Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts and Archives Department
Collection Information
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Box and Folder Inventory
Cataloging Information
Processed by
Connie McBirney
May, 1980
Hilary Adams
October, 1988
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VOLUME OF COLLECTION: |
1 manuscript box, 2 bound volumes, 3 oversize folders, visual materials and artifacts |
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COLLECTION DATES: |
1895-1925 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Gift of Rush Williams, 1980 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
none |
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REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE FORMATS: |
none |
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OTHER FINDING AIDS: |
none |
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RELATED HOLDINGS: |
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ACCESSION NUMBER: |
1988.0159 |
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NOTES: |
none |
G.G. Dawson (1862-1916), also known as Harry Dawson, was a medicine show owner, manager and performer. Originally from Mayfield, Kentucky, he established himself and family in Indianapolis, Indiana, around 1905. Dawson performed as a black-face comedian and banjo player. He was accompanied on the stage by his first wife, Carrie, and his brother, C.C. "Lum" Dawson, Jr. Both died in 1897. He remarried in 1900 and began to manage his own medicine at the same time. His early jobs included working with the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company, the Herbs of Life Medicine Company, and the Williams Vaudeville Company. He later managed the Herbs of Nature Medicine Company and the Dawson Concert Company, and was president of the Iceland Medicine Company of Indianapolis.
The papers consist of letters to Dawson from family and several performers seeking work, and orders for medicine addressed to the Iceland Medicine Company. Also included are various notes concerning performances, jokes, songs, medicine and candy recipes, as well as original songs and comedy sketches by Harry Dawson, contained in bound books and loose. There is also a pocket diary kept by Leon Dawson listing towns and monies received for the 1916 summer tour of the Dawson Concert Company. This particular tour centered on Huntington, Wells, and Grant counties in Indiana. Other tours went as far west as Texas. Printed materials concerning the Dawson family include broadsides, newspaper clippings and packaging materials for Dawson's products. Other printed materials include sheet music for banjo, songbooks, advertising for circus equipment, promotional material for various artists and maps.
A large quantity of photographic material and a photograph album has been placed in visual collections. Subjects of these photos include the Dawson family, various medicine show performers (in and out of costume) and equipment. The artifacts received with the Dawson papers have been placed in the artifact collection. They include a cowhide vest; two round containers containing collars, glasses, buttons, jewelry and three discount coins; and an engraving used for the printing of broadsides.
Box 1
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FOLDER |
CONTENTS |
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1 |
Correspondence, 1895-1925. |
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2 |
Legal documents; bank notes, contracts, licenses, 1896-1922. |
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3 |
Notes concerning songs and jokes. |
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4 |
Broadsides. |
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5 |
Newspaper Clippings. |
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6 |
Misc. items: Business Cards, packaging material, recipe for Kickapoo Indian Oil, Leon Dawson account book. |
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7 |
Promotional material for various acts. |
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8 |
Advertising catalogs: tents, musical equipment, candy. |
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9-16 |
Sheet music and Songbooks, theatrical publications (see OM 0082, folders 2-3). |
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17 |
Eight broadsides announcing the Dawson Concert Company and the Pureblood Concert Company of Indianapolis. (see OM 0082, folder 1--stored ff B-1) |
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BV 1893 |
Record book containing notes concerning various performances, song titles, comedy material, and candy recipes. |
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BV 1894 |
Composition book containing original song lyrics by Dawson. |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
END