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Joseph Kinsey Howard Papers , 1927-1954

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Howard, Joseph Kinsey, 1906-1951
Title
Joseph Kinsey Howard Papers
Dates
1927-1954 (inclusive)
Quantity
6.3 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 27
Summary
Joseph Kinsey Howard (1906-1951) was a Great Falls, Montana, author, newspaperman, and historian. The collection (1927-1954) consists of correspondence about the publication of his books, various subject files on professional activities such as the Montana Study, and research files for his articles and books, especially for Strange Empire about the Metis.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library and Archives
Montana Historical Society, Library and Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 406-444-2681
Fax: 406-444-5297
mthslibrary@mt.gov
Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Biographical Note

Joseph Kinsey Howard was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on February 28, 1906. He went with his mother to Great Falls, Montana, in 1919. After completing high school, he joined the staff of the Great Falls Leader in 1923 as a reporter. Three years later he was named news editor and continued in this job until 1944, when he resigned to become research associate for the Montana Study, a project of the Rockefeller Foundation and Montana State University in Missoula. He left this project after two years to devote full time to writing. Howard was the author of Montana: High, Wide and Handsome, a history of Montana which won wide critical acclaim and went into eight editions in its first three years. He also edited Montana Margins: A State Anthology . At the time of his death he was completing Strange Empire , a history of the Metis of the northwestern United States and Canada from 1860 to 1890. Howard wrote numerous magazine articles, most of them concerning Montana. He delivered lectures for writers throughout the East and the Midwest, and was twice recipient of Guggenheim Fellowships on creative writing. He reviewed books for the New York Times, and was editorial correspondent for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, as well as Montana news correspondent for Time and Life magazines. He was a staff member of the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference held annually in Vermont and directed the annual writers' conference at the Regional Arts Roundup at Montana State University from 1948 to 1950. Joseph Kinsey Howard died August 25, 1951.

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Content Description

Papers. 1927-1954. 6.3 linear feet. The collection contains correspondence concerning the publication of Howard's works, various subject files about his professional activities, and research files for his several articles and books.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society 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 Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged by series

Location of Collection

1:2-7

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request

Separated Materials

Photographs separated to Photo Archives. Printed material separated to Library. See inventory below for more information.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

