Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Hazel Marsh Papers, 1866-1966
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Marsh, Hazel, 1906-1997
- Title
- Hazel Marsh Papers
- Dates
- 1866-1966 (inclusive)18661966
- Quantity
- 3.75 linear feet and 3 oversize boxes
- Collection Number
- Mss 152 (collection)
- Summary
- Hazel Marsh was a resident of Missoula and Bearmouth, Montana. The collection contains records from the many Lannen family businesses in Bearmouth, Montana.
- 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
Hazel Chapin Marsh was born in Missoula, Montana, in 1913. Her father abandoned her and her brother with a family friend, Chris Lannen, in 1916. Though the Lannens never legally adopted Hazel and her brother, they accepted the children and treated them as their own. Hazel grew up on the Lannen homestead in Bearmouth, Montana, and remained connected to that land in some fashion throughout her entire life. Hazel was the only child in the Lannen household to receive an education, attending the Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula from 1928 to 1932.
Hazel married a mining engineer, George Marsh, in 1942. The two were often apart from each other. George traveled frequently for his job, and spent three years in Australia during WWII. After his return the couple lived in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington for various periods of time, always as a result of George's work. The two were divorced in the early 1950s, and Hazel moved back to Missoula to care for her dying foster parents and to attend the University of Montana. She eventually transferred to College of Great Falls. After graduation in 1958, Hazel completed a Masters degree in English at Notre Dame University. Upon returning to Missoula she was employed as a librarian at Sacred Heart Academy and rented out Bearmouth property to cattle ranchers. She died in 1993 in Missoula.
Hazel Marsh's foster father, Chris Lannen, was born 1866 on a homestead 13 miles east of Drummond, Montana. His father, John Lannen, was the first to settle the area now known as Bearmouth. According to family stories, John traded his Helena mining claim for a cow and began a ferry service across the Clark Fork River for travelers on the Mullan Road. Chris Lannen grew up with his three brothers on the Bearmouth farm, which soon became a staging point for travel to the mining town of Garnet, Montana. By the time Chris was a young man, the Lannen family owned land on both sides of the Clark Fork, a saloon, sawmill, hotel, and post office. The family also operated a gold exchange in Garnet for some time.
Around 1900, Chris Lannen's brother, Ed, moved away from the farm. His two oldest brothers had died as young men--one from an unknown disease and another from a gunshot wound. Chris decided to stay at Bearmouth and run the family business. He opened a general store near the Milwaukee Railroad station, and it remained open for the next fifty years. He married a woman named Kate from Kansas around 1908. The business slowly died off as the mining operations in and around Garnet, Montana ended. Chris Lannen died in Missoula, Montana in 1951, at the age of 85. In the late 1960s, U.S. Interstate 90 was built through the old Lannen homestead.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains records from the many Lannen businesses in Bearmouth. The post office, saloon, and general store ledger books are in the collection as well as financial records and legal documents from Christopher Lannen. School district records and voter registrations from Bearmouth are also in the collection. The collection also contains photographs and memorabilia.
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], Hazel Marsh 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 eleven series:
Series I: Post Office Records, 0.4 linear feet and partial oversize box, 1896-1924
Series II: Saloon Records, 0.4 linear feet and partial oversize box, 1891-1911
Series III: Lannen Brothers General Store, 1.2 linear feet and partial oversize box, 1888-1940
Series IV: General Correspondence, 1 folder, 1897-1966
Series V: Financial Records, 0.4 linear feet, 1866-1953
Series VI: Legal Documents, 0.8 linear feet, 1870-1959
Series VII: School Board Minutes, 0.1 linear feet, 1900-1911
Series VIII: Voter Registers, 1 oversize box, 1894, 1889-1892
Series IX: Lumber Mill and Livestock Ledger, 0.1 lienar feet, 1882-1889
Series X: Photographs, 0.25 linear feet, circa 1900-1942
Series XI: Artifact, 1 item, undated
Custodial History
Approximately one quarter of this collection remained with Hazel Marsh until she donated the materials in 1990. Tim Gordon acquired and donated two additional segments. Records regarding how and where Mr. Gordon acquired these materials could not be found during 1998 reprocessing. The fourth portion of this collection was donated to the Mansfield Library prior to systematic donor record procedures.
