Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Historical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- General Correspondence
- Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Conferences and Conventions
- Robert Emmet Literary Association
- Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Reports
- Organization
- Miscellaneous
- Irish Volunteers of America
- Irish Volunteers of America
- Irish Volunteers of America
- Friends of Irish Freedom
- American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic
- Robert Emmet Literary Association
- Sunburst Club, Helena-Camp 182, Minutes
- Unidentified Organization, Financial Records
- Names and Subjects
Butte (Mont.) Irish Collection, 1882-1935
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- American Association for the Recogition of the Irish Republic; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Gaelic League of America; Irsh Volunteers of America; Patrick Pearse Club (Butte, Mont.); Robert Emmet Literary Association (Butte, Mont.); Sunburst Club (Helena, Mont.); Thomas Francis Meagher Memorial Fund
- Title
- Butte (Mont.) Irish Collection
- Dates
- 1882-1935 (inclusive)18821935
- Quantity
- 13 reels microfilm
- Collection Number
- Mss 112 (collection)
- Summary
- This collection contains membership, financial, organization, and correspondence records from 1882 to 1935 of many social, literary, and fraternal organizations for the Irish in Butte, Montana. Organizations include the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Divisions 1, 2, and 3), Robert Emmet Literary Association, Friends of Irish Freedom, Gaelic League, Irish Volunteers of America, Thomas Francis Meagher Memorial Fund, American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic, and Sunburst Club in Helena.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Ancient Order of Hibernians was formed during the sixteenth century in Ireland and three divisions were first organized in Butte in 1880. Its membership was limited to men who were born in Ireland and their sons. The A.O.H. was a strictly Catholic organization. Although loyal to the fight for Irish Independence, the A.O.H. was less revolutionary than many of the other organizations.
The Robert Emmet Literary Association was the Butte Branch of the Clan-na-Gael, a revolutionary organization devoted to the fight for Irish independence. The Clan-na-Gael was the American counterpart to the Irish Republican Brotherhood, which was located in Ireland. The R.E.L.A. was organized in Butte in 1881. This organization was steeped in secrecy, including keeping its members and officers secret. R.E.L.A. membership was open to all Irish-born, no matter what religious beliefs they held. The group prided itself on being a non-denominational organization. In 1905, Butte's R.E.L.A. was the second largest Clan-na-Gael in the United States.
Also found in the collection are records from the Patrick Pearse Club (the Butte branch) of the Friends of Irish Freedom. This organization was inspired by the Clan-na-Gael, however, the F.O.I.F. was a public group. Also unlike the Clan-na-Gael and the A.O.H., women were allowed to be members. The Friends of Irish Freedom were bitter rivals, nationally, of another organization found in this collection, the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic. However, in Butte both groups worked well together in their support of Irish independence from the British. The Gaelic League was formed to educate American-born Irish about the Irish culture, focusing on the language, music, and dance. The Irish Volunteers were the "military arm" of the R.E.L.A.; they were the rifle company of the R.E.L.A. Although no information regarding the history of the Sunburst Club in Helena, Montana was found, it appears from the minutes in the collection that they were associated with the R.E.L.A. and the Clan-na-Gael. Both A.O.H. and R.E.L.A. members helped sponsor the Thomas Francis Meagher Memorial Fund, which was set up to erect a statue of Meagher in Helena. Meagher was an rebel who was exiled from Ireland and came to America. Here, he became a Civil War hero and was territorial governor of Montana.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains membership, financial, organization, and correspondence records from 1882 to 1935 of the A.O.H. (Divisions 1, 2, and 3), R.E.L.A, F.I.O.F., Gaelic League, Irish Volunteers of America, Thomas Francis Meagher Memorial Fund, American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic, and Sunburst Club in Helena.
