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Orin G. Libby Papers
Collection Overview
Predominant Dates:1864-1952
ID: OGLMC0049
Primary Creator: Libby, Orin G. (1864-1952)
Extent: 11.25 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 00/00/1957. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: North Dakota, University of North Dakota - Faculty
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Orin G. Libby Papers have been divided into six series:
Series 1: Correspondence
Series 2: Diaries
Series 3: Research Materials
Series 4: University of North Dakota
Series 5: Photographs
Series 6: Miscellaneous
Collection Historical Note
Orin Grant Libby was born on a farm near Hammond, Wisconsin, on June 9, 1864. He was the son of Asa and Julia (Barrows) Libby. He graduated from the River Falls State Normal School in 1886, and taught high school until 1890, when he entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received three degrees from the University: B.L., 1892; M.L., 1893; Ph.D. (history), 1895. While a graduate student in History, he served under the famed historian Frederick Jackson Turner. Libby's dissertation was entitled The Geographical Distribution of the Vote of the Thirteen States on the Federal Constitution, 1787-8. The work garnered national attention, and is considered one of the most important historical treatises on the Constitution. Following graduation, he was hired by Turner to serve as an instructor in the Department of History at Madison. Libby and Turner had a contentious relationship, especially after Turner refused to promote Libby to the rank of assistant professor. In the spring of 1902, Turner recommended Libby for the position of assistant professor and chair of the History Department at the University of North Dakota. Turner did this without Libby's knowledge.
Libby accepted the position and moved to Grand Forks in the fall of 1902. While his first pupils were preparatory students, he succeeded in adding graduate studies to the Department in 1907. He also introduced the seminar teaching method to the University, and was a major proponent of what was known as the "Wisconsin Idea." This philosophy held that the purpose of an university was to serve the state's residents. Therefore, Libby plunged headlong into the collection and documentation of North Dakota's history.
The "Wisconsin Idea" was especially evident in regards to the State Historical Society of North Dakota, which Libby reorganized within months of his arrival. He was elected secretary of the organization, a position he would keep for forty years. In 1905, he lobbied the state legislature to appropriate $1,250 to the society. A law was also passed in that same year which held that the society was to receive one copy of every newspaper published in the state. The collection of artifacts and documents swelled the Society's holdings to the point that a professional librarian was hired to manage the collection in 1912. Libby edited Collections of the State Historical Society of North Dakota (1906-1926) and its successor the North Dakota Historical Quarterly, which began publication in 1926.
Libby was especially concerned with the history of North Dakota's Native Americans. He sought to document Native American folktales, language and songs, examined the role of Indian scouts in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and exerted considerable energies trying to locate the village where the La Verendyre family stayed during their travels through North Dakota in 1738. During the Great Depression, Libby secured funds from the National Youth Administration to record documents and catalog artifacts; from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to survey Native American villages and burial mounds; and from the Works Progress Administration, to undertake an Historical Data Project. This project documented the lives and experiences of over 5000 North Dakota Pioneers, and also provided employment for unemployed persons in all counties in North Dakota.
Libby was involved in the creation of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association in 1907. He served as chair of the Nominating Committee at the organization's second meeting, and read a paper at its first annual meeting in June 1908. He served on the editorial board of the Mississippi Valley Historical Review, acted for a time as vice president, and brought the group's conference to the University in 1914.
During World War I, Libby acted as chair of the Faculty War Committee, and was involved with the Student Army Training Corps. The SATC numbered approximately 200 on campus, and Libby arranged for 400 additional members to train at UND. Before all of the trainees had arrived, however, a flu epidemic struck campus forcing classes to be suspended and placing the campus under quarantine. 320 trainees became ill and twenty died.
