Mining in Montana
Introduction
The lure of gold brought a great influx of settlers to Idaho and Montana during the early 1860s. First centered around Bannack and Virginia City, the miners quickly spread out around the territory seeking new gold fields. The early settlements were governed by mining districts, which set rules for claiming land, recorded the claims, and provided a primitive form of government. The early claims were predominantly placer mines, but by 1870 there were a significant number of underground quartz mines. These mines required a large investment in stamp mills, reduction works, and smelters to treat the ore. Different mining districts produced different metals depending on the geology of the area. For example, Bannack, Virginia City, and Marysville were predominantly gold; Philipsburg was predominantly silver and manganese; and Butte was predominantly copper.
Because of the importance of mining to Montana’s historic development and economy, a large number of records were saved documenting the industry. This listing is divided into four groups: actual records of mining companies, records of mining districts, records of government agencies related to mining, and records of individuals involved in mining.
The materials listed on this page are not all the available resources on mining. To find additional sources, click here to search our catalog for your specific topic.
For additional historic information about specific mines, go to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's Mining District Historic Narratives
Mining Company Records
- Alder Gulch mining company, unidentified, 1890-1896
This collection consists of a payroll timebook (1890-1896) for an unidentified Alder Gulch mining company. Among the employees were a number of Chinese miners.
- Alice Gold and Copper Mining Company, 1902-1903
The Alice Gold and Copper Mining Company was headquartered in Helena, Montana, with operations in Powell County. Company officers were Cecelia Martin, president; H.N. Canoll, vice president; and A.W. Martin, secretary-treasurer. Included in this collection (1902-1903) are a minute book with bylaws, stock certificate book, and a list of stockholders.
- Alice Gold and Silver Mining Company, 1877-1930
The Alice Gold and Silver Mining Company was located in Walkerville, Montana. Its headquarters were in Salt Lake City, Utah. The records consist primarily of letterpress volumes of outgoing correspondence from Walkerville mine superintendents to Salt Lake City company officials. Also included are organizational materials, financial records, productions records, and legal files.
The American Gem Mining Syndicate was a Philipsburg, Montana, sapphire mining company. Records include interoffice correspondence (1903-1935), general correspondence (1902-1929), court papers (1906-1915), employment records (1912-1930), financial records (1904-1930), legal documents (1903-1907), organizational records (1901), and production records (1911-1914).
This collection consists of records (1876-1974) of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and contains correspondence, court papers, financial and production records, legal documents, organizational records, subject files, and other materials for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and many of its predecessor and subsidiary companies and departments. Among the major subgroups are General Office; Big Blackfoot Milling Company; Bitter Root Development Company; Boston and Montana Consolidated Copper and Silver Mining Company; Colorado Smelting and Mining Company; Diamond Coal and Coke Company; Parrot Silver and Copper Company; Reduction Department (Anaconda); Silver Bow Club; Trenton Mining and Development Company; Tuttle Manufacturing and Supply Company; and Washoe Copper Company. In addition, there are more than 100 smaller subgroups.
The Anglo American Mining, Land and Water Company was a Helena, Montana, firm organized in 1883 by Albert, Carl, and Reinhold Kleinschmidt for the prospecting, locating, buying, and selling of mining properties and timber lands, and for developing water ditches or flumes for mining purposes. The company was to operate in Lewis and Clark, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, and Jefferson counties. The collection contains the company's articles of incorporation.
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The Bald Butte Mining Company was a mining firm with mines and workings west of Marysville, Montana. The firm, based in Helena, was renamed the Bald Butte Mining and Milling in 1911. This collection includes annual reports (1895-1896) by the secretary-manager; one volume of payroll accounts (November 1907-July 1923) for the company and its receivers; a ledger (1911-1938); a cash book (1917-1930); and miscellany (1927-1934).
- Barnes-King Development Company records, 1912-1925
The Barnes-King Development Company had offices in Butte, Montana, and mines at Marysville and Kendall. These records include one bound volume of reports of operations for 1913-1923, a report of the company's dissolution in
1925, and various milling and mining data.
- Basin Mining and Concentrating Company records, 1887-1896
The Basin Mining and Concentrating Company had its headquarters in Helena, Montana, and was organized by E.D. Edgerton, John B. Clayberg and A.N. Spratt. Included in this collection (1887-1896) are articles of incorporation, bylaws, minutes, financial records, legal materials, reports and general correspondence. One of the Company's most successful enterprises was the Hope Mine.
- Basin Mining and Development Company records, 1896-1898
This collection consists of one letterpress book (1896-1898) of outgoing correspondence from Charles S. Muffly, treasurer of the Basin Mining and Development Company.
- Basin Mining Company records, 1903-1925
The Basin Mining Company was a Granite County, Montana, gold mining company, with head offices in St. Louis, Missouri. Records include interoffice correspondence(1903-1923), general correspondence (1903-1925), records of a court case (1907), minor financial records, organizational records (1906-1922), and miscellany.
- Basin Reduction Company records, 1906
The Basin Reduction Company was a Butte, Montana, smelting operation. This collection consists of incoming correspondence (June 25-July 21, 1906) from eastern machinery companies dealing with the sale of their smelting products including pamphlets, proposed contracts, and blueprints.
- Bear Gulch Mining Company histories, 1915, undated
The Bear Gulch Mining Company operated in Jardine, Montana, from 1898 until 1903. This collection contains a letter(1915) to company president, A.C. Jardine, from James E. Stuart, Livingston, Montana, reminiscing about early mining days. Also included is a short company history (undated) by secretary-treasurer, Harold D. Likely, and two Park County News clippings. (See also Jardine Mining Company).
The Belmont Mining Company operated the Belmont Mine near Marysville, Montana. The company was organized in 1880 by Nathan Vestel, Spenser Trask, T.T. Buckley, Rufus Allerton, William B. Frue, Leon McLeod Baldwin and L.C. Trent. This collection includes a check stub book (Sept. 1891-June 1892) kept by J. Graham, and two maps (undated) of the Belmont Mine.
- Big Ox Mining and Reduction Company records, 1889-1934
The Big Ox Mining and Reduction Company was a Helena, Montana, firm organized in 1889, that operated mines and a mill in the Marysville Mining District. In 1926 the corporation was reorganized as Montana Mines, a trust that managed the Big Ox, Little Ox, and Golconda mining projects. This collection (1889-1934) consists of one ledger and miscellaneous organizational materials (some photocopies).
The Big Ox Mining Company was an Helena, Montana firm, organized in 1889, which operated mines and a mill in the Marysville mining district. This collection consists of a volume (1905-1934) for the Big Ox Mining Company that contains receipts which reflect the day-to-day expenses of the mining operation, including wages. Loose materials in the volume have been foldered and include receipts, and a letter (1927) from C.L. Hewitt to J.W. Fulton assaying the mines' ores and apprising Fulton of the prospecting for development, and letters (1934) to a stockholder advising him of the company's reorganization.
