Abstract

Alexander Ross (1783-1856) was a Scottish-born Canadian fur trader and pioneer. He was head of a Hudson's Bay Company expedition, 1824-1825. in the Snake River country. In 1825 he settled in the Red River district. This collection consists of a typescript copy of a portion of his diary (March 11-April 22, 1824) documenting part of a fur trapping and trading expedition in what is now northwest Montana.

Abstract James H. Bradley was a first lieutenant in the 7th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Fort Shaw and Fort Benton, Montana Territory. Bradley was an amateur historian who wrote about the history of Montana and the Northwest, and his own military career. He was killed at the Battle of the Big Hole, August 9, 1877. This collection consists of Bradley's writings, some correspondence, and miscellany. [Most of the writings were published in Volumes. II, III, VIII, and IX of Contributions to the...

Abstract John Owen (1818-1889), a pioneer fur trader in the Northwest, built Fort Owen in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana Territory, and served as a special agent for the Flathead Indians. Collection contains diaries and journals (1850-1871); a combined register of births, deaths, and marriages of Fort Owen residents; a letterpress book (1858-1859); an account book (1850-1860) for trade at Fort Owen, which also contains accounts (1876-1889) for some other firm; and a bill of sale (1850) for the land...

Abstract Pierre Chouteau, Jr. and Company was a St. Louis, Missouri, based fur trading company with operations on the Upper Missouri River, including the area that later became Montana. Records include a letter from Pierre Menard (1810) from the region around Three Forks; Fort Benton Journal, Fort Sarpy Journal, and Fort Union Journal (1854-1856); and scattered correspondence and financial records (1834-1864). [Includes copies. Journals published in Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana,...

Abstract

Martha Plassmann (1850-1936) was a Montana pioneer, historian, and journalist. Collection consists of her autobiography and over 500 historical articles written for the Great Falls Tribune and the Montana News Association during the 1920s and 1930s. The articles, based on her own memories and on research, cover a wide range of topics, especially fur trappers, explorers, and vigilantes.

Abstract

William Wheeler (1824-1894) served as U.S. Marshal and as Montana Historical Society Librarian in Helena, Montana. Papers consist of outgoing correspondence (1859-1860, 1869-1871), including discussion of problems of Montana Territorial law enforcement; and biographical writings on Montana pioneers. [Portions same as MF 12].