Collection 522 - Robert P. Smith Papers, 1888-1950

Creator: Smith, Robert P. (Robert Philip), 1863-1955

Provenance Note: Correspondence, publications, sermons and personal ephemera created or collected by Robert P. Smith were saved by his daughter, Ruth Linfield, and donated to the Montana State University Special Collections in two gifts, 1967 and 1972. The gifts have been processed as one set.

Historical Note: Reverend Robert Philip Smith was born April 7, 1863 in Grove Port, Ohio. He received his advanced education from Ohio Normal University where he completed degrees in both the Liberal Arts and Science in 1886. In the following years he also earned a Doctorate of Divinity from Ohio Wesleyan University. Smith then taught for several years in the Ohio school system. He first come to Montana as a professor of Greek at Intermountain Union. From there he moved to Kansas Wesleyan where he served for seven years as President beginning in 1908. He then returned to Montana and served as pastor in Sheridan for three years, Dillion for four years, St. Paul's church in Helena for two years and finally Bozeman where he served for a total of 34 years. During his tenure in Bozeman he also served as the president of Montana Wesleyan University for five years. Although he officially retired in 1930, he remained a pastor emeritus of the Bozeman Methodist Episcopal church, served the West Yellowstone church during the summer for several years and was constantly in demand as a public speaker. Smith also traveled extensively to national church conventions, and was sent as a representative to the 1921 Rotary International Convention in Edinburgh, Scotland. He remained active in Bozeman community affairs until his death in 1945, serving on the Board of Directors of the Deaconess Hospital for 23 years, participating in the Masonic society, the Odd Fellows Club and the QK Discussion Club of which he was a founding member. Smith published numerous tracts on religion as well as several books of prose including "The Domine Goes A-Fishing". He married Jennie Patrick of Alger, Ohio in 1893. They had two daughters, Ruth (Mrs. Bertil Linfield), and Lois.

Content Description Note: The Smith papers consist of personal correspondence, sermons and personal ephemera. The correspondence is primarily of a business nature as pertains to his time as president of both Kansas and Montana Wesleyan Universities and real estate investments. There are also numerous letters from other pastors and religious colleagues. Major correspondents include George Mecklenburg, Attree Smith and The Preachers Aid Society. These were received in a semi-chronological order and refoldered in chronological order except for those pertaining to business which were filed separately. His sermons cover numerous topics ranging from Agriculture to Women. These were arranged alphabetically by topic and have been refoldered in this order. Smith's non-sermon writings and personal ephemera were basically chronological in their original arrangement, and have been maintained in a similar order within broad categories of General Biographical, Kansas Period, Montana Period, Europe 1921, Clippings Books, and Printed Ephemera. Some family pictures are also included.

Contents

Series 1: Correspondence, 1888-1945

Personal and ministerial correspondence written or received by R. P. Smith. The earliest letters deal in family matters and with his tenure as president of Kansas Wesleyan University including a bitter faculty dispute that eventually led to his resigning from the university. The later parts deal with his tenure in Montana as President of Montana Wesleyan University and his terms as pastor in Sheridan, Dillion, Helena and Bozeman, Montana. Throughout the series is correspondence with other pastors, religious friends and parents of college students under his care. The letters are chronologically arranged. Letters pertaining to financial matters [specifically insurance and real estate (except those purchases made for/by Montana Wesleyan University)] may be found in Series 4. Letters pertaining to 1920 Pastor's Conference are in Series 5, Subseries 3. Special folders exist for his correspondence with George Mecklenberg, Attree Smith and The Preachers Aid Society. There is also one bound volume of circular letters and one folder of misc. and incomplete correspondence. Smith recycled much of his correspondence as scrap paper for his sermons. These can be found in Series 2. No attempt has been made to arrange the pages of correspondence so used in Series 2 in any order other than by the sermon written on it.

Contents | Special Collections

Series 2: Sermons

Sermons and Public addresses created by R.P. Smith. There are also many unfinished sermon sketches, note, etc. relevant to the sermon topics which are included in the folders. The documents are arranged alphabetically by sermon topic. This original order was preserved when the sermons were reboxed.

Contents | Special Collections

Series 3: Writings, Non-sermon, ca. 1900-1945

Autobiographies, books, pamphlets, news articles, manuscripts, religious reflections (non-sermon) and critical writings created and published by R. P. Smith. Most are of at least a religious bent but also deal with the outdoors and personal success. Materials are arranged by type.

