Collection M 227: Clinton Conner Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad papers inventory
Years this material was created: 1915-1947 (bulk years 1922-1937) Quantity: .4 linear shelf feet (in 1 document case) Links to contents Preface Introduction/  Scope and contents Administrative information Biographical note Series descriptions Info for doing research at the Center of Southwest Studies Contents list Center of Southwest Studies collection inventories Center of Southwest Studies

Introduction/ Scope and contents

This collection includes materials pertaining to Clinton O. Conner's work as a brakeman and switchman for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.  It includes D&RGW railroad regulations, Mr. Conner’s work log books, documents pertaining to his having been moved from brakeman to switchman after a derailment, and the other papers and records he compiled and/or created.

Administrative information

Acquisition of this collection:  These materials were donated by Colleen Gamboa of Highland, California, by deed of gift in October of 2005; accession 2005:11005.

Provenance of this collection:  The donor found these materials in her grandfather Clinton Conner's steamer trunk, which had been locked up in the late 1940s and not opened until 2005.

About the organization of this collection:  The items in each of the three series of this collection are arranged chronologically.   Because we do not expect to add to this collection, the folders are numbered in one single numbering scheme starting with 1.

Processing information:  This inventory was prepared by Fort Lewis College archivist Todd Ellison, November 2005.  Separated out into the Artifacts collection at the Center was item 2005:11005.2: American Flyer Lines Car number 505, "Made in USA," miniature tin railroad passenger car, which is missing its wheels.

Biographical note

Clinton Oliver Conner, a brakeman and switchman for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, was based in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Series 1:    Personal papers of Clinton O. Conner, circa 1915-1947.  9 folders.

Series 2:    Railroad companies and unions printed materials, circa 1923-1947.  14 folders.  Includes manuals and instructions for railroad employees.

Series 3:    European items, 1923 and 1938.  2 folders. 

Folder contents list (all in Box 1):

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Series 1: Personal papers of Clinton O. Conner (in folders 1-9)

Folder	Title
1	Clinton Conner record book, circa 1915-1936.  Labeled "ledger."  1 volume; 164 numbered pages plus index pages.  Includes family history notes, on tabbed index pages A-L.
2	D&RGW correspondence relating to Clinton O. Conner (also spelled Connor), 1922-1947 (bulk years 1922-1937).  Includes telegrams regarding his position.
3	Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen membership cards and dues payments receipts of C. O. Conner (also spelled Connor), 1920-1947.
4	Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen correspondence relating to Clinton O. Conner, 1922-1942.  Also, several union-related printed materials including the pension plan effective 1923 and agreements reached by the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
5	Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company employee railroad passes and examination certificates, etc., of Clinton O. Conner (also spelled Connor), 1927-1944.  12 items.  Includes traveling cards permitting Conner and his family members to ride on the railroad.
6	Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company pay stubs of C. O. Conner, [years not stated] (circa 1930s).
7	Specification Motoroil System of Mesa County, Inc., capital stock certificate issued to Clint O'Coner [sic], Dec. 2, 1930.  1 item, in its original envelope.
8	Weekly time book for contractors, workingmen and others, of Clinton Conner, July 1, 1939 -July 1945.  1 volume.  Also, still inserted into the pages where he left them are his pay stubs, timetables, dues receipt, and a U.S. Retirement Board certificate of service months and wages.
9	U.S. Retirement Board correspondence relating to Clinton Oliver Connor [sic], 1942-1947.

Series 2:   Railroad companies and unions printed materials (in folders 10-24)

Folder	Title
10	Firemen's and brakemen's preparatory instructions and air brake instruction, parts 2 and 3, respectively / by the National Railway Training Association (Omaha, Nebr. and Kansas City, MO.), of Clinton Conner (Maxwell, Iowa), copyright 1907.  2 volumes; 36 pages and 24 pages, respectively.  He received a 95% grade on Part 2.
11	"The evolution of power," brochure by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, 1923.  1 item.  Click on thumbnails to view digital images.
12	Rules and regulations of the Operating Department, The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System, 1924 ad 1938.  2 volumes; 129 pages and 147 pages, respectively.
13	Schedule of rates, rules and regulations for yardmen, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, effective January 1, 1926.  1 volume; 14 pages.
14	Train service time books / by Continental Casualty Co., 1926, 1934, and 1945.  3 volumes.  Unused.
15	Red ball freight system instructions, effective April 15, 1926.  1 volume; 29 pages.
16	Time books / presented by the Benefit Association of Railway Employees (BARE), 1928.  4 volumes.  Unused.
17	Report of the General Grievance Committee, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, Royal Gorge Route, from January 1, 1929 to February 28, 1930.  1 volume; 186 pages.  Describes the settlement of approximately 200 cases.
18	Questions for examination of new and promoted employes [sic] in the Operating Department, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System, undated [circa 1930s].  1 volume; 95 pages.  Conner (?) completed the first 63 questions (pages 4-11) of the total of 682 questions.
19	Safety rules: Operating Department, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, 1937.  1 volume; 54 pages.
20	Joint legislative report of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen and Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen covering the Thirty-first General Assembly of the State of Colorado, January 6 to May 14, 1937.  1 volume; 37 pages.
21	Rules and regulations governing the operation and maintenance of air brakes, air signals, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and lighting appliances / Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, 1938.  1 volume; 200 pages.
22	Schedule of rates, rules and regulations for switchmen / Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, effective January 1, 1943.  1 volume; 16 pages.
23	Colorado Greeters Guide and Denver Daily Doings, September 3-10, 1943. No. 36.  1 issue; 64 pages.  Welcoming the National Association of Letter Carriers, September 6-11, 1943.
24	Trainmen News / Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, April 5, 1947.  Vol. 1, No. 10.  Newspaper; 1 issue.

Series 3:    European items (in folders 25 and 26)

This collection is located at the Center of Southwest Studies on the campus of Fort Lewis College.  Researchers wanting more information about using this material at the Delaney Southwest Research Library at the Center may email the archivist at archives@fortlewis.edu or click here to use our E-mail Reference Request Form (or phone the archivist at 970/247-7126).  The Center does not have a budget for outgoing long-distance phone calls to answer reference requests, so please email if you wish to receive a response from the Center.  To request reproductions/copies, click here for instructions.

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