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Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna that he arrived safely at Chimney Butte Ranch. He set off for the other ranch and was forced to spend the night in an abandoned hut. He was glad to see Bill Sewall and Will Dow again and is looking into starting a stockmen’s association. Roosevelt would like Anna to send him three or four blank checks from his checkbook as he needs them immediately.
1884-11-23
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna about his successful hunting trip in the Bighorn mountains with Bill Merrifield. He shot several bears and elk.
1884-09-20
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna telling her that his trip has been delayed. He discusses how long he thinks he will be away and says he hopes to return before Christmas. He and Merrifield are headed out, and he describes what he is wearing and the scenery. He adds that New York Governor Grover Cleveland is no “angel.”
1884-08-17
Theodore Roosevelt’s branding marks for Chimney Butte Ranch (“Maltese Cross Ranch”) and Elkhorn Ranch illustrated and described in the Stockgrowers’ Journal in Miles City, Montana.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1884
President Roosevelt read Senator Carter’s letter, and although he does not want to involve himself with managing the campaign, he will send it to Representative J. S. Sherman. Carter’s input could be helpful, and Sherman is sure to give good feedback. Roosevelt asks if he should take action regarding U.S. Marshall for Montana Arthur William Merrifield.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-03
President Roosevelt tells Laura d’Oremieulx Roosevelt, wife of his cousin James West Roosevelt, that he is sorry to hear that her family is sick. He has written to Arthur William Merrifield and is sure that arrangements can be regarding her son. He hopes Laura is all right.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-16
Contract between Theodore Roosevelt, Sylvane M. Ferris, and Arthur William Merrifield regarding the purchase and care of cattle on Roosevelt’s ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation
1884-06-12
Diary of Theodore Roosevelt for the year 1884. Includes entry regarding the deaths of his wife and mother on February 14, with the statement, “The light has gone out of my life.” Also, the diary describes Roosevelt’s hunting and ranching experiences for the year in the Dakota Badlands. A list of photographs taken and his personal finance record is also included in the back of the diary. Only pages on which text appeared are included.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1884
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to ask if he knows what happened to the box of Roosevelt’s guns. He also says he has been spending a lot of time with Edith and thanks Kermit for suggesting he write to Arthur William Merrifield.
1906-10-09
President Roosevelt reports that members of the Electoral College have arrived to cast their votes and the Elector from Montana is his old friend Arthur William Merrifield. Roosevelt had Merrifield and his wife to lunch and tea. Roosevelt and Ted continue to box with Grant the wrestler. Little Corinne Robinson and friends have arrived for the diplomatic dinner, and Archie and Quentin have the grip. One of the horses will have to retire to Wilmer’s farm.
1905-01-23
Photograph of two Winchester Model 1876 (40-60 cal.) rifles—one given by Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur William Merrifield—on display in the South Unit visitor center of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-1970
Close-up photograph of Arthur William Merrifield’s Winchester Model 1876 rifle—given to him by Theodore Roosevelt—on display in the South Unit visitor center of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Photograph shows the rifle’s stock and trigger mechanism.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-1970
Close up photograph of the plaque on the stock of Arthur William Merrifield’s Winchester Model 1876 rifle—given to him by Theodore Roosevelt on September 13, 1884—on display in the South Unit visitor center of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-1970
Photograph of an informational display entitled “Roosevelt in North Dakota,” which discusses Theodore Roosevelt’s time in the badlands; museum exhibit #18 in the South Unit visitor center of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1967-03-30
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.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-05-24
Copy of an article written to argue for the authenticity of the Maltese Cross cabin. The cabin was to be exhibited at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and some question had arisen regarding its authenticity. This article includes notarized statements from Sylvane M. Ferris, Howard Eaton, and Joseph A. Ferris.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1904-03-19
The brochure for Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin at the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park was published by the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association in cooperation with the National Park Service sometime after 1959. It features photographs of the cabin and the items that were left in the there that belonged to Roosevelt. William Barnhart describes the history of Roosevelt’s cabin and how it came to part of the of the National Park Service.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
Historian Ray H. Mattison requests information about the location of the Elkhorn Ranch site from Hermann Hagedorn.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-11-03
Historian Ray H. Mattison asks Albert T. Volwiler for further details regarding the Elkhorn Ranch and the Maltese Cross Cabin. He also seeks clarification on certain transfers of property as well as more information concerning Theodore Roosevelt’s ranching activities at these locations.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-11-12
Typed transcript of a letter to the editor of the Bismarck Tribune. A. T. Packard refutes a Tribune article that suggests George W. Myers is a cattle thief. He lays out the facts for Myers’s innocence.
1886-12-22