Acquisition Information
Gifts of Hazel Marsh, 1990, and Tim Gordon, 1996. An additional portion was donated to the Archives & Special Collections prior to Ms. Marsh's donation. The donor and exact date are unknown.
Processing Note
The actions of the original processor are unknown. In 1998 the donations from Hazel Marsh and Tim Gordon (formerly designated as LC 152, LC 226, and SC 346) were combined into one collection, Mss 152. In 2001, the additional portion from an unknown donor (formerly designated as SC 162) was integrated into this collection due to common origin. Many of the bound volumes in this collection were previously housed separately from the unbound documents. During re-processing all bound volumes were reintegrated into the collection. In 2003, additional materials were put into the collection.
Separated Materials
During original processing, the maps in Series X and the sheet music in Series XI were transferred to the Mansfield Library general collections.
Related Materials
James M. Scott conducted 12 interviews with Hazel Marsh between 1989 and 1990. The interviews are in the Archives & Special Collections oral history collection, OH 244.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Post Office Records , 1896-1924Return to Top
This series contains the Bearmouth post office records of Christopher Lannen, the town's postmaster. Two volumes of Matter Registered and Dispatched information of packages sent to Bearmouth and those sent from the town are in the series, and a Postmaster's Account and Record Book which consists of quarterly reports, supply numbers, monthly traffic information. A Record of Registered Matter Received and Delivered and Record of Registered Matter in Transit ledger books are also in the series. These ledger books contain the name the package was addressed to and from who it was sent. There are also seven volumes of Window Registration Books. These volumes were records of incoming and outgoing parcels and where the package was sent and by whom.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Matter Registered and Dispatched
|
1900-1902 |
1/2 | Matter Registered and Dispatched
|
1902-1904 |
1/3 | Postmaster's Account and Record
Book |
1896-1899 |
1/4 | Record of Registered Matter
Received and Delivered |
1906-1907 |
OS1/1 | Record of Registered Matter in
Transit |
1900-1902 |
OS1/2 | Window Registration Book
|
1904-1905 |
OS1/3 | Window Registration Book
|
1905-1906 |
OS1/4 | Window Registration Book
|
1906 |
OS1/5 | Window Registration Book
|
1906-0907 |
OS1/6 | Window Registration Book
|
1907 |
OS1/7 | Window Registration Book
|
1907-0908 |
1/5 | Window Registration Book
|
1922-1924 |
Series II: Saloon Records , 1891-1911Return to Top
The series consists of records from the Bearmouth Saloon, which was owned by Christopher Lannen. The volumes in the series include four charge ledgers that recorded the names and amounts that the people owed the saloon. Descriptions of the charge are also in the ledgers. Two Daily Cash ledgers, a monthly cash ledger, and an order book are also in the series.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/6 | Charge Ledger |
1891-1895 |
1/7 | Charge Ledger |
1894-1896 |
1/8 | Charge Ledger |
1899-1900 |
OS1/8 | Charge Ledger |
1901-1902 |
2/1 | Daily Cash Book |
1900-1901 |
2/2 | Daily Cash Book |
1904 |
OS1/9 | General Ledger |
1895-1896, 1891, 1901 |
2/3 | Monthly Cash Book |
1910-1911 |
2/4 | Order Book |
1901-1902 |
Series III: Lannen Brothers General Store , 1888-1940Return to Top
The series contains a letter copying book, a credit balance ledger, two daily cashbooks, one daily payable account book, a general merchandise ledger, three order books, and five store charge ledgers from the general mercantile store in Bearmouth. Also included in this series are two letters written to Christopher Lannen regarding the store.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
2/5 | Correspondence |
1882-1883 |
2/6 | Credit Balance Ledger
|
1915-1932 |
OS2/1 | Daily Cash Book |
1890-1897 |
OS2/2 | Daily Cash Book |
1904-1909 |
3/1 | Daily Payable Account Ledger
|
1890-1891 |
