Series 11571
Department of Health Sheep radiation studies, 1953-1955.
1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
See history of the records' creator.
Summary of Records
Scope and Content
The records in this series include correspondence, memorandum, meeting minutes, photographs, and reports from the various investigators and agencies involved with the sheep death investigations that took place in Cedar City in 1953 and 1954. The study papers and compiled reports found here were collected by the Utah Department of Health, and highlight the questions surrounding radioactive fallout from the Nevada Test Site and its contributing role in the heavy losses of sheep in 1953 among herds that were wintered in areas downwind of the site.
Research Note
The numbering of documents in this series was done by the office of Governor Scott Matheson prior to the release of the records in 1979. The records were microfilmed at the same time, and names were blocked out on the microfilm (that still appear on the paper copies). A statement at the beginning of the microfilm advises that certain documents were missing at the time of microfilming, and that the Governor's office was unsure whether these missing records were lost or the result of a machine error in numbering. The documents numbers missing in both paper and microfilm are 39, 48, and 50.
In addition to paper and microfilm holdings, this series also contains a set of five microfiche cards. The majority of these cards contain photographic negatives of the sheep herds that were examined by U.S. Public Health Service and Atomic Energy Commission Investigators. Also present is a document level synopsis of the records in this series that was completed on February 14, 1979 by Irvin C. McClay of the Utah State Archives. Extreme care should be taken in handling fiche material as they are master copies (with no known duplicates).
Arrangement
Numerical by document stamp number.
Additional Forms
This series is available on microfilm.
This series is available online as part of the Utah State Archives Digital Archives.
Access Restrictions
Microfiche holdings require staff assistance due to fewer reference copies. Handle masters under supervision.
Use Restrictions
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Custody History
Records were transferred to Utah State Archivist, T. Harold Jacobsen on February 11, 1982 by Department of Health representative Wanless Southwick.
Acquisition Information
These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.
Processing Information
The paper and microfilm holdings for this series were processed by Jim Kichas in May 2012.
Microfiche processed by Rebekkah Shaw under the National Historical Publications and Records Commission grant to the Utah State Archives and Records Services for the Utah Microfiche Backlog Project (Grant No.: NAR10-RB-50086-10). July 2010 - December 2011
Related Material
Radiation study radiological surveillance reports from the Division of Health, Series 1603, contains raw data from radiological studies conducted by the Utah Department of Health.
Radiation records from the Governor Matheson, Series 4470, contains a 1979 summary and synopsis based on the 1953 report found in this series.
Radiation studies from the Division of Health, Series 14086, contains other radiation study records created by the Utah Department of Health.
Administrative records from the Department of Environmental Quality. Division of Radiation Control, Series 16841, contains records related to the study of sheep in Cedar City that were exposed to atmospheric radiation from the Nevada Test Site in 1953.
Container List
| Reel | Box | Folder | Document | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 1 | 1 | N/A | 1982 Feb 11 | Memorandum Transferring Record Custody to the Utah State Archives |
