MTGMss151.xml Guide to the Stanley Roland Davison Papers 1850-1985 Davison (Stanley Roland) Papers Finding aid prepared by Jannie Prawitz and Teresa Hamann Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula ©1998
The University of Montana--Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Encoded by ArchProteus2003 Finding aid is in English University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
The University of Montana--Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Mss 151 Davison, Stanley Roland Stanley Roland Davison Papers 1850-1985 4.5 linear feet Stanley Davison was a Montana historian who taught at Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana. The collection includes research files, photos and general correspondence with people assisting Davison's research. Davison was interested in early Montana history, primarily postal history and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. Materials are in English Biographical Note

Stanley (Roland) Davison was born May 6, 1911, in East Helena, Montana, to Frank and Margaret Davison. After going to high school in Helena, Davison attended Montana State University in Missoula, Montana, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1932 and his master's degree in 1935. Davison continued his education at the University of California where he received his Ph.D in Social Science and History. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. After the Navy, he became a faculty member of Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana. During the thirty years he taught there he authored or co-authored many books. In 1980 he received the "History Medal" from the Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions to Montana history, research, and study. Davison served on Montana's Historical Records Advisory Council, and was a member of the Montana Historical Society. He was active in the Beaverhead County Youth Programs and the Dillon American Legion. He died on May 14, 1986.

The collection includes research files and general correspondence with people assisting Davison's research. Davison was interested in early Montana history, primarily postal history and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. Davison collected newspaper clippings, photographs and books dealing with these topics. The collection includes working and final copies of Davison's dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902.

The collection is divided into seven series:

Series I: General Correspondence, 0.25 linear feet, 1954-1980

Series II: Writings, 0.25 linear feet, 1936, 1950, 1963, 1974

Series III: Research Materials, 2.5 linear feet, circa 1850s-1985

Series IV: Clippings, 0.3 linear feet, 1874-1981

Series V: Photographs and photograph albums, 1863-1948,1.2 linear feet,

Series VI: Miscellaneous, 2 folders, 1956-1969

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], Stanley Roland Davison Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Custodial history unknown.

Gift of Harry Fritz, date unknown

The materials in this collection were originally processed as two separate collections. In 1998 the two sets were combined into one collection with five series. Folders were evaluated, reorganized, and re-described.

Books and maps that Davison used in his research were separated during original processing to the Mansfield Library Special Collections; the rest were transferred into the Mansfield Library general stacks. Maps were transferred to the Mansfield Library Maps department. At the same time, photographs of Bertie Lord, W.A. Graeter, Yellowstone National Park, and Montana landscapes were transferred to the archives general photographic collection; however, records were not retained and the specific numbers for Davidson photographs are not known.

Transferred to the Map Division:

Rand, McNally and Co.: Pocket Atlas of the World, 1889

Doan's Directory of the United States

Transferred to Special Collections:

Campbell's New Revised Complete Guide and Descriptive Book of the Yellowstone Park, 1913

Fifty Year History: Montana State Board of Health, 1901-1951

Eighty-one Years in the West, George A. Bruffey, 1925

Transferred to the General Collection:

History of the Oldest House, Saint Augustine, Florida; Under Four Flags, 1950

Simplified Surgery: For Use by the General Practitioner, 1913

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.

Historians--Montana Fires--Montana--East Helena Fur trade--Montana--History Irrigation--United State--History Nez Percé Indians Nez Percé Indians--Wars, 1877 Nursing schools--Montana--History Postal service--Montana--History. Montana--History Beidler, John X., 1831-1890 Graeter, William Arthur Howard, O. O. (Oliver Otis), 1830-1905 Joseph, Nez Percé Chief, 1840-1904 Lord, Herbert Watson, 1870-1963 Mason, Edwin Cooley, 1831-1898 Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) Western Montana College--Faculty Montana--History--Sources Montana Colleges and Universities Series I General Correspondence 1954-1980 0.25 linear feet

The series contains correspondence that Davison had with people regarding his research topics. Most of the correspondence was with Harry Fine, a fellow postal historian. Much of their correspondence centers on early Montana history and the early postal service. Other correspondence that Davison conducted was with other professors and historians.

The series is arranged alphabetically.

 1/1 Alex Blewett, Chief Joseph Pass 1965 1/2 Mark Brown 1963-1977 1/3 Between Merrill Burlingame and Rush Jordan, Battle of the Big Hole 1954 1/4 Harry H. Fine, Postal 1960-1966 1/5 Harry H. Fine, Postal 1967-1980 1/6 General Correspondence 1959-1969 1/7 Bessie K. Monroe 1955-1956 1/8 Col. Kenneth M. Moore 1959-1964 1/9 Edgar Stewart 1960-1964 Series II Writings 1936-1974 and undated 0.25 linear feet

The series consists of Davison's dissertation, a working and a completed copy, entitled The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902. Other writings by Davison include articles about the East Helena fire in 1919, the Montana fur trade, Lewis and Clark, and Chief Joseph.