This collection consists of a handwritten description (1878) of the incorporation and holdings of the Bismark and Von Armin Mining Company of Boulder and Jefferson City, Montana Territory. The description includes stock share valuations ($500,000) and mine locations (Bismark and Van Armin Lodes). The original officers were W.A. Chessman, pres.; George W. Fox, v. pres.; W.D. Smith, treas.; and J.B. Porter, sec. (The creator is unknown, although it is written on the letterhead of George W. Fox.)
The Black Pine Silver Mines, Inc. was a silver mining company in the Philipsburg, Montana, area. Records (1924, 1932-1942, 1946) include general correspondence, financial records, court papers, legal documents, and miscellany. Also included are records from the predecessor company, the Black Pine Mines, Inc., and a smaller subgroup for Combination Silver Mines, Inc., which bought the Black Pine property in 1936. (Maps and blueprints transferred to Library Map Collection.)
The Black Swan Mining Company was a Unionville, Montana Territory, mining company. This collection contains a time book (1880), miscellaneous financial records and notices of lode locations.
The Blackfoot Mining and Milling Company was an Helena, Montana, mining concern with operations in Deer Lodge County. The collection includes blank stock certificates (undated) and financial records relating to a payroll of 1893.
The Blue Cloud Mining Company was a Helena, Montana, based company. Collection consists of a corporate record book (1938-1949) that includes articles of incorporation, minutes from stock holders meetings, and miscellaneous financial records. Also included is a stock certificate book (1938-1941).
- Boston and Montana Consolidated Copper and Silver Mining Company records, 1899-1905
The Boston and Montana Consolidated Copper and Silver Mining Company was a Great Falls, Montana, firm. This collection consists of time books (1899, 1905) for the sampling mill and the blast furnace respectively. Also included are miscellaneous invoices.(See also Anaconda Copper Mining Company).
"Boston and Montana Consolidated Copper and Silver Mining Company vs the Montana Ore Purchasing Company," was a Montana Supreme Court case that was part of the battle for corporate sovereignty in Butte between the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and F. Augustus Heinze. This particular case involves the justification of a $350,000 supplemental bond by the Delware Surety Company. This collection (May 1901-January 1902) consists of testimony (including that of Heinze); affidavits; a transcript, and miscellaneous legal documents and court papers.
The Buskett Mercantile Company, located in Granite, Montana, was a general mercantile firm suppling wood and merchandise to the Granite Mountain Mining Company. Collection includes outgoing letterpress book (1887-1888) and incoming correspondence (1888) from the Granite Mountain Mining Company (1888). Also included are a report on the Penn Yan Mine (May 22, 1888).
The Butte East Slope Mining Company was organized in 1916. Records consist of a report (1925) to the company on its Big Chief Group of Mining Claims in Jefferson County. In addition there is treasurer's report (1960).
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This collection consists of a daybook (May 4-Dec. 30, 1868) for an unidentified Cable City, Montana Territory, mining company.
The Clendenin Mining and Smelting Company was a Clendenin, Montana Territory, area mining firm. This collection consists of a daybook (February-July 1884) for the company, and numerous coal receipts.
The Cole Saunders Gold and Silver Mining Company was a Deer Lodge County, Montana Territory, mining company. This collection consists of a handwritten copy of a minute book (February 24, 1868-March 16, 1870) listing company stockholders.
The Combination Mining and Milling Company was a Black Pine, Montana, silver mining company. This collection (1888-1899) consists of general correspondence; payroll; supply, and miscellaneous financial records; manager's monthly reports; and miscellany.
The Comstock Mining and Milling Company was a Helena, Montana, mining company operating the Comstock Mine near Basin. This collection consists of a timebook (1890) and general correspondence from A.H. Steel, the superintendent, to company officers E.D. Bannister, E.F. Child, George B. Child, and A.F. Emrich.
The Crescent Mining Company was Helena, Montana, and St. Paul, Minnesota, mining firm that owned and operated mines six miles south of Rimini, Montana. This collection (1905) consists of a company prospectus and two stock certificates.
The Crevasse Mountain Mining Company was a Park County, Montana, mining operation. Officers included P.F. Barr, Erastus E. Edgerton, and John Edgerton. This collection (1890-1893) consists of general correspondence, financial records, legal documents, and superintendent reports on mine operations.
The Cruse Mountain Consolidated Mining Company was a Marysville, Montana, mining and real estate firm incorporated by William Muth, H.W. Child, Edmund W. Bach, and Elbert D. Weed. Records (1885-1890) include bylaws and articles of incorporation; general correspondence; stock certificates; financial records; and legal materials.
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This collections consists of financial records and correspondence of the Elkhorn Queen Mining Company of Helena, Montana.
This collection consists of court papers (1866-1869) relating primarily to business dealings between Gaston and Simpson Gold and Silver Mining Company and Rodman Carter; financial records (1867) including scattered bills, invoices and receipts; quit claim deeds (1866-1868); and organizational records (1866-1867) including articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes (Nov. 12, 1866 only).
The Golden Treasure Mining and Milling Company was founded in 1899 by Daniel Collins, John J. Barrett, M.F. Kennedy and others to operate the Erie and other claims they owned near Marysville, Montana. Records consist of general correspondence (ca. 1916-1931), financial records (1899-1927), legal documents (1887-1900), minute books (1899-1924) and other organizational materials, clippings and miscellany. There is also a title abstract for a lot in the Montrose Addition to Butte, connection to collection is unknown.
The Goodhope Mining Company was a silver mining company located in Philipsburg, Montana. Records consist of interoffice correspondence with home office in St. Louis; general correspondence; minor financial records and legal documents; annual reports to the Secretary of State; assay and bullion reports; weekly reports of agent John R. Lucas; and miscellany.
The Granite-Bimetallic Consolidated Mining Company was a St. Louis, Missouri, based silver mining company formed from the merger of the Granite Mountain Mining Company, and the Bi-Metallic Mining Company. Collection (1881-1934) consists of interoffice correspondence (1887-1931), incoming correspondence (1887-1898), outgoing correspondence in letterpress books (1881-1903), general correspondence (1898-1932), employment records, financial records, legal documents, production records, weekly superintendent's reports, and miscellany for all three companies.
The Gregory Consolidated Mining Company was a Helena, Montana, company formed in November 1880. Collection contains an account book (undated) of the company's warehouse bullion receipts.
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H.L. Fisher and Company was a Helena, Montana Territory, mining firm. This collection consists of an agreement (June 23, 1865) to sell a mining claim at Nelson Gulch to Beach I. Hinman.
The Hecla Consolidated Mining Company was a Glendale, Montana, gold and silver mining company. Records (1877-1900; 1921-1922) include incoming correspondence to mining department superintendent Samuel A. Barbour, and a letterpress book (March 1885-December 1886) of outgoing correspondence of general manager Henry Knippenberg. There are also financial records including assay reports, bills, and payroll; minor legal documents; and miscellany.
The Henderson Mining Company was a gold mining firm located in Gold Creek, Montana. Collection contains an expense ledger (August 1902-July 1903).
The Home Mining and Milling Company owned the Earthquake and General Grant lodes in the Stemple (unorganized) Mining District near Marysville, Montana. Records consist of correspondence (1903-1956); financial records; legal documents; organizational records; reports; and miscellany.
