Mr. Presley was born March 6, 1887 in Faulkner County where he later attended school. He entered singing school under the instruction of M. W. Beckett at age 14, and soon became a choir leader. He wrote his first song “Gladly Sing” when he was 17. By age 18 he was teaching his first singing school, and his first published song in 1907 by Showalter-Patton Company. He also studied under Br. J. H. Ruebush, dean of Shenandoah College in Dayton, Virginia. His songs include “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” “God’s Wonderful Book Divine,” “Getting Ready to Leave This World,” and “A Beautiful Prayer.” His son Leister Presley estimates his father wrote over 1,500 songs in his lifetime. Luther Presley died in 1974 at the age of 87.
Box 1
File 1 – Newspapers and Miscellaneous Papers
File 2 – All Winning Songs- Central Music Company, c. 1920
Anchored Faith- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1943
Bethlehem’s Star- Central Music Company, c. 1922
Better Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1950
File 3 – Blessed Hope- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1942
Boundless Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1933
Boundless Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1949
File 4 – Brightest Beams- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1938
Calvary Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1944
Carols of Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1954
File 5 – Celestial Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1953
Celestial Songs- Excelsior Music Company, c. 1923
Chapel Bells- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1968
File 6 – Chapel Chords- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1964
Cheerful Chimes- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1930
Chiming Bells- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1954
File 7 – Choice Specials- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1950
Chords of Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1949
Comfort and Consolation- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1940
File 8 – Crimson Glow- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1951
Crowning Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1957
Crystal Rays- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1929
File 9 – Dawning Light- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1960
Endless Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1962
Eternal Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1969
File 10- Faithful Guide- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1941
Favorite Radio Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1937
Favorite Radio Songs: Vol. 2- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1939
File 11- Favorite Revival Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, no date
Favorite Songs and Hymns- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1939
Garden of Melody- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1947
End of Box 1
Box 2
File 1 – Glad Tidings- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1971
Glory Beams- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1968
Glory Bells- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1962
File 2 – Glory Dawn- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1936
Glory Gleaner- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1930
Glory Waves- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1948
File 3 – Glory Waves- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1948 (2nd Copy)
Golden Chimes- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1959
Golden Key- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1940
File 4 – Golden Voices- Central Music Company, c. 1914
Good Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1960
Gospel Light- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1955
File 5 – Gospel Message in a Song- Central Music Company, c. 1918
Gospel Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1972
Gospel Quartets- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1938
File 6 – Gospel Ship- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1953
Gospel Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1970
Gospel Songs of Cheer- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1976
File 7 – Gospel Tide- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1939
Gospel Way- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1962
Grateful Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1944
File 8 – Guiding Star- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1938
Harbor Bells: Number 2- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1933
Harbor Bells: Number 3- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1934
File 9 – Harbor Bells: Number 4- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1935
Harbor Bells: Number 5- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1936
Harbor Bells: Number 6- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1937
File 10- Harbor Lights- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1966
Harvest Gleaner- Will M. Ramsey, c. 1939
Happy Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1956
End of Box 2
Box 3
File 1 – Harmony Gems- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1947
Harps of Gold- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1969
Harvest Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1953
File 2 – Heaven’s Banner- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1955
Heaven’s Lamp- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1943
Herald of Glad Tidings- Central Music Company, c. 1962
File 3 – Higher Ground- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1954
Highest Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1947
Holy Light- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1961
File 4 – Humble Hearts- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1945
Inspirational Melodies- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1952
Joy to the World- Central Music Company, c. 1924
File 5 – Joyful Melodies- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1954
Joyful Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1971
Joyful Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1939
File 6 – Jubilee Spirituals- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1945
Lasting Peace- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1942
Leading Light- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1934
File 7 – Living Gems- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1958
Living Grace- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1945
Living Melodies- Geo. W. Sebren, c. 1937
File 8 – Living Songs: Number 1-Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1968
Living Songs: Number 2-Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1969
