James R. Dilworth Papers, 1861-1939
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Correspondence, 1861
- Correspondence, 1862
- Correspondence, 1863
- Correspondence, February 1881
- Correspondence, March 1881
- Correspondence, April 1881
- Correspondence, May 1881
- Correspondence, June 1881
- Correspondence, July 1881
- Correspondence, August 1881
- Correspondence, September 1881
- Correspondence, 1882
- Correspondence, 1883
- Correspondence, 1884
- Correspondence, 1885
- Correspondence, 1916-1939
- Poem, 1891
- Maps, undated
- Names and Subjects
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Dilworth, James R. (James Ronaldson)
- Title
- James R. Dilworth Papers
- Dates
- 1861-1939 (inclusive)18611939
- Quantity
- 0.25 linear feet, (1 box)
- Collection Number
- Mss 008
- Summary
- James R. Dilworth was a cattleman who directed a cattle drive from The Dalles, Oregon, to Miles City, Montana, in 1881-1882. The collection consists mostly of his correspondence back to his wife during that drive, as well as other family correspondence.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical Note
James R. Dilworth left the furniture business in Fort Scott, Kansas, in February 1881 to become a cattleman. Leaving behind his wife, Addie Dilworth, and his son, he traveled by rail to San Francisco, California, and then by steamer to Oregon. There, he and his partners purchased 2,150 head of cattle. They drove the cattle from The Dalles, Oregon, to just south of Bozeman, Montana. They rested the herd in Bozeman for the winter and travelled the last 300 miles, arriving near Miles City, Montana, in August 1882. Dilworth and his family settled in Bozeman, and later in Billings, Montana.
Content Description
Most of the collection contains Dilworth's postcards and letters to his wife describing the 1881-1882 cattle drive. The earliest letters are those from and to his brother, George M. Dilworth, who was a farmer and had served in the Union Army during the Civil War. There is also a letter from James' son, George D., while he was a student at Swarthmore College; a letter to George D. from his uncle E.L. Wilson; letters regarding the transfer of this collection; a poem that may have been part of a school exam; and hand-drawn maps of the Bozeman and Bridger Trails.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], James R. Dilworth Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana—Missoula.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Materials are arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
The materials remained in the custody of the family until time of donation to the Archives.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mrs. Carl Boettner through the Friends of the Library, 1965.
Processing Note
The original processor arranged the collection and produced a finding aid. In 2004, that finding aid was encoded with minimal revisions.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1861Container: Box/Folder 1/1
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1862Container: Box/Folder 1/2
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1863Container: Box/Folder 1/3
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: February 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/4
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: March 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/5
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: April 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/6
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: May 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/7
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: June 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/8
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: July 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/9
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: August 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/10
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: September 1881Container: Box/Folder 1/11
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1882Container: Box/Folder 1/12
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1883Container: Box/Folder 1/13
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 1/14
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1885Container: Box/Folder 1/15
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1916-1939Container: Box/Folder 1/16
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Description: PoemDates: 1891Container: Box/Folder 1/17
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Description: MapsDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/18
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Cattle breeders--Montana--Correspondence
- Cattle drives--West (U.S.)
Personal Names
- Dilworth, Addie--Correspondence
- Dilworth, George D.--Correspondence
- Dilworth, George M.--Correspondence
- Wilson, E. L.--Correspondence
Corporate Names
- Swarthmore College--Students--Correspondence
Geographical Names
- Bozeman Trail--Maps
- Bridger Pass Overland Trail (Colo. And Wyo.)--Maps
Form or Genre Terms
- Family papers--Montana
- Maps
- Poems
- Postcards
