Robert J. McCaig Papers, 1904-1982

This series consists of biographical materials on Robert J. McCaig and his extended family. Materials include the annotator's collection overviews and biographical synopsis. Most of the items in this series are materials McCaig collected and were originally filed with family correspondence, though the items were not attached to specific correspondence. These relocated materials include newspaper articles about McCaig family members, pamphlets on the McCaig family name, and legal paperwork for Bob and Edith McCaig as well as the Engren Family (McCaig's in-laws). This series includes one of McCaig's World War II ration books. The ration book is in fragile condition.

This series includes correspondence and a few short narrative samples directly related to on-going correspondence with business associates. The series has been separated into three subseries according to distinct content. Subseries 1 contains correspondence directly related to McCaig's involvement with the publishing industry. Contents include correspondence with contracted and potential book agents, manuscript proposals, book sale receipts, royalty payment receipts, editorial exchanges regarding manuscripts accepted for publication, and McCaig's marketing suggestions for sold manuscripts. These materials include both carbon copies and original documents, including a few handwritten letters. Additional correspondence directly related to the manuscripts in Series V is located in that series-in a separate folder associated with each manuscript.

Subseries 2 contains personal correspondence with family and friends. Family correspondence is separated from other personal letters as a reflection of the original annotators organization. The family correspondence folders contain some materials of a biographical nature that were attached to family letters, including a few weathered letters, receipts, and newspaper articles. Subseries 3 includes correspondence relating to McCaig's involvement with civic organizations, church groups, and small-scale business partners. Correspondence with business partners includes a few short samples of narrative Mr. McCaig wrote for use in product catalogues as part of his business relationship with William Ukrainitz. This subseries also includes correspondence with manufactures regarding items purchased by the McCaig family and service requests. For correspondence from and about the Western Writers of America, please see Series III, subseries 2.

This series contains materials Robert McCaig collected as research references for his writing projects, articles he wrote on the craft of writing, as well as all materials related to his involvement with the Western Writers of America. Some of the research subject files include correspondence from McCaig requesting articles, brochures, or general source materials from businesses and institutions. Most of the folders in this series include documents and newspapers in fragile condition. When logical and feasible, these materials were transferred to archival paper; however, numerous items were retained in original format for historical or practical purposes. The "Lewis and Clark and the Great Falls" oversize folder contains a portion of an undated quadrant map for the Great Falls of the Missouri River. This map is in fragile condition. The "Montana Power Company-Research and Writing" folder contains a copper plated pamphlet produced by the International Association of Electrical Inspectors regarding the 1940 annual meeting in Great Falls.

This series includes a small portion of family photographs submitted with the original donations. When dates could be established for photographs, such is noted in the content description. The series includes several photographs previously mounted on paper with annotative notes by LeRoy Stahl. During reprocessing in 2003 these photographs were separated from non-archival paper and, when possible, the adhesive was removed. The series also includes loose photographs of McCaig, his mother and sister, and locations where the family lived. Most of the loose photographs are undated or were inscribed with speculative dates prior to donation. The series also includes numerous photographs McCaig collected during his research for writing projects. These photographs include images of the Great Falls of the Missouri River prior to hydroelectric dam construction, canoeing techniques and designs, as well as World War II U.S. Army Air Corps aircraft and bases. Last, the series includes two undated flexible photograph negatives of the Great Falls of the Missouri River. These negatives are not duplicates of collection prints.

This series contains original manuscripts for two novels and eight short stories. The two novel manuscripts are: The Rangemaster (1958) and The Shadow Maker (1970). The eight short story manuscripts are: "Pop and the Cockeyed Windmill," "Trouble on Circuit 13, "Flame Across the Night," "Fools Are My Theme," "The Badger from Ballyduff," "Green Light for Grogan," "The Fall Guy," and "Turmoil at Tinasket." All short story materials are dated between 1947 and 1954. Correspondence directly related to the writing and publication of the materials in this series are retained in physical association with the manuscripts to facilitate research. The bulk of the correspondence regarding McCaig's writing efforts can be found in Series I, subseries 1.