Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections
Charles P. Blakeley papers
Blakeley, Charles P., 1834-1912
2440
0.4 linear feet
1858-1912
Charles P. Blakely was an early settler in Gallatin County, Montana Territory, who served in numerous elected positions including sheriff and state and territorial legislator. The Blakeley papers consist of autobiographical, legal, and financial documents which document Blakeley's work in Montana territorial and state politics, law enforcement, and farming and community activities in Gallatin County, Montana Territory. Highlights include reminiscences, a book length autobiography, correspondence from William A. Clark, and lists recording settlers of Old Central Park of Gallatin County and Confederate Veterans of Sterling Price Camp No. 1378. The papers document his election as sheriff of Gallatin County and appointment as the Register of the Land Office in Bozeman, Montana. There are also certificates, legal documents, financial records, news clippings, and ephemera.
Collection materials are in English
This collection is open for research.
The Charles P. Blakeley Papers were purchased from Morris P. Blakeley, Billings, Montana, on August 15, 2002.
Charles P. Blakeley was born in Missouri on June 6, 1834. He married Elizabeth Downing in 1856 in Kansas. When the Civil War broke out, Blakeley enlisted in the Missouri State Guard and served under General Sterling Price in the first six months of the conflict. Blakeley attempted to quit the war and return home, but was arrested by the Union Army as a former Confederate soldier. He escaped confinement in St. Joseph, Missouri, and with his family moved west, arriving in Denver, Colorado Territory, in 1863. They proceeded to Virginia City, Montana Territory, arriving on May 16, 1864. In October, they moved to the Gallatin Valley, Montana Territory, where Blakeley purchased farmland, which he called Farmington Ranch near Old Central City on the West Gallatin River. From 1866 to 1867, he served in the Montana Territorial Legislature. After mining in Deer Lodge County, Montana Territory, in 1870, he returned to the Gallatin Valley and became an undersheriff for John C. Guy, from 1871 to 1872. After running for sheriff unsuccessfully, he returned to his ranch between 1874 and 1878. In 1878, he moved to Bozeman, Montana Territory, where he was undersheriff for William S. McKinzie and the deputy assessor for four years. In 1882, he was elected Sheriff of Gallatin County. Charles P. Blakeley served as a legislator and the Speaker of the 1st State Legislature in 1888. He was appointed as the Register of the US Land Office in Bozeman, from 1894 to 1898. In 1908, he was elected Sergeant at Arms of the Montana Legislature. Charles P. Blakeley died February 24, 1912, at the age of 77.
[Creator Name], [Date of Creation], [Brief Description of Object], Folder [#], Box [#], [Collection Name], [Collection #], Montana State University (MSU) Library, Bozeman, MT
This collection was processed 2010 December 3.
In the summer of 2002, retired Montana State University faculty member A. Hayden Furgeson typed a transcription of the original manuscripts from folders 14 through 20. The transcription was not checked against the originals and remains unedited. It was added to the collection to assist researchers during processing.
The Blakeley papers consist of autobiographical, legal, and financial documents which document Blakeley's work in Montana territorial and state politics, law enforcement, and farming and community activities in Gallatin County, Montana Territory. Autobiographical documents include manuscripts of memorable events of his life, plus a book length autobiography titled "A Sketch of the Life of Charles Presston Blakeley as Told by Himself." There are also lists recording settlers of Old Central Park in Gallatin County and Confederate Veterans of Sterling Price Camp No. 1378, certificates from the Knights of Honor and the Society of Montana Pioneers, letters and a telegram from Copper King William A. Clark, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia. Financial records include receipts for taxes and other business from Kansas Territory and Gallatin County. Business materials include an Attorney's License from the Supreme Court of Montana Territory, a certificate of election as sheriff of Gallatin County and appointment as the Register of the Land Office in Bozeman, Montana.
The bulk of the manuscripts are handwritten, or printed forms completed in handwriting. Unedited typescripts of several of the autobiographical stories have been incorporated into the collection.
