Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Robert Dunlap Clarke Papers, 1867-1868
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Clarke, Robert Dunlap
- Title
- Robert Dunlap Clarke Papers
- Dates
- 1867-1868 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- .25 cubic ft. (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 10451
- Summary
- 1867 and 1868 diaries with transcripts of the U.S. Army paymaster who was stationed along the Bozeman Trail in Wyoming and Montana.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Robert Dunlap Clarke traveled along the Bozeman Trail in 1867 and 1868 as United States Army paymaster for the forts along the Trail. Clarke was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Kenyon College, Ohio. He married Mary Evans Willson with whom he had three children: Alpheus, Sarah Robertina, and Eliza Willson. Eliza Willson Clarke married Major Thomas Tipton Thornburgh who was killed during the White River Ute war of 1879. Major Clarke lived in Washington D.C. after retiring from the army. He is buried in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains two diaries kept by Clarke from October to November 1867, and from May to July 1868, while he was traveling as paymaster to Forts Phil Kearny, Fetterman, and Reno in present-day Wyoming and Fort C.F. Smith in present-day Montana. Clarke drew sketches of the forts and surrounding areas in his diaries, and in the back of the 1867 diary he transcribed personal anecdotes and myths and history of the Sioux and other Plains tribes told to him by Nicholas Janis, guide for the party. The collection also contains three photoprints of drawings of Fort Omaha by Clarke, a drawing of Fort Omaha by fellow army officer Albert G. Brackett, and some items regarding Major Thornburgh.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restriction: Transcripts and photocopies for research usePhotoprints of the sketches and transcripts and photocopies of the diaries have been provided for research use as the originals are in fragile condition.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Robert Dunlap Clarke Papers, Collection Number 10451, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Alternative Forms Available
Existence and Location of CopiesDigital reproductions of this entire collection are available at: http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~94~94.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Diary, 1867Return to Top
Container(s): Box Safe Folder
1867 Diary transcriptReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1
Diary, 1868Return to Top
Container(s): Box Safe Folder
1868 Diary transcriptReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1
Additional Container ListsReturn to Top
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Indians of North America -- Anecdotes
Personal Names
- Brackett, Albert G. (Albert Gallatin), 1829-1896.
- Janis, Nicholas
Geographical Names
- Fort C.F. Smith (Mont.)
- Fort Fetterman (Wyo.)
- Fort Omaha (Neb.)
- Fort Phil Kearny (Wyo.)
- Fort Reno (Wyo.)
- Wyoming -- History -- To 1899
Form or Genre Terms
- Diaries
Processed by D.C. Thompson
2006
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
