Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Papers, 1940-1984

Overview of the Collection

Title
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Papers
Dates
1940-1984
Quantity
6.8 linear feet
Collection Number
Collection 2095, MtBC, us (collection)
Summary
The Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Papers consist of correspondence, speeches, research notes, and printed publications pertaining to the Republican far right, especially the John Birch Society in Montana during the 1960s. These papers are the resource material that explain the positions taken by The People's Voice and also document the tie between the Billings and the Montana AFL-CIO. Since the Billings were involved in many political issues, they corresponded with many high ranking government officials.
Repository
Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Harry L. Billings was born in Somers, Montana, in 1913 where his father worked in the lumber mill. His mother was a homesteader and early day schoolteacher in the Hot Springs area where he was raised. He was a graduate of Thompson Falls High School and earned a degree in journalism from the University of Montana in 1933. His wife, Gretchen Garber Billings was a native of Whitefish whose grandparents homesteaded in the Plains area in the mid-1880s. The Billings jointly edited the farmer-labor owned newspaper The People's Voice in Helena from 1946 to 1969, resigning after a lengthy dispute with organized labor over support of the Vietnam War. Billings opposed American involvement in Korea and Vietnam. During the sales tax fight of 1971, Harry coordinated the successful opposition to enactment of the proposed tax, and then spent two and one half years as Director of Education and Research for the Montana State AFL-CIO. He was also a member of the Montanan Bicentennial advisory council in the mid-1970s and in 1983 was awarded the University of Montana's distinguished alumni award. The Billings retired first to their home in Thompson Falls and then moved full-time to Apache Junction, Arizona, when Harry began suffering respiratory problems. He died on April 23, 1990.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Billings papers contains correspondence, speeches, research notes, and printed publications pertaining to the Republican far right, especially the John Birch Society in Montana during the 1960s. These papers are the resource material that explain the positions taken by The People's Voice and also document the tie between the Billings and the Montana AFL-CIO. Since the Billings were involved in many political issues, they corresponded with many high ranking government officials, including John F. Kennedy, who wrote to the Billings after a trip to Montana in 1959, and Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey, and Jeanette Rankin, a personal friend of the Billings. They also worked closely with several Montana governors and senators. Included in the papers are letters written by Mike Mansfield, Lee Metcalf, John Melcher, James E. Murray, and Burton K. Wheeler as well as governors Sam C. Ford, John W. Bonner, Tom Judge, and Ted Schwinden. Billings also collected the papers of Colonel Jerome G. Locke who was appointed General Surveyor of Montana by President Taft. Included in the Billings papers is Locke's certificate of his appointed signed by Taft. The Billings papers have been topically divided into series.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Series 1 Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence and Speeches, 1946-1984

Series 2 Labor Movement, 1944-1979

Series 3 Montana AFL-CIO, 1956-1984

Series 4 General Subject Files, 1940-1981

Series 5 Individuals, 1947-1984

Series 6 The Right Wing, 1948-1968

Series 7 Group Research, Incorporated, 1961-1967

Series 8 Photographs and Audio Recordings, 1948-1974

Acquisition Information

Harry L. and Gretchen Billings donated their business and personal papers to Special Collections in the fall of 1982. A seperate donation of papers in 1984, originally accessioned as collection 2123, was combined with this collection during processing.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2009 April 1

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence and Speeches, 1946-1984Return to Top

