1908-1918 Author and Civil War Captain’s Manuscript Ledger of His Efforts to Market and Distribute His Book Plus Records of His Personal Correspondence

On offer is a fascinating ledger kept by a Kansas Civil War captain who farmed, became a dry goods dealer and served in the Kansas legislature. The ledger mostly relates to his work marketing and distributing his own autobiography, which is still available for sale. 

The ledger was kept intermittently from Sept, 1908 through June, 1918 by Captain William Stephen (W.S.) Cain (1836-1920). Cain was a white officer in the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War. Born in the Isle of Man, he settled in the USA in 1855. He lived in Wisconsin before purchasing 160 acres of land which he farmed near Atchison, Kansas. Following the war, Cain was elected to the Kansas’ legislature. In 1875 he moved into Atchison and established a dry goods business. Cain was married twice, first to Anne Cowley and later to Susan Crouch. Cain and Susan had two children, both of whom tragically died young [LEARN MORE ABOUT CAIN’S CIVIL WAR SERVICE IN BIO NOTES AT THE END OF THE LISTING]. 

In his ledger, Cain records his efforts to market and distribute his book titled, “Autobiography of Captain W.S. Cain”, which he published in 1908. Over the course of the 10 years he keeps this ledger, it transitions into a record of all his correspondence, related to both his book and his other life events. This ledger book is both a fascinating look at the world of marketing a small-scale niche book in the early 20th century and a goldmine of genealogical information given the hundreds of names Cain has noted. 

The ledger opens with Cain’s title “Record of my Book Sent out from Atchison”, followed by a long list of names, the number of copies they received, and whether or not the recipient has paid. A selection of a few names on the list follow:

“Arthur, Miss Jenny, Aunt Sophia, Editor Globe, Editor Champion, Wm S Washer…Gov Crawford, Judge Gill Patrick, Rev F.S. White, Father Girard, Jessie A DeMuth, Mrs. WA McKelvey…The President of the US…”

Throughout 1908 and 1909 there are many such entries. Cain writes the date and lists the people who received copies of the book. 

As news articles are written about Cain and his book, he notes the date of publication and to whom he is sending copies of articles. He also writes of sending news articles about his other endeavors and other pieces of personal interest to his contacts (the news articles he references are all available to view online). He later records more personal correspondences such as holiday cards he sent. He sometimes includes addresses of his recipients. Some excerpts from the ledger follow:

“Sept 30-08 1 - The Miss Cloyes’s, 1 President Midland College, 1 Addie Montague, 1 Col Conovor - Ka City, 1 M ℅ Blanche McPruhe, 1 Editor Kansas Times-Star, 1 Editor Kansas City Journal” [Sept 30, 1908].

“Feb 18 wrote letter to Major General DE Sickles and sent copy of Auto as thanks for his Open Letter to Congress and the President in favour of the Volunteer Officers Retirement bill” [Feb 18, 1911].

“1 Vol autobiography to John Zimitore Rector’s assistant on his leaving for Virginia” [Feb 20, 1911]. 

“Globe [news article] to Bertha March 18, Letter to Bertha March 20, Letter to Lizzie M Metcalf March 21…Letter to Mrs. Fleming April 4, Tribune [news article] parts to Daniel Mychreest (April 20), Bertha M, the Miss Mychreest’s, Short letter to Bertha (April 23), Letter to Ralph 1 page (April 30)...” [March-April, 1914].

“2 Globes with mill sale xc to Lizzie M. Metcalf, Globe with Primary election to Lizzie M. Metcalf, Letter to Miss Eliza Teare on receiving news of her mother’s death Aug 14 (Cousin Betty Alister), Globe of Oct 28 (Eulogy of Cara) to James Cooper Castletown, Mrs. Anna Fleming Hillside Douglas, Miss Elase Teare West Longham East Jurby Isle of Man, Giles Metcalf Esq. “Holmersest”, Lyndurst Road Hallasey Chesire….” [July-Sept, 1916]. 

This ledger provides insight into the last several years of the accomplished W.S. Cain’s life, his book’s publication and his efforts to market and distribute the book, his politics, and the many people who were in his life in the US and overseas. It measures approx 6.0x3.5 inches and contains 80 pages. It is 75% complete. The binding is sewn and has loosened. The first page has come loose but is present. The handwriting is legible. The ledger comes in its own hard cover ‘case’, made out of heavy cardboard and bound by a red leatherette binding. 

For a military historian, this is a superb record of a very successful Civil War officer, legislator and businessman. The connection to the U.S. Colored Troops and the celebrated Buffalo Soldiers makes this an exceptional connection to American history. For a genealogist, this autobiography and accompanying ledger offer a gold mine of information about this singular individual who in many ways is a representative of the type of people who built the post-Civil War America.

BIO NOTES: When the Civil War began, Cain volunteered as a private with Company C, of the Eight Kansas Infantry. Shortly after the company was organized, he was appointed Sergeant. During the war he was promoted first to Sergeant-Major then Second Lieutenant and in August, 1863, to First Lieutenant and adjutant of the Twelfth Regiment, United States Colored Troops. One year later, he was commissioned Captain of Company C, same regiment, serving as such until the close of the war.

The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were regiments in the United States Army composed primarily of African-American (colored) soldiers. Although the troops were ‘colored’, the officer corps was 100% white. They were first recruited during the American Civil War, and by the end of the war in 1865, the 175 USCT regiments constituted about one-tenth of the manpower of the Union Army. About 20% of USCT soldiers died, a rate about 35% higher than that of white Union troops. Many USCT soldiers fought with distinction, with 16 receiving the Medal of Honor and numerous others receiving other honors. The USCT regiments were the direct forerunners of the famed Buffalo Soldier regiments who patrolled the American West following the Civil War and fought in the Indian Wars. The Buffalo Soldiers also served as the very first National Park rangers (the distinctive ‘Smokey the Bear’ hat comes from the USCT) and served with distinction in WW1, WW2 and the Korean War