This episode caused the relationship between Libby and UND President Thomas Kane to sour. Libby believed that Kane could have provided more active leadership during the epidemic. Libby felt that Kane had "shirked his responsibility" and that the epidemic demonstrated Kane's inadequacies. Libby led a group of anti-Kane faculty, and signed his name to a twelve-page document entitled "Memoranda of the Unfortunate Happenings at the University of North Dakota." In 1920, Libby sought the dismissal of Kane with the Board of Administration on the grounds of "mental inefficiency and moral unfitness for the position." Kane refused to resign, deciding instead to rally his supporters on campus and throughout Grand Forks. Students overwhelmingly supported Kane, and many threatened to withdraw from UND should Kane be removed. By late February, the crisis had passed, as Kane was retained and the students returned to classes.
Kane then struck back at Libby, reporting that Libby was "erratic," meddled too frequently in university affairs, treated his students "outrageously" and was incapable of working with others. In 1921, Kane lobbied the Board of Administration for Libby's removal, bypassing the Deans' Advisory Committee, as well as prescribed procedures set forth in the university constitution, to do so. A faculty committee was formed by the Board to oversee an investigation into Kane's charges. The committee determined that Kane's charges against Libby were unfounded, with the exception of Libby's ability to work with others. The committee could not reach a decision on this specific charge. Tiring of controversy, the committee advised that both Libby and Kane should resign from their positions.
The Board of Administration received these recommendations and offered Libby one last chance to make peace with Kane. Libby did not respond to this offering and was informed that he would be dismissed at the end of the 1922-23 academic year. This decision was rescinded in the spring of 1923, due to pressure exerted by UND alumni. Libby's prestige was not tarnished for long as the student body honored him in 1926 by dedicating the Dacotah annual to him.
As a result of the Kane affair, the Department of History was divided into two separate departments. Libby still headed the Department of American History, while Clarence Perkins was hired to administer the Department of European History. The department remained divided until Libby retired in 1945, after which Perkins became head of the merged departments.
Libby resigned as secretary of the State Historical Society in 1944 and stepped down from his editorial responsibilities with North Dakota Historical Quarterly the following year. Although he still intended to teach, he was informed that the 1944-45 school year would be his last. Following his retirement, he never again set foot on campus. Orin G. Libby died March 29, 1952, of a stroke. His funeral was held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he was a long time member. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery. The Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection in the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections is named in his honor, as is the reading room at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.
Sources: Iseminger, Gordon. "Dr. Orin G. Libby: A Centennial Commemoration of the Father of North Dakota History." North Dakota History. 68:4, pp.2-25.
Shafer, George F. "Dr. Orin G. Libby." North Dakota Historical Quarterly. 12:3, pp.107-110.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Numerous additions were received:
From Margaret Libby Barr, Grand Forks, North Dakota: October 25, 1971; December 6, 1978 (78-555); September 23, 1982 (82-1035); January 1986 (86-1429)
From Robert Barr, Bismarck, North Dakota in March and July 1987 (87-1508, 87-1521, and 87-1573)
Photocopied from the Orin Grant Libby Papers at the State Historical Society of North Dakota (79-615)
From Rick Klimas, Klimas Books, Ltd., Warrenville, Illinois, on April 26, 2004 (2004-2672)
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Use Restrictions: Much of the correspondence regarding Orin Libby and UND President Thomas Kane was closed until the death of the last child of Orin and Eva Libby, Charles Cory Libby, on August 28, 1996. This material can be found in Series 1, Sub-Series 1, Box 9, folders 35 through 45.
Acquisition Source: Eva Libby, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Orin G. Libby Papers. OGLMC 49, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in August 2015.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Diaries],
[Series 3: Research Materials],
[Series 4: University of North Dakota ],
[Series 5: Photographs],
[Series 6: Miscellaneous],
[All]
- Series 3: Research Materials
- This series contains materials including the text of Libby's lecture notes and outlines, notes taken by Libby and used for both his research and lectures, maps, newspaper and magazine clippings, government publications, and statistical information. Also included is the text of several speeches delivered by and articles written by Libby.
