James Upson Sanders papers, 1875-1922

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sanders, James U. (James Upson), 1859-1923
Title
James Upson Sanders papers
Dates
1875-1922 (inclusive)
Quantity
.5 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 66 (collection)
Summary
James Sanders (1859-1923) was a Helena, Montana, attorney and librarian of the Montana Historical Society. Papers include general correspondence (1878-1922), writings, and diaries (1875-1888) covering his boyhood, education, travels, and early legal career.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

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

James Upson Sanders was born on July 12, 1859, in Akron, Ohio, the first of five sons of Wilbur Fisk Sanders and Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders. In 1863, the family moved overland to Bannack, Idaho Territory. James Sanders attended public schools in Helena, Montana, and then, in 1878, went with his younger brother Wilbur to Phillips Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire. In 1881, he attended law school at Columbia. After graduating in 1884, he returned to Montana and joined his father's law firm. Sanders practiced law thirty-eight years. Upon his retirement in 1922, Sanders became librarian of the Montana Historical Society. He also served as secretary of the Society of Montana Pioneers for twenty-six years. James U. Sanders died as the result of an automobile accident on April 17, 1923.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of correspondence, diaries, and writings of James U. Sanders. The correspondence deals primarily with his historical work and his attempts to publish his father's works. The diaries recount his boyhood in Helena, his education at Phillips and Columbia, his various travels, and his early legal career.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged by series

Location of Collection

4:4-2

Custodial History

Diary includes a copy of Harriet P. Sanders' diary (1867). Separated from Wilbur Fisk Sanders Papers (MC 53).

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

General Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 1
S.E. Constable; W.J. McConnell
1914, 1922
1 / 2
A.J. Noyes (re subscriptions for proposed history of Montana)
1914-1915

Incoming Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 3
A-B (correspondents include J.M. Ashley, A. Bessette)
1886, 1914
1 / 4
Helen P. Clarke; William A. Clark
1899, 1917
1 / 5
C-F (correspondents include Allen Coffin; C.P. Connolly; J.S. Cushing Company; and L.A. Fenner re trial of George Ives)
1895-1915
1 / 6
George Bird Grinnell
1895-1915
1 / 7
G-L (correspondents include O.F. Goddard, J.M. Hannaford, Charles A. Hartman, F. Augustus Heinze, Mrs. A.M. Hough, Richard R. Kilroy, William Lindsay)
1889-1915
1 / 8
P-R (correspondents include E.S. Paxson, Martha Edgerton Plassman, Frederick Root)
1915
1 / 9
E.P. Sanders, Helen Sanders, S.M. Sanders
1878-1918
1 / 10
Reginald Stanley
1903
1 / 11
S-W (correspondents include Granville Stuart, George D. Upson, J.A. Tufts, University of Montana, Lester S. Willson, George Wing, unidentified uncle)
1878-1922

Outgoing Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 12
Miscellaneous
1886-1922, undated
1 / 13
Circular letters re publication promotion for W.F. Sanders' papers
1914
1 / 14
Wilbur E. Sanders (typescript copies, originals not in collection)
1893

Miscellaneous Correspondence Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 15
Letters neither to nor from J.U. Sanders
1928, 1935

Diaries Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 16-19
Books No. 1-6, 8 (No. 6 includes Harriet Sanders' diary, 1867)
1875-1876, 1879-1881
2 / 1-3
Books No. 9-11
1881-1884
2 / 4-5
Un-numbered diaries
1884-1888

Legal Documents Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2 / 6
Agreement with A.J. Noyes to raise subscription for publication of Wilbur Fisk Sanders' papers
1914

Writings Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2 / 7
"Contest of Edwards vs. Langford" (re first Idaho legislature; "Rose's Grave" (re Edward Rose); "The Bannack Lobby"; "3-7-77" (re vigilantes); "Montana's First Map"; untitled (re last Chance Gulch); untitled (re Bannack); "The Dignity of the Presidential Office"
1912-1919, undated

Miscellany Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2 / 8
Invitation to reception of First Regiment of Montana Voluntary Infantry
1899

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Public schools

Personal Names

  • Sanders, James U. (James Upson), 1859-1923 (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Europe--Description and travel
  • Helena (Mont.)--Commerce--Attorneys
  • Helena (Mont.)--Education
  • Yellowstone National Park--Description and travel

Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
2004

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