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The Vigilantes were an Idaho and Montana Territory extra-legal citizens' law enforcement organization in the Virginia City and Bannack area. Records consist of bylaws (1863); membership oath; signatures of organizing members; an account book (c.1864); a warning notice (September 19, 1865); and a 3-7-77 poster., This collection consists of the bylaws and official oath of allegiance of the vigilantes of Virginia City and surrounding area. The oath was signed December 23, 1863, by 24 individuals. There is also a typed transcript of the vigilantes' account book, kept by John Lott and his brother in 1864, and a "3-7-77" flyer, reputedly sent to Con Murphy before his execution in 1884. (Small Collection 953).

The Merchants National Bank of Helena, Montana, was originally established as L.H. Hershfield and Co. in Virginia City, Montana Territory, and for many years operated as L.H. Hershfield and Bro. It went into receivership in 1897. Records (1865-1903) consist of correspondence, financial records, legal documents, and organizational materials. There are subgroups for the White Sulphur Springs Association and for the United Hebrew Benevolent Association., Records of the Merchants National Bank and its predecessors L.H. Hershfield and Co. and L.H. Hershfield & Bro. include incoming correspondence (1864-1897); outgoing correspondence (1866-1869, 1871-1873, 1876, 1879-1897); court papers (1864-1897); financial records (1865-1897), including ledgers, depositors daily balances, cash books, etc.; legal documents (1861-1896); organizational materials (1882-1897) including articles of association, minutes, etc.; a subject file (1868-1896) concerning the bank's various investments, L.H. Hershfield's Republican Party activities, etc; and miscellany (1866-1894)., The Merchants National Bank Receivership Subgroup contains incoming and outgoing correspondence (1897-1903) of receiver Eugene T. Wilson; court papers (1897-1901); financial records (1897-1898, 1902); and an agreement (1901)., In addition, there are smaller subgroups for the United Hebrew Benevolent Association (1879-1885); and for the White Sulphur Springs Association (1883-1896) concerning operation of the resort hotel. (Manuscript Collection 115)

Francis Elliott's papers consist of letters (1866-1871) to his family discussing his experiences in Virginia City and Beartown, Montana Territory, where he was a miner, farmer, and freighter. Also included are three letters (1880-1881) to Elliott's brother, George, from Joseph Skettington concerning Elliott's death, burial, and estate., This collection consists of ten letters (1866-1871) from Frank Elliott in Montana to his family in Illinois. The letters describe the beauty of Montana, the physical hardships of the bitter winters, a planned civilian campaign against the Indians, and economic difficulties. The last letter in 1871 expresses considerable disillusionment with Montana. There are also three letters (1880-1881) to Elliott's brother from Joseph Skeffington of Bear Town, telling of Elliott's death in 1875. (Small Collection 660)

Henry D. Hauser traveled to Virginia City, Montana Territory, in 1865. His diary details his trip from Kentucky to Montana, life and work in Virginia City, and return trip to Cincinnati, Ohio. The volume also contains an account of travel and living expenses., The diary of Henry D. Hauser describes his train and stage trip (beginning in May 12, 1865) from St. Louis, Missouri, to Virginia City, Montana Territory, via Atchison, Kansas; Denver, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. After reaching Virginia City on June 18, 1865, Hauser describes his work for N.P. Langford looking at claims, writing deeds, collecting money; social activities including billiards and dancing; business associations with Judge Hezekiah Hosmer and Walter B. Dance; area robberies and hangings; etc. The regular diary entries end on December 21, 1865. Following that date there are scattered entries for 1866 and 1867. Beginning in November 1868 there are entries for a trip from Virginia City to Cincinnati. The diary also contains accounts of expenses during Hauser's trips and while living in Virginia City, and notes concerning rivers and Indian tribes in Montana Territory.