Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections
Burton K. Wheeler Family papers
2213
Collection 2213, MtBC, us
0.7 linear feet
1924-1989
The Burton K. Wheeler Family Papers consist of papers and correspondence of Elizabeth Colman pertaining to the writing of her book Mrs. Wheeler Goes To Washington, papers pertaining to the life of Burton K. Wheeler, as well as photographs of Burton K. Wheeler and his family.
Collection materials are in English
Elizabeth Wheeler Colman was born in Butte, Montana, on April 17, 1911, the second child of Lulu and Burton K. Wheeler. She attended grammar school in Butte and Washington, D.C., then graduated from Western High School in Washington. She obtained her B.A. in history and M.A. in political science from George Washington University. She and her husband, Edwin Woodruff Colman, have been married for over fifty years and have had four children. She has served on boards and committees concerning political, civic, educational, and community affairs. In 1989 she wrote
Mrs. Wheeler Goes To Washington, dealing with the life of her mother, Lulu Wheeler, wife of U.S. Senator Burton K. Wheeler. The book was published by Falcon Press Publishing Co, Helena, Montana.
The collection has been arranged in 3 series, based on subjects. Series 1 consists of papers and correspondence of Elizabeth Colman pertaining to the writing of her book
Mrs. Wheeler Goes To Washington. Much is hand-written. Series 2 consists of papers pertaining to the life of Burton K. Wheeler. This series has been separated into 4 subseries: papers pertaining to B.K. Wheeler's U.S. Senate campaigns; Wheeler's isolationist and wartime activities; Wheeler's later life; and two large scrapbooks created by Elizabeth Wheeler Colman during the early 1940s containing some of her personal memorabilia and numerous clippings pertaining to her father. Series 3 consists of photographs of Burton K. Wheeler and his family. The 1990 donation materials, which are mainly originals, have been intermingled with the 1994 materials, which are primarily photocopies.
Series 1
Mrs. Wheeler Goes To Washington, 1974-1989
Series 2 Burton K. Wheeler biographical materials, 1924-1975
Subseries 1 - U.S. Senate Campaigns, 1940; 1946
Subseries 2 - Isolationism and wartime activities
Subseries 3 - Elizabeth Coleman scrapbooks
Subseries 4 - General biographical materials
Series 3 Photographs, posters, and cartoons, circa 1924-1970s
This collection is open for research.
Papers, correspondence, and photographs pertaining to the Burton K. Wheeler family were donated to MSU Special Collections by Elizabeth Wheeler Colman in 1990 and 1994.
This collection was processed 2009 May 22
[Creator Name], [Date of Creation], [Brief Description of Object], Folder [#], Box [#], [Collection Name], [Collection #], Montana State University (MSU) Library, Bozeman, MT
Wheeler, Burton K. (Burton Kendall), 1882-1975
Wheeler, Elizabeth Wheeler, 1911--Mrs. Wheeler Goes to Washington
Wheeler, Lulu White, 1883-1962
Wheeler, Burton K. (Burton Kendall), 1882-1975--Family
United States-Congress-Senate
Wheeler family
Montana--Politics and government--20th century
United States--Politics and government--20 century
Montana--Politics and government
Montana
Legislators' spouses--United States
Legislators--United States
Political Campaigns--United States
Civic Activism
Literature
Political Campaigns
Publishers and Publishing
Photographs
Montana
Photographs
Photographs
Mrs. Wheeler Goes To Washington
Series 1
1974-1989
1
1
Photos, papers, and correspondence collected by Elizabeth Wheeler Colman while preparing her manuscript for
Mrs. Wheeler Goes To Washington. Includes letters from her editor and correspondence from family friends. Much is handwritten. Does not include original manuscript.
U.S. Senate campaigns
Subseries 1
Subseries 1
1940
1946
Campaign literature, endorsements, and news articles.
Senatorial campaign literature
1940
1
2
Senatorial campaign literature
1946
1
3
Wheat bonus statement
1946
1
4
Prospectus of Plot to Destroy America, by Kin.
1
5
Letter about B. K. Wheeler's record
1946
1
6
"The Railroad Man's Friend" labor support article.
1
7
Endorsements
1946
1
8
Isolationism and wartime activities
Subseries 2
Subseries 2
1939-1945
Papers pertaining to the America First Committee, wartime legislation introduced by Wheeler, and news clippings.