Through their work with The People's Voice and the labor movement, the Billings corresponded with many people across the state. This series contains correspondence with labor leaders and people voicing their support or disagreement over various political issues. The bulk of the letters were written when the Billings were editors of The People's Voice. Most of letters are connected with the paper, but a few are personal letters to Harry and Gretchen. The Billings were also ardent spokespersons for labor and the Democratic party and were often asked to speak at various functions. This series also contains speeches and radio broadcasts the Billings made in conjunction with their position with the paper. The bulk of the letters in Series 1 is general and some personal correspondence. The only specific topics contained in this series are the Grain Terminal Association, the Hillman Award, and the Billings's retirement from The People's Voice. Correspondence relating to specific topics such as the labor movement, the AFL-CIO, and the right wing are found in Series 2-6.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1946-1948
1/2
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1950-1953
1/3
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1954-1955
1/4
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
February to April 1956
1/5
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
May to December 1956
1/6
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to March 1957
1/7
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
April to May 1957
1/8
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
June to December 1957
1/9
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to April 1958
1/10
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
May to August 1958
1/11
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
September to December 1958
1/12
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to May 1959
1/13
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
June to July 1959
1/14
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
August to December 1959
1/15
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to February 1960
1/16
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
March to April 1960
1/17
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
May to August 1960
1/18
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
September 1960
1/19
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
October 1960
1/20
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
November to December 1960
1/21
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to March 1961
1/22
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
April to July 1961
1/23
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
August to October 1961
1/24
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
November to December 1961
1/25
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to May 1962
1/26
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
June to July 1962
1/27
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
August to December 1962
1/28
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to July 1963
1/29
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
August to September 1963
1/30
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
October to December 1963
1/31
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to April 1964
1/32
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
May 1964
1/33
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
June to July 1964
1/34
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
September to December 1964
1/35
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1965
2/1
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to March 1965
2/2
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
April 1965
2/3
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
May to June 1965
2/4
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
July to December 1965
2/5
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to February 1966
2/6
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
March to July 1966
2/7
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
September to October 1966
2/8
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
November to December 1966
2/9
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to August 1967
2/10
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
September to December 1967
2/11
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
January to May 1968
2/12
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
June 1968 to 1969
2/13
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1972
2/14
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1973-1974
2/15
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1975
2/16
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1976
2/17
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1977-1981
2/18
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1982
2/19
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Correspondence
1983-1984
2/20
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Personal Correspondence
1968 to March 1969
2/21
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Personal Correspondence
April to December 1969
2/22
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Personal Correspondence
1970-1972
2/23
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Personal Correspondence
1973-1976
2/24
Grain Terminal Association Correspondence
1957 to January 1960
2/25
Grain Terminal Association Correspondence
February 1960 to 1961
2/26
Grain Terminal Association Correspondence
1962 to 1965; 1970
2/27
Grain Terminal Association Correspondence
1960; 1970
2/28 November 1958 to March 1959
2/29 April 1959
2/30 May 1959
2/31 June 1959
2/32 July 1959 to 1961; 1967
2/33 1959
2/34
Correspondence about Harry L. and Gretchen Billings' Retirement
1968
2/35
Clippings about Harry L. and Gretchen Billings' Retirement
1968
3/1
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Radio Broadcasts
January 1953
3/2
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Radio Broadcasts
February to March 1953
3/3
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Radio Broadcasts
1957
3/4
Harry L. and Gretchen Billings Interviews
1975-1976
3/5
Dean Stone Night, Correspondence and Speech
April 1976
3/6
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1960
3/7
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1962-1963
3/8
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1964
3/9
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1972
3/10
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1973
3/11
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1974
3/12
Harry L. Billings Speeches
1976-1978
3/13
Gretchen Billings Speeches,
1960
3/14
Gretchen Billings Speeches,
circa 1960-1969
3/15
Gretchen Billings Speeches,
1964-1967
3/16
Gretchen Billings Speeches,
circa 1964-1967
3/17
Gretchen Billings Speeches,
1969
3/18
Gretchen Billings Speeches,
circa 1969-1970
3/19
Gretchen Billings Correspondence and Speeches
1959-1961
3/20
Gretchen Billings Correspondence and Speeches
1962-1963
3/21
Gretchen Billings Correspondence and Speeches
1964-1965
3/22
Gretchen Billings Correspondence and Clippings for Speeches
1964-1967
3/23
Gretchen Billings Correspondence with Women in Politics
1959-1972
3/24
Gretchen Billings Women in Politics Questionnaire and Panels
1973
3/25
Gretchen Billings Notes about Teaching Communism
1961-1963

Series 2:  Labor Movement, 1944-1979Return to Top

One area of specific interest to the Billings was the labor movement in Montana. Both Harry and Gretchen were involved in the farmer-labor institute, appearing at various conferences and meetings. This series contains mainly clippings dealing with the labor movement in Montana. It also contains correspondence with various labor leaders and programs from the Farmer-Labor Institute conferences during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. (The last conference was held in 1972)

