Ferris, Sylvane M., 1858-1933

James F. Vivian provides a look at Theodore Roosevelt’s time in the North Dakota Badlands with a collection of newspaper accounts, ranging from 1898 to 1915, drawn from interviews with Roosevelt’s friends, fellow ranchers, cowboys, and acquaintances. Vivian provides an introduction and an afterword to the article, as well as an introduction to each of its twelve sections. The accounts include reminiscences from the likes of William Sewall, Arthur T. Packard, and the brothers Sylvane Ferris and Joseph Ferris. Vivian contends that these interviews “corroborate the content and quality” of the work done by Hermann Hagedorn in his book Roosevelt in the Bad Lands.

Ten photographs appear in the article, including three of Roosevelt’s contemporaries, Frederick Herrig, James W. Foley, and Arthur T. Packard, along with two photographs of the museum dedicated to Roosevelt onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. An illustration by Frederic Remington of Roosevelt’s capture of the boat thieves, and a text box with a listing of the members of the executive committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1992

Article about the donation of two of Theodore Roosevelt’s Winchester hunting rifles to Theodore Roosevelt National Park by Stanford P. Stevens. The article relays Roosevelt’s purchase and use of the rifles as well as his giving one of them to his friend and hunting guide Arthur William Merrifield. The article concludes with a brief biography of Merrifield.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1983

Creator(s)

Unknown

Ray H. Mattison describes the methodology used to try to discover the exact location of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch. Mattison includes a historical background of the ranch, from its original construction and occupation by Roosevelt, William Wingate Sewall and Wilmot S. Dow, through its later abandonment and deconstruction. The primary method used by Mattison to determine the site of the Elkhorn was through a comparative study of photographs between those taken by Roosevelt in 1886 and contemporary photographs Mattison took in 1949. Additionally, Mattison interviewed a number of “Old Timers,” who were familiar with the Elkhorn Ranch, and who were able to corroborate the conclusions he came to based on the photographs.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1950-01

Creator(s)

Mattison, Ray H., 1903-1980

Ray H. Mattison gives a historical summary of the construction and use of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch, and discusses the buildings present there. Mattison draws from a number of sources, including books, letters, photographs, and interviews to try to give a complete picture of the ranch and its activities.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1960-05

Creator(s)

Mattison, Ray H., 1903-1980

A form nominating the Elkhorn Ranch Site and Maltese Cross Cabin in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for entry onto the National Register of Historic Places. The form includes basic information about these sites, including name, location, and managing agency, as well as descriptions of the physical appearance of the sites and statements describing their historical significance.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1976-12-22

Creator(s)

Wyatt, Barbara

This report details a number of proposals for developing the Elkhorn Ranch site as a part of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Following a brief description of the site’s history and reasoning for the site’s preservation, plans for the development of the site are described, to make the area accessible and understandable to visitors. Maps and photographs are included along with the text.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1956-11

Creator(s)

Brooks, Chester L.

This draft of the Environmental Statement for the proposed Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park includes four parts: a summary and description of the proposal for Congress to designate 28,335 acres as wilderness, a description of the environment including geology and plant and animal life, an outline of environmental impact, and an outline of mitigating measures.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1972-09-10

Creator(s)

United States. Department of the Interior

Joseph A. Ferris was pleased to hear from William Wingate Sewall. He has a son, Arnold Douglas Ferris, and two daughters, Carrie E. Ferris and Ada Scott Ferris. There are not many old timers left in Medora, North Dakota. Sylvane M. Ferris still lives in town and the Eatons are selling out and moving to Montana. Ferris met President Roosevelt last April and rode to Medora with him. He is still running the store and is working hard to fund the education of his children. Along with Sylvane, he bought 2,880 acres of the Maltese Cross ranch land. Ferris concludes with updates on the “old timers.”

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1903-12-19

Creator(s)

Ferris, Joseph A. (Joseph Albert), 1857-1937

Howard Eaton had to return to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to see his ailing mother. She passed away on February 9. They have had good winters in North Dakota but the range has become hardened. Commissioner Roosevelt has 350 to 400 cattle and sold half his horses. Sylvane M. Ferris and Arthur William Merrifield live at the old camp and intend to sell their stock this year. Joseph A. Ferris is still tending his store but will likely close soon. Eaton hopes to return to Idaho this fall for another hunting trip.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1890-03-10

Creator(s)

Eaton, Howard, 1851-1922

Howard Eaton updates William Wingate Sewall on his recent activities. He brought in 500 steers from Texas and spent three weeks on a Killdeer Mountain roundup. Eaton also had a successful hunting trip to Idaho.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1890-01-07

Creator(s)

Eaton, Howard, 1851-1922

Howard Eaton provides updates on the location and activities of many people that William Wingate Sewall knew from the Medora, Dakota Territory, area.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1888-03-22

Creator(s)

Eaton, Howard, 1851-1922

James W. Foley provides updates on several “old timers” from western North Dakota, including Jack Tisdale, Frank Moore, Riley Luffsey, the Ferris family, and the Morès family. Foley’s children are all married and have left the area.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1916-01-08

Creator(s)

Foley, James W., 1845-1917

Commissioner Roosevelt requests Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s opinion on an enclosed letter. The letter should also be shown to Douglas Robinson. Roosevelt will write a letter to Joseph A. and Sylvane M. Ferris in the meantime. Roosevelt recently had a nice luncheon and is indebted to two Italian diplomats who recently helped Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s sister and mother. The elk meat has not arrived.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1891-12-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Commissioner Roosevelt summarizes his recent, and difficult, hunting trip with Hector Munro Ferguson. Sylvane M. Ferris is very ill and unable to assist with the cattle round-up apart from some overseeing. The cattle are looking well but prices are low. Roosevelt concludes by discussing several matters related to the ranch.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1892-08-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt describes his recent hunting trip with Alexander Lambert and Sylvane M. Ferris. He also shares anecdotes about Ethel Roosevelt, Ted Roosevelt, and John Willis.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1893-10-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Commissioner Roosevelt recently traveled to his ranch; the hunting went well but his cattle were in poor condition. Roosevelt jokes that his tales of antelope will not compare to Ferguson being in the real wilds with caribou and white bear.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1894-10-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Notebook with financial and business information pertaining to Theodore Roosevelt’s ranching operations in Dakota Territory.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1886

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt’s ranching associates are shown mounted with a riderless horse to the far right, pictured in the badlands of Dakota Territory. The rider second from right is believed to be Sylvane Ferris, who along with Arthur William Merrifield was Roosevelt’s partner in the Maltese Cross ranch on the Little Missouri River.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Creation Date

1884-1886

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Handwritten draft of chapter two of The Wilderness Hunter.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1893

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Chimney Butte (“Maltese Cross”) Ranch, one of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranches in the Dakota Territory. Sylvane M. Ferris in buggy; unidentified man on horseback, at right.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Creation Date

1878-1888

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919