- Box 1
- Box 2
- Folder 1: American Revolution (Steps leading to); William Pitt on American Resistance, 1776-1777; Tories in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
- Folder 2: Loyalists; Massachusetts Wigs; Votes in Massachusetts Courts, 1777-1778 (Federal and Anti-Federal Tories), 1780 (votes by Tories-Federal), 1776-1778 (Tories), 1780 (Vote by Tories); Town Votes and Objectives (Massachusetts Constitution of 1780)
- Folder 3: Massachusetts State Convention, 1780 (General Discussion); Massachusetts Constitution, 1780; Plans for Government, 1774-1787 (Summary of Constitutions, Galloway, Paine, Articles of Constitution); Plans for Government - Colonial Union previous to 1774; Colonial Plans of Union, 1774-l787 (Independent of Great Britain, Paine); Colonial Plans of Union (with Great Britain); Plans of Colonial Union, l774-1787 (Ogden); American Revolution (Economic and Political Causes); American Revolution Parties; American Revolution Leaders; American Revolution Course of Campaigns, Battles, etc; Federal Convention (Length of speeches, counties represented); Federal Constitution (Elliott's Debate); Virginia paper money, 1781-1787; Proportion of Speakers to Voters in State Convention, 1787-1789; Federal Constitution - arguments in State Convention
- Folder 4: Shay’s Rebellion.
- Folder 5: Paper Money (Massachusetts towns - acts, resolutions, conventions, etc.); Maryland and Federal Constitution; WH and paper money, 1785-1788; paper money (New Hampshire, Misc.); paper money (New Hampshire - Shay’s rebellion); paper money, 1885-1888 (Rhode Island); Com. Valley and Federal Constitution, 1778-1780; Com. Valley and Federal Constitution
- Folder 6: Maine and the Federal Constitution, 1787-1788; Massachusetts and the Federal Constitution, 1787-1788; Massachusetts and the Federal Constitution, 1788 (instruction to the delegates); Massachusetts and the Federal Constitution, 1787- 1788 (causes of vote); Mistakes in Elliott account of Convention Vote (Massachusetts, 1787-1788); Massachusetts Constitution, 1788 (Federal Convention Delegates - by Tories and votes of each); New Hampshire and Federal Constitution, 1787-1788
- Folder 7: Federal Constitution, 1787-1788: New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, Delaware, New York
- Folder 8: Federal Constitution: New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina; Delaware and paper money 1786-1788
- Folder 9: Federal Constitution, 1788-1789: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia; Paper Money, 1785-1788: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
- Folder 10: A Federal Constitution Catalog; Paper Money, 1785-1789: Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia; Popular Votes on Federal Constitution; Paper Money in the American Colonies 1784-1788; Federal Constitution - Miscellaneous 1787-1788; Georgia and Federal Constitution; First Map on Federal Constitution made in 1892-1893; Ohio - Action of Legislature 1816-1823 (U.S. Banks)
- Folder 11: Action of State Legislatures, 1808-1837: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia; Congressional Studies, 1834-1882
- Folder 12: Action of Pennsylvania State Legislature, 1824-1837 (Jackson Administration, Tariff); Action of New York l824-1837 (Jackson Administration, U.S. Bank, Tariff, Slavery); Action of Delaware 1824-1837; Action of New Jersey, 1824- 1837 (Jackson Administration, U.S. Bank, Internal Improvement, Repudiation State debts); Kentucky Relief Legislation, 1822-1826; Action of South Carolina Legislature, 1851; Action of Indiana, 1846-1859; Action of Indiana (Misc.); Action of Texas, 1895