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
4/1
American Labor History Pamphlets, Samuel Gompers
4/2
American Labor History Pamphlets, History of the Department of Labor
4/3
American Labor History Pamphlets, Labor
4/4
American Labor History Pamphlets, Unions
4/5
American Labor History Clippings
1961-1976
4/6
Montana Labor History Correspondence
1967; 1973
4/7
Montana Labor History Correspondence
1974-1979
4/8
Montana Labor History Pamphlets
1973-1976
4/9
Montana Labor History Clippings
1944; 1967
4/10
Montana Labor History Clippings
1968-1969
4/11
Montana Labor History Clippings
1972-1973
4/12
Montana Labor History Clippings
1974
4/13
Montana Labor History Clippings
1975-1977
4/14
Montana Labor History Clippings
1978-1979
4/15
Montana Labor History Clippings
undated
4/16
Montana State Federation of Labor Golden Jubilee Year Book
1894-1944
4/17
Montana State Federation of Labor Convention
1951
4/18
Montana State Federation of Labor
1953-1955
4/19
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Correspondence
1956-1959
4/20
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Correspondence
1967-1970
4/21
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Correspondence
1972
4/22
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Conference Programs
1952-1972
4/23
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Conference Summaries and Addresses
1949-1970
4/24
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Articles, Notes, and Committee Members
1953-1972
4/25
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Finances and Receipts
1972
4/26
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Clippings
1951-1958
4/27
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Clippings
1961
4/28
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Clippings
1962
4/29
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Clippings
1963
4/30
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Clippings
1965-1968
4/31
Montana Farmer-Labor Institute Clippings
1972

Series 3:  Montana AFL-CIO, 1956-1984Return to Top

After retiring from The People's Voice, Harry and Gretchen remained vocal about labor issues in Montana. During the 1970s, Harry became the Director of Education and Research of the Montana State AFL-CIO. This series contains correspondence with AFL-CIO leaders, especially James Murray, AFL-CIO publications, including the COPE pamphlets from 1979 to 1982, statements made by Harry and other AFL-CIO leaders at various hearings, information about the internal fight within AFL-CIO in 1978, and clippings about various topics pertaining to the AFL-CIO. Box 7 in this series contains the Montana State AFL-CIO Year Books from 1957-1983 (broken run).

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
5/1
Montana AFL-CIO Merger
1956
5/2
Montana AFL-CIO Correspondence
1962-1973
5/3
Montana AFL-CIO Correspondence
1974-1979
5/4
Montana AFL-CIO Correspondence
1980-1984
5/5
Montana AFL-CIO Budget
1971-1975
5/6
Montana AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education
1959
5/7
Montana AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education
1963
5/8
Montana AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Clippings
1962-1963
5/9
Montana AFL-CIO "COPE" Pamphlets
1979-1980
5/10
Montana AFL-CIO "COPE" Pamphlets
1981
5/11
Montana AFL-CIO "COPE" Pamphlets
1982
5/12
Montana AFL-CIO Environmental Legislation
1974
5/13
Montana AFL-CIO Hearings and Statements
1971-1973
5/14
Montana AFL-CIO Hearings and Statements
1974
5/15
Montana AFL-CIO Internal Fight Correspondence
1978
5/16
Montana AFL-CIO Internal Fight Executive Board Meeting Minutes
December 12, 1977
5/17
Montana AFL-CIO Internal Fight Executive Board Meeting Minutes
February 25, 1978
5/18
Montana AFL-CIO Internal Fight Executive Board Meeting Minutes
May 6, 1978
5/19
Montana AFL-CIO Internal Fight Clippings
1977-1978
5/20
Montana AFL-CIO Legislative Reports
1974-1979
5/21
Montana AFL-CIO Legislative Support
1972-1974
5/22
Montana AFL-CIO Occupational and Safety and Health Bill
1973-1974
5/23
Montana AFL-CIO Pamphlets
6/1
Montana AFL-CIO The People's Voice Correspondence
1968
6/2
Montana AFL-CIO The People's Voice Clippings
1968
6/3
Montana AFL-CIO Statements and Publications
1964-1967
6/4
Montana AFL-CIO Statements and Publications
1972-1973
6/5
Montana AFL-CIO Statements and Publications
1974
6/6
Montana AFL-CIO Statements and Publications
1975-1978; 1980-1981
6/7
Montana AFL-CIO Clippings
1957-1958
6/8
Montana AFL-CIO Clippings
1972-1979
6/9
Montana AFL-CIO Clippings
1980-1984
7/1
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1957
7/2
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1958
7/3
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1961-1962
7/4
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1966
7/5
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1967
7/6
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1968
7/7
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1969
7/8
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1970
7/9
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1971
7/10
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1972
7/11
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1973
7/12
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1974
7/13
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1975
7/14
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1976
7/15
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1977
7/16
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1978
7/17
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1979
7/18
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1980
7/19
Montana State AFL-CIO Year Book
1983
7/20
Montana State AFL-CIO Delegate Handbook
1971
7/21
Montana State AFL-CIO Delegate Handbook
1973
7/22
Montana State AFL-CIO Delegate Handbook
1974