| N/A | 1 | 2 | N/A | 1953-1955 | Classified Record Notification on Index Card |
| N/A | 1 | 3 | N/A | 1953 | Photo Slides of Sheep With Beta Burns |
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1979 | Governor's Office - Message of Records Release |
| 1 | 1 | 4 | 1-32 | 1953 May 6 | Co-Operative Field Survey of Sheep Deaths in Southwest Utah (Cedar City) by Monroe A. Holmes |
| 1 | 1 | 5 | 33-36 | 1953 Jul 21 | Radiobiology Lab Report by Radiochemist Betsy J. Stover (University of Utah College of Medicine) |
| 1 | 1 | 6 | 37-38 | 1953 | D.A. Greenwood Chemical Analysis Report |
| 1 | 1 | 7 | 40-42 | 1953-1955 | Maps of Sheep Herd Locations |
| 1 | 1 | 8 | 43 | 1953 | Newspaper Clippings |
| 1 | 1 | 9 | 44-47 | 1953 | Photographs of Horses With Beta Burns |
| N/A | 1 | 10 | 49 | 1953 | AEC Map - Fallout Pattern for the Upshot-Knothole Test Series |
| 1 | 1 | 11 | 51 | 1953-1955 | Map of Sheep Herd Locations |
| N/A | 1 | 12 | 52-53 | 1953 | W.J. Hadlow Necropsy Report on Douglas Corry Sheep |
| 1 | 1 | 13 | 54-60 | 1953 Jun 6-Jun 7 | Sheep Serum Samples Report |
| 1 | 1 | 14 | 61 | 1953 Jun 5-Jun 6 | Hematological Findings (Oxalated Samples) |
| 1 | 1 | 15 | 62-78 | 1953 | W.J. Hadlow Necropsy Reports on Corry Ewes 6 and 7 |
| 1 | 1 | 16 | 79 | 1953 Jun 4 | Federal Security Agency Route Slip to Dr. Monroe A. Holmes |
| 1 | 1 | 17 | 80-81 | 1953 Jun 4 | Epidemic Aid Request from Utah Department of Health Director, Dr. George A. Spendlove to the CDC Public Health Service |
| 1 | 1 | 18 | 82 | 1953 Jun 9 | University of Utah College of Medicine Correspondence Concerning the Test Shot Schedule at the Nevada Test Site |
| 1 | 1 | 19 | 83 | 1953 Jun 10 | Preliminary Report of Radioassays of Selected Tissue Specimens of Sheep |
| 1 | 1 | 20 | 84 | 1953 Jun 10 | Arthur H. Wolff Correspondence on Sheep Hypothyroidism to Dr. William Hadlow |
| 1 | 1 | 21 | 85-87 | 1953 Jun 11-Jul 16 | Correspondence with Nevada Agencies on Sheep Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 22 | 88-97 | 1953 Jun | Data on Sheep Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 23 | 98-100 | 1953 Jun 19 | Report by R.J. Veenstra on Examination of Animals in the Nevada Proving Grounds |
| 1 | 1 | 24 | 101-103 | 1953 Jun 23 | Report from W.T. Huffman to Dr. H.W. Schoeing Concerning Sheep Herd Conditions |
| 1 | 1 | 25 | 104-105 | 1953 Jun 24 | Correspondence and Preliminary Report from Arthur H. Wolff to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Sheep Samples |
| 1 | 1 | 26 | 106-108 | 1953 Jun 24 | Correspondence and Report from F.H. Melvin to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Sheep Herd Conditions |
| 1 | 1 | 27 | 109 | 1953 Jun 24 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to Dr. W.T. Huffman Concerning Reports and News Releases |
| 1 | 1 | 28 | 110-125 | 1953 Jul 3 | Correspondence and Reports from James E. Reeves to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Sheep Studies |
| 1 | 1 | 29 | 126 | 1953 Jul 9 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to Vernon Metcalf Concerning an Information Request on Nevada Sheep |
| 1 | 1 | 30 | 127-131 | 1953 Jul 16 | Utah Department of Health Correspondence to Sheep Owners with Handwritten Replies |
| 1 | 1 | 31 | 132-133 | 1953 Jul 10 | Correspondence from W.J. Hadlow to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Pathology Report Findings |
| 1 | 1 | 32 | 134 | 1953 Jul 20 | Handwritten Correspondence from Cattleman Roy E. Lytle to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Herd Conditions |
| 1 | 1 | 33 | 135-138 | 1953 Jul 20 | Correspondence and L.A. Stoddart Report from D.A. Broadbent to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Livestock and Range Conditions |
| 1 | 1 | 34 | 139 | 1953 Jul 21 | Correspondence from Betsy J. Stover to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Tissue/Excreta Samples |
