Showing only minor signs of age, wear and handling - mostly light toning. Expected fold creases from posting. No major issues to note. Eye-catching legible writing. Overall, in good to very good condition. Will display well in your collection. You will receive the exact sheet shown in the photos. Unfolded as seen in the photos, it measures approx. 5" x 8"

===============================================================

HISTORICAL REPORT: 1881 Montana Territory Frontier Cattle Sale Document — Dunlevy Bros. (Canton) SECTION 1: TRANSCRIPTION & LITERAL READING • Heading Line: Canton April 18 1881 • Body Text: I received your letter to day wish to now [know] what kind of Cattle I have my Cattle is in Good fair beef age is from five to fore [four] years old if you take ten yoke I will Sell for $35 per head my Cattle all will d [will do] I have no broke [broken] Cattle for Sale. when you get this letter write and let me now [know] if you will come or not • Closing: Yours Truly • Signature: John Dunlany Bros [Dunlevy Bros.] • Address Block: Canton megher County [Meagher County] / M T • Reverse Filing Docket: Dunlevy Bros / Canton / Apr 18 / 81 SECTION 2: THE HISTORICAL SETTING & PROVENANCE In April 1881, Montana Territory was entering the absolute golden era of its open-range cattle boom. Because regional railroads were still actively laying tracks across the territory, ranchers heavily relied on heavy draft oxen teams arranged in "yokes" (pairs) to haul massive freight wagons over the rugged mountain passes to distant mining centers and river landings. This handwritten correspondence offers a magnificent look into frontier livestock trading. Writing with highly phonetic, unvarnished period grammar, a pioneer stockman provides an immediate inventory report on his herd's prime condition ("Good fair beef"), details a specific multi-ox wholesale transaction ("ten yoke"), and demands a firm commitment ("let me know if you will come or not") from an incoming buyer navigating the open range. SECTION 3: THE FRONTIER IDENTITIES & THE DUNLEVY FAMILY The signature on the front features the phonetic styling "John Dunlany Bros," which the receiving clerk properly logged on the reverse filing docket as Dunlevy Bros. The Dunlevy family (including prominent pioneer stock growers John and dynamic cattleman William Dunlevy) were highly influential, early livestock ranchers who established extensive operations along the Missouri River valley. Operating within the expansive boundaries of Meagher County, the Dunlevy brothers built a substantial enterprise supplying both high-grade beef cattle and heavy working oxen to the regional markets fueling Montana Territory's rapid expansion. SECTION 4: THE ORIGIN — THE SUBMERGED GHOST TOWN OF CANTON, MT This document stands as a remarkable primary source from Canton, Montana Territory. Established during the late 1860s and 1870s territory era, Canton thrived for decades as a vital agricultural, cattle-breeding, and horse-ranching cradle nestled in the fertile river bottoms east of Helena within Meagher County (later reorganized into Broadwater County). The entire historic valley floor and town infrastructure completely vanished from geographic maps in 1953 when the federal government completed construction on the massive Canyon Ferry Dam. The rising river waters permanently flooded the region, leaving the historic townsite of Canton completely submerged beneath what is now Canyon Ferry Lake. Authentic documents tracking the literal prices and trades of Canton's early cattle dynasties prior to the mid-1880s are highly coveted by Western Americana and postal history collectors. SECTION 5: CONDITION REPORT • Authentic single-sheet handwritten letter complete across a lined leaf of 1880s pioneer stationery, including its original matching clerk filing docket on the reverse panel. • Exceptionally crisp and highly distinct graphite pencil penmanship displaying outstanding visual contrast and full readability. • Features original horizontal mail folds alongside standard historic spindle-pin filing holes at the upper left margin from the historical archiving system. • Pristine overall structural state with sturdy margins, free of heavy staining, showing only very mild, uniform paper toning consistent with age.

**Shipped securely in a poly sleeve, sandwiched in cardboard, inside a small rigid mailer via USPS Ground Advantage service w/ tracking**

Click HERE to see matchbooks I have available.
Click HERE to see transit and trade tokens I have available.
Click HERE to see billheads I have available.
Click HERE to see letterheads I have available.

For U.S. based orders, the shipping cost for the first purchase is $4.00 and no extra cost for additional similar items such as billheads, letterheads, tickets, patches, post cards, trade cards, stock certificates that can safely be shipped in the same package.

I have over 65,000 unique items here on eBay - Click HERE to visit my store & save with combined shipping for multiple buys.

For U.S. orders on a PC, use the "add to cart" feature to select multiple items before paying. If the cart does not combine shipping costs, I will refund excess fees as I pack your order the following morning.

I have enjoyed buying and selling vintage collectibles for over 40 years. Unless noted otherwise, all items I offer are original and not reproductions.

Please review photos for condition issues (if any) as they are part of the description, and contact me with questions before bidding or buying.

All items are securely packed and shipped via USPS. Please rely on my 25+ yr. 13,000+ 99.9% feedback rating as a guide to your buying decision.

I hope all is well with you and your family — thanks for stopping by!
– Jerry