Box 21

1. Autobiographer

2. The Spiritual Value of Work - Edited

3. The Spiritual Value of Work - Mint Condition

4. Newspaper review of The Spiritual Value of Work

5. Religious Optimism

6. Articles on Religious Optimism

7. Articles found in Smith's copy of Religious Optimism he used for research

8. "The Oldest of the Poets"

9. "The More Excellent Way"

10. "The Domine Visits the Fields"

11. "Ministry of Birds"

12. "The Domine Goes A-Fishing" - First Edition

13. "The Domine Goes A-Fishing" - Second Edition

14. Poetry Notes

15. News Articles

Box 22

1. "An Artist at Work or Bozeman the Beautiful"

2. "Are You Looking Out?"

3. "Building a City"

4. "Changes in My Personal Faith"

5. "House on a Rock"

6. "Man's Prospect of Immortality"

7. "A Message to the Church at Home"

8. "Sin of Waste"

9. Rough Draft Manuscript Collection

10. Rough Draft Manuscript Collection - Typed/Edited, 1 of 3

11. Rough Draft Manuscript Collection - Typed/Edited, 2 of 3

12. Rough Draft Manuscript Collection - Typed/Edited, 3 of 3

13. Religious Reflections

14. Critical Writings

15. Educational Addresses

16. Misc. Pages

Contents | Special Collections

Series 4: Financial Papers, 1903-1947

Insurance and real estate papers pertaining to R. P. Smith and his immediate family. Correspondence pertaining to insurance and real estate also included in this series. In addition to some misc. receipts, there is an account book from a Dillion Livery that Smith owned and a personal account book.

Contents | Special Collections

Series 4; Subseries 1: Insurance Papers

Materials are arranged chronologically. Correspondence is chronological by date written. Insurance policies are chronological by the date of expiration. Receipts, endorsements and policy loan statements are separated by company then arranged chronologically.

Box 23

1. Notes

2. Insurance Correspondence, 1903-1909

3. Insurance Correspondence, 1911-1916

4. Insurance Correspondence, 1921-1929

5. Insurance Correspondence, 1930-1939

6. Insurance Correspondence, 1942

7. Receipt...Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York

8. Receipt...Northwestern National Life Insurance Company

9. Receipt...The Union central Life Insurance Company

10. Endorsement, Home, Fire and Marine Insurance Company

11. Insurance Policies, 1913-1929

12. Insurance Policies, 1930-1935

13. Insurance Policies, 1936-1939

14. Insurance Policies, 1941-1944

15. Insurance Policies, 1945-1947

Contents | Special Collections

Series 4; Subseries 2: Real Estate Papers

Correspondence is arranged chronologically by year. Deeds are arranged chronologically by date of indenture

Box 23 (cont.)

16. Real Estate Correspondence 1907

17. Real Estate Correspondence 1908

18. Real Estate Correspondence 1909

19. Real Estate Correspondence 1910

20. Real Estate Correspondence 1911

21. Real Estate Correspondence 1912

22. Real Estate Correspondence 1914

23. Real Estate Correspondence 1915

24. Real Estate Correspondence 1917

25. Real Estate Correspondence 1919

26. Real Estate Correspondence 1920

27. Real Estate Correspondence 1921

28. Real Estate Correspondence 1927

29. Real Estate Correspondence 1932

30. Real Estate Correspondence 1933

31. Real Estate Correspondence 1935

32. Real Estate Correspondence 1936

33. Real Estate Correspondence 1937

34. Real Estate Correspondence 1939

35. Real Estate Correspondence 1940

36. Real Estate Correspondence 1941

37. Warranty Deeds

38. Lease Agreements

39. Quit Claim Deeds

40. Bond and Sale Contracts

41. Mortgages

42. Mover's Bill

43. Sworn Income Statement

44. Loan Drafts

45. Macey Co. Receipt

46. Dillion Livery Stables Account Book

47. Personal Account Book, 1905-1934

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5: Scrapbook and Memorabilia, ca. 1886-1945

Scrapbook materials and memorabilia collected by R. P. Smith. Some contributed later by Ruth Linfield who originally gathered the collection of her father's papers. The series is broken into seven subseries - General Biographical, Kansas, Montana, Europe, Clippings Books, and Printed Ephemera.

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 1: General Biographical

Information and papers pertaining to the credentials, awards and life of R. P. Smith. credentials and certificates are arranged in chronological order by date of conference. Undated materials are placed at the end if the subseries. Oversized items have been removed from the series, as indicated by an asterisk, and stored separately in Box 30. Subseries also includes news articles written about him as well as three biographies written about him both during his lifetime and after his death.

