Dola Wilson and Charles M. Boucher Papers
Content Description:
Collection consists primarily of biographical notes, sketches, brand information, and obituaries concerning local cowboys and ranchers, which were collected and recorded for Wilson by his associate Charles Boucher. The files are arranged alphabetically. In addition, the collection contains a subject file on brands, several historical writings by Boucher and others, and numerous small notebooks, arranged chronologically, which contain notes for the biographical sketches, notes concerning Boucher's politics and philosophy, lists, and miscellany. [A biographical sketch of Dola Wilson is included in the accession record. Photographs of Range Riders were transferred to Photo Archives. Motion picture film was transferred by Photo Archives to the American Film Institute.]
Dates
- Creation: 1939-1954
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
Dola Wilson was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, in 1891, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Wilson. He came to Miles City, Montana, in 1912, and worked on a ranch for three years. He then worked for the Milwaukee Road. In 1934 he bought the Blue Ribbon Bar and re-named it the Range Riders Bar and Restaurant. To decorate his establishment he collected photographs of prominent area stockmen. In 1944 he began to compile biographical materials about the stockmen and attempted to expand the number of photographs. He hired Charles M. Boucher, a retired newspaperman, to research and write the biographical material. He retired in 1957 and his son Dola Jr. took over the bar. Dola Wilson Sr. died in November, 1972. Charles M. Boucher was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, on July 16, 1864, the son of William F. Boucher. When Charles was two and a half, his father died leaving his mother with 5 young children. The family moved to her parents' farm at Terwood, Pennsylvania. In 1885 he graduated from Girard College, an institution endowed by financier Stephen Girard to educate white male orphans. The following year he apprenticed as a pattern maker. In 1892 he headed west to Nebraska. He went to work for his brother-in-law George Conn's Ogallala Record and Baxton Pilot. The following year he moved to Miles City, Montana, and worked as a reporter, first for the Yellowstone Journal and later for the Miles City Star. After his retirement he was engaged by Dola Wilson to write biographical sketches of the cowboys and ranchers whose photographs were in the Range Riders Bar and Cafe. He died in 1954.
Extent
1.5 linear feet
Abstract
Dola Wilson owned the Range Rider Bar and Cafe in Miles City. This collection (undated, 1940s-1950s) consists of notes and biographical sketches concerning the local cowboys, or "Range Riders", which were collected and recorded for Wilson by his associate Charles Boucher. Dola arranged for Boucher, a local journalist to interview each of the "riders" and write biographical sketches of their lives. The riders would then go across the street to the L. A. Huffman photo studio (later Stephenson Studio) to have their picture taken. [A biographical sketch of Dola Wilson is include in the accession record. Photographs of Range Riders were transferred to Photo Archives. Motion picture film was transferred by Photo Archives to the American Film Institute.]
Arrangement
Arranged by series
Physical Location
15:8-4
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request
Separated Materials
A biographical sketch of Dola Wilson is include in the accession record. MHS photograph archives added the photographs from the donation to their collection and transferred manuscript material to the MHS archives. Motion picture film was transferred by Photo Archives to the American Film Institute.
- Title
- Guide to the Dola Wilson and Charles M. Boucher Papers 1939-1954
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
- Date
- 2003
- 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