Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974

192 Pages·2016·0.49 MB·English

Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
Overview of the Collection
Creator Montana State Prison.
Title Montana State Prison records
Dates 1869-1974 (inclusive)
1869 1974
Quantity 70 linear feet of shelf space.
Collection Number RS 197
Summary This collection consists of records of the Montana State Prison
(1869-1974), the Board of Pardons (1890-1965), the Board of Prison
Commissioners (1890-1962), and the United States Penitentiary,
Montana Territory, including materials such as prisoner description
sheets, prisoner receipt and discharge registers, minutes, etc.
Repository Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
Access Restrictions Collection is open for research. Use of the prisoner description sheets
is restricted due to their fragile condition. An archivist can search
these sheets and provide the researcher with a receival date at
the prison. This date will allow the researcher to find the prisoner
description sheet on State Microfilm 36, where the description sheets
are arranged by date received at the prison. Researchers are advised
to provide the archivist with all possible variations of the prisoner's
name.
Languages English
Sponsor Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant
awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical Note
Representative John N. Rodgers introduced HB Memorial 7 in December 1866 that sought federal
funds for a territorial penitentiary in Montana. In January 1867 funding was approved and the
penitentiary opened in Deer Lodge in July 1871. It was relinquished to Montana Territory in 1873, and
taken over by the federal government once again in 1874. The penitentiary became a state institution in
1889, when Montana achieved statehood.
The state contracted with former prison guard Frank Conley and Colonel Thomas McTague to operate
the penitentiary from 1890 to 1908, with Conley as warden. In 1909 the state hired Conley as warden,
a position he held until 1921. Conley instituted an extensive trusty program in which many prisoners
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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worked outside the prison walls. Prison work crews built roads in western Montana and constructed
buildings at the Montana State Hospital for the Insane and the Montana State Tuberculosis Sanitarium,
as well as making many improvements to the prison itself. In 1921 Governor Joseph Dixon initiated an
investigation of Conley's alleged use of state monies for personal gain; this investigation led to Conley's
dismissal.
Conditions at the prison deteriorated in the decades that followed Conley's dismissal. The trusty
program was largely abandoned due to the depressed economy and the concomitant protest by free
labor against prisoners working outside the prison. Additionally, few industries had been developed
within the prison, leaving many inmates idle. Overcrowding and the decay of the physical plant
contributed to poor living conditions at the prison.
In 1957 an investigation of prison conditions conducted by Kenyon J. Scudder reported appalling and
potentially explosive conditions at the prison. Later that year a "disturbance" did occur during which
hostages were taken. A large scale riot occurred in 1959. The prison was made part of the Department
of Institutions in 1963. A new prison was constructed in 1979 outside of Deer Lodge.
The Board of Territorial Prison Commissioners (later the Board of Prison Commissioners) was
established in 1867, consisting of three elected members holding office for two years. The
commissioners had "full and exclusive control over all the territorial prison grounds, buildings, prisoners,
prison labor, prison property and all other things belonging or pertaining to said prison," and established
"rules, regulations and by-laws" to govern the prison. The commissioners met every three months.
An 1893 law removed prisoners from the commissioners' control, empowered the Board to appoint
the warden, and established the Board as consisting of the governor, the secretary of state, and the
attorney general, with two members constituting a quorum. In 1907 the Board was given the power to
approve or disapprove parole for prisoners recommended by the governor. In 1913 the governor was
given the power to appoint the warden, and the Board was given jurisdiction over persons receiving
suspended sentences. In 1955 the Board's jurisdiction over paroles and suspended sentences
was delegated to the State Board of Pardons. Legislation establishing the Board of State Prison
Commissioners was not included in the 1972 constitution; the Board was formally abolished in 1974.
The State Board of Pardons was established in 1891, consisting of the secretary of state, the attorney
general, and the state auditor. The Board was required to convene if the governor granted a pardon,
remitted a fine or forfeiture, or commuted a punishment. The Board would then cause a notice of a
hearing concerning the case to be published in a newspaper in the county in which the crime was
committed and notify the concerned county attorney, district judge, and sheriff. Subsequent to the
hearing the Board would file its decision with the secretary of state. In 1955 the Board membership was
changed to three members appointed by the governor to terms of six years. The appointees were given
the responsibility of administering the executive clemency, probation, and parole system. The Board
was made part of the Department of Institutions in 1971.