The Hope Mining Company was a silver mining company located in Philipsburg, Montana. Records consist of interoffice correspondence (1907-1913), general correspondence (1907-1913), minor financial records (1907-1911), articles of incorporation and minutes (1907), assay reports (1907-1910) and a field survey book (1909)
The Hope Mining Company of St. Louis was a Missouri-based company with mining operations in Philipsburg, Montana. Records consist primarily of correspondence (1889-1901)between the home office in St. Louis and the mine office at Philipsburg (1889-1901). There are also correspondence with other companies about supplies, annual reports, and financial records.
The I.B. Mining Company, located at Bannack, Montana, was a gold mining operation incorporated in 1929 by I.B. Haviland, Carl Becker, and C.W. Stalling. In 1931 the company began quartz mining of low-grade gold ore. Collection includes incoming, outgoing, and interoffice correspondence (1929-1933) relating to the operation of the company; plus lesser amounts of financial records, organizational records, etc. The company went bankrupt in 1933.
The Idaho Mining Company was a gold mining operation on Last Chance Creek in Helena, Montana Territory. Records consist of an account book (August 1866-November 1867) containing cash entries, expenses, gold recovered, dividends paid, and legal documents.
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The Jardine Mining Company was a gold mining operation at Jardine, near Gardiner, Montana. Collection (c. 1900-1950s) contains financial volumes, reports, correspondence, organizational materials, printed materials, legal documents, etc. There are subgroups for the Bear Gulch Mining Company, the Kimberly Montana Gold Mining Company, the King solomon Quartz and Placer Mining Company, the Legal Tender Mining Company, the Montana Consolidated Gold Mining Company, the Rademont Mining Company, and the Revenue Mining Company.
John Allen and Company was a Helena, Montana, firm with interests in various mines and mining operations. Records include an account ledger, an expense journal, and assay certificates.
The Jumbo Mining and Development Company was a gold mining operation near White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Records (1890-1956) include minutes, bylaws, stock certificates and transfers. Also limited amounts of incoming correspondence and financial records. An account book includes a brief history of the company.
The Kendall Gold Mining Company operated in Kendall, Montana, in the early 1900s. Records consist of a cash book (1906) recording sales of stock certificates and development work on a subsidiary operation.
The Little Ben Mining Company was a Helena and Landusky, Montana, gold mining company, incorporated in 1932, to develop the Little Ben Quartz Lode which had been discovered in 1892. Records include general correspondence (1932-1945); financial records (1932-1945); legal documents, including an abstract of title (1892-1913); organizational materials (1932-1944) including minutes, stock books, etc.; and mint deposit reports (1933-1942).
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The M. & M. Mining Company owned the Ohio Keating Mine at Radersburg, Montana. Collection (1939-1946) includes correspondence, mine and assay reports, purchaser's license, bank statements, employee time cards, and a court paper from a case against Ben Weisser.
Records consist of a "Mining Log" (November 1905-August 1915) for an unidentified Madison County, Montana, mine, describing daily mining activities and the experiences and activities of the men involved.
The Maginnis Mining Company was located in Maiden, Montana Territory, with offices in Helena headed by Samuel T. Hauser. Records consist of a payroll journal (October 1884-August 1889), including records for the Spotted Horse Mine.
These unidentified mineral claim registers (1872, 1868-1891) list selected mining discoveries and claims in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Powell, Granite, Silver Bow, and other western Montana counties, Montana, including discoverer's name, owner's name, location, development work done, and description of the ore bodies.
Records of this unidentified Montana Territory mining company consist of two time books (July-November 1872, and October 1876-January 1877; and February-March 1873).
The Minnie Healy Mine was located in the Summit Valley Mining District of Silver Bow County, Montana. Collection (1898-1899) includes expenditure sheets; payrolls; statements of ore extracted; and miscellany.
The Minnie R Gold and Copper Mining Company was a mining investment company located in Helena, Montana. Records (January-February 1902) consist of articles of incorporation, bylaws, and stock certificates.
Records of the Missouri and Montana Gold Mining Company, a Helena, Montana, based firm, consist of cash book (1904-1906), two ledgers (1903-1906), a check stub book (1904-1906), stockholder certificates (1903-1904), stockholder journal (undated), stockholder ledger (1903-1904), and stock certificates (1903-1904).
The Montana and Idaho Mining and Reduction Company, owned by Erastus D. Edgerton, Richard Lockey, and others, was based in Toston, Montana, and owned the Lee Mountain Mine near Rimini. Records (1890-1893) include general correspondence, a stock ledger, legal documents, financial records, incorporation papers, and minutes.
The Montana and Southern Mining Company was incorporated on July 15, 1936. In 1937 the company established a mill to process ore from the Atlantic-Pacific Mine located near Pony, Montana. Records include correspondence (1936-1938) relating primarily to equipment purchases; financial records (1936-1938) consisting primarily of receipts; and a writing (undated) entitled "A Ledge of Gold".
The Montana Coal and Iron Company was a Bear Creek, Montana, coal mining company. Records (1889-1967) include organizational papers; general correspondence; financial records; and production records.
- Montana Company, Limited records, 1888-1895
The Montana Company, Ltd. was a London, England, based firm that acquired the Drumlummon Mine from Montana mining mogul Thomas Cruse. Collection (1890-1905) consists primarily of incoming correspondence from various mining implements manufacturing firms, and from the home office. Also included are reports, printed materials, and miscellany.
- Montana-Frisco Mining Company records, 1909-1915
The Montana-Frisco Mining Company, based in Spokane, Washington, mined primarily in and around the town of Granite, but had claims in Walkerville, Blackjack, and Butte. Records consist of two leather bound journals (1909-1915).
- Montana Hydraulic Mining Company records, 1888-
The Montana Hydraulic Mining Company operated on Washington Bar in Madison County, Montana Territory. Records include correspondence (1888) between mine superintendent Charles Starrett and company officer Erastus D. Edgerton; and financial records.
- Montana Mining Company, Ltd. records, 1892-1905
Montana Mining Company, Ltd., a British corporation, operated the Drumlummon Mine in Marysville, Montana, from 1882-1911. Records include interoffice correspondence (1893-1905); outgoing correspondence (1893-1904); incoming correspondence (1890-1905); employment records (1893-1902); financial records (1888-1905); legal documents (1892-1899); miscellany; and printed material.
- Montana Ore Purchasing Company records, 1900-1910
The Montana Ore Purchasing Company was a Butte, Montana, mining and smelting company owned by F. Augustus Heinze and John MacGinnis. The company was involved in a long court fight with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, known as the "War of the Copper Kings." Records include correspondence, court papers, daily smelter reports (August 1905), two journals (1905), an order book (1905-1906), legal documents, and miscellany.
- Montana Water, Electric Power and Mining Company records, 1891-1906
The Montana Water, Electric Power and Mining Company was formed to develop water power from Flint Creek to provide electric power to mines in the Philispburg region. Records consist of interoffice correspondence (1897-1905) between company agents in Philipsburg and corporate officers in St. Louis, Missouri; general correspondence (1897-1905) with suppliers and others; scattered financial, legal, and organizational records; and power house and load records (1900-1905).
