Montague Stevens Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-33-BC
Scope and Content
The papers in this collection include book reviews and personal correspondence related to Stevens' book, Meet Mr. Grizzly (including one letter from Dave Crockett's nephew), as well as reprints from the book in a French-language journal. Numerous personal letters between Montague Stevens and General Leonard Wood reveal details about the sheep ranching business around the turn of the century and give researchers an impression of pioneer life in the West and all that this entailed, including comments on family, wagon trains, a yellow fever outbreak, ranchers' use of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Co., Wells Fargo, other details of ranching, and hunting in the West. A collection of canceled checks from 1894 to 1935 illustrate the financial realities of sheep ranching during the turn of the century and the depression. Miscellaneous items include poetry scrawled on the reverse side of envelopes, a letter of recognition by Who's Who in America in 1944, and assorted scraps revealing the economic situation of the time.
Dates
- 1894-1950
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography/History
Montague Stevens (b. 1859 in India, d.1953 in New Mexico), rumored to be a descendant of English royalty and known to be the son of a British general in India, graduated from Cambridge University in England where he studied law and mining. In 1881, he moved to the West having been drawn to this region of the United States after a hunting expedition during vacation from law school. He first became acquainted with New Mexico, where he ultimately took up residence, while following General Miles and then Captain Leonard Wood and their cavalry on their campaign to find Geronimo and force his surrender. Stevens later resided in New Mexico where he pursued the hunting of grizzly bears and sheep ranching with the help and teachings of local employees. He also served as ranch manager for General Wood. The hunting of grizzly bears is perhaps his most noted accomplishment and is of central importance to his book, Meet Mr. Grizzly: A Saga of the Passing of the Grizzly, published in 1943.
Extent
1 box (.45 cu. ft.)
Abstract
This collection contains papers related to Englishman-turned-pioneer Montague Stevens. The papers reflect his life as a sheep rancher, bear hunter, author, and friend to historical figures such as General Leonard Wood, General Nelson A. Miles, painter Frederic Remington, and President Theodore Roosevelt.
Relevant Secondary Sources
- Stevens, Montague. Meet Mr. Grizzly: A Saga of the Passing of the Grizzly. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1943.
- Stevens, George Richard Montague. Rambling Through the 1880's -- and Beyond. Santa Fe: John Sherman, 1983.
- Lee, Susan E. These Also Served: Brief Histories of Pioneers ... Short Stories and Pictures Relative to Catron, Grant, Sierra, Socorro and Valencia Counties of New Mexico. New York: Book Craftsmen Associates, Inc., 1960.
- Russell, Sharman, "Dan Gatlin and Montague Stevens: A Friendship of the Old West," New Mexico Magazine, January 1984 vol.62 (no. 1):63, 69-71.
- "Meet Mr. Grizzly" (book review). New Mexico Magazine July 1945, vol.23 (no. 7): p. 23.
- Cleveland, Agnes Morley. No Life For a Lady. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.1941.
Processing Information
Item list for Folder 3 added, December 2006.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Montague Stevens Papers, 1894-1950
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Karen Stocker
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 33 BC::Montague Stevens Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss33sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu