Materials about the Aurora Colony and materials created by members of the colony. Contains: article titled "Hearse leads wagon train," and poem "Wagon wheels roll," by Florence Knight Thompson; singing book (bound manuscript) of Frederick Keil, inscribed by Frederick Gelsy, 1868; typescript transcription and translation of the singing book; and book of sheet music (bound manuscript), ca. 1844, of Henry Kiel, brought overland from Missouri. Microfilm includes: an historical narrative of the old Bethel Colony, written by J. Fred Burckhardt; letters of William Keil, 1855 June 12-1870 Jan. 18; papers, including Michael Baehert et. al. vs. Phillip Miller et. al. "In the matter of the dissolution of the Aurora, Oregon and the Bethel, Missouri, communities," filed 1881 May 20, and related court documents; inventory and appraisal of William Keil estate; an article by Robert J. Hendricks; music books used by the Aurora Band (5 v.); ledger of Dr. William Keil and Co., Aurora City, Or., 1857-1872; ledger of F. Keil and Co., 1877-1879; and boot and shoemaker's ledger, 1864-1899. contains typescript transcription by Mark Phinney, 1937, of "Recollections of Gottleib Boehringer of Dr. Keil's Aurora Colony as recorded by his son Clarence Bareinger." contains transcription of marriage tables and appendices, 1860-1900.
