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Eugene Smith papers, 1857-1927

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Smith, Eugene, 1846-1890
Title
Eugene Smith papers
Dates
1857-1927 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.7 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 071
Summary
The Eugene Smith papers are primarily comprised of incoming correspondence from 1883-1901. This collection also contains financial and legal documents pertaining to Smith's work as a mine superindendant in Montana.
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
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Biographical Note

Eugene Smith came to Montana Territory in the late summer of 1883 to work as a mining engineer and superintendant of the Judith Mining Company which was based in St. Paul, Minnesota. This company was merged into the Collar Mining Company, also largely owned by St. Paul residents. These mines were close to Maiden in Meagher County, Montana. Smith remained as Superintendant and "watch dog", becoming part owner, until late 1886. By this time the company had reorganized as the Skookum Mining Company. At that time the company failed and in 1887 Smith became superintendant for the San Francisco Consolidated Mining Company which had reorganized in August of that year. The San Francisco group was based in St. Louis, Missouri, with its mines in the Philipsburg, Montana, area. This company was also poorly financed and was struggling for its existence at the time of Smith's death in February 1890.

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Content Description

The Eugene Smith papers consists largely of incoming correspondence for the period 1883-1901. The collection also contains financial records, legal papers, and correspondence to Smith's second wife, Kate Turner Smith, who was a teacher in Philipsburg, Montana, through 1924. Incoming correspondence from Granville Stuart is contained on a partial reel of microfilm. A letterpress book for the San Francisco Consolidated Mining Company is included as a subgroup.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Eugene Smith Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is divided into two subroups:

Subgroup I: General papers

Series I: General correspondence, 1876-1927, 0.8 linear feet, 1 reel of microfilm

Series II: Financial records, 1873-1889, 0.4 linear feet

Series III: Legal documents, 1857-1924, 0.1 linear feet

Series IV: Clippings, undated, 1 folder

Series V: Miscellany, 1886-1901, 1 folder

Subgroup II: San Francisco Consolidated Mining Company correspondence by Eugene Smith

Custodial History

The materials in Subgroup II: San Francisco Consolidated Mining Company correspondence by Eugene Smith, have been on loan from the Montana Historical Society since January 21, 1972.

A letterpress book of correspondence for Combination Mining and Milling that was once a part of the Smith papers is currently at the Montana Historical Society as of January 21, 1972 and was officially transferred to the Montana Historical Society on September 21, 2005.

Acquisition Information

The acquisition of the primary collection was not documented. The collection likely was given to the university prior to 1970.

Processing Note

This collection was redescribed by Steven Bingo in 2010. This includes the creation of the custodial history, which partially traces the provenance of the letterpress book in Subgroup II, the note about separated materials, and the inclusion of the reel of microfilm into the series of general correspondence.

Separated Materials

28 photos were separated from this collection, which were transferred to the Montana Photographs by Subject Collection (Mss 562). Amongst these photos is a photo of Eugene Smith's children, which is located in Folder 18 of Box 17 of the Montana Photographs by Subject Collection under "Eugene Smith children."

Other photographs from the Eugene Smith Papers may be found under the following headings: Edwards, William, 1895; Horsky, John, circa 1895; Leopold Pollock, circa 1895; Missoula (Higgins Ave. Bridge); J.B. Losee, after 1892; Anaconda, Montana; Dougherty, Patrick, undated; Ray Renshaw, undated; Sioux Indian family, 1909; Fort Missoula, Montana, circa 1895-1925; and Fort Shaw, circa late 1880s.

Some of the photos were unidentified on the separation sheet or could not be linked to a photograph in Montana Photographs by Subject.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Mines and mineral resources--Montana

Corporate Names

  • Collar Mining Company
  • San Francisco Consolidated Mining Company

Finding aid prepared by Dale Johnson (c.1970)
c.1970

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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