Box 24

1. Calling Card

2. Ohio Teacher Certificate

3. Ohio Normal University Diploma*

4. Preacher License Renewal

5. Recommendation for ordination as Elder

6. Societas Amphictyonia*

7. Ohio Wesleyan University Diploma*

8. Deacon's Credentials

9. Elder's Credentials

10. National Geographic Society

11. Roosevelt Memorial Association

12. Phi Beta Kappa

13. Speech Poster*

14. Biography - 1918

15. Biography - 1945

16. Biography - 1965

17. News Art

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 2: Kansas Period, 1908-1914

Programs, pamphlets, clippings etc. as pertain to R. P. Smith's tenure as President of Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU), Selena, Kansas. The papers are divided into two main groups - those pertaining directly to KWU, and those pertaining to Smith's other involvements in the Kansas community. Within each group the papers are arranged according to topic.

Box 24 (cont.)

18. Kansas - Kansas Wesleyan University - Smith Inauguration

19. Kansas - KWU - The Kansas Wesleyan Advance

20. Kansas - KWU - Register and Calendar

21. Kansas - KWU - Announcements

22. Kansas - KWU - College of Music and Fine Arts

23. Kansas - KWU - Commencement Exercises

24. Kansas - KWU - Summer School of Theology

25. Kansas - KWU - University Banquet

26. Kansas - KWU - Founders Day

27. Kansas - KWU - Aaron Schuyler

28. Kansas - KWU - Good-Will Banquet

29. Kansas - KWU - Donation Slips

30. Kansas - Recital Programs

31. Kansas - Speech Announcements

32. Kansas - News Clippings

33. Methodist Episcopal Church

34. Kansas - Funeral Book

35. Kansas - Society for the Friendless

36. Kansas - Chautauqua Association

37. Kansas - Teachers Association

38. Kansas - Epworth League

39. Kansas - Women's Foreign Missionary Society

40. Kansas - Ministerial Association, Concordia District

41. Association of College Presidents...Methodist Episcopal Church

42. Odd-Fellowship

43. Social Science Club

44. Enterprise Normal Academy

45. Baker University

46. Current Literary Club

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 3: Montana Period, (1910) 1915-1945

Programs. Pamphlets, clippings, etc. as pertain to R. P. Smith's tenure in Montana, mostly from his time as Pastor at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bozeman. Items are arranged in roughly chronological order. Oversized items are filed in Box 30, and designated with *.

Box 25

1. Montana Wesleyan University

2. Montana Wesleyan University Subscription List

3. Announcements & Bulletin, Non-Church

4. Saco Methodist Church Dedication

5. Methodist Church Programs, Non-Bozeman Churches

6. Church Programs, Bulletins, Lecture Announcements, Bozeman, Methodist Episcopal Church

7. Bozeman Methodist Episcopal Church Papers 1915-1941

8. Church Union Notes 1918

9. Bozeman Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian Church Consolidation 1918

10. 1920 Pastor's Conference

11. General Conference Notes 1920-1924

12. "The Pastor's Council" 1923-1926

13. QK Discussion Club 1936-1937

14. 1943-1945 Guest Book Cover

15. 1943-1945 Guest Book

16. Polson, Montana Program*

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 4: Europe, 1921

Trip notes and souvenirs from R. P. Smith 1921 attendance of the Rotary International Convention in Edinburgh, Scotland. Papers are arranged into sections on travel information and paper materials. The latter, containing pamphlets, laundry lists and hotel information, is arranged by country. Correspondence has been removed and is filed in Series 1.

Box 25 (cont.)

17. Europe 1921 - Trip Note and Diary

18. Europe 1921 - Customs Papers

19. Europe 1921 - Ship Information "Empress of France"

20. Europe 1921 - American Express/Insurance

21. Europe 1921 - 12th Annual Convention International Association of Rotary Clubs, Edinburgh, Scotland

22. Europe 1921 - Germany

23. Europe 1921 - Switzerland

24. Europe 1921 - France

25. Europe 1921 - Netherlands

26. Europe 1921 - England (London)

27. Europe 1921 - Scotland (Edinburgh)

28. Europe 1921 - Italy

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 5: Ruth Smith Linfield

Personal documents and contracts of Ruth Smith Linfield and her sister Lois. Large diplomas filed in oversize folder, Box 30, are denoted by *.

