Your TR Source
President Roosevelt introduces Archibald Gracie and requests he be given access to documents for historical research.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-03
Historian Ray H. Mattison believes that the Dow letter was written in 1886 while Wilmot Dow, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Wingate Sewall were attempting to capture thieves that stole Roosevelt’s boat.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1960-02-25
Historian Ray H. Mattison has found no evidence that Texas longhorn cattle were raised by Theodore Roosevelt on his ranches. It appears that Roosevelt only had Midwestern cattle, primarily from Minnesota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1960-03-07
Series of note cards created by historian Ray H. Mattison for his research on Elkhorn Ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
Regional historian Olaf T. Hagen provides information on the diary of Mrs. Reed who lived near the Elkhorn Ranch in the early 1900s. He wonders if it might contain information on the removal of log buildings from the ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-03-10
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.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-04-27
Superintendent Hanks encloses a letter from John H. Reid, a former owner of the Elkhorn Ranch. He requests a purchase order to make copies of some photographs taken by Reid of the ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-08-18
Historian Ray H. Mattison has received the photographs and will forward them to John H. Reid. He will discuss the potential for a Reid family article the next time he is in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-11-25
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.”
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-12-22
Handwritten notes regarding the possible acquisition of the Elkhorn Ranch lands. Not taking into account their historical significance, their value was estimated at $30 per acre.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
Historian Ray H. Mattison has received permission from Harriett S. Harmon’s sister, Nancy S. Cunningham, to view their father’s papers. Harmon and Cunningham are the daughters of William Wingate Sewall. Mattison is interested in the North Dakota mementos mentioned by both sisters.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1958-12-22
Historian Ray H. Mattison returns the William Wingate Sewall correspondence which was used for his Elkhorn Ranch report.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1959-01-05
Historian Ray H. Mattison reviews his trip to the East Coast where he visited the Theodore Roosevelt Association and William Wingate Sewall’s daughters, Nancy Sewall Cunningham and Harriett S. Harmon. He inventories the items he viewed related to Theodore Roosevelt’s time in the North Dakota Badlands.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1959-01-22
Historian Ray H. Mattison reviews the letters available in the William Wingate Sewall correspondence. The family will need to be convinced that the materials will be handled carefully as they feel that Sewall was mistreated by Hermann Hagedorn and the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1959-04-28
Historian Ray H. Mattison reviews a floor plan of the Elkhorn Ranch cabin from the William Wingate Sewall collection owned by Sewall’s daughter, Nancy Sewall Cunningham. He believes that the plan was drawn by Theodore Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1959-02-10
Historian Chester L. Brooks forwards the Laird and Mattison booklets that Earl E. Smith requested. The research into Verendrye National Monument has not been completed, but Brooks provides a brief summary on the history of the monument.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1951-11-20
Historian Chester L. Brooks is researching the Peaceful Valley Ranch and requests information regarding the ranch, particularly the disposition of the buildings, from J. H. Reid, who resided in the area as a youth.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1956-08-30
Although there is only one copy available, Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Superintendent Jay is willing to provide Historian Chester L. Brooks’s report on Peaceful Valley Ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1960-05-17
Acting Chief of Interpretation Doerr believes that the Elkhorn Ranch site deserves special attention during the development of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. He encourages historical and archaeological studies regarding the site as soon as possible. Original and copy.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1958-09-04
Historian Ray H. Mattison argues against a study to investigate the repositories of Theodore Roosevelt’s papers in order to collect the information necessary to conduct an archaeological investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site. He believes that such a study would be redundant as several historians have already researched Roosevelt’s time in the Dakotas. Mattison suggests contacting the relevant historians before beginning a study, and that new information may be revealed through an examination of the papers of William Wingate Sewall, one of Roosevelt’s foremen who helped construct the ranch. Original and copy.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1958-09-22