Content Description
This collection is divided into four subgroups: Montana State Prison Records (1881-1974); Board of
State Prison Commissioners Records (1890-1962); State Board of Pardons Records (1890-1965); and
the United States Penitentiary, Montana Territory Records (1864-1878).
The records of the Montana State Prison are divided into five series. The general correspondence
(1891-1916) contains letters between Frank Conley and Thomas McTague and the governor, the
clerk of the Board of Examiners, and two suppliers to the prison. The outgoing correspondence
(1909-1921) of Conley and McTague pertains to inmates (paroles, pardons, behavior, time served,
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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restoration to citizenship, escapes, work camps, sale of goods produced by prisoners, etc.), supplies,
prison employment, penology, personal business of Conley and McTague, etc. The financial records
(1893-1963) include cash books, general ledgers, journals, prisoner accounts with Deer Lodge and
prison stores, voucher registers, etc. The bulk of the prisoner records (1881-1974) consists of prison
description sheets which include each prisoners' vital statistics, and information about the crime
committed, the sentence received, and a list of past crimes. The prisoner records also include lists of
a conduct record; criminal charges against former Montana State Prison inmates; lists of prisoners
received and discharged; a medical treatment record; lists of prisoners who were pardoned, paroled,
and received suspended sentences, diminished sentences, and restoration of citizenship; and prison
population statements.
The records of the State Board of Pardons include minutes (1880-1926), prisoner records (1892-1922),
and miscellany (1963, 1965). The minutes are primarily approvals of paroles. The prisoner records are
correspondence and documents relating to specific prisoners' pardons.
The records of the Board of State Prison Commissioners are divided into seven series. The general
correspondence (1905-1929) consists of correspondence of the clerk of the Board. The hearings
series (1957) consists of a transcript of a hearing concerning an investigation of conditions at the
prison. The legal documents (1907, 1927) consist of an agreement for the purchase of cement and an
easement granted to a railroad. The minutes (1890-1962) primarily concern the approval of paroles, the
discharge of prisoners, the termination of sentences, return of prisoners for violation of parole, transfer
of prisoners to the State Hospital for the Insane, etc. For some years (1910-1927,1949-1954) there is
a separate run of minutes that deals exclusively with paroles. There is some discussion of procedures,
investigations, etc. The prisoner records (1913-1955) consist of suspended sentence orders. The
reports series (1960) consists of a report by the Prison Advisory Board concerning prison industries.
The miscellany series (1959, undated) includes blank forms, procedural guidelines, and interviews with
prisoners relating to the approval of "good time".
The Records of the United States Penitentiary, Montana Territory, are divided into six series. The
general correspondence series (1875) consists of correspondence sent by W. F. Wheeler concerning
housing prisoners. The incoming correspondence series (1874-1876) consists of correspondence
received by W. F. Wheeler concerning housing prisoners and leasing space in court rooms. The
financial records series (1886-1889) consists of an expense journal kept R. S. Kelley. The legal
documents series consists of leases, memoranda of agreement and miscellany concerning housing
prisoners, operating the prison and construction of the prison. The reports series (1873, undated)
consists of reports of the Directors, the Physician and the Warden. The miscellany series (1868-1878)
consists of documents regarding the construction of the prison, inventories and rules and regulations.
Restriction: Prisoner description sheets are restricted from public use due to their fragility. An archivist
can search these sheets and provide the researcher with a receival date at the prison. This date will
allow the researcher to find the prisoner description sheet on State Microfilm 36, where the description
sheets are arranged by date received at the prison. Researchers are advised to provide the archivist
with all possible variations of the prisoner's name.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes
available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained
from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require
seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana
Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by subgourp and then by series.
Location of Collection
59:1-1
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information available upon request.