| 1 | 1 | 35 | 140-147 | 1953 Jul 27 | Livestock Examination Data from Dee. A Broadbent to Monroe A. Holmes |
| 1 | 1 | 36 | 148-155 | 1953 Aug 9 | AEC, Utah State Health Department, Public Health Department, and Sheep Owner Meeting Notes |
| 1 | 1 | 37 | 156-160 | 1953 Aug 25-Oct 29 | Statements from Livestock Owners |
| 1 | 1 | 38 | 161 | 1953 Sep 4 | Correspondence and Final Report on Sheep Disease Investigation Submission from James Steele |
| 1 | 1 | 39 | 162 | 1953 Sep 9 | Correspondence from James G. Terrill to Arthur H. Wolff Concerning the Exchanging of Reports |
| 1 | 1 | 40 | 163 | 1953 Sep 21 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to Arthur H. Wolff Concerning Continued Investigation |
| 1 | 1 | 41 | 164-171 | 1953 | Correspondence and Microscopic Examination Report from Joe B. Sanders to Monroe A. Holmes |
| 1 | 1 | 42 | 172-183 | 1953 | Correspondence and Enclosures from Joe B. Sanders to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Sheep Sample Analysis |
| 1 | 1 | 43 | 184-185 | 1953 Sep 21 | Correspondence Between Monroe A. Holmes and Stephen L. Brower Concerning Coordinated Research Study |
| 1 | 1 | 44 | 186 | 1953 Sep 2 | Correspondence from George A. Spendlove to Stephen L. Brower Concerning Continued Sheep Study |
| 1 | 1 | 45 | 187 | 1953 Oct 12 | Correspondence from James H. Steele to George A. Spendlove Concerning Study/Survey Request |
| 1 | 1 | 46 | 188-189 | 1953 Oct 13 | Correspondence from Arthur H. Wolff Concerning John Rust and B.F. Trum Sheep Necropsy Study |
| 1 | 1 | 47 | 190-215 | 1953 Oct 14 | University of Tennessee Sheep Study Reports by John Rust and B.F. Trum |
| 1 | 1 | 48 | 216-218 | 1953 Oct 16 | Memorandum on Sheep Losses Around Cedar City from Seth R. Woodruff to Carroll L. Tyler |
| 1 | 1 | 49 | 219 | 1953 Oct 27 | Los Alamos Conference on Livestock Losses Briefing |
| 1 | 1 | 50 | 220-221 | 1953 Oct 16 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to John H. Rust Concerning Sheep Tissue Samples |
| 1 | 1 | 51 | 222 | 1953 Nov 4 | Federal Security Agency Route Slip to Monroe A. Holmes from Arthur H. Wolff |
| 1 | 1 | 52 | 223-225 | 1953 Oct 26-Oct 29 | Los Alamos Trip Report |
| 1 | 1 | 53 | 226-228 | 1953 Nov 2 | Memorandum and Correspondence from F.H. Melvin to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Los Alamos Conference |
| 1 | 1 | 54 | 229-244 | 1953 Nov 4 | Report on Sheep Losses Adjacent to the Nevada Proving Grounds by AEC Director of Biology and Medicine |
| 1 | 1 | 55 | 245-248 | 1953 Nov 9 | Memorandum from Monroe A. Holmes to James H. Steele Concerning Los Alamos Conference |
| 1 | 1 | 56 | 249 | 1953 Nov 12 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to Dr. Clarence Lushbaugh Concerning Sheep Tissue Samples |
| 1 | 1 | 57 | 250 | 1953 Nov 12 | Correspondence from Stephen Brower to Dr. R.H. Walker Concerning Experiment Station Meeting |
| 1 | 1 | 58 | 251-252 | 1953 Nov 23 | Correspondence between Monroe A. Holmes and Dr. Clarence Lushbaugh Concerning Sheep Sample Tests |
| 1 | 1 | 59 | 253-275 | 1953 Nov 30 | Comparative Study of Experimentally Produced Beta Lesions and Skin Lesions in Utah Range Sheep (with Photographs) by C.E. Lushbaugh, J.F. Spalding, and D.B. Hale |
| 1 | 1 | 60 | 276-320 | 1953 Nov 30 | Comparative Study of Hanford and Utah Range Sheep by L.K. Bustad, S. Marks, N.L. Dockum, D.R. Kalkwarf, and H.A. Kornberg (Hanford Atomic Products Operation) |
| 1 | 1 | 61 | 321-322 | 1953 Dec 11 | Correspondence from Paul B. Pearson to James G. Terrill Concerning Transfer of Reports |
