Guide to the Joseph H. Murray papers
1907-1933
Collection number: HMC-0183.
Creator: Murray, Joseph H. (1877-1944).
Title: Joseph H. Murray papers.
Dates: 1907-1933.
Volume of collection: 0.25 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Papers of an Alaskan miner, attorney, and territorial House Representative.
Biographical note:
Joseph H. Murray was born in Albany, New York, on June 30, 1877. He studied law and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1900. Three years later he moved to Alaska and became a lawyer and a miner in the Valdez and Calamity Gulch regions near McCarthy. He served as a city magistrate in Valdez; was involved in a private law practice in Cordova, 1926 to 1944; and served in the Territorial House of Representatives 1917-1919, 1921-1923. Murray died in Cordova in 1944.
Collection description:
The collection consists of correspondence, legal papers, bills and receipts, and printed materials. Materials in the collection pertain to Mr. Murray’s professional life as a miner, attorney, and Alaska territorial Representative.
Arrangement: The collection is divided into series by record type, generally arranged by date thereunder.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to the materials in this collection is not held by Archives and Special Collections.
Preferred citation: Joseph H. Murray papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Custodial history: The exact provenance of the collection is uncertain. The materials were found by the Gagnon family (see acquisition note below) in a building on their property near May Creek, Alaska.
Acquisition note: The collection presented to the archives by Robert Spude of the National Park Service. He received the materials from the Gagnon Family, who desired to see the materials preserved for research use.
Processing information: This collection was arranged and described in 1984. The collection was rehoused and redescribed in 2009 by Arlene Schmuland. At that time, some miscellaneous materials were moved into the correspondence and legal records series as appropriate.
Container list:
Series 1: Incoming correspondence; 1912-1933. This series contains letters dealing with court cases, publications, insurance, mining, supplies, billings, invitations, family and friends, as well as a few empty envelopes. Correspondents include Anthony J. Dimond, other attorneys, and shopkeepers from Chitina, Cordova, and Valdez. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Dates |
| 1/1 | Undated, 1912-1913 |
| 1/2 | 1914 |
| 1/3 | 1915-1916 |
| 1/4 | 1922-1933 |
Series 2: Legal papers; 1909-1916. This series contains court case documents, affidavits, powers of attorney, proposed legislation, and mining deeds. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Dates |
| 1/5 | 1909-1913 |
| 1/6 | 1914 |
| 1/7 | 1915-1916 |
| 1/8 | undated |
Series 3: Bills and receipts; 1913-1915, 1932. This series includes bills and receipts for groceries, clothing, sundries, attorney’s fees, and medical treatment. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Dates |
| 1/9 | 1913-1915, 1932 |
Series 4: Printed materials; undated, 1907-1914. This series includes maps of placer mining locations (oversize), newspaper clippings, and advertisements.
| Box/Folder | Dates |
| 1/10 | Undated, 1907-1914 |
| 1/11 (Oversize) | Undated, 1911 |