DATES: 1895, 1904, 1917
CREATOR: Patrick J. O’Brien
EXTENT: Three approximately 6” x 3 ½” leather-bound diaries
SCOPE: This collection contains three manuscript diaries kept by Patrick J. O’Brien (1867-1925), a longtime employee of the Wabash Railroad Company based in St. Louis, Missouri. O’Brien immigrated to the United States from Ireland shortly before beginning his work with the Wabash Railroad Co. in 1881, where he rose through the company’s ranks, starting as a brakeman and ending up as an Inspector of Transportation. This collection of diaries provides a primary record on Wabash Railroad’s operations in and around St. Louis during the turn of the 20th century.
Series 1 and Series 3 include O’Brien’s diaries from 1895 and 1917 respectively and densely record the daily life of a railroad working living in South City St. Louis. These diaries also include description of his heavy involvement in the Irish-American community in St. Louis, his devotion to Catholicism, and accounts of his children, the youngest of whom died at 12 at the end of 1917. Series 2 is O’Brien’s diary from 1904, which contains entries about his role in welcoming William Butler Yeats to St. Louis in January. Additionally, this volume contains substantial information on the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Each volume also contains mounted newspaper clippings dispersed throughout several pages and other ephemera.
ACCESS: This is collection B-480. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
RESTRICTIONS: None
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the collections of the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis."
INVENTORY
Series 1: Manuscript diary of Patrick J. O’Brien, 1895
Series 2: Manuscript diary of Patrick J. O’Brien, 1904
Series 3: Manuscript diary of Patrick J. O’Brien, 1917
