1921, 1923-1924
File — Box: 3, Folder: 11
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
The Martin O. Thompson Papers have been organized into four series: Correspondence, Diaries, Financial records and Subject files.
The Correspondence Series is in two sections retaining Mr. Thompson's original order. It is basically personal and not related to his profession. The first section is arranged chronologically containing both incoming and outgoing correspondence covering the period 1906 to 1948. It is by no means complete with the 1930's containing the most material. The early portion into the 1920's contains mainly letters to the North Dakota Congressional delegation and concerning the Nonpartisan League, especially in Ransom County. Included is correspondence with William Langer, Gerald P. Nye, Henry Helgeson, John M. Baer, Asle F. Gronna and Robert LaFollette. The 1930's period concerns mainly wildlife issues, bird banding, as well as with government officials expressing his views on various issues. Included is much correspondence with 0. A. Stevens of the North Dakota Agricultural College. The 1940's correspondence is again mainly with the North Dakota Congressional delegation along with various other concerns. Included are letters from William Langer, Gerald P. Nye, William Lemke and Milton R. Young. The other section of correspondence is arranged by subject and chronologically therein. Some subjects include charts, maps, forms and pamphlets as well. The Big Slough Game Refugee files concern a refuge established in 1931 near Englevale, N.D. and which Mr. Thompson took an active part in establishing. The correspondence consists of both incoming and outgoing letters and is most complete for the 1929 to 1931 period. Judge Thompson was on the Ransom County board of the federally sponsored Civil Works Administration for which his correspondence is quite complete for the years 1933 and 1934. Again, these files consist of both incoming and outgoing correspondence. Other subject areas include area flower shows, a highway beautification project near Lisbon, the Lisbon Horseshoe Club, Lisbon Park Board, North Dakota State Horticulture Society, Ransom County historic sites, Wildlife concerns, and son Robert. The Sand Hills correspondence (1934-1936) relates to his successful attempt in establishing a submarginal land project in the Sand Hills area. Another extensive section is his correspondence with son Alfred showing the close relationship of father and son. It gives good insights into Alfred's married life, marital problems and in the Army during World War II in which he was stationed at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, a German prisoner of war camp.
The next section deals with the separation of Alfred and his wife and the welfare and custody of their child. The files includes correspondence of and with his father, his lawyer Charles Bangert, and legal material including facts on the case, possible court questions and legal documents. The Diaries Series of Judge Thompson are quite extensive, consisting of two types. First are the "Times Diaries" covering from 1914 to 1948 which deal mainly with the world wars and political topics. They are typed sheets recounting world events and, of greater value, Judge Thompson's views of people, governments and actions. Throughout, he maintains a very skeptical attitude of governmental policies. The other diaries are the more traditional type of daily entries in bound volumes. They cover the period 1937 to 1948 and are quite complete. The Financial Records Series are related to the period he was a lawyer in Lisbon from 1914 to 1922 and seem reasonably complete. The Subject Files Series are very extensive and cover a wide range of topics reflecting Judge Thompson's varied interests. Among the numerous files are newspaper clippings of the abstract of votes cast in various elections in Ransom County; a clipping and typed copies of poems of J.D. Allen, taxidermist; Judge Thompson's records of bird banding including various publications on the subject; North Dakota campaign literature and ballot for 1944; and various certificates including notary public appointments, Boy Scouts, and for being a member of County Selective Service Board. The Civil Works Administration material includes various notes, administrative forms and letters and statistics relating mainly to Ransom County. The dog’s files contain several poems and stories; and the family history material consists of scattered obituaries and notes on family members. Included is reminiscence by Judge Thompson on his childhood pets. Judge Thompson participated in several debates at Fort Ransom for which he prepared typed notes and arguments. The 1940 debate is on the power struggle in Europe and the 1947 debate was on giving aid to Greece and Turkey. The Hans Hendrickson (a brother to Judge Thompson's mother) estate papers include mostly correspondence and a detailed list of the heirs including in Norway. The Lisbon file contains only miscellaneous papers. Other Lisbon related material includes Superintendent Rahn's annual report to the Board of Education for 1929, and an expense and entry book for the 1933 flower show. The Nonpartisan League material includes meeting minutes of the Ransom County branch, a membership list, and some other form letters. The newspaper clippings have been organized by subject and include interesting items on the Civil Works Administration, horseshoe events, Lisbon and the Sand Hills. Other subjects include World War I and the 1940s. The pamphlets include various national periodicals and articles dealing with the deteriorating situation in Europe in the late 1930s. The poetry, sayings file is evidently items which impressed Judge Thompson and which he copied. The proverb cards are a unique collection of blotters printed by Knight Printing of Fargo and containing sayings both comical and serious. The Ransom County material contains copies of historical items and on historic sites as well as World War II casualties. In 1948 there was a controversy in North Dakota over the wearing by nuns of their garb while teaching in public schools for which Judge Thompson retained several pamphlets on the issue both pro and con. Other files include brochures and the 1916 platform of the National Socialist Party; letters, pamphlet and maps in connection with the shelterbelt project in 1935-1936; numerous notes for speeches given by Judge Thompson covering many topics although wildlife and nature predominate; papers related to his mother's estate; miscellaneous campaign speech notes of Judge Thompson; and other miscellaneous notes including for two trips, one into Minnesota and the other to Yellowstone and the Black Hills. The final, oversize material includes Judge Thompson's bird banding ledgers, and an album of pressed leaves, flowers and plant drawings.
