Description
The Tom Mooney Case Photographs Collection (1918-1939, undated) contains 51 photographs and newsclippings; and one pamphlet
regarding Tom Mooney, a political activist and labor leader who was convicted of the San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing
of 1916. A majority of the photographs relate to Mooney's court case on an indictment related to the 1916 bombing. Photographs
include images of Mooney on his way to sentencing; in court; at various pardon hearings and investigations; in prison; at
San Francisco County Jail; and returning to prison at San Quentin. Also pictured with Mooney in some of the images are his
attorney W. Bourke Cockran; Sheriff Thomas Finn; attorneys John F. Finerty and Frank P. Walsh; Ed Nockels; Leo Gallagher;
Warden James N. Holohan; and others. There are also photographs of Mooney's wife, Rena at pardon hearings and at the governor's
office; an image of Mooney speaking before Senate; an image taken after Mooney's release from prison in 1939; and an image
taken of Mooney in a hospital bed waiting for treatment for an ulcer. Lastly, this collection contains clippings of photographs
of the Preparedness Day parade prior to the bombing, images taken outside of the courthouse, and a letter (clipping) sent
by Mooney from San Quentin addressed "to whom it may concern" regarding Stuart Scott's authorization to direct the Tom Mooney
Molders Defense Committee. A majority of the photographs are press photographs taken by International News Photos, Inc.; and
International Film Service, Inc. The pamphlet included in this collection is titled "Justice Raped in California: Story of
So-Called Bomb Trials in San Francisco", published by the Tom Mooney Molders Defense Committee. This collection is arranged
chronologically.
Background
On July 22, 1916 during a Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco, CA., a bomb exploded killing 10 and wounding 40 people.
Two labor leaders, Thomas Mooney (1882-1942) and Warren K Billings (1893-1972) were convicted and sentenced to death, which
was later changed to life in prison. Later investigations found that the evidence against Mooney and Billings was falsified.
In 1939 Mooney and Billings were released; and pardoned in 1961. Mooney, who had many health problems including ulcers and
jaundice; died at Saint Luke's Hospital in San Francisco on March 6, 1942.
Restrictions
The Gerth Archives and Special Collections is not the copyright holder for these photographs. If a patron wishes to make copies
of materials in this collection, it is the responsibility of the researcher to attempt to locate the holder of the copyright
to obtain permission for publication. Full responsibility for legal questions relating to the use and publication of manuscripts
rests with the researcher. Copyright for a majority of the photographs belongs to: International Film Serivce, Inc.; and International
News Photos, Inc.
Availability
There are no access restrictions on this collection.