Your TR Source
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
Overview of cattle herding and the operations of a cattle ranch.
1887
February 7, 1884, edition of The Bad Lands Cow Boy.
1884-02-07
Theodore Roosevelt describes life on his ranch in the Badlands of North Dakota.
1888-03
Typed excerpt from “In Cowboy Land,” Chapter IV of Theodore Roosevelt’s Autobiography. Roosevelt describes the “wild west” as he experienced it in the North Dakota badlands, including toil and hardship but also “the glory of work and the joy of living.”
1913
Typed transcript of an article that appeared in the Bismarck Tribune. Theodore Roosevelt is traveling east and will be returning in around two months. His cattle are prospering and his interests in the territory are such that they will never allow him to permanently leave.
1886-07-09
Typed transcript of an article from the Bismarck Tribune. The Marquis de Morès chose to testify on his own behalf. He provided basic information on his life and what brought him to Dakota Territory. His main testimony consisted of the events leading up to the death of Riley Luffsey and the shooting itself.
1885
A collection of articles relating to Medora and the Badlands that were published in The Bismarck Tribune.
1885-1886
By-laws and list of members of the Little Missouri River Stockmen’s Association.
1885
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
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. This is the typed transcript of the original handwritten letter.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1890-03-10
Mary Alice Sherman Sewall describes life and ranch activities at the Elkhorn Ranch for her sister.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1886-06-13
Commissioner Roosevelt has another son and he hopes to take his children for hunting trips to Island Falls, Maine. He has recently returned from a successful hunting trip in Idaho. The Elkhorn Ranch house will likely be closed next year even though the cattle are doing well.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1889-10-13
Commissioner Roosevelt was pleased to receive William Wingate Sewall’s letter. He still has some cattle in North Dakota that are under the care of Sylvane M. Ferris. Roosevelt has been unable to exercise much and is “getting stout.”
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1890-11-02
Series of note cards created by historian Ray H. Mattison for his research on Elkhorn Ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
James B. Connolly asks if the suggested longhorn cattle ranch was ever developed at Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1959-10-06
Review of a proposal to introduce longhorn cattle at Peaceful Valley Ranch within Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, including a history of the ranch, background information on the proposal, and recommendations.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1961-02
Summary of Theodore Roosevelt’s entry into Dakota ranching and the building of the Maltese Cross cabin.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
Study of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranching activities in the North Dakota Badlands. Also describes his two ranches, the Maltese Cross and the Elkhorn.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
Photostat of a page from the ledger of Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Ranch. Ledger shows the purchasing of cattle and shipping costs.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1883-10