William Thomas (W. T.) Cash Papers

Collection — Container: briefcase

Identifier: MSS 2011-0614a

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contained within this collection is a manuscript of W.T. Cash's Biennials. Also housed in this collection are other shorter manuscripts penned by Cash, as well as miscellaneous notes and a leather monogrammed satchel belonging to Cash.

Dates

Created: approximately 1878-1951

Creator

Cash, William Thomas (W.T.) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

William Thomas Cash (W.T. Cash) was born in Lamont, Jefferson County, Florida, on July 21, 1878, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Susan C. Cash. Benjamin Franklin Cash died when W. T. Cash was thirteen years old. He left his mother's house when she remarried and began supporting himself by working as a farm hand. After five years, he was able to save money to attend school in Taylor County, where his mother lived. Cary A. Hardee (who later became Governor of Florida) was Cash's teacher in Taylor County. Hardee inspired Cash to study for the teaching certificate examination, which he passed when he was nineteen. Cash began teaching public school in Taylor County and became President of the Taylor County Teacher's Association. In 1917, he taught Florida History and Civic courses during Summer School at the Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee.

W.T. Cash was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1909, 1915, and 1917, and to the Florida Senate in 1918. Cash served two years of his term in the Florida Senate and left to campaign for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Taylor County. He was elected in 1921 and served one term. In 1925, Governor Martin helped pass legislation that created the State Library Board of Florida. The Board consisted of three members who were appointed by the Governor. On April 1, 1927, the Board appointed W.T. Cash as the State Librarian to serve the Board as the Secretary of the Library. His small office and Library was originally located in the House of Representatives side of the Florida Capitol and soon relocated to the basement of the Capitol, where he collected rare books and wrote several articles and books about Florida history. In 1949, the State Library moved from the Capitol to a basement office in the newly constructed Florida Supreme Court building. Cash often received research questions from reporters, legislators, and the public. Only three weeks after his retirement, Cash died in Tallahassee, Florida on July 21, 1951.

Note written by State Archives of Florida

Extent

0.40 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A collection of papers by William Thomas (W.T.) Cash. Notably, this collection contains the manuscript for his book Biennials. Personal business ledgers and other short manuscripts are also housed in this collection.

Arrangement Note

This collection is housed in one box and divided into two series. The folders within each series are arranged alphbetically. At the unit level, papers are arranged either numerically or alphabetically depending on their nature.