Harvey Milk Letters to Susan Davis Alch 1956-1962

Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
Support for the processing of the Harvey Milk Letters to Susan Davis Alch was provided by a grant from the Library Foundation of San Francisco.
James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
February 1997


Title: Harvey Milk Letters to Susan Davis Alch
Date (inclusive): 1956-1962
Collection Identifier: GLC 19
Creator: Milk, Harvey
Physical Description: 31.0 folders
Contributing Institution: James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The letters document Harvey Milk's activities in Miami, Dallas, and New York and his relationships with Joe Campbell and John Harvey. Milk was the first openly gay candidate elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Susan Davis Alch was a friend he met in San Diego, Calif.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation note

Harvey Milk Letters to Susan Davis Alch (GLC 19), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance note

The Harvey Milk Letters to Susan Davis Alch were donated by the Library Foundation of San Francisco on February 19, 1997.

Related collections

Researchers are encouraged to see also the Harvey Milk Archives--Scott Smith Collection (GLC 35) and the Harvey Milk Letters to Joe Campbell (GLC 20), Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Biographical note

Milk was the first openly gay candidate elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Susan Davis Alch was a friend he met in San Diego, Calif.

Historical note

After completing his stint in the Navy, Harvey Milk spent the fall and winter of 1955 in Los Angeles. Mike Sather, a mutual friend, introduced Milk to Susan Davis during that time. It is also during this period that Milk met and fell in love with John Harvey, a friend of Sue's. In spring 1956, Milk moved to Miami with John Harvey and Don [Donna?]. Once there, Milk and Harvey parted company. In a few letters, Milk notes that he had a "blind" love for Harvey which was not returned. Although Milk intended to settle in Miami, he returned to New York in May because of family problems.
In spite of his desire to spend the summer in New York and then return to Miami, Milk remained in New York City after meeting Joe Campbell in June or July 1956. In September? 1957, they moved to Dallas and Milk's letters describe how unhappy they were there. They moved back to New York in February 1958, after taking a trip through New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Shortly after their return, Campbell's mother died in March or April 1958. In December, Milk describes Campbell's job as a page and handyman at Xavier Cugat's Club, Casa Cugat.
During September 1957-May 1958, Sue Davis attended the University of Illinois at Champaign. She then worked for Abbott Universal Ltd. in Chicago from June to November, and began her television career with Louis C. Fox in December 1958. Davis spent Labor Day weekend [1958?] in Miami where she saw John Harvey, Donna and Art.
By March 1960, Davis had moved to Beverly Hills, California where she worked for Eglash, Lincoln & Litwin. In June, Milk asked her to send mail to his father's address since "all mail gets opened in the mail room downstairs"; he was working at the Great American Insurance Company at this time. In a letter postmarked June [2 or 21], Milk says that Davis and Harvey's surprise phone call "made my mind & heart go back four years to a little home in L.A & a 'god' whom I was very much in love with."
By July 1960, Milk and Campbell were beginning to grow apart. Apparently in response to Davis's question of whether or not Milk would consider a relationship with John Harvey, Milk replied that he was not ready to give up on Joe, and that he might not still have the same feelings for John. In this letter Milk also noted that New York's gay bars were having a rough time, that many had closed, but that New York's gays were still finding places to meet. He also asks about Davis's intention to finish her education in Los Angeles.
In his letter of August 1, 1960, Milk notes the recent death of Sue's father and mentions the death of Joe's mother in 1958. Of death he writes that since his mother "has been on borrowed time for 2-1/2 years, we [the Milk family] realize it can come any day--but...we walk happy and full of life for the present."
Davis worked for the film industry until early 1961. That February, Milk wrote that he made a snowman for Campbell, who was then in the "plants" business (that is, importing plants from Florida). Milk also described the creation of attractions for the 1964 World's Fair in New York.
Upon learning of Davis's marriage to George Alch in June? 1961, Milk once again gave marriage advice. Ironically, he and Campbell broke up in July 1961 after five years of "marriage." Milk then considered moving to Miami, and "even thought of marrying one the 'strange girls' I know--we would have compainship [sic], a front & each would not be in the way of the other" (September 14, 1961). By April 1962, Joe Campbell had moved into his own apartment.

Scope and contents note

The collection contains correspondence, and a few photographs which Milk sent to Susan Davis Alch during the years 1956-1962. Milk's warmth and affection for Davis are evident in all of the letters. He looks back fondly on the time he spent with Davis and their group of friends which included John Harvey. These letters were unknown to Randy Shilts, Milk's biographer. Neither Susan Alch nor John Harvey is mentioned in The Mayor of Castro Street: the life and times of Harvey Milk (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1982).

Arrangement note

The material has been arranged into two series: Series 1. Letters; and Series 2. Photographs.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Alch, Susan Davis -- Correspondence
Campbell, Joe
Harvey, John
Milk, Harvey -- Correspondence
Gay men--United States--Correspondence

 

Series 1 Correspondence, 1956-1962

Physical Description: 30.0 folders

Scope and Contents

This series contains letters, postcards and a telegram from Harvey Milk to Susan Davis Alch. There are two postcards from Miami (March-April 1956), two letters from Dallas (January 1958), and one postcard and twenty-five letters from New York (May 1956, April 1958-1962).
Many of Milk's letters refer to their mutual friends, especially John Harvey, Milk's relationship with Joe Campbell, the positive and negative aspects of New York City, the possibilities of moving to Florida, Milk's search for better employment, his and Joe's move to Dallas, potential visits from Sue, movies, his cultural activities, gay life in New York and Montreal, and the deaths of Davis's father and Joe Campbell's mother. His letters also contain numerous jokes.

