Robert C. Mitchell family papers

The collection contains correspondence, reference materials, photographs and news clippings. The bulk of the collection is composed of correspondence,1853–1944, relating to the family and Mitchell’s newspaper. There is a file of papers on Horace H. Mitchell who was a civil engineer, circa1885-1888. Other records include material concerning a proposed tunnel between Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, 1925–1933, some records of the Woodland Baseball Team,1913–1914, and family photographs.

The collection is divided into five groups.

Robert C. and Fannie Mitchell records, 1853-1944, contain all of the family's personal correspondence, although it is dominated by the correspondence of Robert C. Mitchell. Much information relating to the operation of Mitchell's newspaper may be found among the letters, including editorial positions such as anti-vaccination. A considerable amount of correspondence concerning Mitchell's practice of trading advertising space for mail order goods and of tending not to pay his bills has been weeded from the collection. The letter press book, 1885-1888, largely contains letters relating to the Tribune and some letters concerning Mitchell's effort to sell the paper. Many letters in the letter press are highly illegible.

Most of the correspondence occuring after Mitchell's death in 1907 is written to or by his wife, Fannie. Also included are contracts, genealogies of the Rockwells and Robinsons (related to the Mitchells) and records of the library board, 1898-1907, of which Robert C. Mitchell served as a member, including two cyanotype images of the Carnegie Library in Duluth, Minnesota.

Horace Mitchell records, 1890-1933, include correspondence and reference materials, 1925-1933, of a proposed tunnel between Duluth and Superior to replace the Interstate Bridge. Horace Mitchell was actively involved in the support and planning of the tunnel project. Also included is a scrapbook of engineering projects, 1924-1927, which contains articles on the tunnel project.

Max Mitchell records, 1913-1940, include correspondence, reference materials, news clippings, and photographs, 1913-1914, of the Woodland Baseball Team, a semi-professional team which was managed by Max Mitchell.

Photographs include family photographs, a photo of the front of the Tribune office, and some unidentified pictures, including two tintypes.

Miscellany, 1891-1914, includes various certificates and club membership lists, and additional correspondence from 1941-1957.