Box 26

1. Linfield Letter Press Tablet

2. Montana Teachers Certificate

3. South Dakota Teachers Contract

4. Ohio Wesleyan Student Handbook 1917-1918

5. Spelling Book

6. Fall 1917 Ohio Wesleyan University Directory

7. Ruth Smith Diploma*

8. Ruth Smith Diploma*

9. Lois Smith Diploma*

10. Wedding Invitation for Ruth Smith

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 6: Clippings Books

The clippings books were collected and maintained by R. P. Smith. He recycled old books to put the clippings and pamphlets in. Those that had the tracts attached were left in this manner. Those that were simply filed randomly among the books pages were removed and are filed in Series 5, Subseries 7. Large materials in Oversized Box 30, denoted by *.

Box 26 (cont.)

11. Clippings Book #1 - Educational Addresses (Contents in front of book)

12. Clippings Book #2 - Sermons by Various Ministers (Indexed, some subjects missing)

13. Clippings Book #3 - Sermons and News Clippings By & About Other Ministers (index in front)

Box 27

1. Clippings Book #4 - Misc. (Index in front)

2. Clippings Book #5 - Misc. (Index in front) (Clippings Books #6, 7 removed to Subseries 7)

3. Clippings Book #8 - Foreign Missions (Contents in front)

4. Clippings Book #9 - Poetry (Many selections from Thomas Curtis Clark)

5. Clippings Books #10 - Random Clippings dating back to ca. 1900

6. Large Clippings Book*

7. Collected Humor News Clippings

Contents | Special Collections

Series 5; Subseries 7: Printed Ephemera

Books and Tracts on various topic collected by R. P. Smith. Most come from loose materials found in the Clippings Books, Subseries 6. Tracts are arranged in folders by main topic.

Box 28

1. Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Albert D. Shaw (Originally Clippings Book #6)

2. Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Richard P. Bland (Originally Clippings Book #7)

3. "Protestantism: True and False"

4. "The Lord's Day"

5. The Sabbath

6. Second Advent

7. Faith

8. Man

9. Young Men's Christian Association

10. Morality

11. Dancing

12. Children

13. Deaconess

14. Epworth League

15. Missionary Work

16. Methodist Pulpit

17. A Service Book

Contents | Special Collections

Series 6: Photographs

Photographs #1 - 8 are of R. P. Smith. Photographs #9 - 12 are of R.P. Smith ad classmates. Photographs #13 and 14 are of the Smith Family. Photographs #15 and 16 are of Bozeman, Montana social clubs that Smith was a member of. Photographs #17 - 22 are of buildings, mostly parsonages, that Smith built during his tenures as a pastor in various Montana towns. Oversized photographs are stored in Box 30 are denoted by a *.

Box 29 Photographs #1-22

#1. R. P. Smith, ca.1890's

#2. R. P. Smith, 1900

#3. R. P. Smith, 1908

#4. R. P. Smith, 1908 (1915)

#5. R. P. Smith, 1909

#6. R. P. Smith, ca. 1930's

#7. R. P. Smith, ca. 1930's

#8. R. P. Smith, ca. 1940's

#9. R. P. Smith and Classmates, ca.1880's

#10. R. P. Smith and Classmates, ca.1880's

#11. R. P. Smith and Classmates, ca.1880's

#12. Ohio Normal University Graduating Class, 1886*

#13. Smith Family

#14. R. P. Smith and Wife

#15. Bozeman Rotary Club, ca. 1930's

#16. Odd-Fellows Club

#17. Sheridan, Montana Parsonage, 1897

#18. Dillion, Montana Methodist Episcopal Church, 1900

#19. Dillion, Montana Parsonage, 1902

#20. Ruby, Montana Episcopal Church

#21. Room

#22. R. P. Smith, ca. 1930's (negative only)

Box 30 Oversized Materials

1. Large Clippings Book (Series 5, Sub 6, 27:6)

2. Ohio Normal University Diploma (Series 5, Sub 1, 24:3)

3. Societas Amphictyonia (Series 5, Sub 1, 24:6)

4. Ohio Wesleyan University Diploma (Series 5, Sub 1, 24:7)

5. Speech Poster (Series 5, Sub 1, 24:13)

6. Polson, Montana Program (Series 5, Sub 3, 25:16)

7. Ruth Smith Diploma (Series 5, Sub 5, 26:7)

8. Ruth Smith Diploma (Series 5, Sub 5, 26:8)

9. Lois Smith Diploma (Series 5, Sub 5, 26:9)

10. Photograph, Ohio Normal University Class, 1886 (Series 6, 29:12)

Contents | Special Collections

Updated: 5/18/09