Joseph Meglen Papers, 1955-1978

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Meglen, Joseph, 1910-1986
Title
Joseph Meglen Papers
Dates
1955-1978 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.5 linear feet and 1 oversize box
Collection Number
Mss 159 (collection)
Summary
This collection consists of materials collected by Joseph Meglen regarding the Mansfield for Senate Club and other political interests.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Joseph Meglen, a Billings, Montana, attorney, was the treasurer for the Mansfield for Senate Club during Senator Mike Mansfield's bid for reelection in 1958 and 1964. An avid Democrat, Meglen supported not only Mansfield but national and regional candidates. He noted their progress in the newspapers by keeping numerous articles on them. Meglen was also interested in various other regional problems in the 1950s. He was involved in the Yellowtail Dam dispute between the government and the Crow Indians in 1956. He was also involved in the 1955 Senate Bill, S. 1853, the Fulbright Bill, that called for oil and gas development in the Rocky Mountain Region. Meglen died on April 6, 1986.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of materials collected by Joseph Meglen regarding the Mansfield for Senate Club and other political interests. The Mansfield for Senate Club materials include campaign financial records, correspondence, and memorabilia for the reelection campaign of Senator Mansfield in 1958 and 1964. Meglen also collected clippings from those elections as well as various other Mansfield clippings until 1978 when Mansfield was elected to serve as ambassador to Japan in 1977. The collection also contains records of personal endeavors of Joe Meglen. He kept records of his involvement with the Yellowtail Dam dispute and oil and gas development in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Joseph Meglen Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five series:

Series I: Campaign Correspondence, 0.5 linear feet, 1958-1968

Series II: Campaign Financial Records, 0.5 linear feet, 1958, 1964

Series III: Campaign Memorabilia, 6 folders, 1958, 1964

Series IV: Clippings, 3 folders, 1958-1964, 1971-1978

Series V: Personal, 6 folders, 1955-1970

Custodial History

Collection materials were in the possession of the Library at Montana State University, Billings (then Eastern Montana College) until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives in 1988.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Frank Meglen, 1988

Processing Note

The actions of the original processor are unknown. During the original processing, the photographs were incorporated into the archives general photograph collection. In 1998, the collection was extensively reorganized and re-described. Collection materials were separated into six distinct conceptual series.

Separated Materials

During the original processing, the photographs were incorporated into the archives general photograph collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Campaign Correspondence , 1958-1968Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

The series consists of thank-you letters to campaign contributors during the reelection campaigns of Senator Mike Mansfield in 1958 and 1964. Campaign contributions also came from Senator Mansfield to the Montana county Democratic chairs when Mansfield donated money for the campaigns of Democratic candidates to state offices. Other general correspondence is also included from the Mansfield for Senate Club and directly with Senator Mansfield himself.

The series is arranged chronologically, then alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Campaign Contributions
1958
1/2
Campaign Contributions
1958
1/3
Campaign Contributions
1958
1/4
Mansfield for Senate Club
1958
1/5
Senator Mansfield
1958-1968
1/6
Campaign
1964
1/7
Campaign Contributions
1964
1/8
Campaign Contributions
1964
1/9
Mansfield for Senate Club
1964
1/10
Montana County Democratic Organization
1964
1/11
James H. Rowe
1964

Series II:  Campaign Financial Records , 1958, 1964Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

The series contains financial records from the Mansfield for Senate Club during Senator Mansfield's reelection campaigns in 1958 and 1964. Receipts from campaign advertising and campaign expenses are in the series. The checkbook stubs from the Mansfield for Senate Club, campaign expense reports, and publicity statements with how much contribution money came into the campaign are also included.

The series is arranged alphabetically within the dates of 1958 and 1964.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1
Campaign Advertising
1958
2/2
Campaign Advertising
1958
2/3
Campaign Expenses, Mansfield for Senate Club
1958
2/4
Checkbook receipts, Mansfield for Senate Club
1958
2/5
Contributions
1958
2/6
Publicity Statements
1958
2/7
Statement of Expenses, Mansfield for Senate Club
1958
2/8
Campaign
1964
2/9
Campaign Advertising
1964
2/10
Campaign Advertising
1964
2/11
Checkbook Receipts, Mansfield for Senate Club
1964
2/12
Contributions
1964
2/13
Mansfield Fundraiser
1964
2/14
Primary Election Expenses
1964

Series III:  Campaign Memorabilia , 1958, 1964Return to Top

6 folders

The series consists of campaign materials from the two Mansfield's campaigns. There is a copy of campaign information, a Mansfield for Senate campaign card, and two advertising photo templates of Mansfield from the 1958 campaign. Two bumper stickers, a campaign flyer, booklets on Barry Goldwater, and materials from the State Democratic nominating convention, including speech cards to be used by Senator Mansfield stating the Democratic agenda, are the 1964 campaign materials.

The series is arranged alphabetically within the dates of 1958 and 1964.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
Campaign Materials
1958
3/2
Mansfield for Senate Card and Advertising Photo Template
1958
3/3
Bumper Stickers
1964
3/4
Campaign Flyer
1964
3/5
Democratic Campaign Materials
1964
3/6
Barry Goldwater Booklets
1964
OS-1/1
Campaign Posters (2 styles)
1964

Series IV:  Clippings , 1958-1964, 1971-1978Return to Top

3 folders

The series consists of newspaper clippings of the election campaigns of Senator Mike Mansfield in the 1958 and 1964 elections, and following his career within the Senate and his Ambassadorship in Japan. Campaign election results from around the state are also included, mainly from the 1964 election. Also from the 1964 election are two styles of campaign posters of Senator Mansfield. Besides clippings on Senator Mansfield, Meglen also collected a few articles on various regional topics in which he was interested.

The series is arranged chronologically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/7
1958-1964
3/8
Campaign
1964
3/9
1971-1978

Series V:  Personal , 1955-1970Return to Top

6 folders

The series contains personal correspondence of Joe Meglen from 1964 to 1968, a copy of the Natural Gas Bill and Fulbright Bill of 1955, and Yellowtail Dam litigation in 1956. A congressional tribute to Mike Mansfield is also included in the series.

The series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/10
Joe Meglen
1964-1968
3/11
Harris Bill and Fulbright Bill
1955
3/12
Natural Gas Bill
1955
3/13
Writings
1958
3/14
Tributes to Mike Mansfield
1970
3/15
Yellowtail Dam
1956

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Elections--Montana
  • Gas engineering--Rocky Mountains
  • Legislators--United States
  • Petroleum engineering--Rocky Mountains
  • Political campaigns--Montana

Personal Names

  • Mansfield, Mike, 1903-2001

Corporate Names

  • Democratic Party (U.S.)
  • Mansfield for Senate Club
  • United States. Congress. Senate--Elections, 1958
  • United States. Congress. Senate--Elections, 1964

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Politics and government--20th century
  • United States--Politics and government--20th century
  • Yellowtail Dam (Mont.)