Series 4:  General Subject Files, 1940-1981Return to Top

The Billings were interested in a wide range of topics and issues. As editors of The People's Voice and during their retirement, they kept clippings, articles, and publications on various subjects, mainly dealing with labor and the right wing movement. This series contains subject headings arranged in alphabetical order of the various clippings and research Harry and Gretchen collected on topics such as the Democratic party, environmental concerns, gambling, land use, the legislature, Paradise Dam, poverty, taxation, and Young Americans for Freedom. Two main topics in this series are the Montana bicentennial and the fight against the proposed sales tax in 1971. As one of the main leaders in the opposition to the sales tax, Harry corresponded with many people across the state in order to defeat the tax. This series contains that correspondence and other materials used in the fight against the sales tax.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
8/1
ACM Strike
1967-1968
8/2
America's Future Background Information and Articles
8/3
America's Future Textbook Evaluation
8/4
Bicentennial Commission Correspondence
1973
8/5
Bicentennial Commission Correspondence
1974
8/6
Bicentennial Commission Correspondence
1975
8/7
Bicentennial Commission Correspondence
1976
8/8
Bicentennial Commission Project Descriptions
8/9
Bicentennial Commission Final Report to the Governor
October 16, 1975
8/10
Bicentennial Commission "The Bicentennial Era: 1972-1976" Pamphlet
1972-1976
8/11
Bicentennial Commission Bicentennial State Park, Three Forks
8/12
Bicentennial Commission Clippings
1973-1975
9/1
Calendars: Goldwater; American Almanac
Calendars: Goldwater, 1964; American Almanac, 1973
1964; 1973
9/2
Church League of America
1961
9/3
Coal
1972-1974
9/4
Coal Tax Correspondence and Clippings
1972-1974
9/5
Coal Tax Resolutions
1972-1974
9/6
Colstrip-Montana Power Company Correspondence
1966; 1977-1981
9/7
Colstrip-Montana Power Company Clippings
1972-1984
9/8
Communism Pamphlets and Clippings
1961-1962
9/9
Environmental and Legislative Concerns Legislative Reports, 1979; Clippings
1960; 1964; 1977; 1979
9/10
Democratic Party Platforms; Police Committee
Democratic Party Platforms, 1972, 1976; Police Committee, 1981
1972; 1976; 1981
9/11
Democratic Party Clippings
1964-1981
9/12
Frank Dryman Case
1961-1962
9/13
Educational Cooperative Publishing Company of Montana
1939
9/14
Election Reform
1974
9/15
Environmental and Legislative Concerns "The Capital Monitor" Newsletter
1979
9/16
Environmental and Legislative Concerns Legislative Reports; Clippings
Environmental and Legislative Concerns Legislative Reports, 1979; Clippings, 1969-1979
1979; 1969-1979
9/17
Free Press
1977-1979
9/18
Gambling
1977
9/19
Hellgate Herald
July 1965
9/20
Hellgate Herald
August 1965
9/21
Hellgate Herald
September to October 1965
9/22
House Un-American Committee
1961; 1967
9/23
KMON and KCAP Radio Stations
1961-1962
10/1
Land Use: SB625
1974
10/2
Legislative Reports
1973-1983
10/3
Legislative Reports Publications
1975-1983
10/4
Legislative Reports Clippings
1975; 1981-1985
10/5
Legislature: Annual v. Biennial
1974
10/6
Lewistown Speech Correspondence and Publications
1961-1965
10/7
Lewistown Speech Clippings
1960-1965
10/8
The Missoulian Centennial Edition
April 30, 1973
10/9
Montana Christian Conservative
July 1961 to June 1962
10/10
Montana History Conference
1974
10/11
Montana History Conference
1975
10/12
Montana and National Press Progressive Opinion Montana Newspapers
