications for road improvements by Rolla Myers. Specification booklet of County Surveyor, Fulton County, Ohio.

PATENT MATERIAL; Nov. 21, 1905-Aug. 5, 1925; Correspondence from the United States and Canadian Patent Offices. Patent specifications for the Road Building Machine. Printed specifications and blueprints for William Murray's Oil Spreader, William H. Worswick's Machine for Manufacturing Paving Compounds and William Charles Southgate's Machine That Tars and Sands the Surface of Streets.

BURCH PLOW COMPANY MATERIAL; March 16, 1917-April 2, 1934; arranged chronologically. Contracts between Rolla Myers and Burch Plow Company turning over the rights to the Stone Spreader. Signed affidavits from Burch Plow Company concerning number of Stone Spreaders sold, with lists of sales.

COURT CASES AND BILLS; 1942-1955; arranged chronologically. Case before Court of Common Pleas, Seneca County, Ohio between Rolla Myers and Grove Miller, chairman of the Seneca County State of Ohio Agricultural Conservation Committee over the wheat quota. Cases before the Supreme Court of the United States (Kenneth Bender, et al vs. Claude R. Wickard, Roscoe Filburn vs. Claude R. Wickard) concerning farmers who planted wheat before the A.A.A. Bills to amend the A.A.A., regulate commerce, alter the election and authority of the President and pull out of the United Nations.

LEDGERS; May 22, 1917-1954; arranged by type of ledger. Contains the account books of the United Farmers of Iowa, 1950-1954; United Farmers of America, 1949; and two individual farmers, May 22, 1917-1929. Also includes various statements such as Department of Agriculture crop allotment taxes and printing bills from 1944. Ashland County membership of O.M.Q.P.A. and other ledger are oversized and located at the end of the collection.

ROLLA MYERS' PAYROLL BOOKS; June 10, 1910-1918; arranged chronologically. Series of time books which list workman's hours, rate of pay and wage. Also contains two receipts of payment from Rolla Myers to the Odd Fellows Lodge.

J.E. MYERS' PAYROLL BOOKS; April 17, 1909-January 1924; arranged chronologically. Series of time books listing workman's names, hours and wages.

OHIO MARKETING QUOTA PROTEST ASSOCIATION; August 13, 1941-October 31, 1952; Series of financial statements and reports. Also contains ledger with lists of members and dues.

STATEMENTS SIGNED BY NOTARY PUBLIC; March 21, 1944; Statements made by Clarence Bly, small businessman from Richland County, Ohio, attesting to the difficulty in getting gasoline rations under O.P.A. rules.

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS; October 19, 1942-August 1, 1955, undated; News stories and editorials, half dated and half undated relating events and opinions about the A.A.A. and its implications, strikes and other forms of protest, and various issues affecting farmers.

COMPLIMENT AND CONGRATULATION CARDS; June 11, 1908, undated; Group of small cards, signed and with brief messages of congratulations and best wishes. Most probably date from high school graduation or Christmas.

BLUEPRINT; April 14, 1916; Located in oversize manuscript drawer Rolla Myers' Stone Spreading Machine

MAPS ON MILK PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES; Undated; Two maps: "Milk; A Nationwide Industry" and "Milk Monopoly; Spiderweb of National Control."

LISTS OF NAMES; Undated; Tablets and separate sheets with lists of names and addresses. One list contains wheat quotas.

POLL OF VOTERS IN ATTICA, OHIO; 1946; Sheets contain names, addresses, telephone numbers, Armed Service as a residency status, and vote.

BLUEPRINTS: WILLIAM MURRAY'S OIL SPREADER; April 14, 1908; Five pages of diagrams.

SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS; 1908; Exam questions in Physiology, English, Geometry, Government, History and Arithmetic.

BOOKLET; 1899; Constitution of State Council of Ohio, Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

BULLETIN; February 1906; "Condition and Cost of Country Roads in Ohio" by Ohio State Highway Department.

PATENT COMPANY MATERIAL; 1912-1928; Advertisements from various patent companies. Patent handbooks from several companies including Munn & Co. and Lacey and Lacey.

MASON MATERIAL; 1922-1947; arranged chronologically. Booklet, Standard Monitor, contains club philosophy and procedures to rituals. Booklets, Introduction to Freemasonry, Vol. II and III which discuss history, rules and procedures. Booklet, The Lodge System of Masonic Information for the Masons of Ohio. Masonic Directories and Masonic Bylaws of Attica Lodge 367.

BOOKLETS; 1947; Constitution and Bylaws, United Farmers of America and United Farmers of Illinois.

