Stanley Roland Davison Papers, 1850-1985

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Davison, Stanley Roland
Title
Stanley Roland Davison Papers
Dates
1850-1985 (inclusive)
Quantity
4.5 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 151 (collection)
Summary
Stanley Davison was a Montana historian who taught at Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana. The collection includes research files, photos and general correspondence with people assisting Davison's research. Davison was interested in early Montana history, primarily postal history and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.
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

Stanley (Roland) Davison was born May 6, 1911, in East Helena, Montana, to Frank and Margaret Davison. After going to high school in Helena, Davison attended Montana State University in Missoula, Montana, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1932 and his master's degree in 1935. Davison continued his education at the University of California where he received his Ph.D in Social Science and History. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. After the Navy, he became a faculty member of Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana. During the thirty years he taught there he authored or co-authored many books. In 1980 he received the "History Medal" from the Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions to Montana history, research, and study. Davison served on Montana's Historical Records Advisory Council, and was a member of the Montana Historical Society. He was active in the Beaverhead County Youth Programs and the Dillon American Legion. He died on May 14, 1986.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection includes research files and general correspondence with people assisting Davison's research. Davison was interested in early Montana history, primarily postal history and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. Davison collected newspaper clippings, photographs and books dealing with these topics. The collection includes working and final copies of Davison's dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902.

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], Stanley Roland Davison 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 seven series:

Series I: General Correspondence, 0.25 linear feet, 1954-1980

Series II: Writings, 0.25 linear feet, 1936, 1950, 1963, 1974

Series III: Research Materials, 2.5 linear feet, circa 1850s-1985

Series IV: Clippings, 0.3 linear feet, 1874-1981

Series V: Photographs and photograph albums, 1863-1948,1.2 linear feet,

Series VI: Miscellaneous, 2 folders, 1956-1969

Custodial History

Custodial history unknown.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Harry Fritz, date unknown

Processing Note

The materials in this collection were originally processed as two separate collections. In 1998 the two sets were combined into one collection with five series. Folders were evaluated, reorganized, and re-described.

Separated Materials

Books and maps that Davison used in his research were separated during original processing to the Mansfield Library Special Collections; the rest were transferred into the Mansfield Library general stacks. Maps were transferred to the Mansfield Library Maps department. At the same time, photographs of Bertie Lord, W.A. Graeter, Yellowstone National Park, and Montana landscapes were transferred to the archives general photographic collection; however, records were not retained and the specific numbers for Davidson photographs are not known.

Transferred to the Map Division:

Rand, McNally and Co.: Pocket Atlas of the World, 1889

Doan's Directory of the United States

Transferred to Special Collections:

Campbell's New Revised Complete Guide and Descriptive Book of the Yellowstone Park, 1913

Fifty Year History: Montana State Board of Health, 1901-1951

Eighty-one Years in the West, George A. Bruffey, 1925

Transferred to the General Collection:

History of the Oldest House, Saint Augustine, Florida; Under Four Flags, 1950

Simplified Surgery: For Use by the General Practitioner, 1913

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  General Correspondence , 1954-1980Return to Top

0.25 linear feet

The series contains correspondence that Davison had with people regarding his research topics. Most of the correspondence was with Harry Fine, a fellow postal historian. Much of their correspondence centers on early Montana history and the early postal service. Other correspondence that Davison conducted was with other professors and historians.

The series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Alex Blewett, Chief Joseph Pass
1965
1/2
Mark Brown
1963-1977
1/3
Between Merrill Burlingame and Rush Jordan, Battle of the Big Hole
1954
1/4
Harry H. Fine, Postal
1960-1966
1/5
Harry H. Fine, Postal
1967-1980
1/6
General Correspondence
1959-1969
1/7
Bessie K. Monroe
1955-1956
1/8
Col. Kenneth M. Moore
1959-1964
1/9
Edgar Stewart
1960-1964

Series II:  Writings , 1936-1974 and undatedReturn to Top

0.25 linear feet

The series consists of Davison's dissertation, a working and a completed copy, entitled The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902. Other writings by Davison include articles about the East Helena fire in 1919, the Montana fur trade, Lewis and Clark, and Chief Joseph.