Blakeley, Charles P., 1834-1912--Biography
Clark, William Andrews, 1839-1925--Personal correspondence
Gallatin County (Mont.)--History
Gallatin Valley (Wyo. and Mont.)--History
Frontier and pioneer life--Gallatin River Valley (Wyo. and Mont.)
Pioneers--Montana--Gallatin River Valley (Wyo. and Mont.)
Pioneers
Montana
Personal papers--Montana--Gallatin County
Autobiographies--Montana--Gallatin County
Legal papers
1
1
Deed from John C. Guy to Charles P. Blakeley
Attorney's License from Supreme Court, Montana Territory
Knights of Honor benefit certificate
Certification of election as Gallatin County Sheriff
Society of Montana Pioneers certificate
Financial papers
1
2
Tax receipt signed J. V. Jameson, Doniphan County, Kansas Territory
Tax receipt signed A. M. Pitts, Doniphan County, Kansas Territory
Promissory note to bank, Iowa Point, Kansas Territory
Receipt for horses, Theodore Dickinson, Denver, Colorado
Receipt for yoke of cattle, Denver, Colorado
Receipt for taxes, Gallatin County, Montana
Receipt for payment as administrator of Robinson estate
Receipt for payment as administrator of Robinson estate
Receipt for payment as administrator of Robinson estate
Receipt for taxes, Gallatin County, Montana signed by T. B. Gray
Receipt for poor tax, Gallatin County, Montana signed by T. B. Gray
Receipt for taxes, Gallatin County, Montana signed by Territorial Auditor
Homestead receipt from Daniel McCreery (Application # 630)
Receipt for taxes, Gallatin County, Montana
Receipt from Davis and Sperling, Dry Goods
Receipt for poor tax signed B. M. Dawes, Gallatin County, Montana
Newspaper subscription receipt, Weekly Independent, Helena, Montana
Receipt for taxes from W. H. Bailey, Gallatin County, Montana
A. Lamme & Co. Ledger account page
Post office box receipt
Receipt for registered letter
Receipt for advertising and printing tickets, Avant Courier, Bozeman
Receipt from Dr. George W. Monroe
Lists of Gallatin County residents
1
3
Those who settled near Old Central Park
A roster of Sterling Price Camp No. 1378 - Bozeman, Montana
Letters and telegram
1
4
Letter to C.P. Blakeley from Samuel Wood concerning Attorney License, Virginia City, Montana
Congratulatory telegram from W.A. Clark, Montana Senator
Envelope (only) postmarked Miles City, Montana sent to John E. Shaw, Colstrip, Montana
Newspaper clippings
1
5
Notice of NPRR celebration, Grand Marshall C.P. Blakeley
Captain James Blakeley, Oregon pioneer celebrates 95th birthday
Article written by C. P. Blakeley for Miner (Butte) about his career
St. Joseph (Missouri) Gazette - "How Blakeley Got out of Jail"
Obituary of Mrs. Chas. P. Blakely (sic)
Memorabilia and ephemera
1
6
YMCA invitation to Halloween Carnival
Pencil tablet cover with a few scanty notes present (date unknown)
Remembrance card commemorating Charles P. Blakeley at time of his death
Biographical notes about his ancestors and his childhood
1
7
Biographical notes about his career in politics
1
8
Typed story "Jennie" - about his imprisonment and escape during the Civil War and his woman helper - handwritten editing
1
9
The story "The Killing of Col. Kimble and Capt. Smith by the Sioux in 1865"
1
10
The story "My First Visit to Bozeman," Christmas 1865
1
11
Typed story "Indian Raid and Its Results, 1869" with handwritten addendum naming Andrew H. Murray as source
1
12
The story "In this My Last" about mining for gold in Deer Lodge County at Gold Creek
1
13
Autobiography "A Sketch of the Life of Charles Preston Blakeley as Told by Himself," pp 1 - 377
1
14-20
Life Sketch fragments plus summary list of careers and typed song lyric
1
21
Photograph, on verso: Charles P. Blakeley before 1889 by J. Towner, Broadway Gallery, Helena, Montana
1
22
A Sketch of the Life of Charles Preston Blakeley as Told by Himself, unedited transcript
1
23