- Folder 13: State Civil List of Virginia, 1786-1841; Pennsylvania Legislature State Civil List 1775-1787; New Jersey Legislature State Civil List, 1828-1840; Mississippi Legislature State Civil List, l840 (Lower House); Maryland Legislature State Civil List, 1784-1838; Kentucky Legislature State Civil List, 1807-1840 (Lower House); Foreign Immigration (Misc.) 1820-1840; Germans in Ohio, 1833; Foreign Emigration into Virginia and Maryland, 1833; U. S. Westward Emigration (Misc.), 1828
- Folder 14: “G” Catalogue (Addresses and Lectures by Orin G. Libby); Speeches and Addresses (Reconstruction Conference October 23- 25, 1919, Council and Committee Action); Maps and Composite Notes, 1798-1817; Presidential Election Maps, 1836-1924; Large Wall Maps, 1842-1886; Lewis and Clark Expedition; Transitional Periods in U. S. History (Political Parties)
- Folder 15: Theoder Mammsen (Sketch and Critical Review); Abraham Lincoln (Discussion of Speeches and records); Andrew Jackson and the Hermitage
- Folder 16: Definition of History; Teaching History; University of Wisconsin - Hoover Thesis, 1892; Historical Pageantry; Review of Hinsdalis American Government; Rise of Federal Party in Massachusetts; Progressive Achievement of American Democracy; Economic Studies in Early Massachusetts History; Alexander Hamilton - Policies and Measures
- Folder 17: Myths of American Indians; Some Unworked Fields in Mississippi Valley History; The Pilgrims in the New World; North Dakota History; Verendyre; Our First Native Born American Explorer; Our New Northwest; Cooperative Thesis Work; European Literature - Shakespeare as an Interpreter of History
- Folder 18: Kipling as a short story Artist; Pageants and Pageantry; Address at Tower Hill, Wisconsin, 1901; Address at Tower Hill, 1902; Commencement Address, Hillside Home School, June 1896
- Folder 19: Address for Cook County Teachers Association, March 10, 1900; Address for the Dedication of New Auditorium, Valley City State Normal School, April 17, 1908; Scholarship and Politics - How to utilize the resident college alumni in North Dakota; Our Heritage, What Shall We Do With It? (Commencement Address, Bathgate May 28, 1908); War Commencement Addresses; Thanksgiving Celebrations (Franklin Club Paper); Our Federal Indian Policy; Indian Music; Old English Family History
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Shakespeare as an interpreter of History; George Washington Pageant; George Washington Pageant 1832
- Folder 2: Washington Pageant 1932; Jefferson Pageant; Misc. Addresses - 1935-1937.
- Folder 3: Miscellaneous Addresses; Addresses before the Illinois State Audubon Society; Credibility of Early Roman History; Nocturnal Migration.
- Folder 4: Nocturnal Flight of Birds (1899); Gordan's History of American Revolution; Graduate Work - General Discussion; Gordan’s History of American Revolution (Graduate Work).
- Folder 5: Graduate Work - Greek Mercenary Soldiers.
- Folder 6: Miscellaneous Speeches
- Folder 7: Miscellaneous Speeches
- Folder 8: Catalogues - House of Representatives; Congress Votes, House of Representatives by District 1801-1803; Congress Civil List - Congressional District: 36th Congress (1859-1861), 37th Congress (1861-1863), 38th Congress (1863-1865), 39th Congress, 1865-1867.
- Folder 9: State Congressional Civil Lists, all House of Representatives: Massachusetts, 1789-1841; Maine, 1788-1863; Vermont, 1797-1841; New Jersey, 1801; New York, 1789; Pennsylvania, 1794-1841; Kentucky, 1801-1841; Alabama; Louisiana; Maryland; North Carolina; South Carolina.
- Folder 10: State Congressional Civil Lists: Tennessee (House of Representatives); Virginia; Indiana; Ohio; Miscellaneous; Congressional Civil List - House of Representatives, 1789-1799.
- Folder 11: Congressional Civil List - House of Representatives: 1799-1808; 1805-1817; 1817-1829.
- Folder 12: Congressional Civil List - House of Representatives: 1817-1829; 1829-1837.
- Folder 13: Congressional Civil List - House of Representatives: 1829-1837; 1837-1845.
