Montana State University Library, Archives and Special Collections, Manuscript Collections
John J. Powers papers
Powers, John J.
1392
Collection 1392, MtBC, us
0.4 linear feet
circa 1871-1968
John J. Powers was a cartoonist, illustrator, and miner who worked primarily for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company in Butte, Montana, from the mid 1920s until 1968. The John J. Powers papers document his work as a cartoonist and illustrator for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company as well as life in Butte, Montana, and experiences during World War II and consist of correspondence, posters, pamphlets, and photographs. The documents include correspondence and pamphlets from the Anaconda Company's Bureau of Safety as well as safety posters and pencil drawings by Powers. The photographs are of mines and miners in Butte in the late 1930s and early 1940s, soldiers and German prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II, and Fort Logan (Camp Baker) Montana.
Collection materials are in English
John J. Powers was born about 1904, in Providence, Rhode Island, the third son of Irish immigrants John J. Powers and Mary Mahar Powers. The family moved to Butte, Montana, not long after his birth where his father worked as a miner in the copper mining industry. John (Jr.) grew up in Butte and spent most of his life working as a cartoonist and miner for the Anaconda Mining Company. He began working in the mid-1920s as a cartoonist, not long after he completed high school. During the 1930s he worked as a miner, returning to cartooning in the 1940s. He retired in 1968 and remained in Butte, where he died on November 9, 1989.
The John J. Powers papers document his work as a cartoonist and illustrator for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company as well as life in Butte, Montana, and experiences during World War II. The documents in this collection focus primarily on mining safety and include correspondence and pamphlets from the Anaconda Company's Bureau of Safety. While not extensive, Power's artwork is represented by several mine safety posters, including several original pencil drawings. The bulk of the photographs are of mines and miners in Butte in the late 1930s and 1940s, produced by various photographers, and likely for Anaconda Company materials. There are also photographs of soldiers in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II, the homefront, and German prisoners of war (POWs). These appear to have been sent to the Anaconda Company for use in their materials. Photographs of Fort Logan (Camp Baker), located in Meagher County, Montana, are also found in the Powers papers.
This collection is open for research.
The John J. Powers Papers were donated to Special Collections by his niece, Mrs. Joe Williams, in 1978.
This collection was processed 2010 October 18
[Creator Name], [Date of Creation], [Brief Description of Object], Folder [#], Box [#], [Collection Name], [Collection #], Montana State University (MSU) Library, Bozeman, MT
Series 1 Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety correspondence, posters, and pamphlets
Series 2 Photographs
Subseries A World War II
Subseries B Butte, Montana, Mines
United States. Army. Parachute troops--Photographs
Anaconda Company. Bureau of Safety
Anaconda Copper Mining Company
Butte (Mont.)--Photographs
Camp Baker (Mont.)--Photographs
Fort Logan (Mont. : Fort)--Photographs
Montana
Mine safety--Montana
Miners--Montana--Butte--Photographs
Mines and Mineral Resources--Montana--Butte (Mont.)--Photographs
Savings bonds--United States
Soldiers--United States--Photographs
World War, 1939-1945 --Campaigns--France--Normandy--Photographs
World War, 1939-1945 --Medical care--Photographs
World War, 1939-1945 --War work--Photographs
Cartoonists--Montana--Butte
Fine Arts
Military
Mines and Mineral Resources
Montana
Photographs
Photographs
Posters
Photographs
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety correspondence, posters, and pamphlets
1
1948-1968
The bulk of this series consists of the correspondence of the Anaconda Company's Bureau of Safety, dating from 1948 to 1952. While not extensive, there is also a folder of safety posters that were drawn by Powers, including several original pencil drawings. Finally, the series includes pamphlets from the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, safety routine guidance for mining supervisors, and promotional materials related to bond sales during World War II.
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1948-1950
1
1
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1951 February-June
1
2
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1951 July-October
1
3
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1951 November-December
1
4
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1952 February-May
1
5
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1952 June-August
1
6
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Correspondence
1952 September-December
1
7
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Safety Posters
1948-1968
1
8
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Safety Routine for Mine Supervisors
undated
1
9
Anaconda Company Bureau of Safety, Pamphlets
1957-1968
1
10
Photographs
2
circa 1871-1940s
This series contains photographs documenting mining in Butte, Montana, and experiences in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. The bulk of the photographs are of mines and miners in Butte in the late 1930s and 1940s, including safety equipment, mining and safety exhibits, work in the stopes, rock drilling, the engine room, work outside the mines, mining gear, and group shots of miners. The papers also contains photographs of soldiers on the front during World War II, including American paratroopers in northern France two days after D-Day, American medics, troops in the Southwest Pacific, German prisoners of war (POWs), and United Service Organization (USO) entertainers. Reproductions of historic photos of Fort Logan (Camp Baker), Montana, are also found in this series. The majority of the photographs for both World War II and Butte mining include labels or printing marks indicating the images were primarily publicity images or used in publications.