3/2 | General Merchandise Ledger
|
1888 |
3/3 | Order Book |
1895-1897 |
OS2/3 | Order Book |
1901-1902 |
3/4 | Order Book |
1930-1931 |
3/5 | Charge Ledger |
1873-1879 |
3/6 | Charge Ledger |
1895-1901 |
4/1 | Charge Ledger |
1897 |
4/2 | Charge Ledger |
1898 |
4/3 | Charge Ledger |
1910-1940 |
5/8 | Miscellaneous Charge Ledger
|
1917-1929 |
5/9 | Miscellaneous Charge Ledger
|
1932 |
4/4 | Letter Copying Book |
1909-1910 |
Series IV: General Correspondence , 1897-1966Return to Top
The series contains correspondence that deal with financial dealings of John and Christopher Lannen and Hazel Marsh. Marsh was executor of the Lannen Brothers Estate that included both Christopher and John Lannen. The majority of the correspondence is from attorneys concerning the Lannen estate.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
5/1 | General Correspondence
|
1882-1966 |
Series V: Financial Records , 1866-1953Return to Top
The series consists of Christopher Lannen's banking statements and canceled checks, land, merchandise, and tax receipts from the Lannen mines and claims, and a general ledger of the Shamrock mine near Bearmouth. The ledger records the returns from the mine. Also in the series are stock certificates from Edward Lannen, Christopher's brother, John Stuart, a friend of the Lannens, and Christopher Lannen. They owned stock in various companies, including an insurance company and the Philipsburg State Bank. A ledger from another Lannen company, the Warm Springs Creek Ranch, is also in the series. The ledger is a daily receivable account of the ranch.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
5/2 | Banking Checks and Book
|
1898-1902 |
5/3 | Deposit bag |
undated |
5/4 | Land, Merchandise, and Tax
Receipts |
1888-1953 |
5/5 | Shamrock Mine, General Ledger
|
1898 |
5/6 | Stock Certificates |
1913, 1917, 1926, 1931 |
5/7 | Warm Springs Creek Ranch
|
1866-1867 |
Series VI: Legal Documents , 1870-1959Return to Top
The series contains legal documents of Christopher Lannen and the claims that he acquired in Granite County. The abstracts of the placer mining claims and the township plots contain all the legal papers associated with the claims. The papers include disputes that may have happened, ownership rights, and transfer of the claim. Also in the series are land deeds that Lannen acquired from other people in the area. The power of attorney document that Christopher Lannen gave to Hazel Marsh over his estate is also included in the series.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
6/1 | Abstract - Harvey Creek Placer
Mining Claim |
1891-1932 |
6/2 | Abstract - Mouth of Bear Placer
Mining Claim |
1878-1939 |
6/3 | Abstract - Sections in Township
Ten, M.P.M. Granite County |
1882-1921 |
6/4 | Abstract - Sections in Township
Ten, M.P.M. Granite County |
1917-1921 |
6/5 | Abstract - Township Eleven North,
Range Fourteen West, M.P.M. Granite County |
1887-1959 |
6/6 | Abstract - Township Eleven North,
Range Fourteen West, M.P.M. Granite County |
1909-1932 |
7/1 | Abstract - Township Eleven North,
Range Fourteen West, M.P.M. Granite County |
1919-1952 |
7/2 | Deeds, Claims, and Power of
Attorney papers |
1920-1967 |
7/3 | Homestead Deeds and Claims
|
1870-1919 |
7/4 | Ownership of Elfers Placer Mining
Claim |
1928 |
Series VII: School Board Minutes , 1900-1911Return to Top
The minutes contain the names of the Bearmouth area school district board members, general school business, and monies spent.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
7/5 | School Board Minutes |
1900-1911 |
Series VIII: Voter Registers , 1894, 1889-1892Return to Top
The series contains voter registers for election district number 12, Deer Lodge County, election precinct number 16, Bearmouth, and school district number 12, Granite County. The registers contain the name of elector, age, place of birth, name of precinct, residence name, citizen of United States, date naturalized if applicable, and remarks. The registers are alphabetical.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
OS3/1 | Official Register, School
District Number 12, Granite County |