- Folder 14: Congressional Civil List - House of Representatives: 1837-1845; Politics of Congress, House of Representatives, 1789-1873: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont
- Folder 15: State Congressional Districts, 1789-1841: Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia; United States House of Representatives, yeas and nays: 1st Congress (1789-1791), 2nd Congress (1791- 1793), 3rd Congress (1793-1795), 4th Congress (1795-1797), 5th Congress (1797-1799).
- Folder 16: United States House of Representatives, yeas and nays: 6th Congress (1799- 1801), 7th Congress (1801-1803), 8th Congress (1803-1805), 9th Congress (1805-1807), 10th Congress (1807-1809), 11th Congress (1809-1811), 12th Congress (1811-1813), 13th Congress (1813-1815), 14th Congress (1815-1817), 16th Congress (1819-1821)
- Folder 17: United States House of Representatives, yeas and nays: 17th Congress (1821- 1823), 18th Congress (1823-1825), 20th Congress (1827-1829), 21st Congress (1829-1831), 22nd Congress (1831-1833), 23rd Congress (1833-1835), 25th Congress (1837-1839), 26th Congress (1839-1841).
- Folder 18: United States House of Representatives, yeas and nays: 27th Congress, (1841- 1843), 28th Congress (1843-1845); Congressional vote on Silver 53 Congress, 1893; Assumption of State Debts and Location of Federal Capitol, 1789-1791; Votes analyzed by districts; Action of 1st Congress - vote by districts, 1789-1791.
- Box 4
- Folder 1: History of the Northwest (Misc. French Explorations); Summary of Votes, 1st- 8th, 12th Congress; Congressional Votes, House of Representatives, War of 1812; Votes of House, Tariff, National Bank, Internal Improvement, 14th Congress; House of Representatives Congressional Vote, 1823-1825,18th Congress.
- Folder 2: Taxes of 1794; Federal House of Representatives 3rd Congress; Vote on Cumberland Road, House of Representatives, 23rd Congress; Questions on Army and Navy, 1st-5th Congress, 1789-1799; Foreign Relations, 2nd - 5th Congress, 1791-1799; Slavery in Congress, 1789-1805; Congressional votes, 25th Congress (1837-1839), 23rd Congress (1833-1835), 20th Congress, (1827-1829).
- Folder 3: Votes in the House of Representatives: Taxes of 6th Congress (1797-1799), Internal Improvements (15th Congress), District of Surplus (23rd Congress), National Bank (13th Congress), Mission of Arkansas Territory (15th Congress), Panama Mission (19th Congress), Impeachment of Judge Chase, Economic Analysis (1815-1837); Assumption of State Debts and Location of Federal Capital: House of Representatives, Maclay’s Journal, Opinions of Jefferson, Rufus King, Fisher Ames.
- Folder 4: Parties and Issues in House of Representatives, 1789-1799; Distribution of Surplus among the States; Debate in Congress: National Bank (1811, 1816, 1832), Removal and Restoration of Deposits, Alien and Sedition Laws, Louisiana Purchase (1803-1812), Admission of Louisiana (1812), Embargo.
- Folder 5: Debate in Congress: Declaration of War of 1812, Internal Improvements (1817, 1824), Buffalo and New Orleans Road, Maysville Road, Cumberland Road, Force Bill (1833), Tariff (1820, 1824, 1828, 1832), Distribution of Land Sales (1832-33, 1835-36), Missouri Compromise, Slavery in Congress (1789-1797).
- Folder 6: Debate in Congress: Slavery in Congress (1798-1808), Missouri Compromise (1819-1821).
- Folder 7: Debate in Congress: Missouri Compromise (1819-1821), Right of Petition, Incendiary Publications, Slavery in Congress, Independence and Admission of Texas, Fugitive Slaves.
