Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
James Worden Pope Papers, 1897-1917
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Pope, J. W. (James Worden), 1846-1919
- Title
- James Worden Pope Papers
- Dates
- 1897-191718971917
- Quantity
- .8 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Collection 2564, MtBC, us (collection)
- Summary
- The James Worden Pope Papers consist of correspondence written to and by Pope, a typescript diary, genealogical papers, literary productions, and realia.
- Repository
-
Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
- Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
James Worden Pope was born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 6, 1846. He attended the University of Indiana before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in 1868. Pope began his military career as a second lieutenant in the Fifth United States Infantry and participated in several campaigns during the Plains Indian wars during his first years in the service. In 1887 he was assigned to command the U.S. Military Prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, a position he held until 1895. Pope was assigned quartermaster's duty at Fort Hamilton, New York after his prison command, and in 1897, was sent to Yellowstone National Park to supervise improvements at Fort Yellowstone. He spent about six months in the Park before he was transferred as chief quartermaster to the Philippine Expedition under General Wesley Merritt. Pope's subsequent service for the Departments of Colorado and the Gulf resulted in his eventual promotion to Colonel, Assistant Quartermaster General, on February 16, 1907. He retired on June 6, 1910, but he received a post retirement appointment as a brigadier general on August 29, 1916. By that time he had retired to Denver Colorado where he died on August 23, 1919.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The James Worden Pope Papers consist of correspondence written to and by Pope, a typescript diary, genealogical papers, literary productions, and realia. Of interest are the letters written by Pope to his wife, Mary Lair Pope, while stationed at Yellowstone National Park, a signed letter by Admiral George Dewey, and the typescript diary written by Pope during the Spanish-American War.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Series 1 Correspondence, 1897-1913
Series 2 Diary, 1898-1899
Series 3 Genealogical Papers, circa 1904-1917
Series 4 Literary Productions, circa 1905-1907
Series 5 Realia
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Correspondence, 1897-1913Return to Top
This series contains original and typescript copies of correspondence written to or by James Worden Pope. Included in this series are letters written by Pope to his wife, Mary Lair Pope, while stationed at Fort Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park. Of note is the signed letter by Admiral George Dewey in folder 2. Subjects include Yellowstone National Park, hunting, genealogy, military, wildlife, weather, and travel.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | 1897 | |
| 1/2 | 1897 | |
| 1/3 | 1905 | |
| 1/4 | 1908 | |
| 1/5 | 1909 | |
| 1/6 | 1909 |
Series 2: Diary, 1898-1899Return to Top
In this series, Pope chronicles his journey from San Francisco to Manila in the Philippines. The diary takes the form of letters written to his wife, Mary Lair Pope. Entries begin June 13, 1898 and conclude September 5, 1899. Topics include scenery, wildlife, local inhabitants, military efforts, challenges receiving correspondence and news, literary works, finances, and medical care. Historical figures mentioned include General Merritt, Admiral Dewey, General MacArthur, General Otis, Major Howe, Colonel (Dr.) Lippincott, Major Bell, Senator Cullom, and General Wheaton. Locations discussed include San Francisco, Yellowstone National Park, Malate Fort, Manila, Laguana de Bai Escolta, Iloilo, Santa Lucia, Malacanan, Pasig, Paco, and the Philippines.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/7 |
pages 1-50
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/8 |
pages 51-100
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/9 |
pages 101-150
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/10 |
pages 151-200
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/11 |
pages 201-250
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/12 |
pages 251-300
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/13 |
pages 301-350
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/14 |
pages 351-400
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/15 |
pages 401-450
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/16 |
pages 451-500
|
1898-1899 |
| 1/17 |
pages 501-521
|
1898-1899 |
Series 3: Genealogical Papers, circa 1904-1917Return to Top
Genealogical materials in this series pertain to James Worden Pope and his relatives. Of interest is a summary of Pope's military career that includes a short account of his wife and children, which is located in folder 9. Other topics include Pope's familial connections to George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Patrick Henry of Virginia, and Senator John Pope.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/1 | Charles Fox Pope |
|
| 2/2 | Colonel Nathaniel Pope and His Descendants.
William and Mary College, Quarterly Historical Magazine. Vol. XII, No.
3,
p. 192-196
|
January 1904, |
| 2/3 | Colonel Nathaniel Pope and His Descendants,
(Continued). William and Mary College, Quarterly Historical Magazine.
Vol. XII, No. 4,
p. 251-253
|
April 1904, |
| 2/4 | The Early Washington's and Pope's of Pope
Creek Virginia |
|
| 2/5 | History of the Pope Family |
|
| 2/6 | Genealogy Index |
|
| 2/7 | Genealogies List. William and Mary
College, Quarterly Historical Magazine |
|
| 2/8 | Grandmother Pope |
|
| 2/9 | Record of Brigadier General James Worden
Pope, U.S. Army Retired |
|
| 2/10 | Roster of Society of
Cincinnati |
Series 4: Literary Productions, 1905-1907Return to Top
The materials in this series pertains to articles, research, and notes of interest to Pope. Topics include Native Americans, the military, and democracy.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/11 | Conquest of the Northwest -
- Life of George Rogers Clark, by William H. English
|
1778-1783 |
| 2/12 | General S.B. Holabird |
|
| 2/13 | How Far Does Diplomacy Affect the
Organization and Discipline of Armies |
|
| 2/14 | Notes |
|
| 2/15 | Patrician and Plebian in
Virginia |
|
| 2/16 | Response to the Toast "The Army of the
United States" |
|
| 2/17 | Sitting Bull Brought to Taw, by Fred A.
Hunt (Moss-Agate Bill) |
|
| 2/18 | Of Tecumseh, a Chief |
Series 5: RealiaReturn to Top
Materials in this series consist of objects owned or created by James Worden Pope.
| Container(s) | Description |
|---|---|
| Box/Folder | |
| 2/19 | Pocketbook and List |
| 2/20 | Address/Memorandum book |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Americans -- Philippines -- Manila
- Spanish-American War, 1898
Personal Names
- Dewey, George, 1837-1917 -- Correspondence
- Pope, Mary Lair, 1857-1947 -- Correspondence
Corporate Names
- United States. Army -- Officers -- Diaries>
Family Names
- Pope family
Geographical Names
- Fort Yellowstone (Wyo.)
- Manila (Philippines) -- Description and travel
- San Francisco (Calif.) -- Description and travel
- Yellowstone National Park
Form or Genre Terms
- Family papers -- Montana -- Bozeman
- Genealogies -- Montana -- Bozeman
Kim Allen Scott, 2012
July 24, 2015
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