Fort Logan (Camp Baker)
circa 1871-circa 1935
1
11
Fort Logan (Camp Baker)
#1
#1
circa 1874
1
11
001
Fort Logan (Camp Baker)
#2
#2
circa 1871
1
11
002
Celebration at Fort Logan (Camp Baker) ruins
#3
#3
circa 1915
1
11
003
Fort Logan (Camp Baker) ruins
#4
#4-5
1
11
004
Fort Logan (Camp Baker) ruins
#5
1
11
005
Four unidentified men inspecting ruins of Fort Logan (Camp Baker)
#6
#6
1
11
006
Two unidentified men inspecting ruins of Fort Logan (Camp Baker)
#7
#7-9
1
11
007
Two men inspecting the Fort Logan (Camp Baker) ruins
#8
1
11
008
Two men sitting at the Fort Logan (Camp Baker) ruins
#9
1
11
009
Photograph of page from account book of William Gaddes' Commissary
#10
#10
1874 April
1
11
010
Unidentified woman
#11
#11
1
11
011
World War II
1
1942-1945
1
12-15
Military Hospital
#12
#12
1
12
012
Medical corps - hernia operation
#13
#13
1942 September 15
1
12
013
On verso: "Major J. R. McNitt and Captain John M. Smith perform a hernia operation. Station Hospital, somewhere in Australia."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
Wounded soldier lifted into an ambulance
#14
#14
1944 June 8
1
12
014
On verso: "A Yank wounded in the first assault of Allied troops against German held beaches in France, is lifted into an Ambulance by men of a colored medical unit. England."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
American medic making a casualty report on a wounded soldier
#15
#15
1944 June 8
1
12
015
On verso: "An American Medic makes a casualty report on a wounded soldier ona Beachhead somewhere in Northern France. Normandie, France."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
American medical officer treating a wounded German prisoner
#16
#16
1944 June 8
1
12
016
On verso: "An American medical officer (Captain) treats a wounded German prisoner on a Beachhead gained by American troops in the early states of the invasion of France. Normandie, France."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
First aid station in Sicily
#17
#17
1943 August 9
1
12
017
On verso: "View of first aid station located in town of S. Agata, Sicily, about half a mile behind front lines. Soldier in foreground is being given blood plasma. Sicily."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
American paratroopers in a French churchyard
#18
#18
1944 June 8
1
13
018
On verso: "American Paratrooper having made successful landings on the continent move cautiously through a French churchyard. Their rifles at the ready, they move into the interior as the men on the right take cover and concealment behind a bush. France."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
American Paratroopers with assault equipment
#19
#19
1944 June 8
1
13
019
On verso: "American paratroopers with assult equipment move along a road in Northern France. Machine gun ammunition strung around the GI's neck will soon be pouring through the weapon carried by the man at the left. France."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
American soldier standing against a chalk cliff
#20
#20
1944 June 8
1
13
020
On verso: "An American who has gained the comparative safety offered by the chalk cliff at his back, gazes out into the harbor where other landing craft, like those which landed him, move into the beachhead. Normandie, France."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
American tank in France with a French girl's doll in the foreground
#21
#21
1944 July 11
1
13
021
On verso: "A U.S. soldier with a sense of humor, even though this spot is under shellfire and counter-attack, has placed a French girl's big doll where it can get a good look at the deadly operations. France."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
The control station crew working the director of a gun
#22
#22
1942 December 23
1
13
022
On verso: "Members of the control station crew can be seen working the director of a gun the function of which is to mechanically calculate all data necessary for pointing the gun. The unit is installed below the ground in order to give protection to both men and materials against bomb fragments and strafing. Somewhere in Australia."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
Propeller charge used in 4.2 mortar shell, Arundel Island, Southwest Pacific
#23
#23
1
13
023
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
4.2 Chemical mortar HE shell, Arundel Island, Southwest Pacific
#24
#24
1
13
024
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
Regulars in Hitler's west wall army await entry into a prisoner of war camp on the English side of the channel
#25
#25
1944 June 8
1
13
025
On verso: "On the other side: These youngsters, regulars in Hitler's west wall army, smile and look woeful for the Signal Corps Photographer while they await entry into a prisoner of war camp on the English side of the Channel. The one in the middle told the interviewers he was 21. England."
Photograph is from the Signal Corps.