The series is arranged chronologically.

 1/10 Dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902, completed copy 1936 1/11 Dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902, working copy, chapters I-VI 1936 1/12 Dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902, working copy, chapters VII-XII 1936 1/13 John Wesley Powell and the Antecedents of the Reclamation Movement 1950 1/14 East Helena Fire 1963 1/15 The Fur Trade 1974 1/16 Lewis and Clark in Northwestern Montana 1974 1/17 Missions 1974 1/18 A Historical Guide for the Traveler undated 1/19 Chief Joseph undated Series III Research Materials ca. late 19th century-1985 2.5 linear feet

Much of the research materials that Davison collected centered on three subjects; early Montana history, postal history and Native Americans, particularly the Nez Perce. Davison researched J.X. Biedler, a United States Deputy Marshal in Virginia City, and his vigilante day in Montana. This research includes a copy of Biedler's diary. Davison also interested himself in the different counties of Montana, including Yellowstone, Jefferson, Missoula, Beaverhead, and Ravalli. In Ravalli County, Davison researched Herbert "Bertie" Lord, a founder in the Bitterroot Valley and local fur trapper and trader.

Davison also had an interest in Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. He collected information on both General Howard and General Mason, two of the men responsible for the capture of Chief Joseph. The research includes correspondence between the two men, general correspondence of General Mason and Mason's journal. The Montana schools of nursing and their history also interested Davison. He collected information on nursing from Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Lewiston, and Missoula. He also corresponded with the nursing schools in Missoula and Bozeman. A working draft of his article is included in the series. The majority of the research that Davison conducted was on Montana's postal history. Information on postmasters, early post offices, and how the mail was transferred was included. A draft of one of Davison's articles on the topic is included, as well as articles from other writers.

The series is arranged alphabetically.