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- North Butte Mining Company records, 1905-1934
Records of the North Butte Mining Company in Butte, Montana, consist primarily of interoffice, general, and outgoing correspondence (1905-1926). In addition, there are assay reports, minor financial records, legal documents, organizational records, subject files, and miscellany. There is a small subgroup of research materials compiled about the company by Al Hooper, focusing on a scrapbook of clippings about the Granite Mountain Mine explosion of 1915, and the Granite Mountain Mine fire of 1917 ("Speculator fire").
- Northwestern Mining and Exploring Company prospectus, 1865
The Northwestern Mining and Exploring Company was a New York based mining investment firm. Records consist of a prospectus (February 1865) describing Montana Territory's potential as a gold and silver producing area.
- Penn Yan Mining Company records, 1888-1892
The Penn Yan Mining Company was headquartered in Helena, Montana, with its mines at Wickes. Records (1888-1892) consist of a letter to stockholders, a stock transfer journal, and two blank stock certificates.
- Philipsburg Mining Company records, 1923
The Philipsburg Mining Company was a silver and manganese operation. Records consist of interoffice correspondence between the Philipsburg office, the St. Louis office and the sales office in Cincinnati; general correspondence; financial records, consisting primarily of vouchers; production records, including assay reports and manganese ore shipment records; accident reports; and miscellany.
- Queen of the West Mining and Milling Company records, 1889-1891
Records of the Queen of the West Mining and Milling Company of Helena, Montana, consist of a minute book (1889-1891) and articles of incorporation. The volume was later used as a payroll book by the Blue Cloud Mine (April 1903), the Armilda Mine (January 1906), and the Victory Mine (January-June 1906).
- Rodgers Mining Company records, 1949-1955
The N. Rodgers Gold Mining Company was a Helena, Montana, mining company owned by Norman Rogers. It operated the Bullwhacker, Bertha, and Rabbit mines in Butte. Collection consists of ore settlement sheets (1949-1955) and production summaries for ore processed by the Anaconda Copper Mining Company.
The Royal Mining Company, originally the Royal Gold and Silver Mining Company, was located near Philipsburg, Montana. Records include correspondence (1899-1921) between company secretary W.M. Bickford and various stockholders and officers; assay reports; financial records; mining leases (1910-1921); and organization records (1891-1912).
The Ruby Gulch Mining Company, was a Zortman, Montana, operation owned by B.D. Phillips and Charles Whitcomb. Records consist of a check register (1907-1910); three ledgers (1909-1924); a payroll book (1937-1940); and
correspondence (1949) detailing the production and operation of the company's mines.
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The Silver Cliff Mining and Tunnel Company was a Lewis and Clark County, Montana, mining company organized in January 1886. Records (1886-1916) include bylaws, minutes, stock ledgers, stock certificates, and miscellaneous legal documents.
Collection includes records of the Company and several of its predecessors working in the Copper Cliff Unorganized Mining District, including affidavits of annual representation, a journal, time books, and a cash book.
The Snowshoe Copper Mining Company, owned by Zella E. Bertrum, H.N. Canoll, and A.W. Martin, had a mine in Snowshoe Gulch, Powell County, Montana. Records (1901-1905) consist of articles of incorporation, minutes, payroll,
legal documents, stock information, etc
The Spotted Horse Mining Company was located in Maiden, Montana. Records consist of a payroll record (June 1892-May 1893) including nearly 200 employee names with hours worked, and wages.
The St. Louis Mining and Milling Company of Montana had a stamp mill at Marysville. Records consist of a fire insurance policy (1917) on the mill and its machinery.
The Taylor-Knapp Company was incorporated as a general mining company on April 29, 1937. It operated the True Fissure, Durango, Silver Chief, Headlight, and other claims in the Philipsburg area from 1945 until suspending operations in 1971. They continued to do annual representation work until 2001. Records (1930s-1970s) consist of correspondence, financial records, production records, union records, etc. There are small subgroups for the Moonlight Mining Company and for a California subsidiary.
The records of this early twentieth century Missoula, Montana, mining company (1906-1923) consist of correspondence, employment, financial, legal and organizational records; minutes; and reports and print material. Also included are personal papers (1898-1922) of individuals associated with the company, and organizational records (1901-1950) of a variety of other companies. The company's mines were located in the Wallace Mining District.
The Trout Mining Company, located in Philipsburg, Montana, produced manganese oxide for batteries. Records consist of payroll records (1956-1959), field survey books (1936-1938), and a sample book (1958) for the Blaine Mine.
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The Weser Mining Company was formed in 1891 to work the Weser Quartz Lode in the Basin Mining District, Jefferson County, Montana. Records consist of a corporate record book (1891) including minutes and bylaws; a stock certificate book (1891-1893); and stock transfer journal (1891-1894); and miscellaneous correspondence and financial records (1891-1899).
The West Granite Mountain Mining Company was formed to work several mining claims near Philipsburg, Montana Territory. Collection (1886-1889) includes interoffice correspondence, financial records, and legal documents.
The White Horse Ditch and Mining Company was based in Helena, Montana Territory. Records consist of an account book (1872-1876) of Fred Tieleke, receiver of the company. The volume also contains miscellaneous accounts (1876-1884) for other Tieleke mining ventures.
The Whitlatch Park Mining Company, owned by James Whitlatch, was located in Unionville, Montana Territory. Records consist of an account ledger (November 1869-April 1870).
The Whitlatch Union Mining and Milling Company, founded by James Whitlatch, was located in Helena, Montana Territory. Records consist of stock certificates (1886-1887) and a stock certificate register (1886-1891).
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Mining District Records
- Andy Johnson Mining District records, 1865-1873
The Andy Johnson Mining District, Montana Territory, was a placer mining area, located at the site of present-day Lincoln, Montana. Records consist of a volume (1865-1873) of claim recordings.
- Bannack Mining District records, 1862-1863
The Bannack Mining District was located in Beaverhead County, Idaho Territory (now Montana). This collection consists of minutes (May 24, 1863) of the miners' meeting at which a secretary, judge, sheriff, and coroner were elected. Also included are claim records (1862-1863) for the White's and Central districts.
- Boulder Mining District and Moose Creek Mining District records, 1867-1875
The Boulder Mining District and Moose Creek Mining District were located in Deer Lodge County (later Silver Bow County), Montana Territory. This collection consists of an organizational record book (1867-1875) of the Boulder and Moose Creek mining districts that contains minutes of miners' meetings, district mining laws, and records of mining claims for Basin Gulch, Smith Bar, Kidder Gulch, Willow Gulch, Blue Gulch, and Moose Creek. Also included are miners' general merchandise and grocery accounts (undated), and agreements (1890) of the Black Range Mining Co.
- Emigrant Gulch, Shorthill's District records, 1864-1865
Emigrant Gulch, Shorthill's District, was a south central Montana Territory placer mining district. Records include a volume (1864-1865) containing the original mining laws of the district, and miscellaneous records of David Weaver's placer workings.
- Enterprise Mining District records, 1865-1871
The Enterprise Mining District was located in Jefferson County, Montana Territory. Records consist of an organizational record book (1865-1871)containing minutes for miner's meetings; lists of claims filed in Eureka
Gulch; and letters exchanged by Belle (Aubonie) Stuart, wife of Granville Stuart, and the Kleinschmidt family, attempting to determine ownership of the claims; legal documents; and financial records.
