CORRESPONDENCE/LETTERS

Nampa: Private Correspondence, 1946. Soft cover. Very Good. Historian Bird of Nampa, Idaho, over a period of many years corresponded with rare book dealer Jerome Peltier of Clarks Old Book Store in Spokane. In this clutch of letters and cards, 23 in all, depending on what you count, but a minimum, Bird tries to answer questions from Peltier. While much of the content is personal (she talks about school teaching - was a high school teacher of history-her cats, a few trips, and even teaching Sunday School) the content discussed some figures of Pacific Northwest History Bird was researching, particularly William Wallace, who was governor of both Idaho and Washington Territories. Bird is trying to add to the data she is compiling, but often comes up on dead ends. A published articles is included, in duplicate, sent at two different times. There are no letters from Peltier, only Bird to Peltier. Most are from 1946-48, but a handful also as late as the 1960s. The letters are original as typed and signed by Bird, and have their accompanying mailing envelopes. Peltier corresponded with countless historians and saved everything they sent him, it seemed. Now there was a rare book dealer who just soaked up history, particular that of the Pacific Northwest. Here is what the Idaho State Archives says of Bird: Annie Laurie Bird was born August 21, 1893 in Billings, Montana. Bird moved with her parents to Idaho in 1905, where they homesteaded in Owyhee County. The family moved to Caldwell in 1906 and to Nampa in 1918. Annie Bird attended the College of Idaho and Columbia University and was awarded a Doctor of Letters Degree from Northwest Nazarene College in 1970. A teacher in Nampa for 35 years, Bird became a regionally-noted historian, writer, and researcher. She was the author of many books and articles. State newspapers also published her poetry. Annie Laurie Bird died on December 26, 1972 in Nampa, Idaho. Books by Annie Laurie Bird: Boise, The Peace Valley. Caldwell, Idaho, Caxton Printers, 1934. reprint Nampa, Idaho, Canyon County Historical Society, 1975 >My Home Town. Caldwell, Idaho, Caxton Printers, 1968 Old Fort Boise. Parma, Idaho, Old Fort Boise Historical Society, 1971 Thomas McKay. Caldwell, Idaho, Caxton Printers, 1972.