1912 |
OS3/2 | Official Register, School
District Number 12, Granite County |
1912 |
OS3/3 | Election District number 12, Deer
Lodge County |
1889-1892 |
OS3/4 | Official Register, Election
Precinct number 16, Bearmouth, October |
1884 |
OS3/5 | Official Register, Election
Precinct number 16, Bearmouth, November |
1884 |
Series IX: Lumber Mill and Livestock Ledger , 1882-1889Return to Top
The series consists of John Lannen's lumber and livestock ledger book. The daily ledger contains the purchaser's name, products purchased, either lumber or beef, and amount.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
7/6 | Ledger |
1882-1889 |
Series X: Photographs , ca. 1900-1942Return to Top
The photographs in the series were taken in and around Bearmouth, Montana. Several photographs exhibit handwritten identifications inscribed onto the prints prior to archival donation. Several of the prints document the physical and cultural landscape of Bearmouth during the late stages of intense mining activity and attendant settlement. This collection also includes film negatives for Photos 152(X):12 through 152(X):24.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
8/1 | 152(X):1: Mother and her chickens
|
undated |
8/1 | 152(X):2: Uncle John and Dad |
undated |
8/1 | 152(X):3: Uncle John, Dad, Mother, and
Billy Kirby |
1942 |
8/1 | 152(X):4: Uncle John and Mother
|
1942 |
8/1 | 152(X):5: Uncle John, Dad, and Billy
|
August 1942 |
8/1 | 152(X):6: Uncle John, Billy, and Katherine
|
1942 |
8/2 | 152(X):7: Billie on old pony, Button. Eddie
on new pony |
undated |
8/2 | 152(X):8: Uncle Chris and Billy Kirby
|
1942 |
8/2 | 152(X):9: Billie going to school
|
undated |
8/2 | 152(X):10: Billie Jo on shock of wheat
|
undated |
8/2 | 152(X):11: Eddie standing on ground, Billie
on wagon, Dad on truck |
undated |
8/3 | 152(X):12: Northern Pacific and Milwaukee
Railroad lines through Bearmouth |
ca. 1900 |
8/4 | 152(X):13: Bearmouth, Montana |
ca. 1900 |
8/5 | 152(X):14: Female on sidewalk in front of
General Merchandise Store and Post Office |
ca. 1900 |
8/6 | 152(X):15: Hill in Bearmouth and the Clark
Fork River |
ca. 1900 |
8/7 | 152(X):16: Holdup Cut near Bearmouth
|
undated |
8/8 | 152(X):17: Ground level view of Bearmouth
|
1900 |
8/9 | 152(X):18: Train Wreck near Bearmouth
|
ca. 1900 |
8/10 | 152(X):19: Train Wreck near Bearmouth
|
ca. 1900 |
8/11 | 152(X):20: People in front of home in
Bearmouth |
ca. 1900 |
8/12 | 152(X):21: View of Bearmouth |
ca. 1900 |
8/13 | 152(X):22: Foot Bridge which crossed Clark
Fork River, Bearmouth |
ca. 1900 |
8/14 | 152(X):23: House in Bearmouth |
ca. 1900 |
8/15 | 152(X):24: People in front of home in
Bearmouth |
ca. 1900 |
Series XI: Artifact, undatedReturn to Top
This series consists of one mounted piece of gray, worn, slat wood with the words "Lannen, Bearmouth, Mont" stenciled in black.
Description | Dates |
---|---|
152:1: "Lannen, Bearmouth, Mont" sign, mounted and
framed |
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Bars (Drinking establishments)--Montana--Bearmouth
- General stores--Montana--Bearmouth
- Gold mines and mining--Montana--Granite County
- Mines and mineral resources--Montana--Granite County
- Mining claims--Montana
- Postal service--Montana--Bearmouth
- Ranches--Montana
- Sawmills--Montana--Bearmouth
- School districts--Montana--Bearmouth
- Schools--Montana--Bearmouth
- Silver mines and mining--Montana--Granite County
Geographical Names
- Bearmouth (Mont.)
- Shamrock Mine (Granite County, Mont.)
- Warm Springs Creek Ranch (Mont.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Artifacts
- Business records--Montana--Bearmouth
- Estate records--Montana--Granite County
- Photographs
- Voting registers--Montana--Bearmouth
Occupations
- Businessmen--Montana--Bearmouth
- Executors and administrators--Montana--Granite County
- Ranchers--Montana
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Lannen, Christopher
- Lannen, John
Corporate Names
- Lannen Bros. General Store (Bearmouth, Mont.)
- Bearmouth Post Office (Bearmouth, Mont.)
- Bearmouth Saloon (Bearmouth, Mont.)
Family Names
- Lannen family