MONTANA MINING ARCHIVE - 1875-1920
(Montana) Montana mining archive consisting of thirty-three items dating between the years of 1875-1920 with emphasis on the 1885-1895 period. The archive includes deeds, contracts, indentures and other legal documents. Mining around Butte and Helena, was the state's main economic business well into the 20th century. The Anaconda mine between 1892-1903 was the largest copper producing mine in the world, producing a total of more than $300 million worth of metal. Thus, it was paramount to gain and hold proper financial control and protection of the mining industry.
Several examples are:
1. DS. 1 pg. March 5, 1885. Jefferson County, Montana Territory. A document signed by Erasmus Axe and Nathanel Merriman. This is an official, legal document noting that "Erasmus Axe of the county of Jefferson and Montana Territory have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make constitute, and appoint Elias Merriman of the County of Jefferson, Montana Territory my true and lawful Attorney for me and in My name, place and stead". With such power, Merriman may "sell, convey, and release by Deed" a portion of Axe's claims in the Colorado Mining District for a bank deposit of $2000.
The Merriman brothers were prominent as Nathaniel Merriman (1833-1892) was a Colorado postmaster under Abraham Lincoln and a member of the Colorado and Montana state legislatures. He also helped write Montana's constitution the same year he signed this document as a witness for his brother in his position as County Recorder for Jefferson County. Nathaniel and Elias Merriman (1835-1922) were among the founders of the Valparaiso Gold and Silver Mining Company in 1865, further demonstrating the mix of financial, legal and political interests in Montana.
2. D. 7 pgs. September 17, 1889. Territory of Montana, County of Silver Bow. The document is a duplicate copy of an agreement and is thus unsigned.
"THIS AGREEMENT, made this 17th day of September 1889. by and between Phil Shenon, of Beaverhead County Territory of Montana, party of the first part and William N. Simington, of New York City, in the state of New York, party of the second part." For the price of $150,000, Simington is transferring to Shenon various mining claims. This document then discloses these properties and how Simington will be financially compensated with various stock options and other forms of payment.
Numerous indentures in the collection grant rights to John B. Clayberg, who was Montana's last Attorney General before statehood. Other documents disclose similar transactions and are either on official government documents or are printed duplicate copies. All documents are a mix of handwritten and typed composition and in vg cond.
$1075.00