Processing Note
Processed in 2007
Detailed Description of the Collection
Montana State Prison
Container(s) Description Dates
General Correspondence
Box/Folder
1/1 Frank Conley and Thomas McTague (includes letters to and 1891-1916
from the Governor, the clerk of the Board of Examiner, and
various suppliers of goods)
Outgoing Correspondence
Box/Folder
1/2-1/6 Frank Conley (re restoration of citizenship; escapees; bridles 1909, 1915-1917
made and sold by inmates; inquiries about specific inmates
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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Container(s) Description Dates
from family and friends; supply orders; business contracts and
personal business)
Volume
1-16 Frank Conley (re restoration of citizenship; escapees; bridles 1910-1915,
made and sold by inmates; inquiries about specific inmates 1919, 1921
from family and friends; supply orders; business contracts and
person business)
Box/Folder
2/1-2/5 Frank Conley (re restoration of citizenship; escapees; bridles 1917-1919
made and sold by inmates; inquiries about specific inmates
from family and friends; supply orders; business contracts and
personal business)
3/1-3/4 Frank Conley (re restoration of citizenship; escapees; bridles 1919-1921
made and sold by inmates; inquiries about specific inmates
from family and friends; supply orders; business contracts and
personal business; recommendations to women regarding
whether prisoners would make good husband; Industrial
Workers of the World; construction)
Financial Records
Volume
17 Cash book 1910 November
- 1912
November
18 Cash receipts 1922-1925
19-25 Day book, prisoner store accounts 1912-1920
26-27 Day book, prisoner accounts with Gem Grocery Co. 1926-1934
28-31 Day book, prisoner accounts with Milwaukee Market 1925-1931
Box/Folder
3/5 Day book, prisoner accounts with Whitworth Drug Store 1925-1927
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Container(s) Description Dates
3/6 Day book, prisoner accounts with Woods Drug Company 1925-1929
Volume
32 General ledger 1893-1896
Box/Folder
3/7 General ledger (materials removed from Vol. 32) 1893-1896
Volume
33-35 General ledger 1912-1917,
1925-1951
Box/Folder
OVERSIZE General ledger 1945-1963
89/1
3/8 Journal and index 1912-1921
3/9 Journal November-
December 1921
3/10 Quarterly statements to the federal government for the care of 1910
prisoners committed to the Montana State Prison, 1908-1909
3/11 Receipts and vouchers for county sheriffs'' deliveries of 1909-1912
prisoners to state prison
Volume
36 Voucher register 1913-1922
Prisoner Records
Box/Folder
3/12-3/14 Criminal charges against former inmates 1927-1937
4/1-4/3 Criminal charges against former inmates 1938-1941
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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Container(s) Description Dates
Volume
37 Conduct records 1892-1901
38 Descriptive lists of prisoners received (identical information to 1912-1921
that recorded on prisoner description sheets, but also includes
number of days a prisoner was punished and the mode of
punishment)
39 Medical treatment record 1892-1895
Box/Folder
4/4 Monthly discharge lists 1931-1934
4/5 Pardon records 1897-1913
OVERSIZE Pardons, diminished sentences, restorations to citizenship 1895-1897
89/2
Volume
40 Pardons, diminished sentences, restorations to citizenship 1898-1902
Box/Folder
4/6-4/9 Parole lists 1927-1943
OVERSIZE Parole lists 1944-1950
89/3
Volume
41 Parole records 1907-1916
Box/Folder
4/11 Alphabetical index to Vol. 41 1916
Volume
42 Parole record (also includes paroles from the Montana State 1913-1922
Reform School, 1911-1915; paroles from the Montana State