 2/1 1st National Bank undated 2/2 Agricultural Experiment Station, Montana State University 1919 2/3 J.X. Beidler, Chronology undated 2/4 J.X. Beidler, Chronology undated 2/5 J.X. Beidler, Diary 1884 2/6 J.X. Beidler, Letters 1963, 1965, 1966 2/7 J.X. Beidler, Notes 1970, 1975, 1977 2/8 J.X. Beidler, Notes by Helena Euands 1977 2/9 Big Hole Battlefield undated Map Drawer VII-5 Eight ledger pages, Boston-Montana Mining Corporation 1922, 1925-1927, 1945-1947 2/11 George Bruffey from James George 1897 2/12 Census: County Data 1940-1970 2/13 Will Chapman, 7th Grade Diploma 1909 2/14 Chief Joseph 1962, 1965 2/15 Victor Dahl, "The Americas" 1960-1961, 1963 2/16 Victor Dahl Correspondence 1959, 1967-1969, 1974, 1976 2/17 Victor Dahl, "Uruguay under Juan Idiarte Borda: An American Diplomats Observations" 1967 2/18 Dillon and Beaverhead County 1972, undated 2/19 Free Grass to Fences undated 2/20 Frank Garver, "Montana as a Field for Historical Research" undated 2/21 General Research 1867, 1869, 1878, 1887 2/22 Larry Gill, "Montana Stranglers" undated 2/23 William Arthur Graeter, handwritten diary "My Trip Through the Yellowstone National Park" 1900 2/24 William Arthur Graeter, handwritten diary of 20 day trip "The Park Story" 1904 2/25 Hershfield Brothers 1866-1881 2/26 Historical Research 1898, 1919 2/27 Charles Huntley Correspondence 1867-1873 2/28 Huntley Canceled Check 1868 2/29 Guilo Ilges, "A Twinkling Star of Success" 1980 2/30 Jefferson County Annual Report 1903 2/31 Typed transcript of William T. Leaward, Journal 1863 2/32 Hand drawn map of Lewis and Clark, Portage of the Great Falls of the Missouri 1959 OS-1/1 Boston-Montana Mining Corp. 1922, 1925-1927, 1945-1947 3/1 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Bill of Sale for rights 1957 3/2 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Correspondence 1956-1967 3/3 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Development of Medicine Hot Springs undated 3/4 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Diary 1882 3/5 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Diary 1886-1889 3/6 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Diary 1891-1899 3/7 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "Early History of Ross Hole," Mrs. Jake Wetzsteon undated 3/8 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "Early Recollections" undated 3/9 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Envelopes from Fur Companies 1931-1947 3/10 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, First Election in the Upper Bitterroot undated 3/11 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Fur Sales 1886-1927 3/12 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Fur Sales 1929-1947 3/13 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Fur Tags and Regulations undated 3/14 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Bill Lang 1982 3/15 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Manuscript undated 3/16 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Map 1982 3/17 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "The Medicine Tree" undated 3/18 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Names of Creeks undated 3/19 Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "The Story of Bertie Lord," Bessie Monroe undated 3/20 Martin Maginnis, copies of correspondence 1874-1878 3/21 General Edwin Mason, Bannack-Piute Correspondence 1878 3/22 General Edwin Mason, "Battle of the Big Hole" undated 3/23 General Edwin Mason, Correspondence 1877 3/24 General Edwin Mason, Correspondence with General Oliver Howard 1895 3/25 General Edwin Mason, Mrs. E.J. Goltra Journal 1853 3/26 General Edwin Mason, Diary of Frances Kingsbury Mason 1867 3/27 General Edwin Mason, Mason Manuscript Publishing 1963, 1966, 1977 3/28 General Edwin Mason, Mason Research undated 3/29 Mullan Road Research undated 4/1 Money Orders to Germany 1894 4/2 Bessie K. Monroe, "Battle of the Big Hole" undated 4/3 Nursing, Essays 1964 4/4 Nursing, General Research, Nursing in Montana undated 4/5 Nursing, General Research undated 4/6 Nursing, Hospitals 1961 4/7 Nursing, Montana Cities 1958, undated 4/8 Nursing, Official Documents 1940-1960 4/9 Nursing, Schools of Nursing 1948, 1956-1962 4/10 Nursing, Working Draft of "Schools of Nursing" undated 4/11 Palaniuk Family Diary, copied 1961 4/12 Edgar Samual Paxson undated 4/12 Edgar Samual Paxson undated 4/13 Postal, The American Philatelist 1968 4/14 Postal, Bannack Mail 1863 4/15 Postal, Butte-Helena Roads and Service Notes undated 4/16 Postal, Malcolm Clark and John VenClere 1973, undated 4/17 Postal, Clippings 1887 4/18 Postal, Complaints on VC Mail 1866 4/19 Postal, Covers 1966-1967 4/20 Postal, Draft Outline 1963 4/21 Postal, Drivers 1972 4/22 Postal, Early Postal Service Notes 1953, 1970 4/22 Postal, Early Postal Service Notes 1953, 1970 4/23 Postal, Express Lines 1968 4/24 Postal, Harry Fine 1959, 1962 4/25 Postal, Harry Fine 1965-1970 4/26 Postal, Harry Fine 1974-1975 4/27 Postal, "Descriptions of Postal Stamps," Harry Fine undated 5/1 Postal, History Notes 1972-1974 5/1 Postal, History Notes 1972-1974 5/2 Postal, Huntleys 1978-1980, undated 5/3 Postal, Idaho 1962, 1965, undated 5/4 Postal, Indians undated 5/5 Postal, Investigation 1881 5/6 Postal, Mail Damage 1982, undated 5/7 Postal, Mail Delay 1971, 1973, undated 5/8 Postal, Mail Volume 1973 5/9 Postal, Map Information undated 5/10 Postal, Missoula Area 1965, undated 5/11 Postal, Montana Mail Routes 1969-1975 5/12 Postal, Montana Territorial Post Offices 1864-1889 5/13 Postal, Montana Territory History 1968, 1980, undated 5/14 Postal, Newspaper Notes undated 5/15 Postal, Newspaper Notes undated 5/16 Postal, Newspaper Notes undated 5/17 Postal, Notes 1971 5/18 Postal, John and Nancy Owen 1971, undated 5/19 Postal, Postmasters, Early Data 1964, undated 6/1 Postal, Postmasters 1954, 1967, undated 6/2 Postal, Postmaster's Job 1973 6/3 Postal, Postmistress at Hayden 1956 6/4 Postal, Rand, McNally and Co. Shipper's Guide undated 6/5 Postal, Routes and Contracts 1973, 1978, undated 6/6 Postal, Sketch 1865-1870 6/7 Postal, Eli A. Smith, U.S. Mail Carrier and Musher 1907 6/7 Postal, Eli A. Smith, U.S. Mail Carrier and Musher 1907 6/8 Postal, Stage Coach undated 6/9 Postal, Stage Coach Hardships and Accidents undated 6/10 Postal, Stamps 1966-1968 6/11 Postal, Star Routes undated 6/12 Postal, Star Routes undated 6/13 Postal, Steamboats undated 6/14 Postal, Dale Tash, Postal Historian Notes undated 6/15 Postal, Telegraph undated 6/16 Postal, Tolls undated 6/16 Postal, Tolls undated 6/17 Postal, Towns undated 6/18 Postal, Utah Northern Railroad 1925 6/19 Postal, Virginia City Chronology 1973 6/20 Postal, Virginia City Early Express 1950, 1971, undated 6/21 Postal, Wells Fargo undated 6/22 Powder River Home Protective League 1920 6/23 Powder River Home Protective League 1920 6/24 Railroad Company Stock Certificate, Hot Springs and Smelter Railroad undated 6/25 Railroad Research undated 6/26 Railroad Freight Bill 1919 6/27 Julia Rockwell 1962, undated 6/28 Settlers Patent to Richard A. Reynolds 1876 6/29 "Allis Isabelle Brown Stuart Memoirs," Phyllis Twogood 1958 6/30 Granville Stuart undated 6/31 Yellowstone National Park undated Series IV Clippings 1874-1981 0.3 linear feet

