Archives West Finding Aid

The diary of Sarah B. Tracy, April 4, 1869 to January 4, 1872, gives her accounts of her marriage to W. H. Tracy and her journey to Montana from Illinois by train, steamboat, and wagon. The diary also contains poetry, addresses, cash accounts, recipes, and documentation of correspondence. A transcript of the diary, likely prepared by Merrill G. Burlingame, can be found in Folder 2.

Five letters which were received by Sarah B. Tracy. The letters regard the birth of her children, family matters, diphtheria and scarlet fever epidemics, and community news from friends and relatives in Illinois.

Literary productions created or collected by Sarah Tracy or Edna Tracy White. Topics of essays are: Mrs. Tracy's journey to Montana, the early Presbyterian and Methodist Church in Bozeman, the Greater Yellowstone area, Mrs. Cynthia E. Turner, Life in Early Bozeman, Indians in Early Bozeman, and Yellowstone National Park. The history notes were taken by Edna Tracy White in 1953 from Mrs. Armetage regarding early Montana history. Two scripts are contained within the collection: the "History Group Field Trip Script" and the script of the program "The Old Spinning Wheel." Both of these are concerned with Montana's pioneer history. One biographical sketch of Mrs. W.J. Beall probably written by Mrs. E. Lina Houston includes her experiences on the east coast, the Civil War, and journeying to Montana as a pioneer. "The Brides of Pioneers" was given by Sarah B. Tracy to the Women's Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic at a 1898 banquet. Col. Thomas D. Drake's commentary was given to the Relatives of Prisoners of War meeting on November 24, 1944 in Washington, DC, Col. Drake's commentary discusses his life experiences as a POW in WWII, the psychology of the POW, as well as common questions about POWs. Edna Tracy White's adopted son was a POW in WWII. Other authors include Katherine Jones and Mrs. George King.

Newspaper clippings, programs, invitations, and a published song book. Topics of the clippings include: Bozeman's pioneer history, Native Americans, and the Greater Yellowstone Region.

Photographs #1-5 are portraits of the Tracy family, dates unknown. Photo #4 was taken by G.W. Barnes of Bozeman, MT. Photograph #6 is of the city of Bozeman; note the Tracy home bottom right of center. Photographs #7-11 are scenes of general construction in Bozeman: photo #7 by Chappell and #8, unknown, are circa 1925; photo #9 is entitled "Standard Construction Co., Bozeman, MT, 26 September 1924." Photographs #12-18 are various scenes of the surrounding area of Bozeman: the gravel pit, main street, a bridge, and gravel roads; dates and photographers unknown. Photographs #19-26 are of the Gallatin Female Seminary and Presbyterian Church on the old Verwolf Ranch. Photos #19-21 are dated 1932, photo #22 dated 1935, photo #23 of Mrs. Doane, Mrs. Edsall, and unidentified person dated 1935, photo #24 dated 1932, photo #25 dated 1935, and photo #26 is undated. Photographs #27-29 are scenes of cattle and a ranch in the Gallatin Valley, dates and photographers unknown. Photographs #30-31 are of Main Street Belgrade, dates and photographers unknown. Folder #43 contains the negatives of photographs #7, 14-17, 30 and 31. Folder 44 contains print copies of various photographs.