Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall describes the pursuit and capture of three thieves that stole a boat from Theodore Roosevelt. The boat, the best one on the Little Missouri River, had been purchased by Roosevelt in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it was very useful. Sewall and Wilmot Dow built a new boat and they headed after the thieves a few days after the boat went missing. The thieves were captured without violence and Roosevelt accompanied them to Dickinson, Dakota Territory, for trial. Sewall and Dow continued down the river with the boats to Mandan, Dakota Territory, and then took a train back to Medora, Dakota Territory.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-04-21

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewell describes a hunting trip for deer and bighorn sheep.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-07-28

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

The weather has been very changeable but there have been some warm days and William Wingate Sewall believes that only a few cows will be lost over the winter. Sewall is unsure if the area is suitable for cattle due to the cold, and with all the cattle being brought in, he fears the grass will run out. He suggests Theodore Roosevelt was misled about the profitability of cattle ranching in Dakota Territory. Sewall has not met anyone that is making a profit. Roosevelt will be visiting the ranch soon and Sewall will be happy to see him.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-02-28

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

The weather has been pleasant and William Wingate Sewall has been building a stable and hunting. He killed a buck with the finest set of horns he has ever seen. Sewall describes a great ride on his favorite horse, Sorrel Joe, while trying to corral a group of horses.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1885-12-20

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall participated in a cattle roundup that lasted seventeen days and covered 500 miles. He describes the route they took and the country they traveled through. Sewall had a good time and enjoyed the trip but he would not spend his life in Dakota Territory even if he could own the whole territory. The “poor settlers” in Dakota live very roughly and he thinks that when they can vote they will “cook” the cattle men until the territory is left to the “small fellows.”

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1885-08-16

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

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.”

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1885-05-17

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

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.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1885-02-18

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

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.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1884-12-19

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

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.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1884-10-19

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

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.”

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1884-09-14

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall, President Roosevelt’s hunting guide in Maine and manager of his Dakota ranches, writes Roosevelt requesting help in getting a Collector’s position in Aroostook County, Maine. Sewall applauds Roosevelt on his actions in Panama. He sends a small package “for family consumption” and extends holiday wishes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-23

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall endorses his friend’s character and courage as President. He encloses some papers about which he does not know what to do.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-19

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall sends President Roosevelt a pair of stockings knitted by his family and requests information regarding their upcoming visit to the White House. He is concerned that they are “green” as his family is from the “backwoods” and worries that they will be “beyond their depth” in Washington, D.C.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-05

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930