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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Container(s) Description Dates
Hospital, 1914; suspended sentences by judges of district
courts, 1913-1922; and violators of parole or suspended
sentence, 1913-1921)
43 Parole record 1913-1922
Box/Folder
4/11-4/18 Population statements 1915-1959
OVERSIZE Population statements 1960
89/4
4/19 Population statements 1960-1963
4/20 Prison Cemetery inmate burials 1881-1973
5/1 Prisoner description cards: John Aaboe, John Aakre, C.E. 1910-1955
Abbie, Charles Abbot, Frank Abbott, Alfred Abel, D.J. Abel,
Harry Abel, Lawrence Abel, Robert Abel, Joe Abell, E. Guy
Abernathy, Jay Acebedo, Rolin Acherman, William Acker,
Charles Ackerley, William Ackerman, Voy Ackroyd, Leo
Acosta, John Adair, Alex Adams, Alfred Adams, Charles
Adams, David Adams, Earl Adams, Edward Adams, Frank
Adams, James Adams, Jesse Adams, John Adams, Joseph
Adams, Orville Adams, William Adams, Wilbur Adams, Kermit
Adamson, Earl Addison, Frank Addler, George Ade, Louis
Adler, Joseph Adrian, Walle Aemtoft, Ben Aerts, Fred Age, Sam
Agee, Tommy Aglular, Antonio Aguilar, Herman Aho, Kenneth
Ahrenkiel, Howard Ahrens, Clarence Aichele, August Aiello,
Frank Aikens, George Aikens, Jack Aiker, William Aiman,
Francis Aims Back, Charles Ainsworth
5/2 Prisoner description cards: Archie Aker, Clifford Akerill, Norman 1910-1955
Akerill, Hugh Akers, John Akers, Orville Akers, William Akin,
Desiderio Alarcon, Harry Albert, Alber Albertson, George
Albertson (Charles Busetta), William Albertson, Francisco
Albi, H.R. Albrecht, Juan Alcatar, Robert Alcorn, Joe Aldaco,
Emanuel Aldena, B.E. Alderman, Ben Aldridge, Thomas
Aldridged, Tom Alefteras, A.C. Alexander, Albert Alexander,
Carl Alexander, Donald Alexander, Eugene Alexander, Paul
Alexander, Peter Alexander, Roy Alexander, William Alexander,
Anthony Alexandrowski, Lynn Alexis, Inonsencio Alfara, John
Alguire, Edward Alimendinger, T.C. Allan, Edward Allard,
Clarence Alleman, Albert Allen, Carl Allen, Charles Allen Frank
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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Container(s) Description Dates
Allen, Garnet Allen, Gene Allen, George Allen, Glenn Allen,
Harry Allen
5/3 Prisoner description cards: Jack Allen (James Clark), James 1910-1955
Allen, Jim Allen (Earl Powell), Joe Allen, John Allen, Joseph
Allen, Murl Allen, P.E. Allen, R.T. Allen, Roy Allen (Hugh
Shivley), Russell Allen, Sam Allen, Scott Allen, Ted Allen (Red
Von Hoeren), Theodore Allen, Tom Allen, W.J. Allen, William
Allen (Bernard Swift Williams), Robert Alley, Thomas Alley,
John Alliey, James Allison, Murphy Allran, Howard Allum,
Vernon Allyn, Raymond Allyson, Rafael Almendarez, Healy
Aloir, Joe Alonzo, Russell Alsop, Arnold Alsup, George Alton,
Joe Alvaraz, Juan Alvarez, Agapito Alvary, Joseph Alvers, Bert
Alyea
5/4 Prisoner description cards: James Ambrose, Clifford Amdahl, 1910-1955
Francis Ameline, Henry Amend, Neil Amerman, Edwin Ames,
Marvin Ames, Angel Amicay, Mervin Amick, Fred Ammeline
(Alfred Hamelin), Emmet Amos, William Amrin, John Amyotte,
Louis Amzevine, A.J. Anaker, August Ancker, Ace Anderson,
Albert Anderson, Alfred Anderson, Andrew Anderson, Arthur
Anderson (Bert Buller), Carl Anderson, Chester Anderson,
Claude Anderson, David Anderson, Donald Anderson, Elmer
Anderson, Erick Anderson, Francis Anderson, Frank Anderson,
George Anderson, Harold Anderson (Harold McManus, Albert
Jennings, Harry Anderson), Jack Anderson (George Wilson,
Jack Horst, Jack Wilson), John Anderson, Julius Anderson
(Julius)
5/5 Prisoner description cards: K.A.R. Anderson, Leonard 1910-1955