The correspondence records contain communications between various members, the National A.O.H., the Ladies' Auxiliary Ancient Order of Hibernians, and many other Butte organizations. Members of the A.O.H. include the first four presidents of the Amalgamated (Anaconda) Copper Mining Company: Marcus Daly, John D. Ryan, Cornelius (Con) Kelley, and William Scallon. Because the members and officers of the R.E.L.A. were kept secret, each was assigned a number that was used to refer to the member in the minutes of every meeting. Like the R.E.L.A., members of the Sunburst Club are also referred to by number. The minutes from the first Sunburst Club meeting contain the names of original members and their corresponding numbers. This collection does contain some lists of R.E.L.A. members, along with their corresponding numbers. Documented members of the secret R.E.L.A. include long-time Butte judge, Jeremiah Lynch, (who also founded the Patrick Pearse Club of the Irish Volunteers) and Con Kelley and William Scallon (presidents of the Anaconda Company). Out of the other two of the first four presidents of the Anaconda Company, John D. Ryan was rumored to have been a member (never documented) and Marcus Daly was proposed for membership but never officially joined. The fact that these powerful men in the community were of Irish heritage and belonged to Irish organizations should not go un-noted. It shows the overwhelming preference of Irish in Butte.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Butte Irish Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is divided into sixteen series:
Series I: General Correspondence, 2 reels, Butte-Silver Bow (BSB) Boxes 4-6, 1903-1929
Series II: Ancient Order of Hibernians, Minutes, 4 reels, BSB Boxes 1-6, Volumes, 1896-1932
Series III: Conferences and Conventions, 1 reel, BSB Boxes 4-6, 1898-1948
Series IV: Robert Emmet Literary Association, Financial Records, 5 reels, BSB Boxes 4-7, Volumes, 1884-1946,
Series V: Ancient Order of Hibernians, Financial Records, 5 reels, BSB Boxes 1-6, 1891-1939
Series VI: Reports, 2 reels, BSB Boxes 4-6, undated
Series VII: Organization, 1 reel, BSB Box 4, undated
Series VIII: Miscellaneous, 1 reel, BSB Box 4, undated
Series IX: Irish Volunteers of America, Minutes,1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1907-1915
Series X: Irish Volunteers of America, Financial Records, 1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1909-1913
Series XI: Irish Volunteers of America, Miscellany, 1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1913
Series XII: Friends of Irish Freedom, Organization, 1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1916, 1921
Series XIII: American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic, Miscellany, 1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1921-1922
Series XIV: Robert Emmet Literary Association, Minutes, 5 reels, Volumes,1882-1925
Series XV: Sunburst Club, Helena-Camp 182, Minutes, 1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1896-1900
Series XVI: Unidentified Organization, Financial Records, 1 reel, BSB Box 8, 1893-1902
Location of Originals
The original copies were located in the World Museum of Mining. They are now located in the Butte-Silver Bow Archives. The Butte-Silver Bow Archives has reprocessed and rearranged the collection significantly. The originals have been re-processed by record series in chronological order.
Acquisition Information
Filmed from the originals at the World Museum of Mining in Butte by the University of Montana in March 1983.
Processing Note
The original copies were located in the World Museum of Mining. They are now located in the Butte-Silver Bow Archives. Since this microfilm was produced, the Butte-Silver Bow Archives has reprocessed and rearranged the collection significantly. The originals have been re-processed by record series in chronological order. In 1999, the microfilm collection at the University of Montana was re-described and matched up to correspond with the original records in Butte as much as possible.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: General Correspondence , 1903-1929Return to Top
This series contains correspondence between divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians on both a local (Butte) and a national level. There is also correspondence between other organizations, such as the Robert Emmet Literary Association, the Ladies' Auxiliary Ancient Order of Hibernians, and various other local organizations.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 1/1 | (Box 6) Butte (local)
|
1903-1934 |
| 1/133 | Butte (local), undated
|
|
| 1/139 | Montana (statewide) |
1894-1928 |
| 1/223 | Montana (statewide), undated
|
|
| 1/224 | National and International
|
1907-1929 |
| 2/1 | (Boxes 4-6) National and
International (continued) |
1907-1929 |
Series II: Ancient Order of Hibernians , 1896-1932Return to Top
This series contains minutes of meetings of Divisions One and Three of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Butte, MT. Also included are minutes of meetings of the board of trustees of Hibernia Hall, which was co-owned by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Robert Emmet Literary Association.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 2/54 | (Boxes 4-6) Minutes |
