Archives West Finding Aid

Letters written or received by Mary Lee Hunter Doane, or her husband, Gustavus Cheyney Doane. The bulk of the correspondence was exchanged between Mary and Gustavus during the final Geronimo campaign in Arizona in 1886. Captain Doane was stationed near Solomonville and Fort Bowie, Arizona during the summer months, while Mary wrote to him from, El Paso, Texas, San Francisco, and other California towns. The letters are primarily personal in nature, with Mary remarking on visits she had with mutual friends and family, and Gustavus writing on the boredom and loneliness of his own service at various positions near Dragoon Pass and elsewhere in Southern Arizona. The earliest letters in the series include one from Anna Doane to Gustavus, written in San Francisco in 1865 describing social conditions there; a letter from Amelia Link Doane to Gustavus rom Chicago, 1877, demanding a divorce, and courtship letters from Gustavus to Mary written in 1878. Letters written in 1880 from Mary to Gustavus were composed in Bozeman, describing her life there and discomfort at separation from her husband while he went on the Howgate Arctic Expedition. Two lengthy letters from Mary to Gustavus written from Fort Assiniboine in 1882 contain detailed description of the social life at that garrison. Letters written in 1892 and beyond are all to Mary Doane and are either letters of condolence from friends or related to her social activities during her lengthy widowhood. The envelopes for the letters of Mary Doane to her husband have been retained since, in most cases, they bear his notations on the date received, and the date answered. Other writers in this series include George Doane, Max Bauer, Mrs. J. Sewell Reed, and [Note: all letters, and the 1886 letters in particular, collate chronologically with others that can be found in Collection 2211, Gustavus C. Doane Papers, 1860-1939, donated to Montana State University in 1992.]

Speeches and speech fragments prepared by Mary Doane for delivery to historical and genealogical organizations. Much of the notations are fragmentary, but they have been gathered into three folders based on topical content. Mary spoke on the history of Fort Assiniboine and her experiences there; the experiences of women on the Montana frontier, and other historical topics. A lengthy handwritten reminiscence by Susan C. Hunter, Mary Doane's mother, is included in this series. The reminiscence includes information on: the Hunter family's trip over the Bozeman Trail in 1864; settlement at Virginia City, Helena, Diamond City, Bozeman, and Hunter's Hot Springs; incidents of pioneer life and encounters with Indians variously identified as Crow or Sioux. Persons mentioned include Andrew Jackson Hunter, John Bozeman, and Major F. D. Pease, Indian agent.

Mining claim recording certificates made out to Andrew J. Hunter or Susan C. Hunter from officials in Meagher County, Montana, for lodes mostly located along Trout Creek; land indenture for property inherited by Gustavus C. Doane from his mother, Nancy Doane, in San Diego County, California; orders for Gustavus C. Doane to serve on a board of courts martial at the Presidio, San Francisco; receipt for funeral expenses of Gustavus C. Doane; notice of probate court of Gallatin County for proving the will of Mary Doane.

Lock of hair, unidentified, possibly Mary Doane; ornamental sachet envelope; handwritten acceptance note for an invitation extended by Gustavus C. Doane, Santa Clara, California.

Newspaper clippings of obituaries and biographical notices pertaining to Susan C. Hunter, Andrew J. Hunter, and Gustavus C. Doane; two circulars from the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; calling cards of Gustavus C. Doane, Max Bauer, Charles L. Steele, H. B. Dearborn; business practice currency issued by Montana State College, Bozeman.

Carte de Visite of Gustavus Cheyney Doane; multiple views of Fort Assiniboine, Montana Territory, circa 1882; snapshots of Mary Doane at Pompey's Pillar and Yellowstone Park, ca. 1934.