MS 002 - Victor Arland Collection, 1880-1889 | McCracken Research Library

By Christina Stopka and Nathan Bender

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Collection Overview

Title: MS 002 - Victor Arland Collection, 1880-1889

Primary Creator: Arland, Victor (1850-1889)

Other Creators: Dadant, Camille

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Date Acquired: 01/01/1961

Languages: English, French

Abstract

This collection consists of a series of original letters written by Victor Arland (c. 1848- 1890) of Arland, Wyoming to Mr. C.P. Dadant of Hamilton, IL, a beekeeper and manufacturer of bee supplies and distributor of honey. The letters are handwritten in French, dated between 1872 and 1889, and for the most part are in good to excellent condition. The letters have been flattened, separated by acid-free, lignin-free paper in archival folders and housed in Box 1, organized as Series 1. Photocopies of the letters as well as typed copies of English language translations of the letters are available to researchers in Box 2, organized as Series 2, to be used primarily for research. Included in Series 2 are excerpts of essays that have resulted from research with this collection.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

For current finding guide please visit: https://mccrackenatcenterofthewest.libraryhost.com/repositories/2/resources/1

Collection Historical Note

According to his friend Mr. Camile Dadant, Victor Arland came to the United States from France in 1870. During the gold rush of 1875-1876 he moved to the Black Hills and then on to Wyoming. He settled on Trail Creek, near Cody, Wyoming, and set up business with a partner, John Corbett. Not only did they hunt, trap and do some farming, they also ran a mercantile of sorts. Soon they were trading with not only the Crow and Shoshone Indians, but also with the cattlemen that were moving into this area.

In 1882 Arland began buying honey and wine in bulk from Mr. Dadant to re-sell in his store. They then moved the business to the vicinity north of present day Meeteetse, Wyoming, running a store, restaurant and boarding house. This began the founding of the town of Arland, complete with post office. Victor Arland tells of close encounters with death at the hands of drunk cowboys and hardened criminals that came through his establishment. Arland was murdered in Red Lodge, Montana, shot during a poker game April 24, 1890. Corbett tried to continue running Arland's establishment but it was soon abandoned with the capital being moved to Meeteetse.

Biographical Note

Frenchman that immigrated to the United States and raised sheep in Wyoming.

Administrative Information

Repository: McCracken Research Library

Access Restrictions: McCracken Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials. Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation or publication. Contact McCracken Research Library for more information.

Physical Access Note: Items that are fragile and likely to be damaged by copying will not be duplicated from the originals, with this determination to be made by MRL staff. Requests to reprint in entirety or to quote passages from these letters in published form must be made in writing to the Curator of the McCracken Research Library. Permission to reprint or quote may be granted on the basis of one time use. Otherwise, the usual restrictions as found under the copyright laws apply to all photocopying.

Acquisition Source: M.G. Dadant

Acquisition Method: Donation

Preferred Citation: Victor Arland Collection, MS 002, McCracken Research Library, Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Box and Folder Listing

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