Daily Herald (Helena)
August 1867
Free Press (Helena)
May 1930
Great Falls News
January 1933
Roundup Record-Tribune
March 1933
The Scout (Terry)
November 1932
Montana Standard (Butte)
June 1932
The Western Progressive (Helena)
April 1932; December 1932; March 1933; April 1933
10/13
Montana and National Press Progressive Opinion National Newspapers
American Freedom (Kansas)
October 1932
The Bugle Call (Missouri)
July 1932
Daily Worker (New York)
October 1931
New York Times
January 1933
The Progressive (Wisconsin)
April 1932; February 1933
Vinita Daily Journal (Oklahoma)
February 1933
10/14
Nixon Support; League of Women Voters; Institute for American Democracy
Nixon Support, 1956; League of Women Voters; Institute for American Democracy, 1967
1956; 1967
10/15
Pamphlets "Looking Toward a Sound Fiscal Policy"; "The Needle's Eye"; "Tax Facts and Figures"; "The NRAG Papers"
10/16
Paradise Dam Testimonies and Legal Papers
1958-1959
10/17
Paradise Dam Publications
1958-1959
10/18
Paradise Dam Clippings
1958-1959
10/19
The People's Voice Investigation by David Rankin for National Farmers Union Service Corporation
10/20
The People's Voice Correspondence
1940-1945
10/21
The People's Voice Correspondence
1947-1948
10/22
The People's Voice Correspondence
1951-1953; 1965
10/23
The People's Voice Clippings
1949; 1960-1966
11/1
The People's Voice
February to June 1963
11/2
The People's Voice
July 1963 to April 1964
11/3
Plains Nuclear Power Plant Correspondence and Publications
1965-1968
11/4
Plains Nuclear Power Plant Clippings
1967-1969
11/5
Poverty
1965
11/6
Proposed Northern Tier Pipeline
1978-1980
11/7
Sales Tax Correspondence
May 10-12, 1971
11/8
Sales Tax Correspondence
May 13-21, 1971
11/9
Sales Tax Correspondence
May 26-31, 1971
11/10
Sales Tax Correspondence
June 1-7, 1971
11/11
Sales Tax Correspondence
June 8-30, 1971
11/12
Sales Tax Correspondence
July 1-13, 1971
11/13
Sales Tax Correspondence
July 14-31, 1971
11/14
Sales Tax Correspondence
August 1971
11/15
Sales Tax Correspondence
September 1971
11/16
Sales Tax Correspondence
October 1-12, 1971
11/17
Sales Tax Correspondence
October 13-21, 1971
11/18
Sales Tax Correspondence
October 22-31, 1971
11/19
Sales Tax Correspondence
November 1971
11/20
Sales Tax Correspondence
December 1971
11/21
Sales Tax Correspondence
1972; 1981
11/22
Sales Tax Donations and Publications
1971
11/23
Sales Tax Clippings
1955; 1971
11/24
Slot Machines
1948-1949
11/25
Social Security
1981-1982
11/26
Taxation Clippings
1971-1977
11/27
Thunder on the Right Correspondence and Publications
1954-1961
11/28
Thunder on the Right Clippings
1949; 1953-1963
12/1
United States Congress Roll Call Votes
1963
12/2
Up with People
1967
12/3
The Vigilant Citizen (Sidney); The Western Voice
The Vigilant Citizen (Sidney) June 1961 to January 1962; The Western Voice September 1961
June 1961 to January 1962; September 1961
12/4
Voting Record Pamphlets
1957-1961
12/5
Voting Record Pamphlets
1963-1969
12/6
Voting Record
1948-1983
12/7
"Wheeling" Contracts
1951-1952
12/8
Young Americans for Freedom Correspondence
1959-1963
12/9
Young Americans for Freedom Newsletters
November 1961 to March 1962
12/10
Young Americans for Freedom Newsletters
April to October 1962
12/11
Young Americans for Freedom Newsletters
December 1962 to May 1963
12/12
Young Americans for Freedom Newsletters
May to December 1963
12/13
Young Americans for Freedom Newsletters
January 1964 to February 1965
12/14
Young Americans for Freedom Clippings
1961-1965