Children in promotional campaign pictures placing money in a War Savings Stamps piggybank
#26
#26-32
1
14
026
Girl in promotional picture smiling with a doll and war bonds
#27
1
14
027
Young boy playing an accordion
#28
1
14
028
Christmas photo of Coast Guard man with a child
#29
1
14
029
On verso: "'I'll be home for Christmas.' This Christmas scene will take place in the home of those Coast Guard and other service men and women fortunate enough to be home on leave this Christmas, and in the thoughts of the other thousands overseas who will be home for Christmas, if only in their dreams."
Photo from the Public Relations Division of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Young girl holding a doll
#30
1
14
030
Promotional photo of a mother and a sleeping baby with the slogan "Keep him safe, Buy Bonds"
#31
1
14
031
Soldier sitting next to three girls
#32
1
14
032
Photograph from Copper Commando
World War II poster
#33
#33-34
1
14
033
World War II poster
#34
1
14
034
Military band
#35
#35
1
15
035
Portrait of Jeanette MacDonald
#36
#36
1
15
036
On verso: "Singing star volunteer on concert tour for military posts. Her husband, Gene Raymond, is on duty with U.S. Army abroad. U.S.O. Camp Shows."
Jean Arthur
#37
#37
1
15
037
Unidentified woman
#38
#38
1
15
038
Written on front of picture: "To the Butte Office, our congratulations on Copper Commando. From the New York Office."
Actress Ann Miller
#39
#39
1
15
039
On verso: "Glamour Girl: Actress Ann Miller is one of the many Hollywood stars who have brought cheer to the hearts of servicemen at the USO-Camp shows."
Ilona Massey
#40
#40
1
15
040
On verso: "Made volunteer personal appearance tour of Army camps and Naval stations for USO-Camp shows."
Butte, Montana, Mines
2
1937-1940s
Butte Mines - Work in the Stopes
1
16-19
Rock Drilling
#41
#41-48
1
16
041
Rock Drilling
#42
1
16
042
Rock Drilling
#43
1
16
043
Miner with rock drilling machinery
#44
1
16
044
Rock drilling machinery
#45
1
16
045
Miner with rock drilling machinery
#45a
1
16
045a
Photograph made by C. Owen Smithers.
Two miners with drilling machinery
#46
1
16
046
Two miners with drilling machinery
#47
1
16
047
Dynamite Story
#48
1
16
048
On verso: "Stuart May leaning down his barring machine preparatory to loading his round. This truck is brought in in order to load his machine and bar and to take them to safe place before blasting. Everything must be cleared out before blasting."
Butte miner - fire filler
#49
#49-51
1
17
049
Butte miner - fire filler
#50
1
17
050
Butte miner - fire filler
1
17
051
Two Butte miners showing safety equipment
#52
#52
1
17
052
Miner wearing a safety belt
#53
#53
1
17
053
On verso: "Safety belt so don't fall thru."
R I Nesmith and Associates
Safety ringing bell
#54
#54-55
1
17
054
Safety ringing bell
#55
1
17
055
R I Nesmith and Associates
Tom Mitchell working on timber hoist
#56
#56
1
17
056
"Photo from Copper Co."
Butte miners counting out powder for blast
#57
#57
1
17
057
On verso: "Bill [illegible] and miners counting out his powder for Vans blast. Slip shows amount to be issued."
Butte miners loading dynamite for blast
#58
#58
1
17
058
Inside mine shaft
#59
#59
1
18
059
Butte miner lagging over the set after timber is blocked
#60
#60
1
18
060
Butte miners inspecting work
#61
#61
1
18
061
Door in shaft to remain closed
#62
#62
1
18
062
Butte miners working with mine carts loaded with rock
#63
#63-67
1
18
063
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers
Miner in mine cart
#64
1
18
064
Miner working with mine cart
#65
1
18
065
Miner working with mine cart loaded with rocks
#66
1
18
066
On verso: "Chamber of Commerce, P.W. Towne"
Miner working with mine cart
#67
1
18
067
Butte miners working with mine carts loaded with rock
#68
#68-70
1
19
068
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers
Mine carts loaded with rocks
#69
1
19
069
Butte miners working with mine carts loaded with rock
#70
1
19
070
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers
Sill Mucking Machine Operator
#71
#71
1
19
071
HNN-IJ double drum air hoist pulling 36" Holcomb scraper in cut and fill stope. Stope is worked both ways from central chute
#72
#72
1
19
072
Division Tunnel at Junction with Numell Tunnel
#73
#73
1
19
073
Tunnel heading
#74
#74
1
19
074
Mine shaft
#75
#75
1
19
075
Butte Mines - Work in Engine Room and Support Tunnels
1
20
John Cavanaugh and Jim Sullivan on the 2,800 Quinteplex plunger pumps tightening down pot cover after removing wood chips under valve
#76
#76
1
20
076
Miners working on the pump operator
#77
#77
1
20
077
On verso: "Willie "Dinty" Moore - filling oil cups on bearing pump operator. Bill Opee - boss machinist -checking bearings with pump operator. On center of station Bob Combs and William Opee (son) blowing med away from pump suction."
