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Wilbur Fisk Sanders papers, 1856-1905

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sanders, Wilbur Fisk, 1834-1905
Title
Wilbur Fisk Sanders papers
Dates
1856-1905 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.4 linear foot of shelf space (6 boxes)
Collection Number
MC 53 (collection)
Summary
Wilbur Fisk Sanders (1834-1905) was a Bannack, Virginia City, and Helena, Montana, attorney, vigilante, and Republican politician. Collection (1856-1930) includes biographical materials; correspondence (1861-1905); diaries (1866-1867); legal documents; financial records; speeches; historical writings; and miscellany, including scrapbooks. There is a small subgroup of Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders' correspondence (1874-1902) and diaries (1888, undated).
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

Wilbur Fisk Sanders was born May 2, 1834, at Leon, New York, the son of a farmer. He received his basic education in local public schools, and in 1854, he moved to Akron, Ohio, to begin the pursuit of a legal career. He joined the law firm of his uncle, Sidney Edgerton, and studied there until his admittance to the Ohio Bar in 1856. Sanders practiced law in Ohio until the outbreak of the Civil War. He volunteered for military service, aided in the formation of Ohio volunteer units, and served as a staff officer until poor health forced his resignation in August 1862. Sanders accompanied his uncle to Bannack, Idaho Territory, where Edgerton was to serve as territorial chief justice. Sanders chose to remain in the gold mining region, practicing law. During the vigilante period, Sanders served as a prosecuting attorney for the trial that produced the first vigilante execution, and he supported the movement thereafter. Sanders was active as a Republican politician. He served four terms in the territorial house (1872-1879), and was four times the unsuccessful Republican candidate for territorial delegate (1864, 1867, 1880, 1886). He was chosen one of Montana's first senators in 1890, after a disputed election. He served the short term (1890-1893), but failed to be re-elected in 1892, after another legislative dispute. Sanders' law practice, begun in Bannack, was continued as he moved to Virginia City and Helena. Sanders served many years as regional counsel for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Wilbur Fisk Sanders died in Helena, July 7, 1905.

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Content Description

This collection consists largely of general correspondence, speeches, and writings reflecting Montana territorial and early state politics, Montana's pioneer history, and the vigilante movement. There is a small subgroup for Harriet P. Sanders, wife of Wilbur F. Sanders.

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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 subgroup and series. Some material housed in oversize folder in archives map case. Some material housed in oversize box. See inventory below for more information.

Location of Collection

2:6-1

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request

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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

  • Wilbur Fisk Sanders

    • Biographical Material

      • Description: "Romance of the Life of a Senator : stirring passages in the Western experiences of Col. Wilbur F. Sanders of Montana ... the Wild and Wooly West in early days, Vigilantes and their Methods, Difficulties attending the Settlement of a New Country" by James S. Brisbin
        Dates: 1891
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Biographical Material
      • Description: Clippings: obituaries and tributes
        Dates: 1905-1906
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 2-3
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Biographical Material
      • Description: Clippings: miscellaneous biographical
        Dates: 1891-1934
        Container: Box/Folder 1 / 4
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Biographical Material

    • General Correspondence

    • Incoming Correspondence

    • Outgoing Correspondence

    • Miscellaneous Correspondence

    • Court Papers

      • Description: Charge to Grand Jury of Madison County by Chief Justice Hezekiah L. Hosmer [typescript]
        Dates: August 1866
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 11
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Court Papers
      • Description: Docket register, Madison County district court [incomplete]
        Dates: 1864
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 12
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Court Papers
      • Description: Miscellaneous (includes affidavit of George W. Mears; T.C. Power et al. vs. S. Russell et al. affidavit; Barclay vs. Boulder City exhibit; Wilbur F. Sanders vs. Sol Star judgement; sale for judgement;
        Dates: 1869, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 13
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Court Papers
      • Description: Miscellaneous [typescripts] (includes Burrell A. Townsend and J.B. Buker vs. Amos T. Laird motion; Hezekiah L. Hosmer opinion re Legislative Assembly; papers re territorial capital contest; Banner Ditch Co. vs. Spokane Ranch and Water Co. affidavit)
        Dates: 1866, 1874, 1886
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 14
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Court Papers

    • Diaries

      • Description: Diaries [typescript copies] (re Virginia City, 1866; journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Virginia City, Montana, 1867)
        Dates: 1866-1867
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 15
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Diaries

    • Financial Records

      • Description: Cancelled checks
        Dates: 1866-1877
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 16
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Financial Records
      • Description: Miscellaneous (includes stock certificates for Excelsior Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company and Gregory Mining Company, list of purchases, cattle account, bill of sale, stagecoach receipt)
        Dates: 1864-1884
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 17
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Financial Records

    • Legal Documents

      • Description: Affidavits (re reimbursement of H.R. Horr for homestead property at Yellowstone National Park; property ownership of John N. Helms)
        Dates: 1890
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 18
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Legal Documents
      • Description: Agreement: Daniel C. Corbin (re Rumley Mining Company)
        Dates: 1876
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 19
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Legal Documents
      • Description: Testimony of W.F. Sanders (re fitness of Judge Everton J. Conger)
        Dates: 1883
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 20
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Legal Documents
      • Description: Mining claim certificates; business license
        Dates: 1864-1865, 1890
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 21
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Legal Documents

