Edward John Carter papers
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of personal records and four subgroups. The personal records include general correspondence (1886-1890) relating to various business partners including Massena Bullard, W.A. Clark, and T.H. Kleinschmidt; financial records (1886-1889) including check stubs and scattered invoices and receipts from Helena area businesses; and a mining claim (1886) for Grand Central Quartz Lode.
The Broadway Street Railway Company Records subgroup includes general correspondence (1888-1890); financial records (1887-1890) including invoices, receipts, payroll and construction costs; and legal documents (1883, 1889-1891) including agreements and licenses.
The Homestake Mining Company Records consist of correspondence (1889); financial records (1888-1889) including assays, bills, a journal, stock purchases, and payroll and legal documents (1889-1890) including abstract of title and development statements.
The Neihart Tunnel and Mining Company Records consist of correspondence (1886) with investors and contractors; court papers (1886) testimony of C.D. Ladd; financial records (1886) including receipts and bids; legal documents (1886); minutes (1886) scattered; and miscellany.
The Wells, Fargo & Company Records include general correspondence (1885-1886) between Carter and customers; interoffice correspondence (1885-1887) between Carter and other agents across the country; financial records (1885-1886) including a bank book, cancelled checks and receipts; and subject files (1885-1886) relating to a stage robbery; and miscellany (1886) including appointment books and notes regarding assignments and deliveries.
Dates
- Creation: 1883-1890
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
John "E.J." Carter was born, circa 1859, to Edward and Margaret Byrnes Carter in Ohio. Edward, who had immigrated with his wife to the U.S. from County Roscommon, Ireland in 1850, had a small farm and worked in an iron-ore furnace. Mrs. Carter died of pneumonia in 1879, leaving Thomas Carter (the eldest son) to look after his little sisters and his brother, John Carter. Mr. Carter struggled to make enough money to support the family, but in 1883 Thomas Carter decided to move his brother and sisters to Helena, Montana, to seek their fortunes. One of the Carter sisters, Margaret met and married Thomas Cruse, but died a year later in child birth. Thomas went on to be elected Senator for Montana.
John Carter was involved in mining, real estate and politics in Helena from his advent to the area in 1883, until 1894. He worked in various capacities for both his brother, T.H. Carter and his brother-in-law, Thomas Cruse. He served as secretary for the Thomas Cruse Bank (1888-1889); general agent for the Merchant's National Bank (1890-1891); and secretary for F.S. Lang Company(1891-1893). Sometime in 1892 E.J. Carter moved to New York City, retaining his position with F.S. Lang & Co. until 1893. He is then listed as an agent for the Mutual Reserve Life Insurance Company for the Merchant's National Bank. E.J. Carter disappears from the local directories in 1895.
Extent
1.2 linear feet
Abstract
E. J. Carter was the brother to Montana Senator Thomas Carter and brother-in-law to Helena businessman Thomas Cruse. Carter was involved in various business ventures in the Helena are and served as an agent for the Wells Fargo Company. This collection consists of general correspondence (1886-1890) regarding his various business and mining interests. Also included are subgroups for the Broadway Street Railway Company (1883-1890), Homestake Mining Company (1880, 1888-1889), Neihart Tunnel and Mining Company (1886), and Wells, Fargo & Company (1885-1887).
Arrangement
Arranged by subgroup and series. Some material housed in Archives Map Case. See inventory below for more information.
Physical Location
13:6-1
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request.
- Title
- Guide to the Edward John Carter papers 1883-1890
- 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