I'm trying to find out as much as possible about the town of Medora,
Dakota, during the years 1883-1888.

What was life like for the people who lived and worked there? What did
they eat and drink? How were their houses constructed? What was the
daily routine of a cowboy's wife, or a trapper, or a worker in the
slaughterhouse? What was served in the saloon? What was the ethnic
composition of the town? What did people wear? How many could read?
Where had they come from?

I realize there are a lot of questions and a lot of information
requested here, but I'm principally interested in where I can go to
find out more: books, museums, archives, libraries, Web sites, etc.

I don't need information about Theodore Roosevelt, or information
available in Edmund Morris' The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. I do need
information about the Marquis de Mores and the people of the town.

Hi lbdeyo,

What a fascinating subject, but I can see why you have been frustrated
in trying to paint a picture of the daily life in Medora - there just
isn't much available online. However, as always, the best place to
look for snippets of life and gossip is the local paper, and here we
are in luck. There actually was a paper published in Medora from
1884-1886, "The Bad Lands Cow Boy" (its last issue was published on
December 23, 1886 - a fire on January 12, 1887 destroyed the office).
You'll find an image of one of the front pages here, as well as a
photo of its office: http://www.4eyes.net/Theodore/part2.htm

"Medora was typical: a few shacks by the tracks. A frontier newspaper,
however, gave shacks legitimacy, a psychological anchor in the mind of
the cattle drover working the trackless frontier. In America,
newspapers always emanate from towns; if Medora had a newspaper,
therefore, it must be a town, and "civilization."... To adapt to such
a place, social structures had to be created from scratch. The
frontier newspaper not only offered a focus around which to create
such structure, but it offered a regular connection to the kind of
structure settlers hoped to recreate.
http://www.scripps.ohiou.edu/mediahistory/mhmjour3-1.htm#N_7_

North Dakota State University holds the following reprints:
MEDORA (Billings County)
Bad Lands Cow Boy
    - Feb. 7, 1884 (reprint)
    - Reprint of all issues for local news items
    - Summer 1971 (No. 2 with historical articles on Medora and area)
North Dakota State University
Institute for Regional Studies 
email: archives@www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu
http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndirs/collections/newspapers/newspapers_other.html

The Library of Congress holds the following:
Library of Congress
North Dakota 19th and 20th Newspapers in Original Format
Medora Bad Lands Cow Boy Reproduction 9213 11/27-12/18/1884-1/29/1885
11/25/1886
http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/bound/us/ndokbnd.html

Medora may be small, but its history is rich with interesting
characters (easterners and foreigners alike), a mix of ranchers,
businessmen, Native Americans and even Theodore Roosevelt. Many came
for money, some for the adventure and others out of need for the basic
necessities of life.
The flamboyant Marquis de Mores (a lieutenant in the French Calvary)
came to North Dakota with grand plans to establish a meat processing
plant and ship the processed meat east rather than the whole animal,
which he promptly did. However, he hadn't forseen a serious drought
which caused his business to fail in only three years, and so he was
forced to move back to France.
De Mores State Historic Site would be a great place for you to visit
to learn all about Antoine de Vallombrosa the Marquis de Mores. In
addition to making the new town of Medora and the meat packaging
plant, he also started a stagecoach line, refrigerated railway cars, a
freight company, and he raised cattle and sheep.

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
612 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0830
Telephone: (701) 328-2666 Fax: (701) 328-3710
http://www.state.nd.us/hist/

"Like many frontier communities, Billings County, in which both Medora
and Little Missouri were located, was slow to organize its government.
It early needed an effective local government to enforce law and
order."
"Medora is clamoring for a county organization. We hope they will get
it. If there is any place along the line that needs a criminal court
and jail it is Medora. Four-fifths of the business before our justice
of peace comes from Billings County."
http://www.4eyes.net/Theodore/part2.htm

Besides having "The Bad Lands Cow Boy" newspaper, the State Historical
Society of North Dakota is an excellent resource for you. Call and ask
about their "Traveling Trunks". If you are a teacher, I think you'll
be all set - if not, perhaps you can work something out.