1911-1916 |
| 4/1 | (Volumes) Division #1
|
Sept. 17, 1884 - June 1, 1892 |
| 4/157 | Division #1 |
July 6, 1892 - Nov. 14, 1900 |
| 4/404 | Division #1 |
May 7, 1913; Apr. 27, 1927-May 4, 1932 |
| 4/483 | Division #3 |
Jan. 14, 1911 - Apr. 13, 1916 |
| 5/1 | (Boxes 1-4) Division #3
|
May 20, 1916 - July 7, 1917 |
| 5/29 | County Board |
Aug. 6, 1896; Dec. 27, 1903-Aug. 24, 1912 |
| 5/85 | Board of Trustees, Hibernia Hall
|
July 17, 1894 - August, 1925 |
| 5/174 | Hibernian Knights, Co. A
|
Jan. 13, 1894 -Feb. 21, 1897 |
| 10/1 | (Volumes) Division #1
|
1900-1906 |
| 10/291 | Division #3 |
1901-1911 |
Series III: Conferences and Conventions , 1898-1948Return to Top
Contained within this series are the proceedings of several conventions with the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Proceedings of the 1948 convention of the Ladies Auxiliary Ancient Order of Hibernians are also found in this series.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 2/63 | (Boxes 4-6), Proceedings
|
1898 |
| 2/66 | Proceedings |
1906 |
| 2/109 | Proceedings |
1910 |
| 2/124 | Proceedings |
1916 |
| 2/162 | Proceedings |
June 21, 1921 |
| 2/164 | Proceedings |
Aug. 9-12, 1921 |
| 2/173 | Proceedings |
1923 |
| 2/176 | Proceedings |
1927 |
| 2/186 | Proceedings, Ladies Auxiliary
|
1948 |
Series IV: Robert Emmet Literary Association , 1884-1946Return to Top
This series contains financial records of the Robert Emmet Literary Association. These records include term reports, cash books, membership and dues ledgers, and roll books.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 2/221 | (Boxes 4-6) Term Reports, Great
Falls |
1915-1919 |
| 2/231 | Term Reports, Anaconda
|
1915-1920 |
| 2/246 | Term Reports, Butte |
1904-1946 |
| 2/382 | End of R.E.L.A. Financial Records
|
|
| 8/15 | (Box 7) Ledger |
1883-1885 |
| 8/106 | Ledger Index |
undated |
| 8/161 | Cash Book |
May 18, 1884 - Apr. 18, 1901 |
| 8/254 | Day Book |
Apr. 25, 1901 - Aug. 16, 1917 |
| 8/451 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
Feb., 1885 - Jan., 1887 |
| 8/494 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
May 1887 - Apr., 1895 |
| 8/578 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
1894-1898 |
Series V: Ancient Order of Hibernians , 1891-1939Return to Top
This series contains financial records of the Butte divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Quarterly, biennial, and annual treasury reports of the various divisions are found in this series. It also contains a Sickness and Death Report of its members and various other information concerned with this report. There are records of the per capita assesments, general assessments, and receipts of the secretaries and treasurers in this series. Like the R.E.L.A. financial reports, membership and dues ledgers and cash books are included. Information about the Board of Directors of Hibernia Hall and rent ledgers from the hall are found in the A.O.H. financial records.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 2/385 | (Boxes 4-6) Treasurer's Report
(Quarterly) |
1922-1927 |
| 2/396 | Quarterly Report |
1894-1927 |
| 2/406 | Annual Report |
1916-1917 |
| 2/413 | Biennial Report |
1891-1896 |
| 2/421 | Treasurer's Report (Quarterly)
|
1907, 1924 |
| 2/424 | Quarterly Report |
1923-1927 |
| 2/438 | Annual Report |
1921-1926 |
| 2/450 | State per capita Assessment
|
1900-1930 |
| 2/455 | Sickness and Death Report
|
|
| 2/456 | Correspondence re: Sickness and
Death Report |
|
| 2/479 | Death Report |
|
| 2/506 | Sickness Report |
|
| 2/578 | Doctor's Certificates
|
|
| 2/596 | (Boxes 4-6) Certificates of
Beneficiary |
|
| 2/623 | End of Sickness and Death Report
|
|
| 2/624 | Board of Directors, Hibernia Hall
|
1908-1928 |
| 2/675 | Secretary's Receipts |
1912-1924 |
| 2/678 | Treasurer's Receipts |
1924-1939 |
| 2/682 | General Assessments |
1924-1939 |
| 2/685 | Misc. financial records
|
|
| 2/725 | End of A.O.H. Financial Records
(on Reel 2) |
|
| 5/191 | (Boxes 1-4) General Journal
|
Apr. 27, 1900 - Jan. 19, 1906 |
| 5/237 | Hibernia Hall Rent Ledger
|
July 31, 1894 - Dec. 31, 1911 |
| 5/326 | Hibernia Hall Rent Ledger
|
Dec., 1922 - Dec., 1924 |
| 5/338 | Cash Book |
July 23, 1901 - Jan. 1, 1918 |
| 5/399 | Day Book |
July 5, 1893 - Mar. 27, 1895 |
| 5/432 | Applications for Memberships
|
Jan. 30, 1907 - Apr., 1887 |
| 5/474 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
Apr. 1882 - Mar., 1887 |
| 5/522 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
1889-1892 |
| 5/545 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
Sept. 6, 1900 - Oct. 30, 1901 |
| 5/615 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
Oct., 1901 - Oct., 1902 |
| 6/1 | (Box 4) Membership and Dues
Ledger (continued) |
Oct., 1901 - Oct., 1902 |
| 6/29 | Membership and Dues Ledger
|
1913-1917 |
| 6/108 | A.O.H. County Board, Ledger
|
1904-1918 |
| 10/554 | (Boxes 1,2) Membership and Dues
(pp. 72-73) |
1917-1936 |
| 10/591 | End of Reel 10 |
|
| 11/1 | (Boxes 1,2) Membership and Dues
|
1917-1936 |
Series VI: Reports , undatedReturn to Top
Reports from Ancient Order of Hibernians and Robert Emmet Literary Association committees are found in this series.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 2/726 | (Boxes 4-6) A.O.H. and R.E.L.A.