The series is arranged chronologically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/10
Dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902, completed copy
1936
1/11
Dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902, working copy, chapters I-VI
1936
1/12
Dissertation, The Leadership of the Reclamation Movement, 1895-1902, working copy, chapters VII-XII
1936
1/13
John Wesley Powell and the Antecedents of the Reclamation Movement
1950
1/14
East Helena Fire
1963
1/15
The Fur Trade
1974
1/16
Lewis and Clark in Northwestern Montana
1974
1/17
Missions
1974
1/18
A Historical Guide for the Traveler
undated
1/19
Chief Joseph
undated

Series III:  Research Materials , ca. late 19th century-1985Return to Top

2.5 linear feet

Much of the research materials that Davison collected centered on three subjects; early Montana history, postal history and Native Americans, particularly the Nez Perce. Davison researched J.X. Biedler, a United States Deputy Marshal in Virginia City, and his vigilante day in Montana. This research includes a copy of Biedler's diary. Davison also interested himself in the different counties of Montana, including Yellowstone, Jefferson, Missoula, Beaverhead, and Ravalli. In Ravalli County, Davison researched Herbert "Bertie" Lord, a founder in the Bitterroot Valley and local fur trapper and trader.

Davison also had an interest in Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. He collected information on both General Howard and General Mason, two of the men responsible for the capture of Chief Joseph. The research includes correspondence between the two men, general correspondence of General Mason and Mason's journal. The Montana schools of nursing and their history also interested Davison. He collected information on nursing from Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Lewiston, and Missoula. He also corresponded with the nursing schools in Missoula and Bozeman. A working draft of his article is included in the series. The majority of the research that Davison conducted was on Montana's postal history. Information on postmasters, early post offices, and how the mail was transferred was included. A draft of one of Davison's articles on the topic is included, as well as articles from other writers.