Series 5:  Individuals, 1947-1984Return to Top

Like the subject headings, the Billings gathered information on several individuals in Montana. This series contains correspondence and clippings about major personalities in Montana. Billings also collected the papers of Colonel Jerome G. Locke which includes his correspondence. Of special interest in this series are letters written by national government officials such as John F. Kennedy, Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey, and Jeanette Rankin. Letters written by Montana leaders such as Mike Mansfield, Lee Metcalf, John Melcher, Burton K. Wheeler, and James E. Murray as well as from several Montana governors are also included in this series.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
12/15
Governor Tim Babcock Young Americans for Freedom and United States Day in Montana
1963-1965
12/16
Governor Tim Babcock Clippings
1962-1966
13/1
Governor John W. Bonner Letters
May 1951
13/2
Dorothy Bradley Correspondence
1977-1983
13/3
Frank Church; Orvin Fjare
13/4
Joseph M. Dixon, Clippings about his death
1975
13/5
Dorothy Floerchinger Correspondence; Speech
Dorothy Floerchinger Correspondence, 1972; Speech 1962
1972; 1962
13/6
Governor Sam C. Ford Letter
July 7, 1947
13/7
Edmund L. Freeman Correspondence and Clippings
1960; 1974-1977
13/8
Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey Letter
April 1, 1965
13/9
John Jarussi Correspondence and Clippings
1962
13/10
Governor Tom Judge Letters
1973-1974; 1977
13/11
Governor Tom Judge Clippings
1965-1975
13/12
John F. Kennedy Letter
March 15, 1959
13/13
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Biographical notes by Harry L. Billings; Correspondence
1947-1949
13/14
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
January to June 1950
13/15
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
July to December 1950
13/16
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
January to March 1951
13/17
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
April to June 1951
13/18
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
July to September 1951
13/19
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
October to November 1951
13/20
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Correspondence
1952-1954
13/21
Colonel Jerome G. Locke Pamphlets, "A Sign of the Times"; "Conclusions"
13/22
Senator Mike Mansfield Letters
1950; 1959; 1963; 1969
13/23
Lowndes Maury, Correspondence about
1974-1981
13/24
Senator John Melcher Letters
1969-1983
13/25
Senator John Melcher Clippings
1976-1979
13/26
Perry Melton; Mel Hoy
1947; 1978; 1983
13/27
Senator Lee Metcalf Letters
1958-1972
13/28
Senator James E. Murray Letters
1959-1960
13/29
Thomas Payne: "Interest Groups in Montana"
1984
13/30
Governor Ted Schwinden Letters
1981-1982
13/31
Ernest Salvas Correspondence and Clippings
1955; 1963-1966
13/32
Jeannette Rankin Letters
May 1973
13/33
Jeannette Rankin Clippings and Articles
1972-1980
13/34
Sharon Van Quill: Paper on Dan Smoot
13/35
Dan Whetstone Correspondence and Clippings
1946-1964
13/36
Senator Burton K. Wheeler Letter
June 19, 1956
13/37
Senator Burton K. Wheeler: "Meet the Press" transcript
December 31, 1945
13/38
Anita Wilford Correspondence
1967-1968
13/39
Anita Wilford: "The People's Voice: Crusader for More Rigid Control of the Montana Power Company"