- Fairweather Mining District records, 1862-1863
The Fairweather Mining District was located in what became Madison County, Montana Territory. Records (1862-1863) consist of organizational records, including the district laws, minutes of miner's meetings, and lists of claims. Records are organized chronologically.
- Highland Mining District records, 1866-1874
The Highland Mining District was established near present day Butte. Records consist of a book of mining claim locations (September 1866-April 1874) in Cooley's Dry Gulch, Rich Gulch, Murphy's Dry Gulch, Main Gulch, Spring Creek and Horse Gulch.
- Indian Creek Mining District records, 1864-1871
The Indian Creek Mining District was located in Jefferson County, Montana Territory. Records consist of a record (June 1864-May 1871) of placer mining claim locations on Indian Creek and its tributaries.
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The Lower Elk Creek Mining District was located in Deer Lodge County, Montana Territory. Collection consists of a record book (1865-1871) containing mining laws, mining claim filing and transfer records, and minutes.
The Pine Grove Mining District was organized in Alder Gulch, Montana Territory, in 1866. Records consist of a book (June 1866-October 1867) containing minutes and a record of mining claims.
The Pioneer Mining District was established in June 1870 at Oroville, in Quartz Gulch, west of present-day Tarkio, in Mineral County, Montana. Records (1870-1873) consist of minutes, bylaws, registers of mining claims, and records of
claim transfers. There is also a partial reminiscence by an unidentified person.
The Prickly Pear Mining District and Lower Prickly Pear Mining District were located in Jefferson County, Montana Territory. Collection consists of record book (May 1864-August 1865) containing mining laws and recordings of
claims and claim transfers.
Uncle Johnny's Gulch Mining District was located in Gallatin County, Montana Territory. Collection consists of a record book (1865-1866) containing minutes of meetings, district laws, and claim recordings.
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Government Records
These records of the Madison County, Montana, clerk and recorder consist of filing books (1863-1949) including deeds, mining claims, lode locations, quartz and placer locations, proofs of labor, placer and mill locations, water rights, and miscellaneous filings.
These records consist of a volume (1890-1892) of deeds, water rights appropriations, mining claims, leases, and bills of sale, copied from records of the Clerk and Recorder of Missoula County.
The Montana Dept. of State Lands contracted with Spectrum Engineering, in 1987, to compile data on all coal mines known to have operated in the state. These records are the result of that search. Records include U.S. Bureau of Land Management files on abandoned coal leases, Bureau of Land Management township/range coal reports (ca. 1900-1970), and miscellaneous data.
Retired case files from the Hardrock Bureau, consisting of operating permits for larger mines (mines operating during the period 1972-1988); denied operating permits for larger mines (applied/denied during the period 1987-1988); and small miners that did not disturb the land or successfully completed reclamation (mines operating during the period 1971-1989, files retired through 1995). Also included are project files for the Montanore Mine (1989-1993), the McDonald Gold Project (1994), the New World Mine Project (1989-1998), the Zortman and Landusky Mining Project (1978-1992), and the Stillwater Mining Company's East Boulder Project.
These records of the Industrial Accident Board consist of a financial journal (1915-1925), Board minutes (1915-1971), and two subject files (1934-1950, undated) concerning the Speculator and Bear Creek (Smith Mine) mine disasters.
These Records (1966-1999) consist of subject files on coal and uranium mining and oil extraction companies operating in Montana. Files include correspondence; bond releases; prospecting and operating permit files; annual, inspection, and monitering reports, reports re, violations, comprehensive mine plans, reclamation planning, and research, as well as general statistical reports re coal production from 1968-1994. Also included are surveys, maps, contracts, environmental impact statements, and other date re vegetation, geology, air quality, etc. The bulk of the records are arranged alphabetically by company name.
The Helena, Montana, district office of the United States War Production Board was established in June 1942 to coordinate production of minerals and other materials for World War II. Records primarily consist of general office correspondence of district manager Oscar A. Baarson; Mining Division correspondence of mining technical advisor William M. Manning and subject files on mine operators in Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming; and general correspondence of salvage coordinator E. J. Keeley. Also included are press releases, minutes, reports and general subject files.
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Personal Papers
Chester Aldrich was a Radersburg, Montana, resident. This collection contains mining claim deeds (1866-1879; 1909-1940), correspondence, and other legal documents found in Aldrich's estate. Claims deeded to the Aldrich family concern the Cedar Plain Mining District and the Radersburg area. Also included are deeds of Nelson Johnson, a miner in the Indian Creek Mining District.
William Allen was a Wise River and Anaconda, Montana, mine owner, railroad builder and lieutenant governor. This collection consist of general correspondence, legal documents, organization papers, and financial records of several of William R. Allen's companies. There are subgroups for 16 companies, including the Boston and Montana Development Company, the Boston-Montana Corporation, the French Gulch Mining Company, and the Montana Southern Railway Company. There is also a small amount of political material.
In 1863, Henry Arndt was a miner in Bannack, Idaho Territory (now Montana). This collection (1861-1864) consists of three record books, receipts for sale of a claim in the Summit Mining District, a promissory note, and certificates of recorded claims made by Arndt in the Summit Mining District.
Oscar Baarson was assistant superintendant of the Anaconda Company's East Helena, Montana, plant; Helena City Engineer; district manager for the U.S. War Production Board during World War II, engineer for the State Examiners Office and Lewis and Clark County surveyor. This collection consists of Oscar Baarson's files (1925-1950) concerning primarily his work with the Anaconda Company, the City of Helena, and the State Examiners Office. Baarson's War Production Board materials are contained in Manuscript Collection 239: see above under Government.
Philip Barbour (1900-1955) was a Helena, Montana, mine operator and amateur historian. His papers include historical research files on Samuel T. Hauser, Bannack, Gold Creek, the Helena Mining and Reduction Company, etc. The collection also contains subgroups for several mining companies, including Montana Lead, Inc. (1880-1944), and the Valley Forge Mining Company (1906-1939), both of Rimini, Montana.
Robert A. Bell was a Helena, Montana, construction contractor and mine operator. This collection consists of personal and business records (1887-1917), including correspondence, financial records, legal documents, reports, and organizational records. These materials deal primarily with the Eagle's Nest Group of Claims, the East Pacific Mining Company, and the Montana-States Mining Corporation. There are small subgroups for the B & G Mining Company, and the Bellmont Oil Company.
T.N. Bobbitt, a Virginia City and Diamond City, Montana Territory, placer miner, discusses his experiences in the mining stampede to Sun River in 1865.
Mauck Brammer was a Helena, Montana, resident and amateur archaeologist and historian. This collection includes writings, correspondence, subject files, and research notes on Clancy, Montana City, the Prickly Pear Valley area, the MacHaffie archaeological site, and mining.
Patrick Brophy was a Butte, Montana, wholesale and retails grocery dealer, with interests in mining development. The collection (1897-1921) consists primarily of letterpress volumes of outgoing correspondence. Brophy's letters discuss both his personal interests and investments, and those of his firm, P.J. Brophy and Co.