| 1 | 1 | 62 | 323 | 1953 Dec 24 | Memorandum from Samuel C. Ingraham Concerning AEC Report on Sheep Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 63 | 324-325 | 1953 Dec 24 | Correspondence from James G. Terrill, Jr. to Dr. George A. Spendlove Concerning AEC Report on Sheep Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 64 | 326-327 | 1953 Dec 30 | Memorandum from Monroe A. Holmes to George Spendlove Concerning Paul Pearson's Report on Sheep Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 65 | 328-329 | 1954 Jan 5 | Correspondence from Paul B. Pearson to George Spendlove Concerning Iodine and Toxicity Reports |
| 1 | 1 | 66 | 330-338 | 1954 Jan 6 | AEC Report on Sheep Losses Adjacent to the Nevada Proving Grounds |
| 1 | 1 | 67 | 339-348 | 1954 Jan 13 | Meeting Minutes Between AEC Officials and Utah Livestockmen in Cedar City, Utah |
| 1 | 1 | 68 | 349-351 | 1954 Jan 19 | Correspondence from James G. Terrill to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Travel Expenses |
| 1 | 1 | 69 | 352-353 | 1954 Jan 20 | Correspondence from Paul B. Pearson to George Spendlove Concerning Congressional Letter of Support |
| 1 | 1 | 70 | 354-355 | 1954 Feb 1 | Correspondence from Samuel Ingraham to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning 1948 AEC Report on Beta Burns on Rats |
| 1 | 1 | 71 | 356 | 1954 Feb 5 | Correspondence from L.C. Strickland to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Travel Reimbursement |
| 1 | 1 | 72 | 357 | 1954 Apr 6 | Memorandum from Samuel C. Ingraham Concerning Travel Reimbursement |
| 1 | 1 | 73 | 358 | 1954 Apr 13 | Correspondence from Stephen L. Brower to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Wallace Thorley Sheep Herd Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 74 | 359-362 | 1954 Apr 14 | Memorandum from Monroe A. Holmes to Samuel C. Ingraham Concerning Narrative Report on Continuing Investigation of Sheep Herd Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 75 | 363-365 | 1954 Jan 13 | Hand Written Notes from AEC Meeting with Livestock Owners in Cedar City, Utah |
| 1 | 1 | 76 | 366-369 | 1954 Apr 14 | Memorandum from Monroe A. Holmes to Samuel C. Ingraham Concerning Narrative Report on Continuing Investigation of Sheep Herd Loss |
| 1 | 1 | 77 | 370 | 1954 Apr 15 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to Stephen L. Brower Concerning Wallace Thorley Sheep Herd |
| 1 | 1 | 78 | 371 | 1954 Apr 15 | Memorandum to Paul Pearson and Joe Sanders Concerning Livestock Losses and Field Trip to Cedar City, Utah |
| 1 | 1 | 79 | 372-380 | 1954 Apr 16 | Correspondence and Report Concerning Proposed Nutritional and Pathology Study of Range Sheep in Southwest Utah |
| 1 | 1 | 80 | 381-384 | 1954 May 14 | Correspondence from James G. Terrill to Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Distribution of Reports |
| 1 | 1 | 81 | 385 | 1954 May 19 | Correspondence from Arthur Wolff to G.A. Spendlove Concerning New Range Study Information Request |
| 1 | 1 | 82 | 386 | 1954 May 24 | Correspondence from Monroe A. Holmes to Arthur Wolff Concerning May 19, 1954 Information Request |
| 1 | 1 | 83 | 387 | 1954 May 19 | Memorandum from James G. Terrill Concerning Stephen Brower Notes from the January 13, 1954 Cedar City Meeting |
| 1 | 1 | 84 | 388 | 1954 Jun 2 | Correspondence from George A. Spendlove to Paul Pearson Concerning Mackleprang Lawsuit Against the AEC |
| 1 | 1 | 85 | 389-391 | 1954 Jun 9 | Memorandum from Monroe A. Holmes Concerning Continued Investigation of Utah Sheep Deaths from Unknown Etiology |
| 1 | 1 | 86 | 392-395 | 1954 Jan 12-1955 Mar 1 | Newspaper Clippings |
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1953-1955 | Mount Whitney Sectional Aeronautical Chart |
| Fiche-set | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1953 | Sheep Disease Investigation - Six Photo Negatives |
| 2 | 1953 | Sheep Disease Investigation - Five Photo Negatives |
| 3 | 1953-1954 | Sheep Disease Investigation - Bulloch Herd - Four Photo Negatives |
| 4 | 1954 | Sheep Disease Investigation - D. Corry Herd - One Photo Negative |
| 5 | 1953-1954 | Synopsis of the Utah Sheep Disease Investigation |