"Resources for Educators: Traveling Trunks:
S°E°N°D is a series of twenty thematic trunk exhibits that provide
hands-on experience for learners of all ages.
Each S°E°N°D program trunk contains:
. artifacts . photographs
. documents . activities
. teaching suggestions . CD, audio, and video tapes
People may handle the artifacts and examine the photographs at their
own pace. The teaching suggestions outline methods of using artifacts,
photographs, and documents. For information about making a
reservation, call the Museum and Education Division, (701) 328-2794. A
$10 user fee (plus a $25 UPS fee if trunk is to be shipped) is charged
to cover program maintenance and shipping and handling costs."
. S°E°N°D Program Trunk Themes
. Agriculture            . Archeology        . Chippewa/Métis 
. The Dakota             . Depression Era    . Early Peoples 
. Energy Development     . Ethnic Traditions . Family Life   
. Frontier Military      . Fur Trade Era     . Historic Preservation 
. Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara . Photography       . Recreation            
. Town Life              . Transportation    . Water Resources 
. Working Women          . Youth
http://www.state.nd.us/hist//EduResources03.pdf

Also, if you can pay them a visit, there is an interpretive center
devoted to the Marquis and his wife. Unfortunately, it is closed for
the winter.
"Chateau de Mores, Medora: Commerce/Late Victorian Lifestyle. This
site interprets the activities of Antoine de Vallombrosa, the Marquis
de Mores, who came west in 1883. His enterprises included a
meatpacking plant, a stagecoach line, refrigerated railway cars, and
the town "Medora," named after his wife. The Chateau contains original
family furnishings. Other De Mores sites in Medora: Chimney Park, De
Mores Memorial Park, the Von Hoffman house (the Doll House), and St.
Mary's Catholic Church. Open May 16-September 15. Interpretive center
exhibits and video. Modern facilities. Allow 1 hour for chateau visit.
Admission fee. For information, call (701) 623-4355."
http://www.state.nd.us/hist//EduResources03.pdf

Chateau de Mores State Historic Site:
http://www.state.nd.us/hist//chateau/chateau.htm

The Marque de Mores:
http://www.medora.org/historic/marquis.asp

IMAGES:
http://community.webshots.com/album/47363989LKnkBQ/0

1) THE MARQUIS DE MORES:
"The Marquis de Mores, age 31, rich French Nobleman comes to Dakota to
make his fortune......
Antoine Amedee Marie Vincent Amat Manca de Vallombrosa, The Marquis de
Mores.....and you thought your name was long!!"
http://community.webshots.com/photo/47363989/47612256KPheKL

1a) ANTOINE DE VALLOMROSA:
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/marquis%20de%20mores.htm

2) MEDORA VON HOFFMAN
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/medora%20von%20hoffman.htm

3) MARQUIS AND MARQUISE:
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/marquis%20and%20marquise.htm

4) MEDORA THE TOWN 1885:
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/medora.htm

3) HORSE AND CARRIAGE:
"The elegant Horse and Carriage was the popular mode of travel...
for the wealth French family. They also had beautiful Sleighs for the
Winter time...All these can still be seen at the Chateau de Mores in
Medora, North Dakota, USA."
http://community.webshots.com/photo/47363989/47632365IwqVYJ

4) LOCOMOTIVE:
"The locomotive bought needed goods from the east as well as new
settlers.
Unfortunately it also brought the Buffalo hunter...The first time
Roosevelt came here....it was to hunt buffalo. It also carried the
Marquis' beef to the east."
http://community.webshots.com/photo/47363989/47632023LQsFAA

6) REFRIGERATED RAIL CAR: between 1883 and 1886
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/rail%20car.htm

8) MEAT PACKING PLANT AND SLAUGHTERHOUSE:
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/meat%20packing%20plant.htm

5) STAGECOACH: "Kitty," the Medora- Deadwood stagecoach:
"The Marquis de Mores, French founder of Medora, North Dakota, set up
the Medora & Black Hills Stage and Forwarding Company in 1884. His
stages made the 215-mile trip to Deadwood in 36 hours. Passengers paid
$21.50 for a ticket -10 cents per mile - and hated the rough route. A
Pierre line won the mail contract to Deadwood, and after little more
than a year the Medora line closed."
http://www.sdhistory.org/mus/images/m-stage.jpg

6) CHATEAU DE MORES:
http://www.state.nd.us/HIST/CHATEAU/chateau%20de%20mores.htm