- Folder 8: Debate in Congress: Slavery - Wilmot Proviso, Compromise of 1850, Kansas and Nebraska Bill, Impeachment of Chase, Judiciary Act (1801) and Repeal (1802), Jay's Treaty, Excise Taxation, Panama Congress; Proportion of Speeches to Votes in Congress; Silent Majorities in House of Representatives; Harrison Letters, 1800-1811.
- Folder 9: Suffrage Conditions, 1824; Massachusetts Elections, 1790; Pennsylvania State Elections, 1789-1799; Virginia Presidential Election, 1800; Gov. Election of Massachusetts, 1800, 1808, 1812, 1830; Maine Gubernatorial Election, 1800; Connecticut Gubernatorial Election, 1812; Massachusetts Gubernatorial Election, 1812 (War and Peace Parties); Kentucky State Elections, 1895; State Election, War of 1812; Ohio State Election, 1816-1823; Connecticut State Election, 1834; Jackson Movement, 1824-1837; Massachusetts State Election, l838-l845; State Elections, Jackson Movement, 1824-1845: Maine, Rhode Island, New York, Kentucky, North Carolina; Tennessee Gubernatorial Election, 1824-1837; Ohio State Election, 1824-1837 and 1838-1845; Ohio State Gubernatorial Election, 1834; New Jersey State Elections, 1824-1837; Ohio State Election, 1832; New Hampshire State Election, 1824-1837; Maryland State Election, 1824-1837 and 1838-1845; Mississippi Gubernatorial Election, 1838-1845; Tennessee Gubernatorial Election, 1838-1845; Mississippi Gubernatorial Election (Repudiation), 1852; State Election, Cass County, North Dakota 1896-1900, 1902.
- Folder 10: Federal Elections; Pennsylvania Presidential Election, 1796, 1804, 1808, 1812, 1816; Massachusetts Federal Election to House of Representatives, 1759-1799; Pennsylvania Federal Election to House of Representatives, 1759-1799; Maryland Federal Election to House of Representatives, 1789-1799; Presidential Election of 1890; Jefferson as President, 1800; Massachusetts Gubernatorial and Presidential Election, 1800-1804; New York Federal Elections, 1800-1807; Maine Federal Elections, 1808-1823; Massachusetts Federal Election, 1808-1815; New York Federal Presidential Election, 1816; Indiana-Jackson Movement-Federal Election, 1824-1837, 1838-1845; Delaware Federal Election, 1824-1837, 1838-1845; Delaware State Election, 1824-1837, 1838-1845; Andrew Jackson Presidential Elections, 1824 and 1828; Presidential Elections, 1832; Connecticut-Jackson Movement- Federal and State Elections, 1824-1837.
- Folder 11: State Presidential and Federal Elections, 1824-1837: Maine (1838-1845 as well), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio.
- Folder 12: Illinois-Jackson Movement-Presidential and State Elections, 1824-1845; Georgia Federal Election to the House of Representatives; Greenback Vote in Presidential Elections: 1876, 1880, 1884; Populist Vote in Presidential Elections, 1892-1896.
- Folder 13: Populist Vote for Presidentia1 Elections, l892-1896; Economic Analysis of Populist Vote in Presidential Election, 1892.
- Folder 14: State Elections; New Jersey Valuation, 1809, 1822; New Hampshire: Tax, Valuation, and Population: 1800, 1808; Ohio County Tax Lists; Maine County Valuations: 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1829; New York County Valuations; Conference Convention, 1861; Crops and farm values; Maine Valuations 1786, 1791; U.S. Census, 1810; Contested Election Case, 1856.
- Folder 15: Massachusetts Valuation by Towns of Real and Personal Estate 1831; U.S. Census, 1840; Loria-Economic Basis of Society; English in Canada, 1878; New Jersey Population by Town and County, l810-1830; New York Population, 1821; Virginia Population (percent increase of whites, free colored, slaves), 1830- 1850; Population of Rhode Island, 1774.
