Mason & Dixon Collection, 1946-1982 and undated

/in /by

KC Manuscript Collection 299

INTRODUCTION

Title: Mason & Dixon Collection

Collection Number: Kingsport Community Manuscript Collection (KCMC) 299

Physical Description: 10 boxes, 12 items on exhibit

Creator: Various  

Repository: Archives of the City of Kingsport

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance: The Mason & Dixon Collection was donated to the Archives of the City of Kingsport by John R. King in July 1996.

Access/Restrictions: There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes; however, restrictions have been placed on use of the collection for publication, of any form, and reproduction without the consent of the donor, heirs, or assigns. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Processed by: Initial processing done by archives staff. Brianne Johnson reprocessed the collection and developed the finding aid in April 2008.

COLLECTION CITATION

This collection should be cited as:

Mason & Dixon Collection, 1946-1982 and undated. KC Manuscript Collection 299, Archives of the City of Kingsport, Tennessee.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE

The Mason & Dixon Lines Inc., was created in 1932 by E. Ward King. The motor freight transportation company, based in Kingsport, Tenn., became one of the largest privately owned carriers in the United States.

The company’s history was one of consistent growth and expansion. In 1960, Silver Fleet Motor Express was purchased and expanded the company’s operating authority into other states. Throughout the years the company continued to expand until they had authority in all 48 contiguous states.

The trademark of Mason & Dixon Lines showing Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant shaking hands and featuring the slogan “now joining the North and the South” reflected the commitment to business and community held by the King Family. A family enterprise, Mason & Dixon skyrocketed under the leadership of King and his sons E. William and Jack King.

E. Ward King died in 1977.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The Mason & Dixon Collection contains photographs, publications and other company produced and company related materials. The collection contains a number of artifacts and items that have been placed on permanent display in the archives. The collection is arranged into five series as follow: Series I, Series I, Subject Files, 1957- 1982 and undated, Boxes 1-4; Series II, Eugene R. Roache Files, 1946-1970 and undated, Boxes 5-6; Series III, Jesse W. Grubb Files, 1958-1975 and undated, Box 6; Series IV, Artifacts, undated, Boxes 7-10; Series V, Exhibit Material, undated, unboxed.

SUBJECTS

King, E. Ward (1896-1977)

King family

Kingsport, Tenn.—Industries

Mason & Dixon Lines, Inc.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I, Subject Files, 1957- 1982 and undated, Boxes 1-4

Series I contains facilities summaries completed in 1982, training manuals for employees, and supervisor’s guides. Included in the series are various advertisements, photographs, and publications. The series is arranged alphabetically by folder heading.

Series II, Eugene R. Roache Files, 1946-1970 and undated, Boxes 5-6

Series II consists of publications, newsletters, correspondence, and documents collected and maintained by Eugene R. Roache. Roache was a professional driver for over twenty years. The series also contains information on truck roadeos and various awards presented to Roache. The series is arranged alphabetically by folder heading.

Series III, Jesse W. Grubb Files, 1958-1975 and undated, Box 6

Series III contains publications, awards, and log books maintained and collected by Jesse W. Grubb, an employee of Mason & Dixon. The series is arranged alphabetically by folder heading.

Series IV, Artifacts, undated, Boxes 7-10

Series IV contains various artifacts with the Mason & Dixon name and/or logo. Artifacts include miniature Mason & Dixon trucks, lighters, cups, and card sets.

Series V, Exhibit Material, undated, unboxed

Series V consists of items that have been placed on permanent display in the archives.

 BOX AND FOLDER LIST

      Series I, Subject Files, 1957- 1982 and undated, Boxes 1-4

      Box 1

  1. Awards, 1957, 1959
  2. Awards, 1965, 1967
  3. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (1 of 8)
  4. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (2 of 8)
  5. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (3 of 8)
  6. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (4 of 8)

Box 2

  1. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (5 of 8)
  2. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (6 of 8)
  3. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (7 of 8)
  4. Facilities Summaries, 1982 (8 of 8)
  5. General sales and operations meeting booklet,      1958
  6. Kingsport Times News, February 23, 1964 (1 of 2)
  7. Kingsport Times News, February 23, 1964 (2 of 2)

 Box 3

  1. Kingsport Times News, August 29, 1982
  2. “Mason Dixon and You,” undated
  3. Miscellaneous, undated
  4. Narrative history, 1982 (1 of 2)
  5. Narrative history, 1982 (2 of 2)
  6. Supervisor’s Guide, undated (1 of 2)
  7. Supervisor’s Guide, undated (2 of 2)
  8. Training Manual, undated (1 of 3)
  9. Training Manual, undated (2 of 3)
  10. Training Manual, undated (3 of 3)

Box 4 (Oversize)

  1. 25th Anniversary, notebook, 1957
  2. Award to Mason and Dixon Road Drivers, undated
  3. Photographs, 1957-1967 and undated
  4. Posters and advertisements, 1976 and undated
  5. Publications, 1959 and undated

Series II, Eugene R. Roache Files, 1946-1970 and undated, Boxes 5-6

Box 5

  1. American Trucking Association, publications,  1952-1955
  2. American Trucking Association, Truck Roadeo Championship, 1948-1953
  3. Correspondence, 1947-1953
  4. Essay by Richard Roache, undated
  5. KingsportCity Publications, 1952-1953 and 1954-1955
  6. Mason Dixon birthday cards and notepads, undated
  7. Mason Dixon documents and newsletters, 1955-1970 and undated
  8. Mason Dixon publications, 1960-1979 and undated
  9. Miscellaneous, 1958-1976
  10. Newspaper article on Eugene Roache, August 12, 1962
  11. Pay statements and insurance information, 1946-1956
  12. Photographs and identification cards, 1947-1953 and undated

Box 6

  1. Truck Roadeos, 1953-1957
  2. Truck Roadeos, 1957-1959
  3. Truck Roadeos, 1960-1964
  4. Truck Roadeos, 1965-1966

 

Series III, Jesse W. Grubb Files, 1958-1975 and undated, Box 6

5. Bulletins and birthday cards, 1973 and undated

6. Driver’s log books, 1966-1975

7. Mason Dixon publications, 1958-1973

8. Mead Corporation publications, 1958-1963

Series IV, Artifacts, undated, Boxes 7-10

Box 7

Artifacts

Box 8

Artifacts

Box 9

Artifacts

Box 10

Artifacts

Series V, Exhibit Material, undated, unboxed

 

  1. Framed Photograph Series, 1932, 1935, 1938
  2. Framed Photograph Series, 1940, 1940, 1948
  3. Framed Photograph Series , 1951, 1952, 1953
  4. Framed Photograph Series , 1960, 1963
  5. Framed Photograph Series, 1967, 1969
  6. Framed Photograph Series , 1972
  7. Framed Photograph Series , 1978
  8. Painting by Robert Atwood, , undated
  9. Framed prints of Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant with story of the Mason Dixon trademark, portraits by Gary
  10. Framed photograph of truck, undated
  11. Statue of Robert E. Lee, undated
  12. Statue of Ulysses S. Grant, undated