Archives West Finding Aid

This series contains biographical materials including a genealogical and biographical sketch, some family history during the Civil War, profiles of career accomplishments, and other papers. Also included are membership cards from various organization, turn-of-the-century credit cards, and early hunting licenses. A statement authored by Charles Pray concerning the authenticity of a Charles M. Russell painting dated circa 1892-1893 is of special note. Personal and professional diaries are included from Pray's time as a private attorney. The collection also contains 32 diaries from Pray's years as a Federal District judge.

Early incoming correspondence includes personal letters from Pray's childhood, letters of recommendation, and letters from T.C. Power and Bros. Inc. Much of this series contains correspondence concerning Montana court cases, such as the legality of employing women in beer halls on Sundays, or wolf and coyote bounty laws. Also included is an invitation to the execution of James Martin, who was convicted of murder in 1902. Correspondence is included from parties such as the Montana Waterways Association, the U.S. War Department, James A. Metcalf, Mrs. C.M. Russell, and Senator Henry Meyers. Also included is a list compiled in 1922 of Assiniboine Indian names and their translation into English.

This series includes notes and correspondence relating to the appointment of conciliation commissioners in Montana between the years 1934-1937.

Included in this series is promotional material for both the democratic and republican parties. A copy of The Campaign Text Book of the Democratic Party of the United States (1904) and the Republican Text Book (1916) are included. There is also a nice collection of campaign cards from many Montana democratic and republican candidates.

This series includes legal ledgers, Pray's statements and notes, and some correspondence pertaining to cases tried between the years 1925-1957. Cases include such parties as the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, the Great Northern Railway, and the Montana Power Company. One of the largest collections of court papers is the 1958 Montana Florists Association vs. The United States and the Interstate Commerce Commission. Notes on the 1948 Anaconda Copper and Great Northern Railway Company vs. The United States and the Interstate Commerce Commission case are also included.

This series contains materials relating to the administration of the Ninth Circuit of the U.S. District Court. Vouchers, organization of district judges, regulations, jury instructions, and information concerning other administrative duties are included.

This series includes annual reports by judges to the chief judge. Quarterly statements from the years 1940-1955 are also included.

Official documents pertaining to the appointment of Montana judicial positions are contained in this series. Many of the documents relate to the appointment of probation officers. Correspondence concerning appointments is also included.

This series includes law calenders for the district court of Montana. It contains records of motions heard and parties called, as well as summaries of the cases tried during the year. Also included are daily calenders and lists of federal prisoners awaiting trial.

Financial statements record books, stock certificates, and receipts are included in this collection. Of special interest are a 1910 stock report of the Mineral Farm Mining Company and a 1912 salary receipt from the United States House of Representatives.

This series includes contracts, bills of sales, and legal agreements. Some of these documents relate to Pray's personal life and others concern his work. Of special interest are the following: a 1914 agreement between C. M. Russell and the Osborne Company, a 1904 warrant of arrest for the crime of seduction, and a 1912 petition to curtail mining industries in Montana and abolish the United States Assay Offices.

Copies of congressional bills introduced by Pray are contained in this collection. Many of these bills concern county relief, individual relief, and purchase of sites for Montana federal buildings. Other notable bills authored by Pray include a measure for the establishment of a mine rescue service throughout the United States, and a bill to establish Glacier National Park. Some notes, documents, and correspondence relating directly to this legislation are included. This series also contains copies of some of the bills introduced by Sen. Joseph Dixon. These include a 1911 bill to authorize the survey and allotment of lands within the Crow Indian Reservation and the sale and disposition of surplus lands, as well as the sale of certain lands on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Most of this series contains speeches made by Pray throughout his career. These speeches include community speeches in Montana, and also national addresses and speeches made in Congress. Notes, outlines, and copies of speeches are included.