Living Songs: Number 3-Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1970
File 9 – Living Songs: Number 4-Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1971
Living Songs: Number 5-Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1972
Love Divine-Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1972
File 10- Master’s Call- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1957
Matchless Gift- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1956
Matchless Melodies- Hartford Music Company, c. 1929
End of Box 3
Box 4
File 1 – Melody Boys Album, The- Ernest N. Edwards Music Co., c. 1955
Melodies of Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1951
Melodies of Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1957
File 2 – Modern Favorite Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1942
Morning Light- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1949
Morning Sunbeams- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1965
File 3 – Most Popular Songs- Central Music Company, c. 1921
New Day Spirituals- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1934
New modern Hymnal- Stamps-Baxter Music, date unknown
File 4 – Notes of Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1981
Peaceful Echoes- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1948
Pearly Gates- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1940
File 5 – Pearly Gate Echoes- Central Music Company, c. 1928
Pearls of Truth- Will W. Slater, c. 1955
Perfect Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1959
File 6 – Pilgrim Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1941
Precious Abiding Peace- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1960
Precious Name- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1951
File 7 – Precious Name- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1951 (2nd Copy)
Priceless Pearls- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1929
Radiant Gems- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1967
File 8 – Radio Song Album- Stamps-Baxter Music, unknown date
Radio Song Album- Stamps-Baxter Music, unknown date
Rainbow Rays- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1946
File 9 – Redeeming Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1965
Redemption Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1967
Sacred Gems- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1973
File 10- Sacred Songs, Book of- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1944
Sacred Tones- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1956
Saving Grace- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1961
End of Box 4
Box 5
File 1 – Saving Power- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1974
Sharon’s Rose- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1950
Shepard’s Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1955
File 2 – Shining Path- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1946
Shining Path- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1946 (2nd Copy)
Silver Gleams- Stamps-Baxter Music, c.1958
File 3 – Silver Tones- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1948
Singers Choice- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1932
Singers Joy- Central Music Company, c. 1926
File 4 – Singers Pride- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1952
Sentimental Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1946
Songs for All- Stamps-Baxter Music, c.1950
File 5 – Solid Rock- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1952
Song Hits- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1946
Song-Land Echoes- Central Music Company, c. 1923
File 6 – Songs of Cheer- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1952
Songs of Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1953
Songs of Rejoicing- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1977
File 7 – Songs of Wonderful Love- Progressives Singers Publishing Co., c. 1924
Songs of Zion- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1973
Songs of the Morning- Central Music Company, c. 1917
File 8 – Song Service and Revival- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1933
Song Service and Revival- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1949
Songs Supreme- Stamps-Baxter Music, c.1943
File 9 – Songs We Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1962
Soul Service Songs- Central Music Company, c. 1927
Special Radio Selections- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1943
File 10- Special Service Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1944
Star of Hope- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1949
Starlit Crown- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1937
End of Box 5
Box 6
File 1 – Sunlight Way- Stamps-Baxter Music, c.1947
Super Specials: Number 1- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1940
Super Specials: Number 2- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1941
File 2 – Super Specials: Number 3- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1941
Super Specials: Number 4- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1942
Super Specials: Number 5- Stamps-Baxter Music, c.1942
File 3 – Supernal Joy- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1970
Sweetest Praises- Central Music Company, c. 1916
Temple Gates- Stamps-Baxter Music, c.1963
File 4 – Thankful Hearts- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1935
Tuneful Praise- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1931
Upward Way- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1963
File 5 – Useful Melodies- Geo. W. Sebren, unknown date
Vict’ry Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1960
Waves of Glory Tidings- Central Music Company, c. 1929
File 6 – Winning Songs- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1964
Wondrous Love- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1966
Work and Worship: Number 2- James L. Neal, c. 1953
Zion’s Call- Stamps-Baxter Music, c. 1944
File 7- Inventory of Songbooks on Shelves in Presley Home
File 8- Three-ring binder Scrapbook, Songs with like titles
End of Box 6
Box 7
File 1- Three-ring binder- “Songs of Christian Love” Scrapbook
File 2- Three-ring binder- “Spiritual Moments” Scrapbook
File 3- Scrapbook 1 of Luther Presley Songs
File 4- Scrapbook 2 of Luther Presley Songs
File 5- Scrapbook 3 of Luther Presley Songs
End of Box 7
Box 8
File 1- Scrapbook 4 of Luther Presley Songs
File 2- Scrapbook 5 of Luther Presley Songs
File 3- Scrapbook 6 of Luther Presley Songs
File 4- Scrapbook on Luther Presley’s Life
File 5- Scrapbook- Newspaper Clippings and Other Materials
File 6- CD- Presley Photos of White County, AR
File 7- Newspaper Clippings of Luther (father) and Leister (son) Presley
File 8- L.B. Leister File (The man Leister Presley was named after)
End of Box 8
End of Collection