Series 6:  The Right Wing, 1948-1968Return to Top

Of particular interest to the Billings and a large portion of their research dealt with the Right Wing, especially the John Birch Society. This series contains correspondence about the right wing and research material about their activities. All of Box 15 contains clippings about the radical right.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
14/1
Right Wing Correspondence; "Smear" groups
Right Wing Correspondence, 1948-1950; "Smear" groups
1948-1950
14/2
Right Wing Correspondence
1962
14/3
Right Wing Correspondence
1963
14/4
Right Wing Correspondence
1964
14/5
Right Wing Correspondence
1965
14/6
Right Wing Articles and Publications
1962
14/7
Right Wing Articles and Publications
1963
14/8
Right Wing Articles and Publications
1964
14/9
Right Wing Articles and Publications
1965
14/10
Right Wing Articles and Publications
1966
14/11
Right Wing Against Organized Labor
1966
14/12
Right Wing, American Legion
1947-1952
14/13
ight Wing John Birch Society
1959 to April 1961
14/14
ight Wing John Birch Society
May 1961 to 1963
14/15
Right Wing Notes about Montana Power, Cattlemen Association, Attack on Dr. Borden at MSU in Missoula
1964
14/16
Right Wing Sidney Anti-Communist Movement Correspondence
1959-1966
14/17
Right Wing Sidney Anti-Communist Movement Clippings
1948-1964
14/18
Right Wing Background Material Clippings
15/1
Right Wing Clippings
1950; 1960
15/2
Right Wing Clippings (The People's Voice response)
Right Wing Clippings, 1961 (The People's Voice response, 1963)
1961; 1963
15/3
Right Wing Clippings (used again)
Right Wing Clippings, 1961 (used again in 1964)
1961; 1964
15/4
Right Wing Clippings
January to April 1961
15/5
Right Wing Clippings
May to December 1961
15/6
Right Wing Clippings
January to February 1962
15/7
Right Wing Clippings
March to December 1962
15/8
Right Wing Clippings
1963
15/9
Right Wing Clippings
1964
15/10
Right Wing Clippings
1965
15/11
Right Wing Clippings
1966
15/12
Right Wing Clippings
1967-1968

Series 7:  Group Research, Incorporated, 1961-1967Return to Top

This series contains the directory compiled by Group Research, Incorporated. The directory was designed to provide journalists, organization leaders, public officials, and others with reference information on radical groups and individuals. It is divided into four sections: Organizations, Individuals, Publications, and Special Reports.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
16/1
Group Research Directory Information, Organizations List
16/2
Group Research Organizations, A to American Good Government
16/3
Group Research Organizations, American Opinion to Association
16/4
Group Research Organizations, B to Commission
16/5
Group Research Organizations, Committee to D
16/6
Group Research Organizations, F
16/7
Group Research Organizations, H-I
16/8
Group Research Organizations, John Birch Society
16/9
Group Research Organizations, John Birch Society Clippings
1961-1965
16/10
Group Research Organizations, L
16/11
Group Research Organizations, M-N
16/12
Group Research Organizations, O-Y
16/13
Group Research Individuals, Index
16/14
Group Research Individuals, A-C
16/15
Group Research Individuals, D-G
16/16
Group Research Individuals, H-J
16/17
Group Research Individuals, K-M
16/18
Group Research Individuals, N-P
16/19
Group Research Individuals, R-S
16/20
Group Research Individuals, T-Z
17/1
Group Research Publications, Bibliography to G
17/2
Group Research Publications, H-L
17/3
Group Research Publications, M-W
17/4
Group Research Special Reports, #1-6
17/5
Group Research Special Reports, #7-11
17/6
Group Research Special Reports, #12-13
17/7
Group Research Special Reports, #16-17, 19
17/8
Group Research Reports
1962
17/9
Group Research Reports
1963
17/10
Group Research Reports
1964-1965
17/11
Group Research Reports
1966
17/12
Group Research Reports
1967-1968

