Elizabeth Willis was born in England on April 30th, 1898. Available records do not indicate her maiden name or provide details regarding her family. Following her mother's death, Elizabeth's father moved the family to the United States and eventually moved to Noxon, Montana in 1906. References in the collection indicate that Elizabeth lived in Noxon for much of her youth but resided in several Pacific Northwest communities during her adult years. Mrs. Willis submitted several articles, mostly creative historical essays, to newspapers in central Oregon, northern Idaho, and western Montana. Two undated articles published in the
This collection consists of one typeset manuscript, a short essay, five clipped newspaper articles, and two photographs. All materials are creative non-fiction accounts reflecting upon small town life in the Pacific Northwest, western Montana in particular, during the early years of the 20th Century. The manuscript is titled "Dream of Empire" and appears to have been commissioned, perhaps by the owners of the Circle Seven Ranch—the image appearing on the manuscript cover. "Dream of Empire" is a creative non-fiction account describing the life and travails of Bill Brown, a sheep and horse rancher who established and operated the Buck Creek and Old Gap ranches in central Oregon between 1879 and 1935. The collection's short essay is an abbreviated biography of the Thomas Henry Smith family of Noxon, Montana from 1884 through the early 1900s. Two undated photographs are associated with the essay. One photograph shows Mr. Smith with his adopted daughter, Kate, and the other photograph includes Mr. Smith among several other early Noxon residents. The newspaper clippings, all authored by Mrs. Willis, are historical essays. Two articles describe her childhood memories (Christmas traditions among the immigrant English families of Noxon and working at the family-owned restaurant). A third article recounts the memories of Denver Laughlin, an early Thompson Falls, Montana resident (circa 1870s - 1900s). Two other articles were printed by the
The collection is arranged in two series:
Series I: Writings, 3 folders, 1952-1953
Series II: Photographs, 2 items, undated
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.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
[Name of document or photograph number], Elizabeth Willis Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Direct transfer from collection creator
Gift of Elizabeth Willis, 1967
The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 2003, the collection was re-described.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
This series consists of Willis' writings, in manuscript and published form.
This series consists of two photographs: one of Thomas Henry Smith, early settler from Noxon, Montana, and one of his daughter, Kate Smith.