Committees |
|
| 3/1 | (Box 4) A.O.H. and R.E.L.A.
Committees (continued) |
|
| 3/149 | End of Reports |
Series VII: Organization , undatedReturn to Top
Contained within this series are the constitutions and by-laws of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Robert Emmet Literary Association, and the Friends of Irish Freedom. It also includes membership applications to these organizations, along with transfers of memberships.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 3/150 | (Box 4) Constitutions and
By-Laws, Memberships |
|
| 3/546 | Transfers of Membership
|
|
| 3/577 | Miscellaneous Membership
|
|
| 3/594 | End of Organization |
Series VIII: Miscellaneous , undatedReturn to Top
This series contains miscellaneous items regarding the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Robert Emmet Literary Association, and the Friends of Irish Freedom.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 3/679 | (Box 4) End of Miscellaneous
|
Series IX: Irish Volunteers of America , 1907-1915Return to Top
Minutes from meetings of the Irish Volunteers of America, the military branch of the Robert Emmet Literary Association, can be found in this series. Also included is a roll call from a R.E.L.A. meeting in 1897.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 6/119 | (Box 8) (also includes roll call
R.E.L.A., 1897) |
May 9, 1912 - Dec. 19, 1915 |
| 6/160 | Dec. 22, 1907 - Apr. 5, 1908 |
Series X: Irish Volunteers of America , 1909-1913Return to Top
Located within this series are financial records from the Irish Volunteers of America. These records include a membership ledger and a ledger from the Fife and Drum Band.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 6/170 | (Box 8) Membership Ledger
|
1909 (?) |
| 6/181 | Fife and Drum Band, Ledger
|
1912-1913 |
Series XI: Irish Volunteers of America , 1913Return to Top
This series contains rifle range scores from members of the Irish Volunteers of America.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 6/201 | (Box 8) Rifle Range Scores
|
1913 |
Series XII: Friends of Irish Freedom , 1916-1921Return to Top
Constitutions and by-laws of the Friends of Irish Freedom are located in this series.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 6/204 | (Box 8) Constitutions and By-Laws
|
1916, 1921 |
Series XIII: American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic , 1921-1922Return to Top
Miscellaneous papers from the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic can be found in this series.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 6/211 | (Box 8) Papers |
1921-1922 |
Series XIV: Robert Emmet Literary Association , 1882-1925Return to Top
This series contains minutes from meetings of the Robert Emmet Literary Association.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 6/265 | (Volumes) |
March 16, 1882 - May 1, 1884 |
| 6/363 | Feb. 18, 1892 - Sept. 22, 1898 | |
| 6/548 | (Volumes) |
Sept. 29, 1898 - Apr. 3, 1902 (ends 1/11/1900) |
| 7/1 | (Volumes) (continued)
|
Sept. 29, 1898 - Apr. 3, 1902 |
| 7/130 | Apr. 10, 1902 - Feb. 7, 1907 | |
| 7/383 | Jan. 6, 1916 - May 7, 1925 (ends 11/20/1924) | |
| 8/1 | (Volumes) (continued)
|
Jan. 6, 1916 - May 7, 1925 |
| 11/313 | (Volumes) |
1886-1892 |
| 11/535 | (pp. 204-205) |
1907-1916 |
| 12/1 | (pp. 206-207) |
1907-1916 |
Series XV: Sunburst Club, Helena-Camp 182, Minutes , 1896-1900Return to Top
Minutes from the Sunburst Club-Camp 182 in Helena, Montana are found in this series. The minutes date back to the first meeting of the club on November 23, 1896.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 9/59 | (Box 8) |
Nov. 23, 1896 - Mar. 5, 1900 |
Series XVI: Unidentified Organization, Financial Records , 1893-1902Return to Top
Located in this series are financial records from unidentified organizations. No reference to any organization can be found on the documents. However, they do include a ledger and two day books from one or more Irish organizations in Butte.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Reel/Frame | ||
| 9/117 | (Box 8) Day Book |
Apr. 3, 1895 - June 25, 1902 |
| 9/300 | Day Book |
Nov. 23, 1893 - Dec. 12, 1896 |
| 9/309 | Ledger |
1893 - 1896 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Irish Americans--Montana--Butte
- Irish Americans--History, organization, etc.
- Irish Americans--Societies, etc.
- Societies--Montana--Butte
Corporate Names
- American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic
- Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Friends of Irish Freedom
- Irish Volunteers of America
- Robert Emmet Literary Society
Finding aid prepared by Megan Morris
1999
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