Series 8:  Photographs and Audio Recordings, 1948-1974Return to Top

This series contains photographs and audio recording collected by the Billings. The bulk of the photographs were printed in The People's Voice, but the people and events are unidentified here. Most of the audio recordings are speeches Harry and Gretchen made in conjunction with The People's Voice and speeches made by Henry A. Wallace during his presidential candidacy in 1948.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
18/1
Photographs, #1-10
#1-2 unidentified charter presentation
#3-4 unidentified conference
#5-10 unidentified people
18/2
Photographs, #11-20
#11-17 unidentified people
#18-20 Gretchen Billings
18/3
Photographs, #21-29
#21 Gordon Twedt and Gretchen Billings
#22 James Umber, Joyce Hrovda, Joe Crosswhite in front of Montana AFL-CIO building
#23 Friends of Jerome G. Locke
#24 oil well
circa 1925
#25 aerial view of city
#26 billboard to impeach Earl Warren
#27 close-up of billboard to impeach Earl Warren
#28 Farmer's Union Insurance road sign with communist hammer and sickle spray painted on it, outside of Sidney, Montana
#29 Farmer's Union Insurance road sign with communist hammer and sickle spray painted on it, outside of Sidney, Montana
18/4
Audio Recordings, Legislative Broadcast, Gretchen Billings
January 26, 1957; February 10, 1957
18/5
Audio Recordings, Final Legislative Broadcast, Gretchen Billings
March 2-3, 1957
18/6
Audio Recordings, Legislative Broadcast, Gretchen Billings
undated
18/7
Audio Recordings, The People's Voice Comment; Comments Concerning The People's Voice, R. E. Davis
18/8
Audio Recordings, Mort Borden, MSC
(2 tapes)
March 1963
18/9
Audio Recordings, Lyman Brewster; John F. Kennedy: Highlights of Speeches
19/1
Audio Recordings, Montana Looks to the Future: Indians of Montana, Sister Providencia; Plains
December 28, 1963
19/2
Audio Recordings, Harry L. and Gretchen Billings: Interview with Steve Kelly
(tapes 1-3)
November 18-19, 1974
19/3
Audio Recordings, Harry L. and Gretchen Billings: Interview with Steve Kelly
(tapes 4-6)
November 18-19, 1974
19/4
Audio Recordings, KMON and KCAP Radio
1961-1962
19/5-6
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Speeches
1948
19/7
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 1-2
19/8
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 3-4
19/9
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 5-6
19/10
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 7-8
19/11
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 9-10
19/12
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 11-12
19/13
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 13-14
19/14
Audio Recordings, Henry A. Wallace Convention, 15-20
Folder
Oversized
This folder contains information from series 5, certificates of Jerome G. Locke, including his appointed certificated signed by President Taft. It also contains a map out of series 4 of the Columbia River Basin.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976-Montana
  • Labor journalism-Montana-Helena
  • Labor unions-Montana
  • Labor unions-Political activity-Montana
  • Newspaper editors-Montana-Helena
  • People's voice (Helena, Mont.)
  • Political activists-Montana-Helena
  • Press, Labor-Montana-Helena
  • Right-wing extremists-Montana
  • Sales tax-Montana
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975-Protest movements-Montana
  • Women newspaper editors-Montana-Helena
  • Women political activists-Montana-Helena

Personal Names

  • Bonner, John W. (John Woodrow), 1902-1970-Correspondence
  • Ford, Sam C. (Sam Clarence), 1882-1961-Correspondence
  • Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978-Correspondence
  • Judge, Thomas L. -Correspondence
  • Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963-Correspondence
  • Mansfield, Mike, 1903-2001-Correspondence
  • Melcher, John, 1924--Correspondence
  • Metcalf, Lee, 1911-1978-Correspondence
  • Murray, James E. -Correspondence
  • Rankin, Jeannette, 1880-1973-Correspondence
  • Schwinden, Ted-Correspondence
  • Wheeler, Burton K. (Burton Kendall), 1882-1975-Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • John Birch Society
  • Montana State AFL-CIO
  • Republican Party (Mont.)

Geographical Names

  • Helena (Mont.)-Newspapers
  • Montana-Politics and government-20th century

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Billings, Gretchen (creator)
    • Billings, Harry L., 1913-1990 (creator)
    • Locke, Jerome G. (Jerome George), b. 1882 (creator)
    • Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930 (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Group Research, Inc (creator)