Montana Livestock Commission records, 1889-1970
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Montana Livestock Commission
- Title
- Montana Livestock Commission records
- Dates
- 1889-1970 (inclusive)18891970
- Quantity
- 20 linear feet
- Collection Number
- RS 500 (Formerly RS 59)
- Summary
- This collection is a subgroup (Board) of the Montana Department of Livestock records, RS 500. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Livestock records. These records of the Board of Livestock (formerly named Montana Livestock Commission), and its predecessor the Montana Board of Stock Commissioners, consist of bounty claims and payments, journals, collection books, and miscellaneous financial record volumes.
- Repository
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Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
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Collection open for research
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical Note
The Montana Board of Stock Commissioners was established in 1885 to protect the interests of cattle and horse ranchers. In 1917 it was consolidated with the Board of Sheep Commissioners to form the Montana Livestock Commission. The Commission was composed of six members to be appointed by the Governor. Each member had to be a resident of the state and an owner of cattle, sheep, or horses. The Commission was mandated to "exercise general supervision over and, so far as possible, protect the live stock interests of the State from theft and disease, and recommend from time to time such legislation as will in the judgment of the Commission, foster the industry." The Commission was also given the power to prosecute violations of livestock laws, including illegal use of brands and rustling, and to pay bounties for the killing of predator animals, including wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. In 1971, the Livestock Commission was renamed the Board of Livestock and became purely a governing body, giving up its administrative functions to the new Department of Livestock.
Content Description
Records consist primarily of bounty certificate registers (1895-1832) and a bounty claim list (1892-1895). In addition there are numerous financial volumes, including cash books (1888-1933), journals (1888-1971), ledgers (1888-1922), warrant registers (1885-1899), salaries and expenses (1915-1923), and egg seals cash receipts (1966-1970).
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Library & Archives does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Preferred Citation
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by series.
Location of Collection
119:5-3Processing Note
In 2024, the various collections of the Department of Livestock were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 500, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives catalog, and to follow best archival practices.
Collections from the Department of Livestock's Divisions and Boards that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 500. Rather than reprocessing over 50 linear feet of Livestock materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids and provide access to them via links in this central finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the Content Note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information is available upon request.
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
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Miscellany
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Description: JournalsDates: 1888-1892, 1909-1931Container: Volume Vol. 1-2
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Description: JournalsDates: 1923-1971Container: Volume Vol. 3-15
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Description: Bounty claims listDates: 1892-1895Container: Volume Vol. 16
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Description: Bounty certificate record, vols. A-ZDates: 1895-1932Container: Volume Vol. 17-42
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Description: Record of inspectors' outside workDates: 1962-1971Container: Volume Vol. 43
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Description: Stock estraysDates: 1934-1964Container: Volume Vol. 44-45
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Financial records
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Description: Salaries and expensesDates: 1915-1923Container: Volume Vol. 46
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Description: Egg seals and cash receiptsDates: 1966-1970Container: Volume Vol. 47
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Description: Cash booksDates: 1888-1933Container: Volume Vol. 79-81
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Description: Account ledgersDates: 1888-1912, 1917-1922Container: Volume Vol. 82-84
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Description: Warrant registerDates: 1885-1899Container: Volume Vol. 85
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