The next section deals with the separation of Alfred and his wife and the welfare and custody of their child. The files includes correspondence of and with his father, his lawyer Charles Bangert, and legal material including facts on the case, possible court questions and legal documents. The Diaries Series of Judge Thompson are quite extensive, consisting of two types. First are the "Times Diaries" covering from 1914 to 1948 which deal mainly with the world wars and political topics. They are typed sheets recounting world events and, of greater value, Judge Thompson's views of people, governments and actions. Throughout, he maintains a very skeptical attitude of governmental policies. The other diaries are the more traditional type of daily entries in bound volumes. They cover the period 1937 to 1948 and are quite complete. The Financial Records Series are related to the period he was a lawyer in Lisbon from 1914 to 1922 and seem reasonably complete. The Subject Files Series are very extensive and cover a wide range of topics reflecting Judge Thompson's varied interests. Among the numerous files are newspaper clippings of the abstract of votes cast in various elections in Ransom County; a clipping and typed copies of poems of J.D. Allen, taxidermist; Judge Thompson's records of bird banding including various publications on the subject; North Dakota campaign literature and ballot for 1944; and various certificates including notary public appointments, Boy Scouts, and for being a member of County Selective Service Board. The Civil Works Administration material includes various notes, administrative forms and letters and statistics relating mainly to Ransom County. The dog’s files contain several poems and stories; and the family history material consists of scattered obituaries and notes on family members. Included is reminiscence by Judge Thompson on his childhood pets. Judge Thompson participated in several debates at Fort Ransom for which he prepared typed notes and arguments. The 1940 debate is on the power struggle in Europe and the 1947 debate was on giving aid to Greece and Turkey. The Hans Hendrickson (a brother to Judge Thompson's mother) estate papers include mostly correspondence and a detailed list of the heirs including in Norway. The Lisbon file contains only miscellaneous papers. Other Lisbon related material includes Superintendent Rahn's annual report to the Board of Education for 1929, and an expense and entry book for the 1933 flower show. The Nonpartisan League material includes meeting minutes of the Ransom County branch, a membership list, and some other form letters. The newspaper clippings have been organized by subject and include interesting items on the Civil Works Administration, horseshoe events, Lisbon and the Sand Hills. Other subjects include World War I and the 1940s. The pamphlets include various national periodicals and articles dealing with the deteriorating situation in Europe in the late 1930s. The poetry, sayings file is evidently items which impressed Judge Thompson and which he copied. The proverb cards are a unique collection of blotters printed by Knight Printing of Fargo and containing sayings both comical and serious. The Ransom County material contains copies of historical items and on historic sites as well as World War II casualties. In 1948 there was a controversy in North Dakota over the wearing by nuns of their garb while teaching in public schools for which Judge Thompson retained several pamphlets on the issue both pro and con. Other files include brochures and the 1916 platform of the National Socialist Party; letters, pamphlet and maps in connection with the shelterbelt project in 1935-1936; numerous notes for speeches given by Judge Thompson covering many topics although wildlife and nature predominate; papers related to his mother's estate; miscellaneous campaign speech notes of Judge Thompson; and other miscellaneous notes including for two trips, one into Minnesota and the other to Yellowstone and the Black Hills. The final, oversize material includes Judge Thompson's bird banding ledgers, and an album of pressed leaves, flowers and plant drawings.
Dates
- 1906-1948.
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Extent
From the Collection: 3 Linear Feet (3 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Thompson, Martin O., 1882-1948. (Person)
- From the Collection: Olson, Mark. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu