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Flora McKay McNulty papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC-261

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence (1877-1936) regarding personal and family activities and finances; court papers (1925) for Martie Galliger vs W.H. Hoist, a water rights case; financial records (1875-1934) primarily concerning the McKay family estate and Flora's personal purchases; legal documents (1976-1933) including mining claims and permits; school notes and records (1872-1910) for Virginia City schools, Iowa College and Women's Medical College; subject files (1884-1912) for women's groups and prohibition; and published materials, clippings and miscellany. The collection also contains eleven subgroups for the various clubs and organizations in which Flora served as an officer and a subgroup for her husband, Charles McNulty, a dentist and physician in Virginia City. The Ancient Order of United Workmen, Degree of Honor Ruby Lodge No. 31 records consist of incoming correspondence (1890-1923) from state and national groups regarding activities and procedures; financial records (1894-1927) including cancelled checks, journals and ledgers for dues and disbursements, receipts, benefits registry; and beneficiary fund reports; organization records (1885-1927) including minutes and monthly membership reports; and miscellany (1898-1899, undated) including tickets and programs. The Virginia City Chautauqua records consist of incoming correspondence (1908-1910) primarily discussing meetings and study topics; and organization records (1908) including a membership list. The Ladies of the Maccabees records consist of incoming correspondence (1896-1923) regarding dues, local meetings, and procedures; financial records (1896-1924) including assessments of membership, banking records, cash books, dues books, quarterly reports, and receipts; organization records (1896-1924) including minutes and membership rolls; and miscellany (1890-1911, undated) including handbooks, forms, and a visitor's register. The Ladies Reading Club records consist of organization records (1895-1898) including minutes containing bylaws and the constitution. The Madison County Columbian Exposition Association records consist of organization records (1892) including minutes for September 21 and October 5 meetings; dues and receipts (1892-1895); and clippings (1892) announcing meeting dates and goals of the group. The Madison County Federation of Women's Clubs records consist of incoming and general correspondence (1923-1925, 1936) discussing state and local activities, dues and procedures; and minutes (1938). The Montana Tuberculosis Association (Madison County District) records consist of correspondence (1924-1925) regarding Christmas Seals. The St. Paul's Church, Virginia City, records consist of correspondence (1891); financial records (1888-1916) including receipts, a record book for fundraising; subscription records and the treasurer's reports; and organization records (1895-1889, 1925-1928) including minute books containing bylaws, constitution, membership lists and scattered financial reports. The Union Circle of King's Daughters records consist of general correspondence (1888-1913) primarily concerning the establishment of a public library in Virginia City; financial records (1900-1908) including banking records, receipts and secretary's reports on fund raising; organization records (1892-1920) including minutes and lists of officers; miscellany (1890, undated) including the national organization's constitution and memorabilia; and clippings (1908, 1911) discussing local meetings and events. The Virginia City Library records consists of incoming correspondence (1904-1923) to the librarian. The Virginia City Literary Society was a debate and reading society. The records consist of minutes (1890-1896) including notes on debate topics and program itineraries; writings (1896) including The Gossip, a newsletter created by the Society; and miscellany (1895-1896) including programs for social events sponsored by the Society. The Virginia City Lyceum records consist of general correspondence (1912-1921) to and from the national organization regarding the scheduling of events; financial records (1912-1916) including cancelled checks, receipts and cost lists; and miscellany (1915-1916) including lists of participants, planning notes and tickets. The Charles A. McNulty subgroup consists of general correspondence (1888-1898) primarily with patients, other doctors and state and local officials, and other members of the McNulty family; financial records (1884-1899) including materials on medical licensing fees, patient accounts and tax records; legal documents (1888-1897) containing medical contracts with the county for work the county coroner; school notes & records (1885-1886) including classroom notes and school records from State University of Iowa Dental program and the Chicago Medical College; and miscellany (1888-1898, undated) including scattered notes on patients and pamphlets on dentistry.

Dates

  • Creation: 1872-1938

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

Daughter of Alexander McKay and Caroline Hansen McKay, Flora McKay, was born March 4, 1861 on a ranch just outside of Denver, Colorado. Flora's only sibling, Mary, was born December 31, 1863 in Virginia City, Montana. Mr. McKay and family came to Montana from Colorado in 1863, following the discovery of gold in Alder Gulch. The family later settled in Bevin's Gulch, where Alexander was able to acquire extensive land holdings and numerous mining claims. Alexander and Caroline McKay were active members of their communities, a quality they passed on to their children. Flora and Mary both attended Virginia City's public schools, and Iowa College in Grinnell, Iowa. Flora graduated in 1883 with a bachelor's degree in medical studies. Mary received a degree in art. Flora went on to earn a degree of doctor of medicine from the Women's Medical College in Chicago in 1887, and a master's degree in art, with an emphasis in music, from Iowa College in 1893. The McKay sisters were known for their business acumen and their interest in local social and intellectual groups. The two women took over the McKay family finances when Alexander and Caroline could no longer do so. Flora helped organize and/or served as an officer in various social or religious groups, including the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Degree of Honor Ruby Lodge No. 31; Chautauqua; Ladies of the Macabees; Ladies Reading Club; Madison County Columbian Exposition Association; Madison County Federation of Women's Clubs; St. Paul's Church (Episcopalian); Union Circle of King's Daughters; Virginia City Library; Virginia City Literary Society; and Virginia City Lyceum. She also served on the Sheridan School Board and was a life-long member of the Republican Party. Flora remained a major part of political and social activity in Virginia City until 1920 when she moved to Sheridan, Montana. Flora was known as a highly intelligent and generous woman. In addition to her volunteer work, she reportedly loaned money to several local youths to attend college. Flora McKay married Dr. Charles A. McNulty on September 8, 1884 in Chicago. The couple chose to live in Virginia City where Charles set up a dental and medical practice in 1887. Marital difficulties resulted in a separation in 1889, with a formal divorce being granted in 1890. Charles McNulty died in 1904 in Harlem, Montana. Flora McNulty died in Sheridan, Montana, January 7, 1945.

Extent

5.5 linear feet

Abstract

This collection consists of correspondence (1876-1935) relating to family events, mining, and real estate; court papers (1925), mostly concerning water and land rights; financial records (1875-1934) relating to her parents and her own finances; legal documents (1876-1933), primarily building and mining agreements; school notes and records (1872-1910) from Virginia City grade school through Chicago Women's Medical College; subject files (1884-1912) for women's groups and prohibition; and subgroups for the Virginia City Ancient Order of United Workmen, Degree of Honor, Chautauqua, Ladies of the Macabees, Ladies Reading Club, Madison County Columbia Exposition Association, Madison County Federation of Women's Clubs, St. Paul's Church, Union Circle of King's Daughters, Virginia City Library, Virginia City Literary Society, and Virginia City Lyceum.

Arrangement

Arranged by subgroup and series. Some material housed in Manuscript Volumes, Archives Map Case and Oversize Box. See inventory below for more information.

Physical Location

13:5-2

Physical Location

7:3-5 (Oversize Box 1)

Physical Location

147:3-3 (Volumes)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquisition information available upon request

Title
Guide to the Flora Mckay McNulty papers 1872-1938
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

Contact:
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)