- Folder 16: U. S. Census 1790; Poll List 1902, Population and Nationality; Population and Nationality, Cass County, Hunter Township, North Dakota, 1897, 1902; Population and Nationality Cavalier County, Liden Township, North Dakota, 1902; Population and Nationality, Barnes County, North Dakota; State Population Changes, 1800-1830; Ohio Convention, 1802; North Carolina Constitutional Convention 1835; North Carolina State Convention, 1835; Virginia State Convention, l829-1830; North Carolina State Convention, 1835; Kentucky State Convention, 1895; Ohio State Convention, 1895; Travel Washington, 1896; Shot Making Process in Wisconsin, New York and St. Louis; Wisconsin Population 1840-1895.
- Folder 17: Helena Shot Tower - Pictures of men who worked there
- Folder 18: Economic Evolution of United States; Economic Development of United States; Reports on Industries; Source Material; Tennessee Valley Authority (Paper, Map, Statistics).
- Folder 19: Middle Period: 1760-1803 and 1803-1811.
- Box 5
- Folder 1: Middle Period: African Slave Trade; Middle Period, 1812-1823; Middle Period, 1824-1837: Jackson Messages, Miscellaneous and Nationalism, National Bank, Calhoun’s Exposition, Nullification, Webster Hayne Debate.
- Folder 2: Middle Period, 1824-1837: Opinion of Jackson; Middle Period, 1837-1844: Polk’s Administration; Middle Period, 1824-1860: Harpers Ferry, Methods of Secession; Middle Period, 1845-1860: Buffalo and the Indian.
- Folder 3: Middle Period, 1845-1860:Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Buchanan's Administration, Lincoln - Douglas Debate, Ostend Manifesto, Kansas Nebraska Act, Admission of Kansas; Middle Period, Lincoln in Congress: 1847-1849.
- Folder 4: Republican Party - Organization; Crittenden Conference; Buchanan’s Administration; Middle Period, 1800-60: Literature; Slavery, Wisconsin Shot Tower.
- Folder 5: French and Indian War, 1754-1763; Supreme Court Decisions: 1876,1880, 1884; Greenback Party in President Election; Outlines and Bibliographies: Nullification, Georgia and State Sovereignty, Internal Improvements, Tariff, Sovereignty.
- Folder 6: North West History: Miscellaneous French Exploration, French Settlements to 1803, English in Canada (1763-1818), Trans Allegheny Exploration, Exploration of Louisiana, U.S. Government and Indians of North West, Buffalo and the Indian, Simcoe Papers, Colonial Constitutions to 1732.
- Folder 7: North West History: Simcoe Papers, 1783-1800; Canadian Half Breed Rebellion.
- Folder 8: North West History: 1800-1821; Dictionary of American History; Constitutional and Political History of the U.S.: Physiographic Conditions in Colonies.
- Folder 9: Constitutional and Political History of the U. S.: Critical Period, 1760-1776.
- Folder 10: Constitutional and Political History of the U.S.: Critical Period.
- Folder 11: Constitutional and Political History of the U.S.: Colonial Parties to 1750, Colonial Life, Washington Administration: 1789-1797, Miscellaneous.
- Folder 12: Constitutional and Political History of the U.S.: Rise of Republican Party, Miscellaneous.
- Folder 13: Constitutional and Political History of the U.S.: 1800-1829, Life of Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Administration, 1861-1865.
- Folder 14: Lincoln Administration and Johnson Administration
- Folder 15: Grant Administration and Hayes Administration
- Folder 16: Cleveland's 1st Administration: 1885-1889; Roosevelt's 2nd Administration; Wilson's 1st Administration: 1913-1917.
- Folder 17: Wilson's 2nd Administration; Wilson and World War I: 1913-1918.
- Folder 18: Wilson and World War I: 1913-1918; World War I: Miscellaneous; Aftermath of War: Harding, Coolidge, Hoover; Teachers of History; Fiskes' U. S. History; Slavery; Recent American History
- Folder 19: British Empire; Great War Miscellaneous; Wisconsin Shot Tower.