The series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1
1st National Bank
undated
2/2
Agricultural Experiment Station, Montana State University
1919
2/3
J.X. Beidler, Chronology
undated
2/4
J.X. Beidler, Chronology
undated
2/5
J.X. Beidler, Diary
1884
2/6
J.X. Beidler, Letters
1963, 1965, 1966
2/7
J.X. Beidler, Notes
1970, 1975, 1977
2/8
J.X. Beidler, Notes by Helena Euands
1977
2/9
Big Hole Battlefield
undated
Map Drawer VII-5
Eight ledger pages, Boston-Montana Mining Corporation
1922, 1925-1927, 1945-1947
2/11
George Bruffey from James George
1897
2/12
Census: County Data
1940-1970
2/13
Will Chapman, 7th Grade Diploma
1909
2/14
Chief Joseph
1962, 1965
2/15
Victor Dahl, "The Americas"
1960-1961, 1963
2/16
Victor Dahl Correspondence
1959, 1967-1969, 1974, 1976
2/17
Victor Dahl, "Uruguay under Juan Idiarte Borda: An American Diplomats Observations"
1967
2/18
Dillon and Beaverhead County
1972, undated
2/19
Free Grass to Fences
undated
2/20
Frank Garver, "Montana as a Field for Historical Research"
undated
2/21
General Research
1867, 1869, 1878, 1887
2/22
Larry Gill, "Montana Stranglers"
undated
2/23
William Arthur Graeter, handwritten diary "My Trip Through the Yellowstone National Park"
1900
2/24
William Arthur Graeter, handwritten diary of 20 day trip "The Park Story"
1904
2/25
Hershfield Brothers
1866-1881
2/26
Historical Research
1898, 1919
2/27
Charles Huntley Correspondence
1867-1873
2/28
Huntley Canceled Check
1868
2/29
Guilo Ilges, "A Twinkling Star of Success"
1980
2/30
Jefferson County Annual Report
1903
2/31
Typed transcript of William T. Leaward, Journal
1863
2/32
Hand drawn map of Lewis and Clark, Portage of the Great Falls of the Missouri
1959
OS-1/1
Boston-Montana Mining Corp.
1922, 1925-1927, 1945-1947
3/1
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Bill of Sale for rights
1957
3/2
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Correspondence
1956-1967
3/3
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Development of Medicine Hot Springs
undated
3/4
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Diary
1882
3/5
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Diary
1886-1889
3/6
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Diary
1891-1899
3/7
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "Early History of Ross Hole," Mrs. Jake Wetzsteon
undated
3/8
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "Early Recollections"
undated
3/9
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Envelopes from Fur Companies
1931-1947
3/10
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, First Election in the Upper Bitterroot
undated
3/11
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Fur Sales
1886-1927
3/12
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Fur Sales
1929-1947
3/13
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Fur Tags and Regulations
undated
3/14
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Bill Lang
1982
3/15
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Manuscript
undated
3/16
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Map
1982
3/17
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "The Medicine Tree"
undated
3/18
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, Names of Creeks
undated
3/19
Herbert "Bertie" Lord, "The Story of Bertie Lord," Bessie Monroe
undated
3/20
Martin Maginnis, copies of correspondence
1874-1878
3/21
General Edwin Mason, Bannack-Piute Correspondence
1878
3/22
General Edwin Mason, "Battle of the Big Hole"
undated
3/23
General Edwin Mason, Correspondence
1877
3/24
General Edwin Mason, Correspondence with General Oliver Howard
1895
3/25
General Edwin Mason, Mrs. E.J. Goltra Journal
1853
3/26
General Edwin Mason, Diary of Frances Kingsbury Mason
1867
3/27
General Edwin Mason, Mason Manuscript Publishing
1963, 1966, 1977
3/28
General Edwin Mason, Mason Research
undated
3/29
Mullan Road Research
undated
4/1
Money Orders to Germany
1894
4/2
Bessie K. Monroe, "Battle of the Big Hole"
undated
4/3
Nursing, Essays
1964
4/4
Nursing, General Research, Nursing in Montana
undated
4/5
Nursing, General Research
undated
4/6
Nursing, Hospitals
1961
4/7
Nursing, Montana Cities
1958, undated
4/8
Nursing, Official Documents
1940-1960
4/9
Nursing, Schools of Nursing
1948, 1956-1962
4/10
Nursing, Working Draft of "Schools of Nursing"
undated
4/11
Palaniuk Family Diary, copied 1961
4/12
Edgar Samual Paxson
undated
4/12
Edgar Samual Paxson
undated
4/13
Postal, The American Philatelist
1968
4/14
Postal, Bannack Mail
1863
4/15
Postal, Butte-Helena Roads and Service Notes
undated
4/16
Postal, Malcolm Clark and John VenClere
1973, undated
4/17
Postal, Clippings
1887
4/18
Postal, Complaints on VC Mail
1866
4/19
Postal, Covers
1966-1967
4/20
Postal, Draft Outline
1963
4/21
Postal, Drivers
1972
4/22
Postal, Early Postal Service Notes
1953, 1970
4/22
Postal, Early Postal Service Notes
1953, 1970
4/23
Postal, Express Lines
1968
4/24
Postal, Harry Fine
1959, 1962
4/25
Postal, Harry Fine
1965-1970
4/26
Postal, Harry Fine
1974-1975
4/27
Postal, "Descriptions of Postal Stamps," Harry Fine
undated
5/1
Postal, History Notes
1972-1974
5/1
Postal, History Notes
1972-1974
5/2
Postal, Huntleys
1978-1980, undated
5/3
Postal, Idaho
1962, 1965, undated
5/4
Postal, Indians
undated
5/5
Postal, Investigation
1881
5/6
Postal, Mail Damage
1982, undated
5/7
Postal, Mail Delay
1971, 1973, undated
5/8
Postal, Mail Volume
1973
5/9
Postal, Map Information
undated
5/10
Postal, Missoula Area
1965, undated
5/11
Postal, Montana Mail Routes
1969-1975
5/12
Postal, Montana Territorial Post Offices
1864-1889
5/13
Postal, Montana Territory History
1968, 1980, undated
5/14
Postal, Newspaper Notes
undated
5/15
Postal, Newspaper Notes
undated
5/16
Postal, Newspaper Notes
undated
5/17
Postal, Notes
1971
5/18
Postal, John and Nancy Owen
1971, undated
5/19
Postal, Postmasters, Early Data
1964, undated
6/1
Postal, Postmasters
1954, 1967, undated
6/2
Postal, Postmaster's Job
1973
6/3
Postal, Postmistress at Hayden
1956
6/4
Postal, Rand, McNally and Co. Shipper's Guide
undated
6/5
Postal, Routes and Contracts
1973, 1978, undated
6/6
Postal, Sketch
1865-1870
6/7
Postal, Eli A. Smith, U.S. Mail Carrier and Musher
1907
6/7
Postal, Eli A. Smith, U.S. Mail Carrier and Musher
1907
6/8
Postal, Stage Coach
undated
6/9
Postal, Stage Coach Hardships and Accidents
undated
6/10
Postal, Stamps
1966-1968
6/11
Postal, Star Routes
undated
6/12
Postal, Star Routes
undated
6/13
Postal, Steamboats
undated
6/14
Postal, Dale Tash, Postal Historian Notes
undated
6/15
Postal, Telegraph
undated
6/16
Postal, Tolls
undated
6/16
Postal, Tolls
undated
6/17
Postal, Towns
undated
6/18
Postal, Utah Northern Railroad
1925
6/19
Postal, Virginia City Chronology
1973
6/20
Postal, Virginia City Early Express
1950, 1971, undated
6/21
Postal, Wells Fargo
undated
6/22
Powder River Home Protective League
1920
6/23
Powder River Home Protective League
1920
6/24
Railroad Company Stock Certificate, Hot Springs and Smelter Railroad
undated
6/25
Railroad Research
undated
6/26
Railroad Freight Bill
1919
6/27
Julia Rockwell
1962, undated
6/28
Settlers Patent to Richard A. Reynolds
1876
6/29
"Allis Isabelle Brown Stuart Memoirs," Phyllis Twogood
1958
6/30
Granville Stuart
undated
6/31
Yellowstone National Park
undated