  • Subject Files

    • Description: Agency correspondence (re work of literary agents Bernice Baumgarter and Alma Pritchard of Brandt and Brandt agency in finding publishers for Howard's work; includes references to many works that were never published)
      Dates: 1945-1951
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1-6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Biographical file (includes personal correspondence, draft deferment application, letters with Who's Who and others, a poem by Rebecca Osborn "Joe Howard of Montana", obituaries, testimonials, etc.)
      Dates: 1945-1953
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 7-8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Book reviews by Howard
      Dates: 1945, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Butte materials (primarily correspondence re postwar low cost housing projects and the Greater Butte Project of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company; also includes drafts of articles and speech by Tom Lyon on silver mining)
      Dates: 1944-1950
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 10-11
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Butte materials (clippings re social conditions in Butte, low income housing projects, etc.; includes ACM Club News column from Montana Standard)
      Dates: 1947-1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 12
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Butte materials (miscellaneous, including drafts of articles, statistical data, brochures, maps, and a notebook entitled "Butte Research, July 1946")
      Dates: 1947-1948
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 13
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Guggenheim Fellowship (correspondence re application for two fellowships: one re Metis and one re exploitation of the Great Plains)
      Dates: 1939, 1946
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 14
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Indian crafts and education (correspondence from Mrs. John C. Ewers, U.S. Office of Indian Affairs, D'Arcy McNickle, Baker Brownell, Rose K. Brandt, Northern Plains Indians Crafts Association, F.A. Asbury; also includes Senate report "Survey of Conditions among the Indians of the United States", 1943)
      Dates: 1944-1945
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 15
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Indian crafts and education (publications, including "Indians At Work"; Denver Art Museum leaflets; "Tongue River Indian Reservation, Montana, Economic Survey and Program of Development, March 1944"; "Rocky Boy's Reservation" and "Fort Belknap Indian Arts and Crafts" both by Mabel Morrow; etc.)
      Dates: 1931-1945
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 16
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Lectures (correspondence from clubs and organizations inviting Howard to speak)
      Dates: 1944-1950
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1-2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Lectures (includes radio talk on proposed civic center in Great Falls; "New Vistas for Education"; "New Frontiers for Montanans"; "Missouri--Valley of Opportunity"; "On Montana Education" [2 copies]; "New Concepts of Plains History"; "Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw" [a Great Books lecture; "University Fund Allocation"; untitled convocation speech to Missoula high school students; "The Rocky Mountain Region, 1900-1950" [Voice of America broadcast]; untitled radio address for the Cascade County Trades and Labor Assembly)
      Dates: 1939-1950
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Lectures (clippings)
      Dates: 1943-1951
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Memberships (includes brochures, programs, etc.)
      Dates: 1939-1951
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 5
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, outgoing (re Great Falls Newspaper Guild, resignation from Great Falls Leader, article on Associated Press, site of destroyed buffalo pichkun, World War II displaced persons, naming of holes at Meadow Lark Country Club, et al.)
      Dates: 1942-1951
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Gerald W. Johnson, Educational Cooperative Publishing Company, Ralph C. Works, United Publishers Inc of Havre)
      Dates: 1936-1941
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes John E. Blair, Schubert Dyche, Great Falls Tribune, Harpers Magazine, Associated Press, Warren S. Blauvelt, Common Sense magazine, Elizabeth Turner, Harold F. Smith, Montana Historical Society Library)
      Dates: 1944
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Tennessee Valley Authority, J.R. Howard, Phyllis H. Meitzler, Peter Rorvik)
      Dates: 1945
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes A.L Strand, Robert S. Allen, Vanguard Press, T.C. Gandy, Ray B. West re Butte article, H.G. Merriam)
      Dates: 1946
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 10
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Western Review re article on Coeur d'Alene area, Alf C. Kremer, Ken Cooper, Carma R. Zimmerman, and various publishers and letters from readers)
      Dates: 1947
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 11
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Rocky Mountain Grange #2, Hamilton; letters re Pacific Speculator article on Hutterites; notes on a conversation with a German prisoner of war; letters re Harper's article on Butte; Charles Burke re historical letters written by his uncle Frank Burke; The Progressive re proposed Missouri Valley Authority [MVA])
      Dates: 1948
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 12
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes League for CVA [Columbia Valley Authority]; Harper's Magazine article on Tom Campbell; Arthur Maass re water projects; Missouri Valley Authority [MVA]; Dee Linford; Dan Whetstone; Tom Campbell; appointment to board of Montana Historical Society; letters re Montana High Wide and Handsome; letters re speech on Montana education fund situation; incorporation of Great Plains Foundation; United World Federalists)
      Dates: 1949
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 13
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Baker Brownell; Helen Ruggles; Pacific Speculator article on timber sustained yield; Robert P. Armstrong; Norman J. Holter; Ernest O. Melby; Else Byhan re German edition of his work)
      Dates: 1950
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 14
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Bernard DeVoto re Lewis and Clark Expedition research; Lawrence F. Florek re manuscript on Johnson Flying Service; includes two posthumous letters)
      Dates: 1951-1954
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 15
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Miscellaneous correspondence, incoming (includes Geneva Combes re Newlon; Laura Z. Hobson; Ruth Lease re Seattle creative dramatics program; Marcae Power; also includes telegram re Montana Power Company, "Rocky Mountain Cities" proposal, clipping re Buffalo Hump gold rush, notes re May Arkwright Hutton of Spokane)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 16
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana: High, Wide and Handsome: incoming correspondence