NOKOTA HORSES:
"The Nokota history has been traced back to the buffalo and war horses
confiscated by the U.S. government from Chief Sitting Bull of the
Sioux Indians when they surrendered at Fort Buford, North Dakota in
1881.  Approximately 350 head were sold to local post traders who in
turn sold 250 head, including all mares, to the French nobleman, the
Marquis DeMores, who established the town of Medora, gateway to what
is now Theodore Roosevelt National park.  Many were war horses and had
been in the battle of Little Big Horn for they carried the scars from
the rifles of General Custers troops.  The Marquis intended to breed
horses on a large scale with these Sioux mares as the foundation
stock."
http://www.rockinbarh.com/NokotaHistory/nokotahistory.htm

ARTIFACTS FROM NORTH DAKOTA:
"100 year-old flowers . . .were found in the library of the 26-room
mansion, "The Chateau de Mores" in Medora North Dakota. They had been
pressed in an encyclopedia by the mistress of the house, the Marquise
de Mores (pictured below), a rich socialite from New York who lived
here from 1884-1886 ."
http://www.postcardsfrom.com/artif/artif-nd.html

The Deadwood connection:
"In 1884 the Marquis de Mores established a stage line connecting
Deadwood with the Northern Pacific railroad at Medora in the Badlands
of Dakota Territory some 200 miles to the north. A barn was built on
Bullock’s land as one of the stage stations on the Medora-Deadwood
line. A saloon set up in a shack at the De Mores station offered a
welcome oasis for stagecoach travelers and cowboys.
The venture wasn’t profitable for the Marquis. After a few runs the
stage line shut down. The saloon remained open, a thorn in the side to
the good women of Minnesela who were determined to keep their town
“dry.”"
http://www.deadwood.com/magazine/archives/TwoTowns.htm

BOOKS:

1) Arnold O. Goplen.
The Career of Marquis De Mores in the Bad Lands of North Dakota.
"Bismarck, ND: State Historical Society of North Dakota, 1979 Paper
Wraps. Atlas Folio - over 23" - 25" tall. Frontispiece is drawing of
Marquis de Mores by Edward Chinot. Revised and re-issued April, 1979,
this was originally published in North Dakota History, Vol. 13, Nos.
1-2, January-April, 1946. The story of the activities of Marquis De
Mores, a French nobleman, who came to the Badlands in spring of 1883.
His story is an interesting chapter in North Dakota history. Black and
white photographs, extensive bibliography."
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=223576500

2) Dresden, Donald.
THE MARQUIS DE MORES: Emperor of the Bad Lands.
"Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1974 Soft Cover."
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=38282580

3) Tweton, D. Jerome.
The Marquis de Mores, Dakota Capitalist...
"N.D.Fargo (1974) Hardback.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=158263754

4) Garfield, Brian.
Manifest Destiny.
"1989, 1st edition, published by Penzler Books, New York, 408 pages. A
historical novel based on Theodore Roosevelt and his life and
adventures in the American West, cattle ranching in the Dakota
Badlands, his experiences with the Marquis De Mores, vigilantes, etc.
Illustrated with photographs and an informative bibliography."
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=50194668

5) Smith, Albert.
To China and Back, being a diary kept out and home, including an
abstract from a journal( not published with the book ) entitled
Adventurers in Hong Kong, the Marquis de Mores and David de Mayrena.
"Published by Hong Kong University Press , Hong Kong , 1974 , 79 pages
with 18 introductory pages illustrated with 4 pages black and white
plates, introduction by Henry James Lethbridge New Edition reset from
the author's origional 1859 edition"
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=204007880

6) Aristocracy on the Western Frontier: The Legacy of the Marquis de
Mores.
http://www.state.nd.us/hist//EduResources03.pdf

7) Elizabeth Hampsten.
SETTLERS' CHILDREN growing up on the great plains.
Published by University of Oklahoma Press Norman, OK 1991. 252 pp.
The author explores what it was like for the children of the first
settlement generaton, through letters, diaries, reminiscences & oral
interviews
http://www.tomfolio.com/bookdetails.asp?book=1300492

8) Crawford, Lewis F.
BADLANDS AND BRONCHO TRAILS.
"Bismarck, 1922. 1st edition. Gilt-stamped cloth. 114pp.
Illust/photos. Marbled endpapers. "These (written) sketches are not
intended to make up a history of the badlands. it is hoped they will
stir in the reader's ve in. the human side of the rancher's life."
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=99898140

Note: "Badlands and Broncho Trails, Bismarck, 1922, is a slight book
of simple narratives that catches the tune of the Badlands life."
http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/socl/customsetiquettefolklore/GuidetoLifeandLiteratureoftheSouthwest/chap21.html