Henry Burrell was a Sand Coulee and Carbonado, Montana, coal mine investor and owner. He was also affiliated with the American Developing and Mining Company of Marysville and Butte. This collection (1890-1905; undated) includes correspondence, legal documents, mine reports, maps, financial materials, and a portrait of Henry Burrell.
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Gustaf Carlson (1907-1996) was a Helena based mining engineer involved in mining in Montana, Idaho, Arizona, and Minnesota. This collection (1890s-1960s) consists of subject files on local mines including the Spring Hill Mine (near Unionville), owned by the Montana Consolidated Mines Corporation; Franklin (near Helena); the Klondyke and the Sourdough (in Elkhorn); the East Pacific and the Kleinschmidt (near Townsend); the Drumlummon (near Marysville); mines in the Corbin and Wickes area; and other mines in Montana and Idaho.
John Carter was the brother to Montana Senator Thomas Carter and brother-in-law to Helena businessman Thomas Cruse. This collection consists of general correspondence (1886-1890) regarding his various business and mining interests. Also included are subgroups for the Homestake Mining Company (1880, 1888-1889) and the Neihart Tunnel and Mining Company (1886), and Wells, Fargo & Company (1885-1887).
George Conway was a Helena, Montana, mining investor. This speech (April 20 , 1927), delivered to the Helena Rotary Club, discusses Montana's mining history and mining prospects in the Helena area.
Arthur Corry was a Butte, Montana, mining engineer. This collection consists of engineering and survey reports (1919-1941) for Beaverhead, Fergus, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Meagher counties in Montana, and Harney County in Oregon. The reports include information and maps on location, ownership, geology, development, and sample mining areas.
John Coyle was a Beartown, Montana Territory, area miner. This collection consists of a letter (1870) written by Coyle to his brother describing mining activities in Short Gulch near Beartown.
John Crandell was a Helena, Montana Territory, gold miner. This collection consists of a diary (January 1, 1866-September 7, 1867) discussing his mining experiences and travel down the Missouri River by steamboat. Also included are miscellaneous notes and financial records (1866-1870), and four mining claims (1864-1865) in western
Montana.
Thomas Cruse was a Helena, Montana, miner, banker, and businessman. This collection (1841-1956) consists of incoming correspondence; legal and financial records; maps; reports; and miscellany. Records for Cruse's various enterprises are divided into nine subgroups including the Thomas Cruse Savings Bank; Thomas Cruse Estate; Thomas Cruse Mining and Development Company; etc.
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Philip Deidesheimer (b. 1832) was a mining engineer who developed the square set method of timbering mines. This collection consists of accounts of Deidesheimer's career, his development of the square set method, and a biographical letter (1913) from James C Brown to F.D. Brown.
William Dunn, Sr., was a Beaverhead County, Montana, miner and mining investor. This report to the Thompson Gold Milling Company discusses the history, operations, and prospects of the mines of the Bannack region.
Joseph Durfee was a prospector and miner at Bannack, Virginia City, and Last Chance Gulch, Montana Territory. His diaries (1864-1865) discuss his travel to Montana from Ohio, his experiences in mining camps, and his return east by way of the Pacific Coast and the Isthmus of Panama. Also included are historical writings about Durfee by John S. Coates.
Alonzo Emerson was a Spokane, Washington, mining investor and promoter. Collection includes general correspondence (April 1, 1937-August 15, 1938) between Emerson and George F. Davis, president of Sunnyside Mines Company, a firm based in Spokane with mines at Virginia City, Montana. Also included is a prospectus (undated) for the Lion Gulch Mining Company, Homestake, Montana.
H.K. Fairgrieve was a Montana mining investor and speculator. His diary (April 11, 1887-September 19, 1888) details his daily activites, and records mining and financial transactions.
This collection consists of a report (1921) to H. A. Stone on "The Metal Mines of Hecla, Beaverhead County, Montana" by consulting mining engineer F.C. Fearing and consulting geologist A.N. Winchell.
Lawrence Fenner (1837-1915) was a Virginia City, Montana Territory, miner and businessman. Papers (1869-1931) include general correspondence, assay certificates, mining deeds in Alder Gulch, and a patent and description for a rock separating invention, designed by Fenner, to be used in mining sluices.
Kate Fogarty was a Montana author and assistant librarian at the Butte Public Library. Her papers consist of research notes on the history of the Summit Valley Mining District, Montana Territory, including the names of mines of the district, date of location, and names of locators and owners. Also included are writings on the history of Butte and the Highland Mining District
Paul Fusz was a Philipsburg, Montana, mining investor and businessman. Papers (1903-1912) include correspondence, court papers, legal documents, and reports relating to various mining ventures, including the Granite-Bimetallic Consolidated Mining Company. There are subgroups for the Montana Water, Electric Power and Mining Company, and the Rimini Mining Syndicate.
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Walter Giebel was a Montana mining investor and businessman. His papers (1937-1978) include correspondence dealing with mining and ore processing, patents, etc.; production records for the Gulf Claim and the Star Mine of Neihart, the Hilger Ore Milling Company of Lewistown, and the Tamarack Mine near Sheridan. Also included are subgroups for the Green-Campbell Mining Company and the Montana Western Mining Company.
This collection consists of a ledger and dust book (1868-1874) of the Bannack Ditch and Mining Company that includes weekly and monthly reports, lists of employees, notations of sale of gold dust and goods, and miscellaneous financial records.
John Grannis was a Bozeman, Montana Territory, miner, freighter, and merchant. His diaries (1863-1878) describe his overland journey to the Territory; placer mining techniques; and other topics.
W. Thomas Hart (1836-1901) was a Helena, Montana, mining investor and railroad promotor. The collection contains a letterpress volume (1886-1891) of Hart's outgoing correspondence.
Samuel T. Hauser (1833-1914) was a Helena, Montana, Territory, pioneer, territorial governor (1885-1886), and entrepreneur in the fields of banking, mining, smelting, ranching, railroads, irrigation, and hydro-electric power. Included are thirty-eight subgroups of the Hauser family and Hauser's business enterprises, including the Alta Montana Company, the Frisco Consolidated Mining Company, the Helena and Livingston Smelting and Reduction Company, the Hope Mining Company, the Lee Mountain Group, and many more.
Solon Haynes' parents were early residents of Kendall, Montana, a mining camp located near Hilger, Montana. This collection (1961-1969) consists of miscellaneous correspondence, writings, and research materials re the history of Kendall from 1890s to the 1920s.
Robert Hedge (1832-1903) arrived at Nevada City, Montana Territory, in 1864. Collection consists of a photocopy of a letter (December 4, 1865) to his brother Jester Hedge discussing conditions in the mining camps, prices for provisions, and mining prospects in the Nevada City area.
Marcus L. Hewett was a mine operator, banker, and legislator from Basin, Montana. Records include correspondence, financial records, legal documents, etc. for the Basin Gold and Copper Company (1898-1903); the Cataract Copper Mining Company (1903-1904); the Montana Consolidated Copper Company (1907); the Boston and Alta Copper Company (1909-1911); and the the Hewett State Bank (1906-1907).