      Dates: 1943-1954, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 1-6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana: High, Wide and Handsome: permissions
      Dates: 1943
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana: High, Wide and Handsome: scrapbook
      Dates: 1943-1944
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana: High, Wide and Handsome: research notes and synopsis
      Dates: circa 1942
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Institute of the Arts: general correspondence and miscellaneous publications [additional material in OVERSIZE]
      Dates: 1948-1950
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Margins: incoming correspondence
      Dates: 1945-1948
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Margins: typewritten manuscripts
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Margins: research notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Margins: bibliographical notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 5
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Margins: contract arrangements correspondence
      Dates: 1946
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Margins: contract arrangements scrapbook
      Dates: 1944-1948
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Study: general correspondence (includes Baker Brownell, Ernest O. Melby, Rockefeller Foundation, Morris L. Cooke, K.W. Bergen, G.M. Brandborg, George A. Selke, James A. McCain, Richard Poston; also includes copies of outgoing Brownell letters, "A Proposal for Continuation of the Montana Study") [see also MC 270]
      Dates: 1944-1950
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 1-6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Study: writings and miscellany (includes "Community Facilities under Montana Law" and "Missouri--Valley of Opportunity" statement before Senate Irrigation and Reclamation Committee subcommittee, by Joseph Kinsey Howard; "The Bitterroot: the Story of a Montana Valley" [outline]; "Community-Centered Education for Montana Adults" by Ruth W. Robinson; "Population Trends, National, State, Local" by Baker Brownell; "When Our Boys Come Home" by F.A. Halverson; "Why People Are Moving to Town" by Richard L. Neuberger; also includes bibliography, lists of conferences and lectures; mailing list; newspaper editorial; etc.)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Study: miscellaneous publications
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Study: clippings
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Newspaper articles: clippings
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Northwest Institute of International Relations: incoming correspondence
      Dates: 1947-1948
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Northwest Institute of International Relations: miscellaneous publications
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Northwest Institute of International Relations: miscellaneous notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Northwest Institute of International Relations: clippings
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 5
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Notes: handwritten research notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Published manuscripts: typewritten manuscripts
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 7-9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Published manuscripts: general correspondence
      Dates: 1947, 1949
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 10
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Published manuscripts: magazine articles
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 7-8 /
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Regional Arts Roundup: incoming correspondence
      Dates: 1949-1951
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Regional Arts Roundup: miscellany
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Reviews of Howard's work
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: incoming correspondence
      Dates: 1939-1954
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 4-10
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: typed manuscript
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 1 - 12 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: galley proof
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 13 / 1 - 14 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: scrapbook of ads, letters, reviews
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 15 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: typewritten research notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 16 / 1-2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: handwritten research notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 16 / 3-6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: maps
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 16 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: miscellaneous printed materials
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 16 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: research clippings
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 17 / 1-2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: photocopies of research materials
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 17 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: description of research microfilm transferred to Library
      Dates:
      Container: Box/Folder 17 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Strange Empire: research notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 17 / 5
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Tributes: correspondence to Mrs. Josephine Howard
      Dates: 1945, 1951-1954
      Container: Box/Folder 18 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Tributes: miscellaneous
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 18 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Burton K. Wheeler: general correspondence
      Dates: 1937-1944
      Container: Box/Folder 18 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Burton K. Wheeler: research notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 18 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Yale University Press: general correspondence
      Dates: 1937-1951
      Container: Box/Folder 18 / 5-10
      Location: Subject Files

  • Miscellany

    • Description: List of photographs and printed material transferred to Photo Archives and Library respectively
      Dates:
      Container: Box/Folder 18 / 11
      Location: Miscellany

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Art--Societies--Montana
  • Authors--Montana
  • Blackfeet Indians
  • Cheyenne Indians
  • Copper Mines and Mining--Montana
  • Hutterite Brethren
  • Indians OF North America--Art
  • Indians OF North America--Education
  • Labor and Laboring Classes--Montana
  • Metis
  • Red River Rebellion, 1869-1870
  • Riel Rebellion, 1885

Personal Names

  • Howard, Joseph Kinsey, 1906-1951 (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Butte (Mont.)
  • Canada

Finding aid prepared by the MHS Staff
2004

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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