Two miners in support tunnels
#78
#78
1
20
078
Engine room
#79
#79
1
20
079
Timber delivered to timber station underground
#80
#80
1
20
080
Photograph by R I Nesmith and Associates.
Timber dump at a Butte copper mine
#81
#81
1
20
081
On verso: "Hundreds of thousands of feet of timber go into the Butte copper mines. This is timber dump at one of the mines."
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers.
Timber at Butte mine
#82
#82
1
20
082
Photograph by R I Nesmith and Associates
Work outside the mines
1
21-22
Gallus Frame
#83
#83-85
1
21
083
Gallus Frame
#84
1
21
084
Gallus Frame
#85
1
21
085
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers
On top of gallus frame
#86
#86
1
21
086
On verso: "5-lax s-pump and cage, [illegible] mines. Anaconda Copper Mining Co. Butte, Mont. Return to CW Goodale, Butte, Mont."
Outside work at mine
#87
#87
1
21
087
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers
Anselmo Mine, No. 414
#88
#88
1937 July 7
1
21
088
Railroad cars loaded with coal
#89
#89
1
22
089
Photograph by C. Owen Smithers
Loading Railroad cars
#90
#90
1
22
090
Lumber
#91
#91
1
22
091
Machinery
#92
#92
1
22
092
Miners working outside
#93
#93-98
1
22
093
Miners working outside
#94
1
22
094
Mining equipment going underground
#95
1
22
095
Photograph by R I Nesmith and Associates
Miners talking over timber
#96
1
22
096
Photograph by R I Nesmith and Associates
Miners working outside
#97
1
22
097
Miners working outside
#98
1
22
098
"Let's Go, Bud" - Tom McColgan and J. Agard Johnson waiting for cage, morning shift
#99
#99
1
22
099
Photograph by R I Nesmith and Associates
Group Photographs
1
23
Group photographs of Butte Miners
#100
#100-101
1
23
100
Four Butte miners
#101
1
23
101
Group photograph of workers at Leonard Mine
#102
#102
1
23
102
Photograph by Al's Photo Shop
Group photograph of workers at Leonard Mine
#103
#103
1942 August 2
1
23
103
Photograph by Al's Photo Shop
Group photograph of Butte Miners
#104
#104
1
23
104
Group photograph of workers at Mt. View Mine
#105
#105
1
23
105
Photograph by Al's Photo Shop
Mining and Safety Exhibits
1
24-25
Jimmy Doran showing safety equipment and miner's gear
#106
#106-113
1
24
106
Photo from Copper Commando.
Side profile of Jimmy Doran
#107
1
24
107
Jimmy Doran showing miner's gear
#108
1
24
108
Back view of miner's gear on Jimmy Doran
#109
1
24
109
Close-up of a headlamp
#110
1
24
110
Miner's gear
#111-113
1
24
111-113
Close-up of miner's helmet
#114-115
#114-116
1
25
114-115
Inside of miner's helmet
#116
1
25
116
Pat Deasy - Shaft miner at Emma Mine
#117
#117
1
25
117
On verso: "36 years in Butte, 3 years at Emma. Thinks this will be a tough [illegible] in about a year (for Bishop)"
Photo from Copper Commando
Blasting Accessories display
#118
#118
1
25
118
Photo frmo Copper Commando
Mine Visitors
1
26
Mine Visitors
#119
#119-122
1
26
119
Mine equipment demonstration to visitors
#120
1
26
120
Photo from Copper Commando
Mine equipment demonstration to visitors
#121
1
26
121
Photo from Copper Commando
Mine equipment demonstration to visitors
#122
1
26
122
Photo from Copper Commando
Anaconda Copper Mining Company posters
#123
#123
1
26
123
Photo from C Owen Smithers
Anaconda Copper Mining Company
1
27
Anaconda Copper Mining Club
#124
#124
1
27
124
Crowds outside
#125
#125-126
1
27
125
Crowds Outside
#126
1
27
126
Meeting for Copper Production - Mass meeting
#127
#127-128
1943 June 17
1
27
127
Meeting for Copper Production - Mass meeting
#128
1
27
128