James E. Edmonds, was the son of Major and Mrs. J.E. Edmonds of Rosedale, Mississippi. Major Edmonds was a 1854 graduate of the University of Mississippi. James E. Edmonds also attended the University, and a significant number of letters in the collection were written during his tenure as a student between 1896 and 1900. (Note: Currently, only materials dated through 1900 are available online.)
Edmonds first entered the University in the fall of 1896, at the age of 16. Although Edmonds attended the University for four years, neither the Alumni Directory nor the Historical Catalogue list him as a graduate. During his years as a student, Edmonds was affiliated with the Hermaean Society and the Blackstone Society. He studied law, and played on both the baseball and football teams. Perhaps his greatest distinction as a student is his work as the illustrator on the first Ole Miss Yearbook, printed in 1897. Edmonds was a talented artist, as the sketches he included in his letters will attest.
Edmonds was also a very informative and interesting correspondent. The letters he wrote while at the University cover a wide array of topics. He discusses University affairs: professors, students, fraternities, athletics, course work and, of course, production of the yearbooks. He also chronicles local events of interest, such as an outbreak of typhoid fever at Union Female College. National and international issues also did not escape his interest. He writes of the 1896 election and local reaction to the defeat of William Jennings Bryan, whom he supported, and he writes passionately of the oncoming of the Spanish-American War.
Image from this collection: "James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J.E. Edmonds (19 September 1896)"
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (8 February 1897)
James E. Edmonds
Comments on the poor postal service after expressing concern that his parents did not receive his previous letter. Expresses concern about his Latin grade due to illness during the exam and the difficulty of various exams. Edmonds is third in the class on his paper and English exam. Inquires about Cousin Lily and says that he ought to be ashamed of himself for not writing her. Says that corresponding is much easier at home where he has time to sit and compose his thoughts.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (13 October 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Apology to his parents for inadvertently leading them to think he was avoiding them for withholding their blessing for his Memphis trip. Also asks for money and mentions his friend Percy. Discusses encounters with fraternity members.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (15 December 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Announces plans to visit home; mentions that he does not owe room-and-board because he paid in advance; lists miscellaneous trip expenses. Discusses the Sutherland family's move to Oxford and his trip to Holly Springs.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (15 October 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Thanks his parents for not giving their permission for the Memphis trip as his attendance would have violated the trustees' purpose for the original holiday (having a political debate). Lists his daily schedules with classes and times. Mentions the pretty young ladies he met at the opening ball.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (16 November 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Remarks on the arrest of Dave Bogan and criticizes the withholding of information. Announces his intentions to move to Mrs. Rascoe's place where he will be among his friends and club-mates; expresses satisfaction with his art lessons; mentions that he hasn't splurged, including avoidance of evening horseback rides. Discusses receiving a letter from Cousin Lily and that he called on Mrs. Kritchman and that the meeting led to his introduction to people from New Orleans.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (19 September 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Announces that he is now a full fledged student of the U. of M, mentions taking part in a football game that Saturday; discusses in-class happenings.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (20 November 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Requests permission to travel to Holly Springs for a football game the following Saturday; elaborates on his financial situation; asks if they think it would be advisable to go to Mrs. Rascoe's; mentions an upcoming ball and that, while invitations aren't handed out, the list of girls is given only to fraternity members. Asks his parents to tell Cousin Lily that he intends to write this week.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (20 September 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Mentions attending an oration by Mr. Dorman, encounter with [classmate?] named Percy, courses and activities in and around the campus.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (27 October 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Remarks on neighborhood news relayed to him by his parents and expresses sadness at the death of the some of his neighbors. Updates his parents on the social life in Oxford, particularly concerning parties and fraternities.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (28 September 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Mentions recent football game in which he was on the tossing side, describes interaction with female classmate at a sporting event and attributes the shorter length of the letter to the late time of night (ten o'clock).
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (30 September 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Discusses faculty decision to move work for next week forward one day and to give next Monday as a holiday for a trip to Memphis, TN, which requires parental permission.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (6 December 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Acknowledges receipt of his parents' letter and telegram, as well as the money they sent. Explains lack of correspondence by mentioning that he was ill and busy the rest of the week. Assures his parents that every absence from class or other activities was caused by a legitimate illness, but that the illness was not life threatening. Says that there has been a great deal of sickness in Oxford, namely typhoid fever, which has killed people he knew. Assures his parents that his dancing and decision to go calling are not indicators of improper behavior, but tells them he will avoid it, anyway. Mentions visiting Percy before Church.
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James E. Edmonds to Major & Mrs. J. E. Edmonds (9 November 1896)
James E. Edmonds
Remarks on his morning at the crowded Methodist Church in Oxford for Sunday morning services, a disagreement with classmate over politics, classes and professors (Profs. Pete Sanders and post-graduate student Sam Houston).
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Maynard to James E. Edmonds (12 April 1893)
Author Unknown
Discusses history of Sir James's plantation and the town's history and connection with the Choctaw.
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James E. Edmonds to Alice Weeks (13 May 1889)
James E. Edmonds
Written by James while still a child. Explains lack of correspondence, attributing it to eyesight problems. Elaborates on the adjustments he and his family have made in response to his troubles.
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James E. Edmonds to Alice Weeks (5 June 1889)
James E. Edmonds
Written by James while still a child, on a boat from home to Mount Eagle, then to his Uncle's house, and on.
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James E. Edmonds to Alice Weeks (5 February 1888)
James E. Edmonds
Written by James while still a child. Mentions recent project building a wood-burning stove, plans to have a party during Winter, despite being forbidden by his mother.
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James E. Edmonds to Alice Weeks (17 December 1887)
James E. Edmonds
Written by James while still a child. Edmonds offers Christmas wishes, mentions newspaper article
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James E. Edmonds to Alice Weeks (21 October 1887)
James E. Edmonds
Written by James while still a child. Mentions horse riding and inquires about Alice's health.
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James E. Edmonds to Alice Weeks (1 June 1886)
James E. Edmonds
Written by James while still a child. Discusses the hot weather, mentions visit from Cousin Emilie, and asks for response.