Your TR Source
“Our route was through about as wild and unsettled a [part] of the country as can be found now so the people here say and the oldest heads seemed to think thare might be some danger but we saw nothing worse than ourselves,” writes William Sewall to his brother in 1885.
The State Historical Society of North Dakota, based in Bismarck, is the official repository of the historic records of state and local governments in North Dakota. Diaries, letters, photos, maps, and other unpublished materials can all be found in the State Archives.
Materials in this collection include letters from William Sewall, who with his nephew Wilmot Dow managed TR’s Elkhorn Ranch from 1884 to 1886; records describing the role of the Daughters of the American Revolution in preserving the Theodore Roosevelt cabin, as well as documents describing Roosevelt’s 1903 visit to Bismarck.
See below to view items from this collection.
Photograph of a dark colored horse standing next to a dog which is laying down. The caption on the back of the photograph states that the horse is named Peacock and that it was Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
The weather is cold and the snow is over a foot deep. William Wingate Sewall is not sure how the cattle can survive in such an environment. He accompanied a group, including James Watts, a “genuine specimen of a frontier man,” to a Native American village. Watts was with General Custer the day before the Battle of the Little Bighorn and claims to have been shot seven times and hit with arrows five times. They bought several moccasins, buckskins, and a buffalo robe. Sewall’s long hair seemed to interest the Native Americans and they even braided his hair. There are opportunities in Dakota Territory but he still believes that Maine has better living conditions and hopes to return soon.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1885-02-18
The weather is very cold but William Wingate Sewall is doing well. The lumber is ready and they are still working on the ranch house. Sewall is happy that he will be working with Joe and Bill Rowe. The deer have been “shy and cunning” but they have had successful hunts and currently have three deer hanging in the yard.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1884-12-19
William Wingate Sewall has been working on hewing the logs for the ranch house and it is going fairly well. They take one day each week to explore and also get their mail once a week. Sewall is unsure what he will do in the spring but he does not want to live in Dakota Territory for longer then necessary. He is safe but sees many drawbacks to living in the territory. Ranching in the Dakota Badlands is a new business and no one is sure if it will be profitable.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1884-10-19
The season has been very wet in Dakota Territory and William Wingate Sewall thinks he will enjoy the winter more than the summer. He should not have to work very hard and there are plenty of deer to hunt. There is land available but Sewall is not sure if the average man can make it profitable. He is generally pleased with Fallback, his horse, though they have had their differences. Sewall’s employer, Theodore Roosevelt, is a “very fair fellow.”
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1884-09-14
List of investments and expenses for Theodore Roosevelt’s cattle ranching business during October 1883.
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
2016-01-20
English
President Roosevelt would like Muley, a favorite horse, to be “kept up” during the winter. He will pay the expenses.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1906-12-01
Receipt from the Montana Stock Growers’ Association for Theodore Roosevelt’s membership dues covering April 19, 1887, to April 19, 1888.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1887-04-20
Transcript of the case against Michael Finnegan, Edward Burnstead, and Chris Pfaffenbach, thieves who stole Theodore Roosevelt’s boat along the Little Missouri River on March 24, 1886.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1886-04-12
Photograph of Medora, North Dakota, from the 1890s. The town’s building sit in a cluster adjacent to the railroad tracks. The badlands can bee seen in the background. The photograph’s caption notes that Joseph A. Ferris’s general store is marked with an “X.”
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
Photograph of Medora, North Dakota, from the 1890s. The town sits next to the Little Missouri River and the badlands can bee seen in the background.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
William Wingate Sewall traveled with the rest of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranch hands to Minnesota to brand and transport cattle that had been purchased by Roosevelt. The cattle were then shipped to Medora, Dakota Territory, by rail. Sewall found the work to be “lively and exciting.” From Medora the cattle were driven fifty miles to their destination which took around six days. Roosevelt has been with them and he has been “as good a fellow as ever.”
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1885-05-17
Photograph of the North Dakota Badlands. A carriage carrying four people and a horse and rider can be seen in the foreground. Farther back there are two buildings and it is suggested by a caption on the back of the photograph that one building may be the Maltese Cross ranch cabin.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
Senator Hansbrough confirms that President Roosevelt will be briefly stopping in Bismarck, North Dakota. Hansbrough suggests arrangements be made for a horse ride and a few remarks from Roosevelt.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1903-03-16
President Roosevelt expects to visit Bismarck, North Dakota, for around thirty minutes on April 7. William Loeb reviews Roosevelt’s expected entourage and requests a provisional program for the visit.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1903-03-16
M. L. Parker is working to move the cannon to Mandan, North Dakota, by April 5. The people in Bismarck, North Dakota, will have to make arrangements to move the cannon from Mandan.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1903-04-02
President Roosevelt agrees that Andrew H. Laughlin’s representations of Roosevelt’s time riding the horse Jolly Boy may be accurate, though Roosevelt himself does not recall them. Roosevelt is happy to hear that Jolly Boy is now drawing a lady who is such a good citizen “as is the mother of the triplets.”
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1904-08-01
Alexander McKenzie has made the arrangements for the guns that will be used for the presidential salute, two from Fort Yates and one from Fort Lincoln. McKenzie urges Bismarck mayor F. H. Register to work with Governor Frank White to arrange for President Roosevelt to speak at the North Dakota State Capitol.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1903-04-01
George H. Bingenheimer has been informed that F. H. Register would like some Native Americans on hand for the presidential visit. He requests further information and will take up the matter with the Native Americans.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
Major Palmer has been authorized to turn over two 3-inch guns provided that Alexander McKenzie provides transportation and returns the guns as soon as possible.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1903-04-01