The series consists of newspaper articles that Davison used for his research. Most of the clippings are from Montana newspapers, such as the Townsend Star, Daily Ravalli Republican, Kalispell Weekly News, Great Falls Tribune, and Montana tour newspaper tour guides. Davison collected information on Frank B. Linderman from the Kalispell Weekly News. A June edition of an 1877 newspaper, Mexico Independent, is also included in the series.

The series is arranged alphabetically.

 7/1 "The Capital Law" 1874 7/2 "The Centennial's Product is in Great Demand" 1905 7/3 Daly Mansion, Daily Ravalli Republican 1968, 1971 7/4 Harry Fine 1968 7/5 Fort Owen 1982 7/6 Frank B. Linderman, Kalispell's Weekly News 1975 7/7 The Meagher County News 1973 7/8 Mexico Independent 1877 7/9 "The Mine and the Smelter of the Pittsmont" 1905 7/10 Montana's First Telegraph undated 7/11 Montana History 1965, 1974 7/12 "The Noblest Red-man of Them All," Allan Dickinger undated 7/13 "Rare Schnitzmeyer Photos are Found at Polson" 1960 7/14 Stage Coach undated 7/15 "Story of the New Process and its Application" 1905 7/16 Touring the Beaverhead 1981 7/17 Townsend, Montana 1963, 1972, undated 7/18 Townsend Star 1899 Series V Photographs 1863-1948 1.2 linear feet

This series includes photographs related to some of Davison's research interests and also, three substantial Graeter family photograph albums illustrating the lives of family and friends around Dillon, Montana, as well as during recreational and vacation times in Yellowstone, Vancouver, B.C., and other locales.

7/19 Granville Stuart and James Stuart 1864, 1869 7/20 Mr. and Mrs. Granville Stuart in Uruguay 1895 7/21 Mason family 1876-1898 7/22 Thomas Adams 1865 7/23 Beaverhead Rock (stage) Station near Dillon, Montana undated 7/24 Two forks of the Missouri River where Lewis and Clark camped undated 7/25 Hammond Block fire, Missoula, Montana 1932 7/26 Mount Jumbo in winter with Clark Fork River, railway bridge, and tracks in foreground, Missoula, Montana circa 1910 7/27 Main Street, Missoula, Montana circa 1910 7/28 Postal stamps 1863-1880 7/29 Map of Pony Express Routes in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah undated 7/30 Flood in Missoula, Montana 1948 7/31 Photos of original X. Beidler diary pages undated 7/32 Mission Range Mountains undated 7/33 Utah & Northern railway engine and two cars with personnel circa 1900 7/34 Yellow Wolf, Yellow Bull, White Bird, and unknown Native American man undated 7/35 Fire in Helena, Montana 1919 7/36 Earthquake in Helena, Montana 1935 7/37 Helena, Montana, natatorium undated 7/38 Dam constuction and miscellaneous undated 7/39 Montana postcards 1909-1940 7/40 Small Yellowstone Park photo album 7/41 Graeter family album including photos of Keller family undated 8/1 Graeter family album 1906-1926 8/2 Photo album inscribed "Merry Xmas to William Arthur Graeter from The Family 1928" 1928-1940 8/3 Graeter family photo album 1940-1948 Series VI Miscellaneous 1956-1969 2 folders

This series includes a 1956 press release and handwritten "Interim notes" from 1969.

7/42 Press release regarding research grant 1956 7/43 Interim notes 1969