Morgan Evans Papers, 1877

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Evans, Morgan, 1833-1906
Title
Morgan Evans Papers
Dates
1877 (inclusive)
Quantity
4 items
Collection Number
Mss 088
Summary
Morgan Evans was a farmer and land agent in Deer Lodge County, Montana. The collection consists of three letters and one receipt written to Morgan Evans from James Hamilton Mills.
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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Morgan Evans was born in 1833 in Breconshire, South Wales. He was educated in Wales and took up the shoemaker’s trade. In 1854 he married Miss Ann Evans. He and his wife moved to the United States in 1856, where they subsequently traveled from Boston, Massachusetts to Council Bluffs, Iowa then to Corinne Utah. Morgan Evans first came to Montana in 1864, making multiple trips to Virginia City before bringing his family in 1866 and settling in the Deer Lodge Valley. Evans and his family eventually settled about three miles south east of present-day Anaconda. In 1877, Morgan Evans was commissioned by Governor Potts to meet with W.A. Clark and proceed to Big Hole Basin to join with General Gibbon for the Battle of the Big Hole. In the years following the battle, Evans established the Gwendale Post Office and had a hand in establishing the city of Anaconda, as he was involved in the negotiations on behalf of Marcus Daly for the land upon which the city was built. Evans operated a successful farm in the area, engaging in stock raising and farming. Morgan Evans died in his home on October 2, 1906.

James Hamilton Mills was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, on December 21, 1837. From 1861-1864, Mills was enlisted for the Civil War as par of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves (Fortieth Pennsylvana Infantry). On May 24, 1866, he traveled from Omaha, Nebraska to Helena, Montana, arriving in the territory on August 12 of the same year. After a failed hydraulic claim at Emigrant Gulch, Mills moved to Virginia City where he worked for the Montana Post until 1869, when the Post failed. Mills then moved to Deer Lodge, Montana, where he opened the New Northwest Newspaper, which he operated until 1891. James Mills married Ella Hammond of Deer Lodge, Montana in 1871. In 1877, Mills was named the Secretary of the Montana Territory following preferred charges against former Secretary Callaway. Mills served as Secretary of the Terriroty until 1882. James H. Mills died September 5, 1904.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of three letters and one receipt. The letters, dated from 27 and 28 July, 1877, are from James H. Mills of Deer Lodge, Montana, to Captain Morgan Evans and concern the retreat of Chief Joseph and his people through Montana. The receipt, dated July 1877, is for a breech-loading gun for Morgan Evans from Governor B. F. Potts.

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 evaluated.

Preferred Citation

Morgan Evans Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

The provenance of the collection is unknown.

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown; the collection was originally numbered SC 21. In 1998, the collection was re-described and re-numbered Mss 088. In 2004, the finding aid was encoded. In 2023 the biographical information was updated.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Nez Perce Indians--Wars, 1877
  • Welsh Americans--Montana --Deer Lodge

Personal Names

  • Joseph, Nez PercĂ© Chief, 1840-1904

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Potts, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1836-1887