- Box 6
- Folder 1: Wisconsin Shot Tower; Helena Shot Tower
- Folder 2: Cleveland Reform; Interstate Commerce Commission; Spanish America.
- Folder 3: Beecher in England; President Johnson's Messages; Crittenden's Resolution; Buchannan's Messages; Imperialism
- Folder 4: Untitled Manuscript: author unknown.
- Folder 5: How Men Learned to Fly; Development of American Nationalism: 1800-1837; Jefferson Regime; Civil War Turning Point.
- Folder 6: Action in Congress, House of Representatives, 14th Congress: 1815-1817; 33rd Congress, 1st Session, 1853-54, House of Representatives; Check list of 13th Congress; Table of Contents for Yeas & Nays, 24th Congress to 49th Congress; Check list of 14th Congress.
- Folder 7: Table of Contents for Yeas & Nays, 1836-86; Table of Contents for Yeas & Nays, 24th Congress to 49th Congress.
- Folder 8: Marguy Papers; Boston Tea Party Participants; Jefferson Letters
- Folder 9: Kansas-Nebraska Bill.
- Folder 10: Kansas-Nebraska Bill; Kansas: Miscellaneous; Dailey’s Virginia Studies on Slavery; Admission of Missouri.
- Folder 11: Civil War; Outlines on the Civil War; Lille’s Thesis--The Homestead Act; Erie Canal Material.
- Folder 12: Clinton vs. Madison; Middle Period Miscellaneous: 1783-1812; Taft Administration; History of American Revolution
- Folder 13: Miscellaneous National Wars; Map Material; U.S. Anthropology Notes; Three Native Culture Centers in North Dakota; Physical Features of U.S.; Bird List.
- Folder 17: Scrapbook of clippings on the removal of the bodies of John Brown’s raiders to New York by Libby and others.
- Folder 18: Correspondence, photographs and newspaper clippings regarding removal of the bodies of John Brown’s raiders to New York by Libby and others
- Folder 19: Correspondence, photographs and newspaper clippings regarding removal of the bodies of John Brown’s raiders to New York by Libby and others
- Folder 25: Indians of North Dakota
- Folder 26: Report on Interviews of Indians, 1909
- Folder 27: Report of Work Among the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Indians at Fort Berthold, N.D., submitted by Frances Densmore, September 17, 1912
- Folder 28: “The Farm Woman Answers the Question,” The Farmer’s Wife Magazine, St. Paul, Minnesota, circa 1926
- Folder 29: Autobiography of Mrs. J. H. Simonton (Jennie Stabler) written with Libby's help
- Box 8
- Folder 12: Tower Hill, Wisconsin - 1894-1895 Research into History of Buckshot Manufacture in Early Wisconsin
- Folder 13: New Richmond, Wisconsin Cyclone, June 12, 1899 - Overview by Libby
- Folder 14: New Richmond, Wisconsin Cyclone, 1899 news clippings
- Folder 15: New Richmond, Wisconsin Cyclone - Passes Issued
- Folder 16: New Richmond, Wisconsin Cyclone - Miscellaneous Materials
- Folder 17: Articles Written by Libby in North Dakota Quarterly: “One Hundred Years of Peace,” 1916; “Background of the Great War,” 1917
- Folder 18: “The Verendrye Routes In North and South Dakota”
- Folder 19: Miscellaneous Articles Including Correspondence Regarding “The Little Big Horn Battle,” 1949
- Folder 21: Record of Distribution of Volumes of Collections of State Historical Society of North Dakota
- Folder 22: Orin G. Libby’s Library - Listing of books
- Folder 26: "The Geographical Distribution of the Vote of the Thirteen States on the Federal Constitution, 1787-8." Orin G. Libby. Bulletin of the University of Wisconsin. June 1894
- Box 9
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[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Diaries],
[Series 3: Research Materials],
[Series 4: University of North Dakota ],
[Series 5: Photographs],
[Series 6: Miscellaneous],
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