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Oscar O. Mueller Research Collection : Central Montana History, 1864-1965

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Mueller, Oscar O., 1877-1964
Title
Oscar O. Mueller Research Collection : Central Montana History
Dates
1864-1965 (inclusive)
Quantity
.5 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 93 (collection)
Summary
Oscar Mueller (1877-1964) was a Lewistown, Montana, attorney and amateur historian. Collection consists of primary and secondary research materials on Central Montana history, including papers of James Fergus, concerning ranching; and Mueller's correspondence, writings, research notes, and subject files on the Judith Basin.
Repository
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

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.
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Biographical Note

Oscar 0. Mueller was born March 29, 1877, near Van Meter, Iowa. In 1903 he graduated from the Iowa Normal School, and soon afterwards became principal of schools at Staceyville, Iowa. He remained in that position for two years and then entered the University of Iowa Law School. In 1908, shortly after graduation, Mueller moved to Lewistown, Montana. The following year he was hired as Fergus County Assistant Attorney. Mueller filled this post until 1910. He also served Lewistown as both mayor and city attorney. Oscar Mueller was an amateur archaeologist and historian. He conducted fossil studies in central Montana, which resulted in having two species of prehistoric plants named after him. He also researched and wrote articles on the history of the Judith Basin area, publishing his work in Montana The Magazine of Western History, the Great Falls Tribune, and the Lewistown Daily News. Oscar 0. Mueller was active in the Masons, the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club. In 1915 he married Josephine Cook. They had two sons. Oscar Mueller died on January 3, 1964, at age 86.

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Content Description

This collection consists two subgroups, Research Materials and James Fergus Family. The Research Materials subgroups consists of both primary and secondary research materials on the history of central Montana, including Oscar Mueller's correspondence, writings, research notes, and subject files on the Judith Basin. Included also are writings by Mueller's son George D. Mueller, his wife Josephine Cook Mueller, and by W.E. "Limestone" Wilson. The James Fergus Family subgroup includes James Fergus family materials collected by Oscar Mueller during his research.

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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 subgroups and series.

Location of Collection

5:6-2

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information:

available upon request

Separated Materials

Photographs separated to Photo Archives. 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

  • Research Materials

    • General Correspondence

      • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Bess Streeter Aldrich, E.A. Brininstool, Merrill Burlingame, David Hilger, Daniel A. Fulton, Will James, Luther S. "Yellowstone" Kelly, National Park Service, William Moelchert, Montana Historical Society, C.B. Power, Helena Huntington Smith, Mari Sandoz, Mrs. Granville Stuart, Donald H. Welsh enclosing copy of full text of "Rare Beads Found in Central Montana")
        Dates: 1927-1960
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1
        Location: Research Materials / General Correspondence

    • Photographs

    • Research Files

    • Writings

      • Description: "Anecdotes connected with discovery of Yellowstone Park area"
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 10
        Location: Research Materials / Writings
      • Description: "The Central Montana Vigilante Raids of 1884" (2 versions)
        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 11
        Location: Research Materials / Writings
      • Description: "Nez Perce Cow Island Fight"
        Dates: 1958
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 12
        Location: Research Materials / Writings
      • Description: "Explanatory Statement to Map" (re: Territorial map by W. W. Delacy, 1870)
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 13
        Location: Research Materials / Writings

    • Miscellany

      • Description: Bar Association of Fergus County: annual meeting program
        Dates: 1913
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 14
        Location: Research Materials / Miscellany
      • Description: "Historical spots at the Mouth of the Judith River," by George Mueller
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 15
        Location: Research Materials / Miscellany
      • Description: "Charles W. Cook" by Josephine Cook Mueller
        Dates: circa 1965
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 16
        Location: Research Materials / Miscellany
      • Description: "A Buffalo Hunt in the 80's", by W.E. "Limestone" Wilson
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 17
        Location: Research Materials / Miscellany
      • Description: "Hoboing in the West in the 80's", by W.E. "Limestone" Wilson
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 18
        Location: Research Materials / Miscellany
      • Description: Sketches of rocks and trinkets found at Wibaux
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 19
        Location: Research Materials / Miscellany

  • James Fergus Family

    • Biographical Materials

    • Incoming Correspondence

      • Description: To Andrew Fergus (correspondents include H.P. Brooks; Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway; James Fergus; Pamelia Dillin Fergus; Luela Gilpatrick; R.S. Hamilton)
        Dates: 1881-1885, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 21
        Location: James Fergus Family / Incoming Correspondence
      • Description: To James Fergus (correspondents include E. Beach, James Dillin, S.W. Farnham, C.E. Downes, Andrew Fergus, William Fergus, S.C. Gilpatrick, Luela Gilpatrick, Nicholas Hilger, Albert Rounce [?], W.F. Sanders, George Stephens, C.A. Tuttle, Pearl Zile)
        Dates: 1857-1905, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 22
        Location: James Fergus Family / Incoming Correspondence
      • Description: To Pamelia Fergus (correspondents include Hiram Dillin, Mary A. Hamilton, Lillie Maury)
        Dates: 1881, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 23
        Location: James Fergus Family / Incoming Correspondence

    • Outgoing Correspondence

      • Description: To Pamelia Fergus, Will Fergus, Cornelius Hedges, Laura E. Howey, William McFarland, J.R. Monroe, Mr. Parrot, T.C. Power, Mr. Rochester, Louis Rotwitt, W.F. Sanders, George Stephens, unidentified fragments)
        Dates: 1883-1891, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 24
        Location: James Fergus Family / Outgoing Correspondence

    • Diaries

    • Financial Records

    • Legal Documents

      • Description: James Fergus miscellaneous (includes certificate of election to Constitutional Convention, bill of sale, contracts)
        Dates: 1858-1900
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 28
        Location: James Fergus Family / Legal Documents

    • Speeches and Writings

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Bison, American
  • History--Research
  • Hunting--Montana
  • Vigilance committees--Montana

Geographical Names

  • Fergus County (Mont.)--History
  • Judith Basin County (Mont.)--History

Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
2004

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

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