William Alexander Carter correspondence

Collection

Identifier: ACCN 2496

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William Alexander Carter correspondence consist of eight separate letters regarding personal and professional matters and a receipt.

Dates

1859-1872

Creator

Carter, William A. (William Alexander), 1818-1881 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Note

William Alexander Carter (1818-1881) was a sutler and probate judge at Fort Bridger from 1859 until his death in 1881. Known as "Mr. Fort Bridger" he was the most important figure in that region and played a key role in the economic development of the intermountain west. A Virginian, he came to Fort Bridger with the Utah Expedition in 1857, where he opened a general store, carrying on a brisk trade with soldiers, Indians, and overland travelers. In 1866 he reported his sales at this store at $100,000 per year, and increasing. Grasping the business opportunities with the Mormons, he opened a second store in Heber, Utah, and recruited a partner, Bishop Abram Hatch, who ran his business interests in that part of the territory.

His many enterprises included mining, oil, logging, cattle ranching, and saw mills; and he raised large tracts of hay and grain on the land surrounding the Fort.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (2 Folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The William Alexander Carter correspondence consist of eight separate letters regarding personal and professional matters and a receipt.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Peter Crawley in 2009.

Box 1, folder 2 purchased from Ken Sanders Rare Books in 2013.

Separated Materials

See also the William Alexander Carter account ledger located at Utah State University and the William Alexander Carter papers located at the Bancroft Library.