George H. Hill was a Helena, Montana, businessman and executor of the Samuel T. Hauser Estate. Collection (1885-1936) deals mostly with the mining industry. It includes a subgroup for the Glacier Peak Mining and Smelting Company (1906-1921).
Anton M. Holter (1831-1921) was a pioneer Helena, Montana, lumberman and founder of the A.M. Holter Hardware Company. Papers (1831-1921) include correspondence, and organizational and financial records relating to mining, agriculture, lumber, real estate, and oil interests of three generations of the family. Interests include the Helena and Frisco, Helena and Victor, and Maginnis mining companies.
Albert S. Hovey (1850-1936) was a Helena, Montana, civil and mining engineer who served as chief mineral clerk in the Surveyor General's Office, and as U.S. deputy mineral surveyor for Montana and Idaho. Papers include notebook descriptions of streets, housing additions, and local mining claims in, and around, Helena, Montana. These notes
sometimes include names of property owners and dates (1881-1913) of survey completion and deed acquisition.
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Edwin H. Irvine (b. 1837) was a Butte, Montana Territory, businessman, with interests in mining and ranching in Deer Lodge and Silver Bow counties. Papers include financial records and legal documents (1868-1878) concerning Irvine's mining investments.
Frank D. Jones was an engineer for the National Mining and Exploring Company in Helena, Montana. Collection (1888-1943) consists of legal documents, financial records, and general correspondence. There are also materials about Jones' father Samuel J. Jones, a Wells-Fargo official and supervisor for the National Mining and Exploring Company, and survey maps.
George Keeler was a miner in Helena from 1867-1891. This handwritten reminiscence (1891?) concerns the details of his gold mining activities and his attempts to locate a legendary "Hidden Channel", or "Lost Channel", mine.
Cornelius "Con" Kelley worked for the Anaconda Company for fifty-four years, serving as secretary, chief legal counsel, vice president of western operations, president, and chairman of the board of directors. Collection (1898, 1930-1955) contains papers, a speech, a booklet, membership certificates, awards, a scrapbook, and miscellany.
William Kelly (Kelley) was a smelting expert in Anaconda, Montana. Papers (1887-1923) consist of incoming correspondence mostly concerning mining in the Silver Lake Mining District near Anaconda; financial records; ore settlement sheets; mining claims and deeds, and miscellany.
Patrick Largey (1836-1898) was a Butte, Montana, hardware firm owner, lumberman, banker, and mining investor. Collection (1867-1935) consists of financial and operational records of several firms owned by Largey and his son including several mining companies.
Edward Larned (b. 1866) and his partner William H. Armstrong, Jr., Butte, Montana, agents for the American Reduction and Manufacturing Company, developed a process for treating low grade gold ore. Papers consist primarily of letters (1894-1896) to his wife Louise Hull Larned and others describing his work, social events, labor unrest, local politics, etc.
Alexander Leggat was a mining engineer in Butte, Montana. Collection consists of two reports he made on mines. One report is on the King and Queen mines in the Keystone Mining District in Mineral County, Montana. The other is on the Alder Mine owned by the Chelan Mining Company of Twisp, Washington. Both reports include numerous maps of the mining claims in the districts, and of mine workings. In addition there scattered maps of other mines.
John Leggat (1832-1902) was an investor in mining. Collection consists of typescript copies of correspondence (1878-1885) with other family members and Dewey's Flat.
F.A. Linforth was assistant to the vice president of the Anaconda Company in Butte, Montana. Collection (1952-1953) consists of two speeches "Resources and Operations of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company in Montana" and "An Introduction to the Richest Hill on Earth." The speeches provide operational statistics and comment on planned future operations of the Company.
Papers consist of copies of reminiscent letters (1939-1940) from Walter Little (d. 1955) to his brother Silas Little, describing the career of Richard Harlow; the building of the Montana Railroad ("Jawbone Railroad") in the 1880s; and the mining boom at Castle, Montana, in the 1880s.
John Lucas was mine superintendent of the Granite-BiMetallic Consolidated Mining Company and other mining operations in the Philipsburg, Montana, area. Papers (1903-1916) include general correspondence with Paul A. Fusz, Charles D. McLure, and others about the operation of the mines.
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John Marchi was the attorney for the Atomic Minerals Corporation (AMC), a uranium mining concern with claims in Jefferson and Silver Bow County, Montana. Papers consist primarily of correspondence (1954-1956) concerning AMC; AMC financial records (1954-1956); legal documents including mining claims and leases, etc.; and miscellaneous materials regarding the Mooney and Washington mines.
Edward Mattox (1880-1894) was a Roundup, Montana, coal mine operator and owner of the K7 Ranch near Bozeman. Papers (1906-1948) consist of correspondence, financial and production records, and legal documents of Mattox, the Roundup Coal Mining Company, and the K7 Ranch.
Fred R. Merk and William W. Merk were involved in the mining business in Twin Bridges and Silver Star, Montana. This collection (1877-1910) consists of their business and personal correspondence and that of other family members. Also included are financial and legal records including some records concerning cyanide cleanup.
This collection consists of writings (1889, undated) by Enos Mills, including "The Anaconda Mine," "The Burning Anaconda Mine," "Copper Water," "Life in a Boarding Camp," and two newspaper articles.
James Morley (1824-1889) travelled up the Missouri River on the steamboat Spread Eagle in 1862. His diary (1862-1865) describes that trip and his experiences prospecting and mining at Bannack, Virginia City, and Helena, Montana Territory. Includes explanatory notes by Julius Morley.
This 98-page autopbiography (undated), written by Don Noel, a Butte mining engineer, describes his youth in Butte, the Montana School of Mines, and his career in the mineral industry working for several corporations.
Cornelius Nolan (1855-1922) was a Helena, Montana, attorney Democratic Party leader; and mining investor. Included in the collection is a subgroup for the Libby Placer Mining Company (1907-1918).
Robert Powell's remininscences, entitled "As the sun sets over Emery," and "The Bob Powell story," relate the history of Emery, Montana, a Deer Lodge County mining camp, from 1888 to 1935, including descriptions of various mines and residents.
Charles Power (1868-1953) was a Helena, Montana, attorney and businessman, and son of Thomas C. Power. Collection (1868-1970) includes financial records of the the Phoenix Development Company, the Tri City Oil Company, the Faith Mining Company, the Power-Townsend Company, and others.
T.C. Power was a Montana merchandise, transportation, mining, ranching, banking, and real estate magnate; and U.S. Senator from Montana from 1890 to 1895. Collection (1868-1950) includes personal, business, and political correspondence plus financial and legal papers of many of his business enterprises. Among the mining subgroups are the Block P Mining Company, the Castner Coal and Coke Company, the Gold Hill and Lee Mountain Mining Company, and many others.
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William Raleigh was a Helena, Bozeman, and Great Falls, Montana Territory, merchant; and an owner of the Nevada Creek Placer Mining Company. This collection consists of a bound volume containing minutes (1887) of the mining company's board of trustees.
Michael Reinig, a native of Bavaria, founded a Helena, Montana, coffee store and other businesses. Among the subgroups is the Brooklyn Bridge Mining and Milling Co. (1907-1909).
