Montana Manuscript Collection, 1878-1990

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Summary

Creators:
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
Abstract:
This collection contains photographs, newspaper clippings, Montana-related ephemera, correspondence pertaining to the Society of the Framers of the Constitution of the State of Montana as well as written attempts to compile historical accounts of various aspects of Montana's history.
Extent:
4.13 Linear Feet 8 boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Montana Manuscript Collection, Mont. Coll. Mss., William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains photographs, newspaper clippings, Montana-related ephemera, correspondence pertaining to the Society of the Framers of the Constitution of the State of Montana as well as written attempts to compile historical accounts of various aspects of Montana's history. This collection also includes food orders and returns for Cavalry and Infantry Companies at Fort Keogh and correspondence related to the litigation and settlement of Robert S. Hale's estate and various documents belonging to James and Annie Thompson.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Nickolas Kessler (1874-1957) was the president of his family's business, the Kessler Brewing Company. He actively opposed the prohibition movement but to his dismay, Montana supported statewide prohibition that became effective in January, 1919. On June 28, 1919, the Kessler Brewery was closed and all of the company's alcohol was destroyed. The brewery would not be re-opened until 1933 after the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. Throughout his life, Kessler was extremely interested in acquiring information on various aspects of the history of Montana.

The Society of the Framers of the Constitution of the State of Montana was founded on August 17, 1889. It was comprised of 75 members who were elected by the people of the Territory of Montana as well as honorary members that included participants from the 1884 Constitutional Convention. According to Article II of the organization's constitution, "the object and purpose of this organization shall be purely for social, moral and mental enjoyment and improvement; cultivating and encouraging American patriotism and love for our country, free from all political bias and spirit (Second Reunion of the Society of the Framers of the Constitution of the State of Montana 1891).

Robert S. Hale (d. 1922) was a pioneer and prominent man of Helena, Montana. Upon his death he left an Estate worth a said $100,000. He was survived by neither widow, children, nor parents, as stated in the newspaper, "The Helena Independent" on August 18th, 1923. Following his death, there was a lengthy litigation and settlement of his Estate. His niece Lutie Gibson White was accused by Annie H. Thompson, widow of James Thompson, the son of one of Hale's sisters, for undue influence in gaining control of his properties prior to his death.

Fort Keogh is located on the western edge of Miles City, Montana. From about 1823-1890, west of Mississippi, various conflicts were taking place between Native Americans, American settlers and the United States Army. These conflicts have become known as the Indian Wars. The Indian Wars were the result of European colonizers and their desire for westward expansion. The settling of the West resulted in the uprooting of a number of indigenous populations.

Acquisition information:
The contents of this collection are the result of multiple accessions. The provenance of the Charles Kessler Papers is unclear. The Society of the Framers of the Constitution of the State of Montana Papers were donated by Walter M. Bickford (MS.1929.004). The Robert S. Hale and James Thompson Papers are the result of two separate accessions: The James Thompson Papers were a 1970 purchase (MS.1970.010) and the Robert S. Hale Papers (MS.1970.009) were a gift from J. E. Reynolds. The Calvary Commissary Papers (MS.1952.006) were also purchased by the Library. The Donna Adams Materials were a gift from Donna Adams (MS.1991.001).
Processing information:

Processed by Jacque Giebel, April-May 2011.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series:

  • Series 1. Charles Kessler Papers, 1880-1931. 1 box (0.21 linear feet)
  • Series 2. Society of the Framers of the Constitution of the State of Montana Papers, 1889-1929. 2 boxes (0.63 linear feet)
  • Series 3. Robert S. Hale and James Thompson Papers, 1878-1929. 1 box (0.21 linear feet)
  • Series 4. Cavalry Commissary Papers, 1878-1893. 2 boxes (0.42 linear feet)
  • Series 5. Donna Adams Materials, 1881-1960. 1 box (0.21 linear feet)
  • Series 6. Scrapbooks of Newspaper Clippings, 1903-1919. 1 box (0.21 linear feet)

Physical location:
Clark Library.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The Clark Library owns the property rights to its collections but does not hold the copyright to these materials and therefore cannot grant or deny permission to use them. Researchers are responsible for determining the copyright status of any materials they may wish to use, investigating the owner of the copyright, and obtaining permission for their intended publication or other use. In all cases, you must cite the Clark Library as the source with the following credit line: The William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Montana Manuscript Collection, Mont. Coll. Mss., William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
2520 Cimarron Street
Los Angeles, CA 90018, US
Contact:
(310) 794-5155
clark@humnet.ucla.edu
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