    • Legislative Files

    • Printed Materials

      • Description: "Calendar, Second Judicial District Court of the Territory of Montana in and for the County of Deer Lodge"
        Dates: May 1886
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 23
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Printed Materials
      • Description: Montana Bar Association committee reports
        Dates: 1887, 1889
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 24
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Printed Materials
      • Description: "Montana's Battle Cry" (poem re W.F. Sanders); Montana Equal Suffrage Association convention program; "Program of the Twenty-First Annual Re-Union of the Sherman Brigade")
        Dates: 1886-1896
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 26
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Printed Materials

    • Reports

      • Description: "Report of the Special Committee of the U.S. Senate on the Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands," testimony of W.F. Sanders
        Dates: 1890
        Container: Box/Folder 3 / 27
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Reports

    • Speeches

      • Description: Miscellaneous (re Vigilante prosecution of George Ives; Union meeting, Virginia City; "valedictory address"; "The Annullment Question"; campaign speech for Congress; Republican Convention; Masonic assembly; in memoriam H.P.A. Smith; territorial government; achievements of labor; dedication of Central School, Helena)
        Dates: 1863-1876
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 1
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Speeches
      • Description: Miscellaneous (re acquisition of Louisiana; reward for arrest of Indian; reception for Henry Villard; Republican Convention; Montana Bar Association meeting; Grand Army of the Republic meetings; eulogy for Thomas Jefferson Lowry; Fourth of July celebration; dedication of Lewis and Clark County courthouse; Pioneers meeting)
        Dates: 1880-1889
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 2
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Speeches
      • Description: Miscellaneous (re U.S. Senate speeches; Fourth of July; University of Montana; Republican Party; silver issue; politics; William McKinley memorial)
        Dates: 1890--1904
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 3
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Speeches
      • Description: Miscellaneous (re Republican Party; publishing monopolies; need for railroads; Westward migration; Robert Burns anniversary; Justice Field; Pioneers)
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 4
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Speeches

    • Writings

      • Description: Biographical sketch of Sidney Edgerton
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 5
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: History of Louisiana Purchase
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 6
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: History of early Montana, 1860s [incomplete: portions of various versions and fragments, handwritten & typescript]
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 7-8
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: "Sketches of Early Settlers in Montana" [2 typescript copies]
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 4 / 9
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: "Trial and Execution of George Ives" [1 handwritten, 3 typescript versions]
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 1
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: Historical writings (miscellaneous, mostly re Bannack and Virginia City in 1860s)
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 2-3
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: Political writings (miscellaneous)
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 4-5
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings
      • Description: Miscellaneous
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 6
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Writings

    • Clippings

      • Description: Miscellaneous (re politics, mining, vigilantes, legal cases, publishing of Montana Codes, speeches, etc.)
        Dates: 1865-1901
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 7-8
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Clippings

    • Miscellany

      • Description: Autograph book (members of Montana Legislative Assembly)
        Dates: 1905
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 9
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: List of members of Montana Legislative Assembly
        Dates: 1873, 1874
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 10
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Ohio Militia general orders; list of field and staff officers
        Dates: 1861
        Container: Box/Folder 5 / 11
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Passes, programs, invitation, etc.
        Dates: 1877-1892, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 1
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Petition to Ullyses S. Grant re Sanders for Governor
        Dates: 1869
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 2
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Republican State Convention (testimony of W.F. Sanders)
        Dates: February 1900
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 3
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Republican State Convention [typescript copy of proceedings]
        Dates: 1864-1865
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 4
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Scrapbooks
        Dates: 1876-1887 1890-1891
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 5-6
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Society of Montana Pioneers minutes [typed extract]
        Dates: 1899
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 7
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: U.S. Senate. Special Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation or Arid Lands [typescript of testimony of W.F. Sanders]
        Dates: 1889
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 8
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Virginia City Bar Association (resolution re W.F. Sanders)
        Dates: 1866
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 9
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Virginia City Masonic Lodge (extract from minutes appointing W.F. Sanders delegate to centennial celebration of Lodge #1, Marietta, Ohio)
        Dates: 1876
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 10
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany
      • Description: Miscellaneous
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 11
        Location: Wilbur Fisk Sanders / Miscellany

  • Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders

    • Incoming Correspondence

      • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Susan B. Anthony, Mary Harrison [wife of Pres. Benjamin Harrison], Wilbur Fisk Sanders)
        Dates: 1874-1902, undated
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 12
        Location: Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders / Incoming Correspondence

    • Diaries

      • Description: "Diary of a Journey across the Plains in 1863 and Reminiscences of Early Life in Montana" [typescript]
        Dates: undated
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 13
        Location: Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders / Diaries
      • Description: Diary of journey from Virginia City to St. Louis, Missouri [typescript]
        Dates: 1866
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 14
        Location: Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders / Diaries
      • Description: Diary (includes "Tourists History of Italy")
        Dates: 1888
        Container: Box/Folder 6 / 16
        Location: Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders / Diaries
      • Description: Society of Montana Pioneers membership certificate [Map Case]
        Dates: 1889
        Container: Oversize Folder 1
        Location: Harriet Peck Fenn Sanders / Diaries

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Vigilantes--Montana--Bannack
  • Vigilantes--Montana--Virginia City
  • Frontier and pioneer life-- Montana
  • Louisiana Purchase
  • Railroad travel

Personal Names

  • Sanders, Wilbur Fisk, 1834-1905 (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Helena (Mont.)--Commerce
  • Helena (Mont.)--Politics and government
  • United States--Politics and government

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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