James R. Dilworth Papers, 1861-1939

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Dilworth, James R. (James Ronaldson)
Title
James R. Dilworth Papers
Dates
1861-1939 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet, (1 box)
Collection Number
Mss 008
Summary
James R. Dilworth was a cattleman who directed a cattle drive from The Dalles, Oregon, to Miles City, Montana, in 1881-1882. The collection consists mostly of his correspondence back to his wife during that drive, as well as other family correspondence.
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 creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

James R. Dilworth left the furniture business in Fort Scott, Kansas, in February 1881 to become a cattleman. Leaving behind his wife, Addie Dilworth, and his son, he traveled by rail to San Francisco, California, and then by steamer to Oregon. There, he and his partners purchased 2,150 head of cattle. They drove the cattle from The Dalles, Oregon, to just south of Bozeman, Montana. They rested the herd in Bozeman for the winter and travelled the last 300 miles, arriving near Miles City, Montana, in August 1882. Dilworth and his family settled in Bozeman, and later in Billings, Montana.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Most of the collection contains Dilworth's postcards and letters to his wife describing the 1881-1882 cattle drive. The earliest letters are those from and to his brother, George M. Dilworth, who was a farmer and had served in the Union Army during the Civil War. There is also a letter from James' son, George D., while he was a student at Swarthmore College; a letter to George D. from his uncle E.L. Wilson; letters regarding the transfer of this collection; a poem that may have been part of a school exam; and hand-drawn maps of the Bozeman and Bridger Trails.

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], James R. Dilworth Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana—Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Materials are arranged chronologically.

Custodial History

The materials remained in the custody of the family until time of donation to the Archives.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Carl Boettner through the Friends of the Library, 1965.

Processing Note

The original processor arranged the collection and produced a finding aid. In 2004, that finding aid was encoded with minimal revisions.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 Correspondence 1861
1/2 Correspondence 1862
1/3 Correspondence 1863
1/4 Correspondence February 1881
1/5 Correspondence March 1881
1/6 Correspondence April 1881
1/7 Correspondence May 1881
1/8 Correspondence June 1881
1/9 Correspondence July 1881
1/10 Correspondence August 1881
1/11 Correspondence September 1881
1/12 Correspondence 1882
1/13 Correspondence 1883
1/14 Correspondence 1884
1/15 Correspondence 1885
1/16 Correspondence 1916-1939
1/17 Poem 1891
1/18 Maps undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cattle breeders--Montana--Correspondence
  • Cattle drives--West (U.S.)

Personal Names

  • Dilworth, Addie--Correspondence
  • Dilworth, George D.--Correspondence
  • Dilworth, George M.--Correspondence
  • Wilson, E. L.--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Swarthmore College--Students--Correspondence

Geographical Names

  • Bozeman Trail--Maps
  • Bridger Pass Overland Trail (Colo. And Wyo.)--Maps

Form or Genre Terms

  • Family papers--Montana
  • Maps
  • Poems
  • Postcards