America First Committee papers
1
9
America First Committee papers, Chicago releases
1
10
Legislation introduced by Wheeler
1945-1946
1
11
Various magazine articles about WWII
1
12
Various clippings concerning isolationism, etc.
1
13
Coleman Scrapbooks
Subseries 3
Subseries 3
1940-1941
Scrapbook created by Elizabeth Wheeler Colman in early 1940s. Contains mainly national newspaper clippings about Burton. K. Wheeler, as well as some of Elizabeth's personal memorabilia.
Elizabeth Wheeler Colman
2
4
General biographical material
Subseries 4
Subseries 4
1924-1975
Papers and articles pertaining to Burton. K. Wheeler's life and career other than his Senate campaigns and wartime activities. Some news articles written in Wheeler's later, post-political years.
Lengthy Chicago Tribune article about Pearl Harbor
1
14
Papers concerning Wheeler's campaign for Vice President
1924
1
15
Address by Prof. Richard Ruetten on Wheeler's life
1975
1
16
"The Silver Question" magazine article
1
17
Article about Wheeler's court fight
1937
1
18
Numerous clippings on Wheeler's life
1
19
Photographs, posters, and cartoons
Series 3
Series 3
1924-1975
Illustrations of Burton K. Wheeler and family, political posters, and cartoons. #s 1-24 are photographs. Photographers generally unknown although #1 was taken by Harris and Ewing and #15 and 16 were taken by H.D. Walter. #s 25-29 are campaign posters. #30-33 are original cartoons. Cartoons include Joseph Parrish's "The Indictment of Statesmanship" (published in
Chicago Tribune 1941) Gene Elderman's "The Rough Rider", Cliff Berman's "You can't scare me..." (1948) and a Wheeler cartoon narrative by R. Faulkner.
Wheeler and Lafollette
#1
#1
5" × 7"
1
20
1
(Original print in Box 2.)
Woman in formal dress, possibly Lulu
#2
#2
3" × 8"
1
20
2
Small photo, Wheeler on U.S.S. Chicago with R. Admiral Rowcliff
#3
#3
1940
1
20
3
Wheeler
#4
#4
4" × 8"
1
20
4
Wheeler at desk
#5
#5
5" × 7"
1
20
5
Small dbl-mounted Wheeler reading
#6
#6
1
20
6
Wheeler with Lulu on walkway
#7
#7
1
20
7
Wheeler smoking
#8
#8
1
20
8
Wheeler on telephone
#9
#9
1
20
9
Wheeler talking to man and woman
#10
#10
8" × 10"
1
20
10
Wheeler, wife, and daughter
#11
#11
8" × 10"
1
21
11
Wheeler with daughter
#12
#12
1
21
12
Burton and Lulu
#13
#13
1
21
13
Wheeler, Lulu, and daughter
#14
#14
1940
1
21
14
Wheeler sitting at couch with Lulu and daughter
#15
#15
1
21
15
Wheeler reading invitation
#16
#16
1
21
16
Wheeler reading invitation
#17
#17
1
21
17
On horseback with Lulu and Elizabeth
#18
#18
1941
1
21
18
Wheeler at dinner table in tux, in later years
#19
#19
(two of this same image)
1
21
19
Same setting as #19, different pose
#20
#20
1
21
20
Same setting as #19, reaching
#21
#21
(two identical)
1
21
21
Same setting as #19, different pose
#22
#22
1
21
22
Dinner table, Wheeler, several others
#23
#23
1949
1
21
23
Newspaper illustration from Washington Herald, Wheelers family
#24
#24
1928
1
21
24
Wheeler and Lafollette
2
1
Wheeler for U.S. Senate
#25
#25
1922
2
25
Wheeler for U.S. Senate
#26
#26
1928
2
26
Wheeler for U.S. Senate
27
#27
1934
1
27
Wheeler for U.S. Senate
#28
#28
1940
2
28
Wheeler for Vice President - Progressive Party
29
#29
1924
2
29
"The Indictment of Statesmanship"
#30
#30
2
2
30
"The Rough Rider"
#31
#31
2
2
31
"You can't scare me..."
#32
#32
2
2
32
Campaign narrative cartoon
#33
#33
2
3
33