MZFCollection2489.xml Guide to the Mitchell Family Papers 1869-2006 Mitchell Family Papers Kim Allen Scott, 2008. Updated by Heather Mulliner, 2022. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections 2022
P.O. Box 173320, Centennial Mall Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-09-15. Finding aid written in English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections Mitchell Family papers 2489 0.2 linear feet 1869-2006 The Mitchell Family Papers include the Campbell Mitchell diary, mounted portrait photographs of Mitchell family members, typed and handwritten memoirs and historical narratives by various family members, assorted letters between family members, a newspaper clipping history of the family in Park City, land and mine claims, genealogical information and assorted other ephemera. Collection materials are in English

This collection is open for research.

The Mitchell Family Papers were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Burton Mitchell of Park City, Montana on September 21, 2006.

Freighting first brought William L.C. Mitchell from Kansas to Bannack and Virginia City, Montana Territory, in 1864. In 1869 Mitchell returned to Kansas where he married Mary (Molly) Cowan on February 27. On May 17, 1869 William and Molly, along with brothers Campbell and Alexander Mitchell and the William Chaffin family, journeyed by wagon train from Fort Scott, Kansas to the Bitterroot Valley in western Montana. Campbell Mitchell kept a diary during the overland journey, describing the route from Fort Scott, through Fort Kearney, Nebraska, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Montpelier, Utah, and Bannack, Montana, all while driving a herd of cattle in addition to the wagons. The Mitchells were joined in Montana by other family members who traveled up the Missouri river by boat and all eventually settled in the Bitterroot Valley until the Nez Perce War of 1877. Campbell Mitchell was killed that year in the Battle of the Big Hole, and in 1879 William L. C. Mitchell, his wife Molly, and children Emma, Maude, Minnie, Florence and Burton Luther Mitchell, left for the Yellowstone Valley and settled near present day Park City. Burton Mitchell, the donor of this collection, is the grandson of Burton Luther Mitchell.

This collection was processed 2008 August 4

The Mitchell papers include the Campbell Mitchell diary, mounted portrait photographs of Mitchell family members, typed and handwritten memoirs and historical narratives by various family members, assorted letters between family members, a newspaper clipping history of the family in Park City, land and mine claims, genealogical information and assorted other ephemera. A published version of the Campbell Mitchell diary can be found in The Song of the Bitterroot by Leda Mitchell Reed (1986).

 Bitterroot River Valley (Mont.)-History Great Plains--Description and travel Park City (Mont.)-History Frontier and pioneer life--Montana Overland journeys to Montana--Personal narratives Pioneers--Montana--Bitterroot River Valley--Diaries Wagon trains-Great Plains Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States Pioneers Transportation Montana Photographs Diaries-Great Plains Family papers-Montana Histories-Montana Memoirs-Montana Mining claims-Montana Photographs--Montana Deeds-Montana Diary and related materials 1869 1 1 Diary of Campbell Mitchell 2006 1 1 1 History of diary location through time 2006 1 1 2 Lida Mitchell Reed explanation of discovery of Park City Mitchell family for her book, "The Song of the Bitterroot" 1986 1 1 3  Family history materials 1 2 Newspaper clipping Centennial Sketch - "Mitchell family migrations ended in Park City settlement"- Stillwater Sun 1988 June 28 1 2 1 Family tree 1 2 2 Memoir of Myra Mitchell Randall for Burton Mitchell (nephew) 1 2 3 Notes from Bert (Burt) Mitchell 1929 February 21 1 2 4 Story of Campbell Mitchell at the Battle of the Big Hole by researched by Lida Reed 1 2 5  Correspondence 1 3 Letter from Lonnie Mitchell to Maud Mitchell 1896 1 3 1 Letter to Mary (Molly) Mitchell from sibling of Sugar Loaf, Colorado 1883 October 9 1 3 2 Letter from cousin Charles E. Allan, American Expeditionary Force, France 1918 1 3 3 Letter - Mid-Rocky Development Co. To Maud Mitchell on oil well subscription 1927 March 31 1 3 4  Miscellaneous documents 1 4 Land deed, William L.C. Mitchell 160 acres 1895 July 9, 1896 February 8 1 4 1 Minnie Bell and Beasley Mining Claim 1893 September 26, January 1894 1 4 2 Lon Mitchell remembrance card 1907 April 15 1 4 3 Photocopy of Marriage Contract of William L.C. Mitchell and Mary E. Cowan 1869 February 27 1 4 4 Biography sheet of Charles Marion Russell 1 4 5  Photographs and drawings 1 5 Photographic print of house where Lonnie Mitchell died 1 5 1 Group photographic print of Burt Luther Mitchell, Florence, Maud, Emma and Lonnie's girlfriend 1 5 2 Portrait, Maud Mitchell 1 5 3 Portrait, Burt Luther Mitchell 1 5 4 Portrait, Minnie B. Mitchell 1907 January 1 5 5 Portrait, Emma Mitchell 1 5 6