Series I. Correspondence (1931-1941)

Correspondence, contracts, credit reports, and leases in this collection document the business of Houston, Texas based Merchants & Planters Oil Company, particularly during the last period of its existence, 1930 through 1941. The largest of the four series is the first, Correspondence (1931-41), relating to product orders, inventory, billing, and railroad transportation of goods for clients such as wholesale grocers and other businesses, in Texas, Louisiana, and other U.S. states. Small maps and blueprints of various sections of Houston date from 1908-1927, and are located in IV. Leases (1893-1934).

This material reflects the cottonseed market workings of the early 20th century, including relations between growers, brokers, and manufacturers of various cottonseed products. Additionally, a close connection between the company and Rice Institute existed, in that William Marsh Rice, founder of Rice Institute, owned the company at the time of his death, after which the new Rice Institute became responsible for the management of the company. As a result, many of the papers and contracts were sent to the Institute for signature.