Anderson, Lester Anderson, Martin Anderson, Nels Anderson,
Norman Anderson, Oliver Anderson, Paul Anderson, Pete
Anderson, Roy Anderson, Vernon Anderson, W.E. Anderson,
W.H. Anderson, Walter Anderson, William Anderson, Charles
Andrew, Fred Andrew, Norman Andrew, Steve Andrewpenkl,
James Andrews, Louis Andriopoulos, Lee Andrus, R.L. Andrus,
Tony Aneso, Peter Anest, Thurman Anglin, Rafael Anguiana,
Genaro Anguiano, Frank Antonich, Carl Applegate, Joe Argon,
Julian Aranda, Virgil Archbell, William Archibald, Joe Archuleto,
John Arcoga, Sylva Arenz (Arthur Arenz), Pablo Ariaz, Stark
Arklow, James Arlington, O.L. Armour, A.S. Armstrong, Alva
Armstrong, Barney Armstrong, Cyrus Armstrong, David
Armstrong, Dean Armstrong, Dolphus Armstrong
5/6 Prisoner description cards: Frank Armstrong, George 1910-1955
Armstrong, Le Roy Armstrong, Lester Armstrong, Roy
Armstrong, William Armstrong, Helmer Arness, A.H. Arnold,
Albert Arnold, Arthur Arnold, Ben Arnold, Charles Arnold,
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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Container(s) Description Dates
Frankie Arnold, Harry Arnold, John Arnold, W.J. Arnold, William
Arnoldy, Ramon Aronbarra, Victor Arrison, Charles Arseneau
(Harry Patterson), Lester Arthur, George Asbury, Leo Asbury,
Marvin Ash, Violet Ashe, Marvin Ashe, Harry Asher, Mary
Asher, Mary Azure, Guy Ashley, Harless Ashley, J.W. Ashely,
Louis Ashley, William Ashley, Charles Ashlock, Jack Ashton,
Arthur Asp, George Assiminis, Harry Atchison
5/7 Prisoner description cards: Ernest Atencio, J.C. Atherton, J.E. 1910-1955
Atkins, Alexander Atkinson, George Atkinson, George Atwood,
Robert Atwood, Frank Augustine, Marvin Aullman, Fred Aurrah,
Martin Aus, Perry Aus, Benjamin Austin, Ed Austin, James
Austin (Jake Austin), Lee Austin, Paul Austin, Buck Avery, Joe
Avila, John Avouris, Earl Awes, Thomas Ayers, Howard Ayrea,
Jimmie Ayers, John Ayers, Vincent Ayers, Willis Ayers, Pat
Azura, Baptiste Azure, Bill Azure, Glen Azure, John Azure,
Joseph Azure, Max Azure, Richard Azure, Vern Azure, Walter
Azure
6/1 Prisoner description cards: Kenneth Baatz, Lester Babb, 1910-1955
Clarence Babcock, M.M. Babcock, Reuben Babcock, Max
Baber, Paul Babick, Joe Bachmeier, George Backer, George
Backman, Blacop Backroch, Ralph Badger, Mike Badorek,
George Baggs, J. Bagley, W.E. Bagley, W.J. Bagley, Jospeh
Bahm, Gordon Bahr, Betty Bailey, C.L. Bailey, Don Bailey, Fred
Bailey, George Bailey, Hammond Bailey, Irene Bailey, Jess
Bailey, Joseph Bailey, Lee Bailey, M.E. Bailey, Roger Bailey,
William Bailey, Harry Bain, Ora Bain, Nelson Baird, Theodore
Baird
6/2 Prisoner description cards: Ben Baker, Dick Baker, Dolly Baker, 1910-1955
Frank Baker (Frank Blacker), Fred Baker, Frederick Baker,
George Baker, H.D. Baker, Homer Baker, Jack Baker, Janes
Baker, Jim Baker, John Baker, Joseph Baker, Leo Baker, Louis
Baker, Orville Baker, Raleigh Baker, Wallace Baker, Walter
Baker, Willie Baker, H.A. Baker, Hans Bakke, Frank Balbi,
Jan Balcer, Ezra Balcom, Leo Balcom, Harry Baldwin, James
Baldwin, Melvin Baldwin, Ivan Balen, Ed Baley, John Balinski,
Frank Balkis, Bob Ball, Charles Ball, K.D. Ball, Richard Ball,
Robert Ball
6/3 Prisoner description cards: Charles Ballard, Clyde Ballard, 1910-1955
Jack Ballard, Ralph Ballard, Roscoe "Russell" Ballard, Lewis
Ballew, Stephen Balliet, A.H. Bellnane, Joe Baltazor, Neevle
Balton, Peter James Baltzer, Samuel Banchomb, Norris
Bancroft, Jacob Bangart (Daniel Jonathan Bangart), George
Bangert, George Bangesser, A.L. Banks, Adrian LeRoy Banks,
William Banning, N. Bannon, Louis Bappre, Joe Barajos,
Montana State Prison records, 1869-1974
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