Thomas Cruse papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains incoming and outgoing correspondence, financial records, legal documents, reports, and miscellany dealing with Cruse's various activities (1882-1914), including the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank and the N Bar Ranch. The collection also documents the Thomas Cruse Estate and the Thomas Cruse Mining and Development Company, which was formed from many of the Cruse holdings. Other subgroups represent key individuals active in the various Cruse organizations: Fred T. Cruse, Mamie T. Cruse, Richard Cruse, William J. Cruse, William Scallon, and William J. Sweeney. The collection documents mining activity in Montana (1879-1956), Montana banking (1887-1916), and Montana cattle and sheep ranching (1890-1913).
Dates
- Creation: 1841-1956
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Collection open for research.
Conditions Governing 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.
Biographical / Historical
Thomas Cruse was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1836. He immigrated to America in 1856, spent seven years in New York, and then traveled to California by steamer in 1863. He prospected for gold throughout the California, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana mining regions for several years without success. In 1876, he discovered a rich lode, at Marysville, Montana, which became famous as the Drumlummon Mine and yielded millions in gold and silver. Cruse sold the mine in 1882 to the London Company Associated in England for nearly one and one-half million dollars. This company reorganized as Montana Company, Limited to operate the mine. Cruse formed the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank in Helena in 1887 and expanded his investment and mining enterprises into cattle and sheep ranching and oil speculation in Montana. Cruse married the sister of Montana's Senator Thomas H. Carter, Margaret Carter, in 1886. Cruse became one of the leading philanthropists in Montana. He was noted especially for his large contribution toward the construction of the Saint Helena Cathedral in Helena. Thomas Cruse died December 21, 1914.
Extent
10 linear feet
Abstract
Thomas Cruse was a Helena, Montana, miner, banker, and businessman. This collection (1841-1956) consists of incoming correspondence; legal and financial records; maps; reports; and miscellany. Records for Cruse's various enterprises are divided into nine subgroups including the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank; Thomas Cruse Estate; Thomas Cruse Mining and Development Company; etc.
Arrangement
Arranged by subgroup and series. Some material housed in oversize folder in archives map case. Some material housed in manuscript volumes. See inventory below for more information.
Physical Location
2:3-6
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request.
Separated Materials
Photographs, selected printed material, and artifacts were transferred from this collection to the M.H.S. Photo Archives, Library, and Museum respectively.
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas Cruse papers 1841-1956
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by MHS staff.
- Date
- 2004
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard) 2nd Edition
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)
mhslibrary@mt.gov