Thomas M. Pratt correspondence, 1879-1881

Description

Title: Thomas M. Pratt correspondence, 1879-1881
Creator: Pratt, Thomas M., active approximately 1879-1881
Abstract: 5 autograph letters, signed, to Thomas M. Pratt, including 2 from Charles Jones, 1 from F. B. Bigeler, 1 from Charles L. Jackson, and 1 from G. W. Mentot. Letters from Jones, Jackson, and Mentot detail the writers' lives as cowboys in Dakota Territory, particularly in Rapid Valley, Rapid City, and Rockerville. Letters from Charles Jones detail his sexual and romantic relationships with Thomas M. Pratt and Charles L. Jackson, and include the use of slang to describe these relationships and Jones's attempts to find a woman to marry. Letter from F. B. Bigeler describes the sale and consumption of alcohol in Bangor, Maine, the suicide of an acquaintance, and anecdotes involving sex and prostitution. Included are 3 photographic postcards of Mill Creek Ranch in Livingston, Montana
Description: Thomas M. Pratt was a cowboy in Dakota Territory, circa 1879-1881.
In English.
Provenance: Purchased from Michael Vinson on the Frederick W. and Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana, 2009, and on the Edwin J. Beinecke Book Fund, 2013.
Extent: 0.21 linear feet (1 box)
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.
Digitization Note: Folders 1-6 fully digitized.
Language: English

Genre: Photographic postcards
LGBTQ resource
Subject (Geographic): South Dakota.
West (U.S.)
United States.
Bangor (Me.)
Livingston (Mont.)
Rapid City (S.D.)
Rapid Valley (S.D.)
Rockerville (S.D.)
South Dakota
Subject (Name): Bigeler, F. B., active approximately 1879.
Jackson, Charles L., active approximately 1881.
Jones, Charles, active approximately 1881.
Mentot, G. W., active approximately 1881.
Pratt, Thomas M., active approximately 1879-1881.
Subject (Topic): Cowboys
Sexual behavior
English language
Slang
Frontier and pioneer life
Gay men
Male homosexuality
Men
Prostitution
Sex
Social life and customs
Subjects: Bigeler, F. B., active approximately 1879
Jackson, Charles L., active approximately 1881
Jones, Charles, active approximately 1881
Mentot, G. W., active approximately 1881
Pratt, Thomas M., active approximately 1879-1881
Cowboys > South Dakota
Cowboys > Sexual behavior > South Dakota
Cowboys > West (U.S.)
Cowboys > Sexual behavior > West (U.S.)
English language > Slang
Frontier and pioneer life > South Dakota
Gay men > Sexual behavior > United States
Gay men > Slang
Male homosexuality > United States
Men > Sexual behavior > United States
Prostitution > United States
Sex > United States
Bangor (Me.)
Livingston (Mont.)
Rapid City (S.D.)
Rapid Valley (S.D.)
Rockerville (S.D.)
South Dakota > Social life and customs
West (U.S.) > Social life and customs
South Dakota > 19th century
West (U.S.) > 19th century
LGBTQ resource

Access: Public
Rights: The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Citation: Thomas M. Pratt Correspondence. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.