This collection consists of files (1970-1979) maintained by Helena, Montana, environmentalist Rick Reese relating to coal mining in Montana; the Northern Plains Resource Council; North Central Power Study; strip mining; etc.
John Rockfellow was an Argenta, Montana Territory, grocer, and merchant in Virginia City, Montana Territory. These papers (1863-1877) consist of financial and legal papers including mining claim receipts for Madison, Jefferson, and Beaverhead counties; promissory notes; stock certificates for the Midas Mining Company, and other materials.
Helena, Montana, mining and geological engineer Leverett Ropes (1868-1953) was employed by various mining firms, by the federal government, and as a private consultant. This collection consists primarily of papers (ca. 1888-1952) concerning Ropes' mining engineering and geology consulting work in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties. There are reports and other materials on numerous different mines.
- Thomas H. Rutter reminiscence, 1900
Thomas Rutter's reminiscence (October 23, 1900) describes his early placer mining experiences in Last Chance Gulch, Butte, and other western Montana Territory mining camps, from 1864 to 1867.
- Edward Ryan reminiscence, ca. 1926
Edward Ryan's reminiscence (ca. 1926) describes his early experiences in several Montana Territory gold mining camps from 1864 to 1866.
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Reno Sales (1876-1969) was an Anaconda Company mining geologist, known as "The Father of Mining Geology." Papers include a biographical sketch by Vincent D. Perry and Charles Mayer; incoming and outgoing correspondence (1957-1967); diaries (1911, 1920-1968); writings; and miscellany.
Wilbur Edgerton Sanders (1861-1935) was a mining engineer and son of Wilbur Fisk Sanders. Collection includes correspondence and diaries, chronicling his education, youth, early mining career, and other topics.
P.J. Shields was an Irish immigrant and developer of the coal mines at Belt, Montana. His reminiscence (undated) covers his mining career from 1865 to 1906, including accounts of his work in various mines in Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, and Colorado, before moving to Montana in 1892; his involvement in the labor movement; his friendship with Marcus Daly; and his suit against the Anaconda Copper Mining Company over their takeover of his mines at Belt.
John Shober (1832-1925) was a Helena, Montana, miner, attorney, and state legislator. Collection includes descriptions of frontier social and mining conditions.
- Benjamin Silliman Jr. papers, 1880-1993
Benjamin Silliman (1816-1885) was a Yale University chemistry and physics professor and a mining consultant. Papers consist of incoming correspondence (1880-1883) from mining operators in Montana Territory and mining officials in New York City discussing the copper mining industry.
Hubert Simmons (1881-1967) was a Red Lodge, Montana, attorney, state legislator, and coal mine owner. Subgroups include Eagle Coal Company records (1918-1947); Owl Mining Company records (1930-1958); W.B. Innes and Company records (1919-1930); and Western States Coal Company records (1917-1927).
- Frank L. Sizer papers, 1878-1909
Frank Sizer was a Helena and Butte, Montana, mining engineer. He managed the Whitlach-Union, Spring Hill, Eclipse-Argo, and Gould mines; worked for Canoll and Martin; and served as a consultant to William A. Clark in his Colusa Parrott law suit and his purchase of the Rosario Mine in Mexico. Collection (1878-1909) includes
correspondence, financial records, legal documents, diaries, scrapbooks, clippings, and notebooks.
Dominic Spogen was mayor of Belt, Montana; and a smelterman and coking foreman for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. His reminiscence describes the building and operation of the Company's smelter in Anaconda, and his work in coal and coke production in Belt from 1886 to 1895.
Granville Stuart (1834-1918) was a pioneer Montana miner and cattleman. Papers include biographical material; volumes of outgoing correspondence (1868-1880, 1890-1892) concerning mining and livestock; general correspondence (1863-1918); and other materials.
- Walter Goodwin Swart papers, 1907-1916
Walter Swart was a Denver, Colorado, mining engineer. Collection (1907-1916) includes correspondence, site reports, assay results, maps, diagrams, and printed material concerning 15 Montana mining properties which he investigated for the American Zinc, Lead and Smelting Company.
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- Elias S. Tincher records, 1895-1918
Elias Tincher was a partner in several mining and water ventures in the Whitehall, Montana, area. Collection consists of a ledger he kept to record the business of the Colorado Mining Company (1895-1908), the Pipestone Ditch Company (1910-1911), and the E.G. Brooke Ditch Company (1913-1918).
- Edmond G. Toomey records, 1907-1961
Edmond Toomey (1892-1960) was a Helena, Montana, attorney, legislator, and mining and oil promoter and investor. Records (1907-1961) include legal case files; and records for sixteen companies with which Toomey was involved. Among these companies are the Golden Curry Consolidated Mining Company, the Holiday Mining Company, Industrial Minerals Company, the McDonald Mining Company, the Montana Lead Company, and the Towsley Mining Company.
Robert Wallace (1837-1928) was a Helena, Montana, grocery store owner, and partner in the Elkhorn Queen Mining Company. Collection consists primarily of records (1884-1892) of the Davis and Wallace and the R.C. Wallace Company grocery businesses. Among the subgroups are records of the Elkhorn Queen Mining Company.
- George W. Ware report, 1867
This collection consists of a report (January 17, 1867) by George Ware on the prospects for mining copper in the Muscleshell Mining District of Montana Territory, including the area's geological formations, cost factors in copper mining, and transportation alternatives.
- James Whitlatch papers, 1867
James Whitlatch (1845-1890) was a Helena, Montana Territory, area mine owner. Records include a mine sale agreement (September 10, 1870) with A.M. Woolfolk; and a testimonial (June 22, 1866) honoring Whitlatch for his mining ventures.
- W. J. Wilcox research collection : Butte, Montana, history, undated
This collection consists of photocopies of compiled research material concerning the history of mining in Butte from the 1860s to the early 1930s. Much of the material concerns the Anaconda Copper Mining Company (ACM). The materials were originally compiled by Wilcox, chief clerk in the general office of ACM.
- John Barnes Wilson papers, 1857-1904
John Wilson was a Blackfoot City, Montana Territory, mine owner. Collection contains letters (1871-1883) from Wilson to his brother James Wilson, describing their joint gold mining operation; and transcripts of correspondence (1857-1904) with other family members.
- Muriel Sibell Wolle manuscript, ca. 1962
This collection consists of a typed manuscript (1963) of Muriel Wolle's Montana Pay Dirt: A Guide to the Mining Camps of the Treasure State. This manuscript is unabridged, and contains more information than the published volume.
- Chauncey Wood records, 1871-1881
Chauncey Wood was a Montana Gulch, Montana, gold miner. Collection consists of photocopies of a three-page diary (1865); and a financial book (August 16, 1871-August 27, 1881) listing Wood's mining expenses, assets, and
incidentals; and miscellaneous entries.
Henry Wood was a Bannack, Montana Territory, placer miner. His diary (1865-1870) details the trip Wood and his father made from New York City, to Omaha by railroad, and then, on foot, to Bannack; their employment with the Huron Silver Mining Company; and their daily experiences in the gold camps.
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