Series IV:  Clippings , 1874-1981Return to Top

0.3 linear feet

The series consists of newspaper articles that Davison used for his research. Most of the clippings are from Montana newspapers, such as the Townsend Star, Daily Ravalli Republican, Kalispell Weekly News, Great Falls Tribune, and Montana tour newspaper tour guides. Davison collected information on Frank B. Linderman from the Kalispell Weekly News. A June edition of an 1877 newspaper, Mexico Independent, is also included in the series.

The series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/1
"The Capital Law"
1874
7/2
"The Centennial's Product is in Great Demand"
1905
7/3
Daly Mansion, Daily Ravalli Republican
1968, 1971
7/4
Harry Fine
1968
7/5
Fort Owen
1982
7/6
Frank B. Linderman, Kalispell's Weekly News
1975
7/7
The Meagher County News
1973
7/8
Mexico Independent
1877
7/9
"The Mine and the Smelter of the Pittsmont"
1905
7/10
Montana's First Telegraph
undated
7/11
Montana History
1965, 1974
7/12
"The Noblest Red-man of Them All," Allan Dickinger
undated
7/13
"Rare Schnitzmeyer Photos are Found at Polson"
1960
7/14
Stage Coach
undated
7/15
"Story of the New Process and its Application"
1905
7/16
Touring the Beaverhead
1981
7/17
Townsend, Montana
1963, 1972, undated
7/18
Townsend Star
1899

Series V:  Photographs, 1863-1948Return to Top

1.2 linear feet

This series includes photographs related to some of Davison's research interests and also, three substantial Graeter family photograph albums illustrating the lives of family and friends around Dillon, Montana, as well as during recreational and vacation times in Yellowstone, Vancouver, B.C., and other locales.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/19
Granville Stuart and James Stuart
1864, 1869
7/20
Mr. and Mrs. Granville Stuart in Uruguay
1895
7/21
Mason family
1876-1898
7/22
Thomas Adams
1865
7/23
Beaverhead Rock (stage) Station near Dillon, Montana
undated
7/24
Two forks of the Missouri River where Lewis and Clark camped
undated
7/25
Hammond Block fire, Missoula, Montana
1932
7/26
Mount Jumbo in winter with Clark Fork River, railway bridge, and tracks in foreground, Missoula, Montana
circa 1910
7/27
Main Street, Missoula, Montana
circa 1910
7/28
Postal stamps
1863-1880
7/29
Map of Pony Express Routes in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah
undated
7/30
Flood in Missoula, Montana
1948
7/31
Photos of original X. Beidler diary pages
undated
7/32
Mission Range Mountains
undated
7/33
Utah & Northern railway engine and two cars with personnel
circa 1900
7/34
Yellow Wolf, Yellow Bull, White Bird, and unknown Native American man
undated
7/35
Fire in Helena, Montana
1919
7/36
Earthquake in Helena, Montana
1935
7/37
Helena, Montana, natatorium
undated
7/38
Dam constuction and miscellaneous
undated
7/39
Montana postcards
1909-1940
7/40
Small Yellowstone Park photo album
7/41
Graeter family album including photos of Keller family
undated
8/1
Graeter family album
1906-1926
8/2
Photo album inscribed "Merry Xmas to William Arthur Graeter from The Family 1928"
1928-1940
8/3
Graeter family photo album
1940-1948

Series VI:  Miscellaneous, 1956-1969Return to Top

2 folders

This series includes a 1956 press release and handwritten "Interim notes" from 1969.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/42
Press release regarding research grant
1956
7/43
Interim notes
1969

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Nez Percé Indians
  • Fires--Montana--East Helena
  • Fur trade--Montana--History
  • Irrigation--United State--History
  • Nez Percé Indians--Wars, 1877
  • Nursing schools--Montana--History
  • Postal service--Montana--History. Montana--History

Personal Names

  • Beidler, John X., 1831-1890
  • Graeter, William Arthur
  • Howard, O. O. (Oliver Otis), 1830-1905
  • Joseph, Nez Percé Chief, 1840-1904
  • Lord, Herbert Watson, 1870-1963
  • Mason, Edwin Cooley, 1831-1898

Corporate Names

  • Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)
  • Western Montana College--Faculty

Geographical Names

  • Montana--History--Sources

Occupations

  • Historians--Montana