Arrangement note

This series is arranged chronologically.
Folder 1

Harvey [Milk], Miami Beach, FL to Sue Davis, Beverly Hills, CA, 1956 March 19 postmark

General note

Postcard re: arrival in Miami.
Folder 2

Harvey [Milk], Miami Beach, FL to Sue Davis, Beverly Hills, CA, 1956 April 11? postmark

General note

Postcard re: Miami.
Folder 3

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Sue Davis, Beverly Hills, CA, 1956 May 5 postmark

General note

Postcard re: return to New York.
Folder 4

Harvey [Milk], Dallas, TX to Sue Davis, Champaign, IL, 1958 January [15] postmark

General note

Mentions Joe [Campbell].
Folder 5

Harvey [Milk], Dallas, TX to Sue Davis, Champaign, IL, 1958 January [21] postmark

General note

Re: moving back to New York or to Florida, and John [Harvey]. Excerpt: "even though the love I had for John was not returned."
Folder 6

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Sue Davis, Champaign, IL, 1958 April 10 [postmark April 11]

General note

Re: death of Joe's mother, recession/depression nun joke, the stage, and New York.
Folder 7

Harvey Milk, New York, NY to Sue Davis, Chicago, IL, 1958 June 6 postmark

General note

Re: John Harvey, Sue's beauty, trips, Carnegie Hall joke.
Folder 8

Harvey Milk, New York, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL, 1958 August 27 postmark

General note

Re: New York, asks Sue to visit.
Folder 9

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Abbott Laboratories, Room 1000, [Chicago, IL], 1958 August 27

General note: Re: telegram with birthday and Christmas greetings.
Folder 10

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL, 1958 September 22 postmark

General note

Re: thank you note, and Sue's visit on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Folder 11

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL, [1958? September?] Tuesday

General note

Re: trip with Joe [Campbell] to Montreal, and marriage advice.
Folder 12

[Susan Davis] to Harv[ey Milk], [1958? September?]

General note

Typed letter with marginalia in pencil by Harvey as his reply. Re: Sue's trip to Florida and her visit with John Harvey, Donna, and Art.
Folder 13

[Harvey Milk], Long Beach, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL, [1958] October 10

General note

Re: friendly letter, possibly moving to Manhattan.
Folder 14

[Harvey Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL, 1958 October 24 postmark

General note

Re: Sue's aunt's move from New York to Chicago, rebus message about Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and seeing the big country.
Folder 15

[Harvey Milk], New York, NY to Sue Davis, Chicago, IL, 1958 October 29 postmark

General note

Re: Halloween note.
Folder 16

Harvey Milk, Long Beach, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL, 1958 December 9 postmark

General note

Re: skiing, John [Harvey] and Donna, Sue's new television job, Joe's job at Xavier Cugat's club, Casa Cugat, possibly moving to NY.
Folder 17

[Harvey Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Chicago, IL forwarded to Beverly Hills, CA, 1960 March 24 postmark

General note

Friendly letter written in a spiral about spring.
Folder 18

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Beverly Hills, CA, 1960 May 27 postmark

General note

Friendly letter, mentions "Miss Hunter" [i.e. Tab Hunter] becoming an antiques dealer, trip to Canada.
Folder 19

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Beverly Hills, CA, 1960 June 9 postmark

General note

Re: pictures of Joe [Campbell], and Sue's visit.
Folder 20

H[arvey] B. Milk, New York, NY to Susan Davis, Westwood, CA, [1960?] June 21 postmark

General note

Re: John [Harvey]. Bottom of page three is torn off.
Folder 21

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1960 July 11 postmark

General note

Re: relationship with Joe [Campbell] and with John [Harvey], gay life in NY, Austin O'Toole and his productions, racehorse joke, and "Good Luck Prayer" chain letter.
Folder 22

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1960 August 1

General note

Re: Joe [Campbell], education, Sue's father's death, Sue's visit.
Folder 23

Harvey Milk, New York, NY to Susan Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1960 September 1

General note

Re: life in NY and rents.
Folder 24

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Los Angeles, CA. 1960 September 12

General note

Re: Hurricane "Donna," Austin O'Toole and Phil Silvers's productions.
Folder 25

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Susan Davis, Los Angeles, CA, 1961 February [8] postmark

General note

Re: Joe and New York.
Folder 26

Harvey [Milk], New York, NY to Sue [Davis], 1961 June 5

General note

Re: friendly letter, mentions Joe [Campbell] and John [Harvey].
Folder 27

Harvey B. Milk, New York, NY to Mr. and Mrs. George Alch, Los Angeles, CA, 1961 June 21 postmark

General note

Re: Sue's marriage, and San Francisco. For enclosed snapshot of Harvey on the beach, see Series 2: Photographs.
Folder 28

Harvey Milk, New York, NY to Mrs. George Alch, Los Angeles, CA, 1961 September 14

General note

Re: breaking up with Joe [Campbell], John Harvey's whereabouts, marrying a "strange girl," and movies.
Folder 29

Harvey Milk, New York, NY to Mrs. George Alch, Los Angeles, CA, 1961 November 8

General note

Re: Russian film Summer to Remember, and Joe [Campbell]'s visit and the opera.
Folder 30

Harvey Milk, New York, NY to Mrs. George Alch, Los Angeles, CA, 1962 April 3

General note

Re: John Harvey, break-up with Joe Campbell, movie reviews, possible trip to Greece. Excerpt: "...can you picture Jesus with teased hair."
Folder 31

Series 2 Photographs, [1950s, 1961]

Physical Description: 4.0 images

Scope and Contents

John Harvey (2 items, 1950s), Joe Mahaffey and Del Erickson (1 item, 1950s); all three photographs are from the 1950s and were originally filed after the December 9, 1958 letter. Harvey Milk (1 item, 1961); it was originally enclosed with letter dated June 21, 1961.