Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Will Cave Papers, 1863-1950
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Cave, Will, 1863-1954
- Title
- Will Cave Papers
- Dates
- 1863-1950 (inclusive)18631950
- Quantity
- 5 folders and one scrapbook
- Collection Number
- Mss 262 (collection)
- Summary
- Will Cave was an early Missoula, Montana, settler. The collection consists of writings, photographs, and artifacts reflecting Mr. Cave's family and life during Montana's frontier days.
- 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.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Will Cave was born in 1863 near Virginia City, Montana. At the age of ten he moved with his parents to Missoula, Montana, where he lived the rest of his life. He fought at the Battle of Big Hole when he was only fourteen years old. Cave graduated from the College of Montana (Deer Lodge), and worked for the Missoula Mercantile Company from 1884 to 1891. He served as the auditor of Missoula County after leaving the company, but left in 1887 to explore the Yukon Territories in Canada.
The steamship on which Cave was traveling wrecked off the coast of British Columbia, forcing him to return to Missoula. There he learned of the imminent war with Spain. Cave has the distinction of being the first volunteer for the Spanish-American War, where he served as First Lieutenant in the Third Cavalry. Later in life, Cave wrote historical articles for the Missoulian from his vast knowledge of local events. Cave died in Missoula in February 1954.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains two photographs of guns, a Springfield rifle and a Parker shotgun. Both were popular hunting weapons after the Civil War. A reminiscence, Two Guns, by Will Cave accompanies the photos. It tells the story of these guns and their original owner, Charley McWhirk of Missoula, Montana. The story highlights the early days of Missoula and some of the nearby placer mining camps. Other items in the collection include biographical sketches of Cave's mother and father, who were early settlers in the Bitterroot Valley, correspondence from his volunteer military service in the Spanish-American War, other writings, a scrapbook, and a Montana Pioneers Certificate.
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], Will Cave Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is divided into four series:
Series I: Two Guns, 1 folder, undated
Series II: Settlement in the Bitterroot Valley, 2 folders, 1863-1920
Series III: Military Service, 1 folder, 1898-1899
Series IV: Speeches and Writings, 1 folder and one scrapbook, circa 1920-1950
Custodial History
Transferred from the University of Montana Museum to the Mansfield Library at an unknown date. An additional item was found in the Paul C. Phillips Papers in 2003 and integrated into Series IV.
Acquisition Information
Donor and date unknown
Processing Note
The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 2000, the collection was reprocessed. Three previously separated collections were combined. In 2003, the "Time Shall Temper" piece was integrated into Series IV.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Two Guns , undatedReturn to Top
This series contains two identical photographs of guns and a narrative explaining their history. The story includes information about the early days of Missoula County and some of the personalities associated with it.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 1/1 | 262(I):1:
Two Guns, photograph |
undated |
| 1/1 | 262(I):2:
Two Guns, photograph |
undated |
| 1/2 |
Two Guns, narrative |
undated |
Series II: Settlement in the Bitterroot Valley, 1863-1920Return to Top
This series consists of a Society of Montana Pioneers Certificate from 1863 and biographies of Cave's parents, Alfred and Elizabeth. Both were early settlers of the Bitterroot Valley. Elizabeth Cave's is an autobiography written in 1892, and Will Cave is the author of the piece on his father.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 1/3 | Biographical
Sketches |
1892-1920 |
| 2/1 | Montana Pioneers Certificate |
December 8, 1863 |
Series III: Military Service , 1898-1899Return to Top
This folder contains Cave's correspondence with the governor of Montana concerning the formation of a volunteer unit for the Spanish American War. Also included are Cave's general orders to report for duty.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/4 | Military Service
records and correspondence |
1898-1899 |
Series IV: Speeches and Writings , circa 1920-1950Return to Top
There is one piece titled "Time Shall Temper, Though Ne'er Efface," either collected or authored by Cave. The second item is a scrapbook owned by Will Cave, which contains many of the articles that he wrote for the Missoulian. They are primarily about local history and biography.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/5 | "Time Shall
Temper, Though Ne'er Efface" |
ca. 1920 |
| Box | ||
| 2 | Scrapbook |
ca. 1920-1950 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Frontier and pioneer life--Montana--Missoula
- Mining camps--Montana--Missoula
- Parker shotgun
- Springfield rifle
Personal Names
- Cave, Will, 1863-1954--Family
- McWhirk, Charley
Form or Genre Terms
- Reminiscences--Montana--Missoula
- Scrapbooks
Finding aid prepared by Brendon
Cechovic
2000
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