BOOKLET; 1896; "How to Celebrate..." Book for teachers which gives suggestions of programs and projects for holidays.

BOOKLET; December 1944; Farmers in the War by the Office of Price Administration. Uses information from World War I to argue necessity of price control.

PAMPHLETS; 1934-1957, undated; arranged chronologically. "Here I Stand," by Robert Taft; series of farming tips from Agricultural Extension Service; "The Wheat Situation" by the Department of Agriculture; "The Anvil" by Robert Alexander; pamphlets on various farm issues; pamphlets on educational system, amendment of office of President and others.

PRINTED MATTER - U.S.D.A.; Dec. 31, 1943-August 18, 1945; arranged chronologically. Announcements from the Department of Agriculture on administration. Diagram of Department of Agriculture showing hierarchy and relation of all offices and branches and listing main duties. Letter to farmer warning of wheat penalty with Farm Operators Report - 1941 Wheat Crop.

FARMING NEWSPAPERS; September 1942-August-September 1954; arranged chronologically. Various issues of The Farmers Voice, Randalia, Iowa; The Liberator, Topeka, Kansas; the Dayton Independent; The Summit Sun, Summit, Miss; The Rural Vigilante, Edgar, Nebraska and Farmers Guild News.

WAR FOOD ADMINISTRATION MATERIALS; 1943; Includes War Food Administration Orders and a digest of important points covered by it. Also list of names of the alphabetical agencies created in the New Deal.

BOOKLET; June 1, 1911; Information book about Columbia Multiple Battery by National Carbon Company, Cleveland, Ohio.

BROADSIDES; 1955, undated; "Will Communism Take Over the United States in 1955?" by Farmers Liberty League, and announcement of debate over marketing quotas from Farmers' Protective Association.

CERTIFICATES; 1897-1952; arranged chronologically. Certificates of promotion to the second through the eighth grade for Rolla Myers. Rolla Myers' Teachers' Certificate in 1908 and 1909 and membership in Ohio Teachers Reading Circle, with letter of application from Myers to Board to Education, Venice township. Myers membership in Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Certificate of Election as member of the Republican County Central Committee.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS; 1908-1911, undated; Commencement programs from 1908 and 1911. Programs from two dances.

ATTICA HIGH SCHOOL ROSTER & CLASS SONG; 1880-1941; Booklet containing names of all graduates and executive heads. Song, "Onward High School Convicts".

INVITATIONS; 1891, 1902, 1906, 1908, 1909; Invitations to parties, dances, etc.

TEST FOR TEACHERS CERTIFICATE; Oct. 1907-March 1909; arranged chronologically. Uniform exam questions for county teachers' exam for Teachers' Elementary School Certificate in Ohio.

SOUVENIRS; 1909, 1910; Children's souvenir programs containing illustrated poem as well as list of pupils, teacher and school board from classes of Rolla Myers, Katie Marts, Grace M. Schaeffer and Ethel Barnett. Small photos on two programs of Myers and Barnett.

DRAFT REGISTRATION CARDS FOR ROLLA MYERS; 1916-1918; Five cards for registration and other items

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT; July 17, 1959; Report of accident between Nina Myers and H.C. Gockenback in Carrothers, Ohio.

DEATH NOTICE: ROLLA MYERS; June 16, 1961; Announcement from Attica Masonic Lodge which includes brief information on history with Masons, birth, marriage, death and funeral services.

TELEGRAM; April 1, 1946; Telegram from Maine Canned Vegetables Growers Association protesting coal strike.

BUSINESS AND CALLING CARDS; Undated; Cards from various people, including Delbert Hitchcock, Purebred Brown Swiss Cattle.

ADMISSION TICKETS; Undatd; Admission tickets to the Crosley WLW Corporation events in Cincinnati.

ISSUES OF CONGRESSIONAL RECORD; Dec.7, 1945-July 31, 1946; arranged chronologically. Contain remarks of Clare Booth Luce on foreign and domestic issues.

MISCELLANEOUS PRINTED MATERIAL; September 12, 1942-August 7, 1955; arranged chronologically. Various printed pieces on political issues and on farming issues.

Majority of photos are of Rolla Myers and Nina Eckert Myers. Several of them, both as children and as a young couple. Some show them working and especially Rolla with his stone spreader and road building machines. Also many of them in the 1950's and 1960's. Some farm and lake scenes. Various other people including relatives and friends. One folder labeled "Tax Payers Association" includes shots of interior reconstruction. Group of unidentified photos show Rolla Myers at older age with politician and in group photo with other men.