9) Crawford, Lewis F.
RANCHING DAYS IN DAKOTA, And Custer's Black Hills Expedition.
"Baltimore 1950. Ranching, Cowboy work & cowboy ways, the Bad Lands,
Custer's Blk Hill Exped. of 1874. Illustrated by Photos."
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=51995098

Note: "Ranching Days in Dakota, Wirth Brothers, Baltimore, 1950, is
good on horse-raising and the terrible winter of 1886-87."
http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/socl/customsetiquettefolklore/GuidetoLifeandLiteratureoftheSouthwest/chap21.html

10) BURDICK, Usher L. 
Marquis deMores at War in the Bad Lands. 
Fargo, 1930. 27 pp., frontispiece portrait.
"Account of the brief and contentious years the French Marquis spent
in the Dakota badlands: conflicts with the old-time stockmen arising
from his fencing of the open range; his trial for murder; and eventual
failure of his packing plant at Medora (named after his wife)."
http://www.dsloan.com/catalogues/RanchCat1/702-725Web1041.htm

BOOKS WITH MARQUIS DE MORES IN THEIR KEYWORDS:

1) Huidekoper, A. C.
MY EXPERIENCE AND INVESTMENT IN THE BAD LANDS OF DAKOTA AND SOME OF
THE MEN I MET THERE.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=63753469

2) Johnston, Harry V.
My Home on the Range / Frontier Life in the BadLands.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=19222485

3) Waldo, Edna LaMoore.
Dakota.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=144371626

4) Nelson, Bruce.
LAND OF THE DACOTAHS.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=134480444

5) Sprague, Marshall, B/W Photos and Illustrations.
A Gallery of Dudes.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=169675660

6) Sandoz, Mari.
THE CATTLEMEN; From the Rio Grande Across the Far Marias.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=222335384

7) Lorrin L. Morrison and Carroll Spear Morrison (eds.).
Journal of the West - Vol. VI, No. 4 October, 1967.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=66806773

8) Kathyrn Davis.
The Dakotas: At the Wind's Edge.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=205409606

Additional Link:

Black Hill Illustrated:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/sd/blackhills/illust/part3.txt

I hope I've been able to shed some light on an exciting moment in
American history and that you will be able to take advantage of the
terrific resources at the State Historical Society. If you have any
questions, or if this hasn't satisfied your request, please post a
clarification request before rating my answer. A note about the book
list - I tried to choose listings which gave a bit of description
about the book, but they aren't necessarily the "best buy". Here are
some links for comparison shopping (however, go armed with your list
to your local library and ask about inter-library loans - perhaps they
will be able to get most of them for you):

http://www.abebooks.com
http://www.tomfolio.com 
http://www.bookfinder.com -Searches several sites but often doesn't
show all results.
http://used.addall.com/ -Also searches several sites but often doesn't
show all results.
http://www.zshops.com 
http://www.bibliophile.net
http://www.bookavenue.com
http://www.antiqbook.com
http://www.biblion.com
http://www.choosebooks.com

Thank you,
hummer

Google Search Terms Used:

"Bad Lands Cow Boy"
Medora dakota history
medora dakota settlers life
medora dakota settlers food
medora dakota "social life"
medora dakota "social history"
medora dakota "town life"
"north dakota" badlands history" everyday life"
badlands guide life medora
badlands guide life badlands 
badlands medora town folk mores
badlands medora women children 
badlands medora corn gin
badlands medora flora fauna
badlands medora gardening
badlands medora "frontier life"
"Medora Association"
badlands dakota saloons schools churches medora historic
"pioneer schools in medora dakota
"pioneer life" in medora dakota
north DAKOTA badlands medora 
MEDORA DAKOTA "SOCIAL CUSTOMS"
MEDORA DAKOTA "SOCIAL CUSTOMS"
Medora dakota MARQUIS DE MORES
De Mores State Historic Site
Medora dakota history ethnology
Medora dakota history "folk history"

Thank you so much for this outstanding answer. I couldn't ask for
more, and it was as prompt as it was helpful.

Hello lbdeyo,

Thank you for your thank you, nice note, and tip - I'm happy to hear I
found what you needed.

When I worked on your question, I had in my mind that you were
interested in the years 1883-1886, but I just noticed that you posted
1883-1888. Hard weather conditions took their toll on the population
of cattle, which in turn played an important role in the economics of
the area. Here is a good link:

http://www.4eyes.net/Theodore/part4.htm

Thanks again,
hummer