Merrill K. Riddick Papers, 1966-1988

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Riddick, Merrill K., 1895-1988
Title
Merrill K. Riddick Papers
Dates
1966-1988 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 470 (collection)
Summary
Merrill K. Riddick was a resident of Phillipsburg, Montana, and a candidate for Montana governor, U. S. Senate, and U. S. President. This collection contains correspondence including both letters and postcards; publications by Merrill K. Riddick of the Journal of Applied Human Ecology; a short biography about Merrill K. Riddick; papers from his political campaigns; newspaper clippings; speeches; and photographs.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Merrill K. Riddick was born on March 7, 1895 in Madison, Wisconsin. He moved to eastern Montana at the age of 11. His father, Carl Riddick, served two terms as a U.S. Congressman for the Eastern District of Montana in 1919 and 1921. At the age of 16 Merrill K. Riddick began traveling throughout the Northwest and became interested in the emerging field of aviation. In 1917, Riddick was a member of the first graduating class from the Army Air Force Aeronautics School in San Diego, California. He was sent to Europe during World War I to serve as an instructor and to fly reconnaissance.

After the war, Riddick was among the first airmail pilots. Riddick and Charles A. Lindbergh barnstormed together and flew in the Harry Perkins Air Circus. While barnstorming Riddick met and married (on the same day) his wife, Helen May Williams, from West Virginia. They had three children. In 1928, Riddick was an instructor at the first aviation preparatory school in Rochester, New York, where he instructed future president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Riddick re-joined the Air Force during World War II and served as a technical instructor.

Riddick moved back to Montana after the war but continued traveling. After his wife's death in 1949, Riddick became involved in politics. He was a resident of Granite County during his political campaigns, which were centered around natural resource management and campaign finance reform. He wrote and published the Journal of Applied Human Ecology, which focused on his plans for resource development. He ran for Montana governor in 1968, U.S. Congress in 1972, and was a presidential candidate in 1976, 1980, and 1984, but never won an election. Riddick ran for his self-created political party, the Magneto-hydrodynamics-Puritan Epic-Prohibition Party, and would not accept campaign contributions. Riddick campaigned across the nation, traveling only by passenger bus. After his presidential campaigns Riddick moved to Annapolis, Maryland, and lived with his sister, Ruth. Riddick died on March 9, 1988, in Annapolis.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains correspondence including both letters and postcards, 1975-1980; publications by Merrill K. Riddick of the Journal of Applied Human Ecology,1966-1973; a short biography about Merrill K. Riddick, 1976; papers from his gubernatorial campaign of 1968 and U.S. senate campaign of 1972 and copies of statement of candidacy for presidential campaign of 1980 and 1984; newspaper clippings, 1975-1988; a dedication speech for a bust of Charles A. Lindbergh, 1975; and three photos, 1980.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Merrill K. Riddick Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five series:

Series I: Correspondence, 4 folders, 1975-1980

Series II: Publications, 1 folder, 1966-1976

Series III: Campaign Papers, 1 folder, 1968-1981

Series IV: Clippings and Copies, 1 folder, 1975-1988

Series V: Photographs, 3 folders, 1980

Acquisition Information

Gift of Marge Page, 1992

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 2002, the collection was reprocessed. The collection was reorganized in thematic groups and re-described.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Correspondence , 1975-1980Return to Top

4 folders

This series includes letters from Merrill K. Riddick to Marge Page of Phillipsburg, Montana, and one partial letter to Ms. Mary Ann Wallace. There is also a Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Newsletter dated September 1977 as an attachment to a letter. There are multiple postcards from Merrill K. Riddick to Marge Page tracking his travels during the 1976 and 1980 presidential campaign. There are two postcards that are not from Riddick but are addressed to Marge Page and speak of Riddick.

This series is divided between letters and postcards, both arranged chronologically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
General
1975-1980
1/2
Postcards
1975-1976
1/3
Postcards
1977
1/4
Postcards
1978-1979

Series II:  Publications , 1966-1976Return to Top

1 folder

This series includes five copies of the Journal of Applied Human Ecology. Two copies were dated August 2, 1966; two copies are dated February 1970; and one copy is dated May 1970; double copies contain hand written corrections or additional information. Also included is a short biography of Riddick written in 1976.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/5
Three volumes of the Journal of Applied Human Ecology, Biography of Merrill K. Riddick

Series III:  Campaign Papers , 1968-1981Return to Top

1 folder

This series includes campaign papers Riddick used in 1968 and 1972. It also includes copies of Riddick's statement of candidacy for the 1980 and 1984 presidential elections.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/6
Campaign papers, Gubernatorial election
1968
1/6
Campaign papers, Pin and Card
circa 1970
1/6
Campaign papers, Jefferson Day Speech
circa 1970
1/6
Campaign papers, US senatorial election
1972
1/6
Copy of Statement of Candidacy application
1977
1/6
Receipt of Statement of Candidacy
1981

Series IV:  Clippings, 1975-1988Return to Top

1 folder

This series contains remarks by Mr. Laurance S. Rockefeller at a Charles Lindbergh bust dedication. It also includes newspaper clippings from Montana, Annapolis, Maryland, and Washington D.C. A 1987 letter from Riddick's sister, Ruth, to Marge Page accompanies an article. Five obituaries are included in this series.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/7
Speech presented at dedication of Charles A. Lindbergh Bust
1975-1988
1/7
Five articles from Montana newspapers
1975-1988
1/7
One article from an Annapolis, MD newspaper
1975-1988
1/7
Letter from Riddick's sister to Marge Page accompanies article
1975-1988
1/7
Five obituaries of Merrill K. Riddick
1988

Series V:  Photographs , 1980Return to Top

3 folders

This series includes three photographs with a letter to Marge Page, March. Two photos are of Riddick, one in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and one in Annapolis, Maryland, in front of Riddick's sister's house. One photo is of a Fort Lauderdale residential street.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/8
470(V)1: Riddick in front of boat in Fort Lauderdale, FL
1980
1/9
470(V)2: Residential street in Fort Lauderdale, FL
1980
1/10
470(V)3: Riddick in front of sister's house, Annapolis, MD
1980

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Elections--Montana
  • Governors--Montana--Election
  • Natural resources--Management--Periodicals
  • Political parties--United States
  • Presidents--United States--Election--1980
  • Presidents--United States--Election--1984

Personal Names

  • Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974
  • Riddick, Merrill K., 1895-1988--Biography

Corporate Names

  • Magneto-hydrodynamics-Puritan Epic-Prohibition Party (U.S.)
  • United States. Congress. Senate--Elections, 1972

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Politics and government--20th century
  • United States--Politics and government--1945-1989

Occupations

  • Politicians--Montana
  • Presidential candidates--United States

Titles within the Collection

  • Journal of applied human ecology