27. Texas and local history

Correspondence, reports, research notes, and photographs created and/or maintained by Mr. Reginald Moore, relating to the history of the Convict Leasing System in Sugar Land, Texas and current efforts to publicly recognize that history.

The papers of Billie Carr, political organizer in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, include correspondence, office files, photographs, and memorabilia pertaining to her work in the Harris County Democrats, Texas Democrats, Democratic National Committee, New Democratic Coalition, and Billie Carr & Associates.

Correspondence, memos, oral history interviews, political pamphlets, broadsides, and clippings, relating to Hall's involvement with the Texas and national Democratic parties and soil and water conservation and improvement. Correspondents include Minnie Fisher Cunningham, Hubert H. Humphrey, Lyndon B. Johnson, Sam Rayburn, Jim Wright, and Ralph Yarborough.

This collection documents Dr. Martin Friedland’s research and writing of his book, "The Death of Old Man Rice" (published 1994), and includes rough working notes, manuscript drafts, subject files, and photocopies of the original trial manuscript.

Business and personal records of J. Russell Wait, Director of the Port of Houston from 1930-1947, offering a comprehensive history of the Port of Houston's construction, facilities, finances, clients and operations from 1931-1962. During this time, the Port of Houston grew from the nation's twelfth largest port to its third largest. Materials also relate to the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, Houston Ship Channel maps, and scrapbooks on WWII and Japan.

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. This company was owned by William Marsh Rice and associated with Rice Institute after Mr. Rice's death.