Papers, 1933-1954. This collection is
composed of the papers of Ethel "Ma" Hopkins. The bulk of the material is
correspondence relating to her position as editor and publisher of
Hoofs and Horns Magazine. Also included are photographs
and prints, mostly depicting rodeo characters, rodeo scenes, and Western ranch
activities of the period.
Collection Number:
MS 404
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
Biographical Note
Ethel A. Hopkins was born and raised on a farm in Missouri. She
graduated from the University of Missouri in 1908 and worked as a school
teacher in both Missouri and Oklahoma. She came to Tucson in 1916 due to the
ill health of her husband and continued to work, first as a school teacher and
later as a stenographer and secretary at the University of Arizona. After the
passing of her first husband she married J. W. Hopkins, an officer at the Acme
Printing Company. In 1933 Mrs. Hopkins purchased
Hoofs and Horns Magazine, a weekly cattle paper that had
ceased publication during the depression. She re-conceptualized
Hoofs and Horns, first publishing it in October of 1933 as
a monthly magazine, shifting the focus towards the sport of rodeo while still
accommodating the interests of cattlemen. Mrs. Hopkins acted as publisher and
editor of
Hoofs and Horns until 1954, crafting the magazine to
contain a "balanced ration of sense and nonsense": featuring news articles,
verse, humor, and poetry intended for "simple cow country folk." An ardent
rodeo fan, Mrs. Hopkins came to meet, befriend, and correspond with many rodeo
personalities and contestants while promoting and seeking submissions and
advertisements for her publication.
Scope and Content Note
Papers, 1933-1948. This collection is composed of the papers of Ethel
"Ma" Hopkins. Primarily containing correspondence and her photograph collection
amassed during her tenure as editor and publisher of
Hoofs and Horns Magazine. Ethel Hopkins' correspondence
includes letters discussing rodeo events, advertising, rodeo performers,
magazine submissions of all kinds, and magazine subscriptions and circulation.
Ethel Hopkins maintained close relationships with many Western writers and
rodeo personalities, and there is a personal element throughout much of her
correspondence. The General Series includes correspondence documenting daily
life in Tucson, the social climate created by World War II, the changing
Western landscape, and various accounts of the trials and tribulations of
cowboys, ranchers, and rodeo folk. Similarly the photographs and prints
contained in the collection include materials gathered for publication in
Hoofs and Horns, as well as items inscribed to Mrs.
Hopkins personally, illustrating her relationship with specific rodeo
characters.
Materials Cataloged Separately
Four monographs from the collection were cataloged separately. They
are as follows and can be accessed through the University of Arizona Library
Catalog.
Songs of the Southwest, by Juanita Elliott
Autumn Leaves, by May Stevens Isaacs
Left Handed Law, by Charles M. Martin
Rodeo Cowboy, by Charles M. Martin
Organization
The collection is divided into two series: Correspondence Files and
Photographs and Prints. The Correspondence Series is divided into six
subseries. The Photographs and Prints Series is divided into three subseries.
The contents of each series and subsequent subseries are arranged
alphabetically. In many cases original folder titles were retained.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
Access Terms
Subject(s)
American periodicals -- History -- 20th
century
Hoofs and Horns Magazine -- Records and
correspondence
The Correspondence Files Series is divided into six subseries.
Advertising Files (1934-1948) contain correspondence regarding
prospective and ongoing advertising in
Hoofs and Horns Magazine. The letterhead and business
workings of various industries that advertised in
Hoofs and Horns--notably livestock production and
western apparel manufacturing--are represented here. Also included is
correspondence regarding classified advertisements of all varieties, appealing
to individuals in the rodeo community. Note, some advertising correspondence is
attributed to
Hoofs and Horns office staff: William Sheldon,
Virginia Smith, and Dorothy Bell.
Circulation Files (1935-1948) is comprised of correspondence
regarding the circulation of
Hoofs and Horns, including subscriptions, payments,
"boost letters" -applauding aspects of
Hoofs and Horns, specific copy requests, and copy
exchange agreements with other serial publications.
General Files (1934-1948) contain general inquiries and
correspondence relating to the sport of rodeo but not specifically with the
publication of
Hoofs and Horns. Including correspondence (arranged
alphabetically by individual) discussing rodeo, Western life, and personal
affairs, and correspondence documenting the assorted inquiries sent to Mrs.
Hopkins by readers, organized by subject matter.
Performers (1936-1948) contain correspondence to and from rodeo
performers--announcers, clowns, trick riders and ropers--including several
programs and photo representations depicting specific acts of the time.
Rodeo Files (1933-1948) contain correspondence and announcements
between Mrs. Hopkins and rodeo producers and local rodeo associations regarding
rodeo events. Rodeo files are arranged alphabetically by the city in which they
occurred, with the exception of three "General" files with correspondence
regarding rodeo dates, rules, and results that are not attributed to one
specific city. Of note in the Rodeo Files are the many colorful, detailed rodeo
programs and "Western" stationary elements present in the correspondence. Also
included in the Rodeo Files is Mrs. Hopkins' extensive correspondence with the
Rodeo Association of America, of which
Hoofs and Horns was the official publication.
Submission Files (1933-1948) contain correspondence regarding
material submitted to
Hoofs and Horns: stories, poems, photographs,
illustrations, news items, corrections, and announcements.
The Photographs and Prints Series (1936-1954) is divided into
three subseries.
Subseries: Photographs (1936-1934) contains the bulk of the
series, with the majority of the photographs depicting rodeo characters or
scenes, including portraits, professional action photos, and candid shots. Mrs.
Hopkins' scrapbooks have been disassembled but maintained in their original
order with her inventories present. Of note are many signed portraits,
inscribed to Ethel Hopkins. Most photographs are undated.
Subseries: Prints (undated) contains a small number of pictorial
prints generally reflecting rodeo or Western themes.
Subseries: Oversized Materials (1939-1950) contains group and
individual photographs of rodeo folk.
