Finding Aid for the Zahniser Papers,

1882--1932

MS-003

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION:

Origination/Creator: Zahniser, Ellis

Title of Collection: Zahniser Papers

Date of Collection: 1882-1932

Physical Description: .50 linear feet

Identification: MS-003

Repository: Carlsbad City Library Carlsbad History Room Special Collection,

Carlsbad, CA

Abstract: The Zahniser, 1882-1932, consists primarily of correspondence to Zahniser from family members when he arrived in California. Also included are materials related to Zahniser’s business career.

RIGHT AND RESTRICTIONS:

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Copyright: The copyright interests in this collection remain with the

creator. For more information, contact the Carlsbad History Room.

Acquisition Method: This collection was donated by Gary Nessim.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORY NOTE:

Ellis Colton Zahniser, a Carlsbad business man, owned the Red and White Meat Market on First Street later known as State Street during the late 1920s and 1930s. He was originally from Oklahoma, and moved to California in the mid 1920s. His father Norman and brother Clyde remained in Wann, Oklahoma and a brother Karl and his wife Lucille moved to Newhall, California, two sisters Mrs. E.C. Reynolds lived on Elm Street in Carlsbad and Mrs. Guy Maddox lived in Long Beach California.

On June 12, 1932, Zahniser was shot five times while in his store by J. Frank White over a money disagreement. White was killed on State Street by Sheriffs deputies. Zahniser married Mrs. Golda Lester on July 16, 1934.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE:

The Zahniser Papers, 1882-1932, consists primarily of the incoming correspondence to Ellis Zahniser, a Carlsbad business owner who, in 1932 was shot on State Street five times by an irate fellow citizen over a money dispute.

The collection consists of three series: Personal Correspondence (Series I), Business Papers (Series II) and Harvey Kendall Correspondence (Series III). All Series are further divided chronologically.

Series I: Personal Correspondence, 1923-1932, contains personal letters to Zahniser. While the bulk of the collection consists of correspondence to Zahniser from Eula Thompson, a small number of other letters are from his father Norman and Aunt Eula. Series II: Business Papers, 1920-1931 includes materials related to Zahniser’s Bank Statements and business. Series III: Harvey Kendall Correspondence, 1882-1911, the majority of letters are to Sadie Harvey Kendall of Painesville, Ohio.

CONTAINER LIST:

Series I: Personal Correspondence, 1923-1932

Folder 1: Incoming Correspondence, 1923, 1 item

Folder 2: Incoming Correspondence, 1925, 1 item

Folder 3: Incoming Correspondence, 1929, 28 items

Folder 4: Incoming Correspondence, 1930, 11 items

Folder 5: Incoming Correspondence, 1931, 9 items

Folder 6: Incoming Correspondence, 1932, 1 item

Series II: Business Papers, 1920-1931

Folder 7: Oil and Gas Leases, 1920, 1 item

Folder 8: Letter of Recommendation, 1921, 1 item

Folder 9: Benefit Fund, 1922, 1 item

Folder 10: Employment letter, 1923, 1 item

Folder 11: Stock purchase statements, 1924, 2 items

Folder 12: Bank Statements and Business leases, 1929, 8 items

Folder 13: Restaurant Equipment Receipts, 1930 1 item

Folder 14: Bank Statements, 1931, 1 item

Series III: Harvey Kendall Correspondence, 1882-1911, 33 items

Folder 15:1882-1887, 5 items

Folder 16: 1888, 7 items

Folder 17: 1891-1895, 11 items

Folder 18: 1896, 6 items

Folder 19: 1903-1911, 3 items