Hanks, Allyn F. (Allyn Frank), 1906-1973

Letter from Sam W. Mitchell to Allyn F. Hanks

Montana Secretary of State Mitchell responds to Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Superintendent Hanks’s request for a directory of Montana state officials. Hanks had asked for the directory so that invitations could be issued for the park’s dedication ceremony. Mitchell informs Hanks that the state does not publish such a book but encloses a list of state officials for Hanks.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-04-12

Memorandum from Lawrence C. Merriam to Allyn F. Hanks

Lawrence Merriam writes Allyn F. Hanks, enclosing a memo from Omar Hagen. Merriam is sending it in preparation for research.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-06-28

A study of the authenticity of the Maltese Cross cabin

Historian Ray H. Mattison reports on his study of the authenticity of the Maltese Cross cabin. Mattison concludes that the cabin in question is the one occupied by Roosevelt when he first moved to Medora, North Dakota. Whether or not it was his home beyond 1885, it continued to be the base of Roosevelt’s cattle ranching operation. In addition to a thorough history of Roosevelt’s time in the Badlands Region and the efforts of others to preserve and/or showcase the Maltese Cross cabin, the report includes photos and sworn affidavits from Medora locals.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-05-24

Memorandum from Raymond O. Mulvany to Allyn F. Hanks

Raymond O. Mulvany agrees with the conclusion of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Historian Ray H. Mattison concerning the authenticity of the Maltese Cross cabin. Any discussion of moving the cabin to the Park is on hold.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-07-20

Memorandum from Howard W. Baker to Allyn F. Hanks

Howard W. Baker summarizes the discussion he had with Ray H. Mattison concerning his report “Study of the Authenticity of the Maltese Cross Cabin.” Baker suggests breaking down the research program into several individual projects unless it is just one overall historical study. In that case, he suggests putting together several studies under one cover. Baker also suggests adding information to the report about the origin of the term “Maltese Cross” and why Theodore Roosevelt adopted it for his ranch. Baker would like the timbers used to build the cabin identified by a professional forester. He understands Russell Reid is already working towards this goal. Baker is also considering hiring an architect to do a measured drawing of the cabin to add to the report.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-03-29

Memorandum from Ray H. Mattison to Allyn F. Hanks

Ray H. Mattison sends Allyn F. Hanks the rough draft of his report on the authenticity of Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin for review and comments.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-02-16

Memorandum from Olaf T. Hagen to Allyn F. Hanks

Olaf T. Hagen notes a request from Superintendent Hanks for bullets found in a tree at Elkhorn Ranch to be tested. The request was denied and bullets stored in a safe in Omaha, Nebraska.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-07-26

Memorandum from Stanley C. Joseph to Allyn F. Hanks

Stanley C. Joseph inquires about consent to copy photographs owned by John H. Reid.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-09-01

Memorandum from Howard W. Baker to Allyn F. Hanks

National Park Service Regional Director Baker informs Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Superintendent Hanks that money is available for conducting an archeological project at the Elkhorn Ranch, but archaeologist Paul L. Beaubien will be preoccupied for some time.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-11-07

Memorandum from Jerome C. Miller to Allyn F. Hanks

Jerome C. Miller requests that Superintendent Hanks review the enclosed proposal regarding archeological work in the area. If Hanks finds the proposal agreeable, Miller asks that he sign it and return it to the regional office.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-01-20

Memorandum from Jerome C. Miller to Allyn F. Hanks

Jerome C. Miller informs Superintendent Hanks that the regional office is forwarding a copy of Archeologist Paul L. Beaubien’s report of his visit of July 23-29. The regional office believes nothing further can be completed until the Elkhorn Ranch land is acquired. Original and copy.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-09-01

Memorandum from Ray H. Mattison to Allyn F. Hanks

Historian Ray H. Mattison encloses an incomplete version of the report, “Preliminary Study of and the Identification of the Elkhorn Ranch Site.” Mattison writes that Henry J. Walz, the last owner of the Elkhorn Ranch, may be able to visit Medora, North Dakota, in the spring and can show where the buildings were located.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-12-05

Memorandum from Merrill J. Mattes to Allyn F. Hanks

Regional historian Merrill J. Mattes asks Superintendent Hanks to send a copy of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s letter to her sister, which contains a map of the Elkhorn Ranch cabin, to the regional office. Mattes also requests a copy of Chester L. Brooks’s research to date. Original and copy.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1952-02-01

Memorandum from Howard W. Baker to Allyn F. Hanks

Associate Regional Director Baker returns the draft of historian Ray H. Mattison’s study of the Elkhorn Ranch site. Baker found the study to be excellent and illuminating. Regulations will not allow an archaeological excavation on private land, but the Elkhorn site could receive an “archeological surface reconnaissance.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-12-22

Memorandum from Stanley C. Joseph to Allyn F. Hanks

Stanley C. Joseph encloses copies and original photographs loaned to the National Park Service by John H. Reid, former owner of the Elkhorn Ranch. He also sends an article by Acting Regional Historian Merrill J. Mattes from 1946 that includes an interview with Reid.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-10-14

Memorandum from Ray H. Mattison to Allyn F. Hanks

Park historian Ray H. Mattison summarizes a trip to the Ralph Mosser and Elkhorn ranches with T. Frank Roberts and George R. Osterhout. There is some evidence that the Ralph Mosser ranch house was built from logs taken from the Elkhorn. There is general agreement that the National Park Service has correctly identified the site of the Elkhorn Ranch but the disposition of the buildings is disputed. Two photographs from the trip are included.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-10-10

Memorandum from Ray H. Mattison to Allyn F. Hanks

Historian Ray H. Mattison visited Mrs. B. T. Connell regarding her mother’s diary. It turned out not to be a diary but an account of the woman’s life which was not relevant to Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-04-27

Memorandum from Lawrence C. Merriam to Allyn F. Hanks

Regional Director Merriam requests information on the bill authorizing the exchange of state lands within Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park for federal lands outside the park.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1949-03-28

East entrance to Roosevelt Park in the Bad Lands of North Dakota

Mrs. Ferguson has returned home and would like to see Allyn F. Hanks. Written on a postcard featuring an illustration of the east entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-08-22

Memorandum from Lawrence C. Merriam to Allyn F. Hanks

Regional Director Merriam encloses several documents regarding a contract with G. Hubert Smith to research the historical aspects of Verendrye National Monument.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1950-08-16