Guide to the William J. Miller Collection
Lindsay Moxley
Santa Clara County Archives
1875 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112-2527
Phone: (408) 755-7895
Fax: (408) 755-7897
URL: http://archives.sccgov.org
Email: Archives@ceo.sccgov.org
© 2011
Santa Clara County. All rights reserved.
Guide to the William J. Miller Collection
Collection number: 2010-009
Santa Clara County Archives
San Jose, California
- Processed by:
- Lindsay Moxley
- Date Completed:
- 2011
- Encoded by:
- Lindsay Moxley
© 2011 Santa Clara County. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: William J. Miller Collection
Dates: 1861-1999
Bulk Dates: 1890-1999
Collection number: 2010-008
Collector: Miller, William J.
Physical Description: 10 boxes and miscellaneous ephemera, including various unboxed items.
Repository:
Santa Clara County Archives.
Abstract: This collection contains law enforcement memorabilia collected by Captain William J. Miller of
the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. Items of interest include newspapers, photographs, court
records, personal files, ephemera, police records, administration records, history, correspondence, books, and
audio discs.
Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please
consult Archives staff.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
The Archives can claim physical ownership only for some collections. Users are responsible for securing permission of the
copyright holder for publication or quotation.
Preferred Citation
William J. Miller collection, 2010-008, Santa Clara County Archives.
Acquisition Information
This collection was transferred by Rick Sprain and Mrs. William Miller to the Archives in 2010.
Biography
Captain William J. Miller was the eighth member of law enforcement in his family, serving 20 years in the Santa Clara
County Sheriff's Department. His various roles included Corrections' Division Commander, Commander of Patrol,
Detention, Personnel and Training Divisions, Deputy, Sergeant, and Lieutenant prior to attaining rank of Captain.
He attended the University of San Francisco and San Jose State and taught in the Law Enforcement Program at San Jose
City College. He held advanced certificates in California Peace Officer's Standards and Training Commission
(P.O.S.T.). He became a historian of the Sheriff's Department and was a member of California Pioneers of Santa Clara
County and San Jose Historical Museum. He also served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains law enforcement memorabilia collected by Captain William J. Miller. Items of interest
include newspapers, photographs, court records, personal files, ephemera, police records, administration records,
history, correspondence, books, and audio discs.
Arrangement
Series 1 and 3-10 are arranged chronologically. Series 2 is arranged alphabetically by subject. Series 11 is arranged numerically.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Books
Ephemera
History
Jails
Law Enforcement
Miller, William J.
Newspapers.
Photographs
Police--Records and correspondence
Politics
Prisons
San Jose Police Department
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department
Santa Clara County (Calif.)
Series I:
Newspapers,
1861-1999
Physical Description: 3 boxes.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains local newspapers related to criminal activity and police work.
Featured newspapers include San Jose Mercury News, The Pioneer, California Today, and the
San Francisco Chronicle.
Box: 1
Newspapers,
1861-1925
Physical Description: 39 folders.
Box: 2
Newspapers,
1931-1979
Physical Description: 28 folders.
Box: 3
Newspapers,
1980-1999
Physical Description: 13 folders.
Series II:
Photographs,
circa 1856-1980s
Physical Description: 1 box, 1 oversized photograph (unboxed).
Scope and Content Note
This series contains photographs related to the sheriff's department,
other police activities, and Captain Miller's personal interests.
Box/Folder: 4/2
April Journal to Press,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/6
Captain Bill Miller,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/7
County Officials,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/8
Demonstrations at Stanford, Pres. Ford's Visit,
1975
Box/Folder: 4/15
Aerial Photos & Negatives, Hellyer Park,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/16
Historical Photographs,
1856-1911
Box/Folder: 4/17
Jos Belden Family,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/18
Journal Pictures,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/25
Monterrey Jail,
circa late 1800s
Box/Folder: 4/33
San Jose Public Transportation,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/34
Sheriff's Badges,
undated
Box/Folder: 4/38
Weekend Work Program Pictures,
undated
Series III:
Court Records,
1863-1893
Physical Description: 9 folders and 2 books.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains transcripts of court proceedings and a court house
directory. Books include Index to Civil Suits (circa late 1800s) and another civil suits index circa 1950s, types of
cases unknown.
Box/Folder: 5/1
San Francisco Municipal Reports for the Fiscal Year,
1863-1864
Box/Folder: 5/2
People vs. Pin & Yup/People of the State vs. Britton & Camellio,
1881
Box/Folder: 5/3
The People vs. Lyons,
1883
Box/Folder: 5/4
The People vs. Frand Williams & Michael King,
1887
Box/Folder: 5/5
The People vs. B.F. Burdick,
1890
Box/Folder: 5/6
The People of the County of Santa Clara vs. James Herrington & Howard Holland,
undated
Box/Folder: 5/7
The People of the State of California vs. James Francis & Frank Day/The
People of the State of California vs. Frank Day,
1893
Box/Folder: 5/8
The People of the State of California vs. Herbert William Mullin,
1973
Box/Folder: 5/9
Court House Directory,
undated
Box: 9
Court Log Book,
circa 1892
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box: 9
Index to Civil Suits,
1953-1954
Physical Description: 1 book.
Series IV:
William J. Miller Personal Files,
1850-1984
Physical Description: 14 folders.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains Captain William J. Miller's personal files, including files from his
police training and other schooling, his financial records and other personal items, campaign
memorabilia, and law enforcement records.
Box/Folder: 5/10
Sheriff election notes, excerpt from
Pen Pictures from "The
Garden of the World,"
notes from the
San Jose Daily
Herald,
1850-1880
Box/Folder: 5/13
County of Santa Clara Communications Department official code book,
1952
Box/Folder: 5/14
Issue of
The Trailblazer, vol. 9 no. 2,
undated
Box/Folder: 5/16-5/20
School records,
1971-1978
Physical Description: 1 personal note and a term paper:
Intro to Law Enforcement, State fo California Commission on Peace Officer Standards
and Training, Place Funeral home funeral proceeding, graduation program, teaching credential,
organization chart for the Commission on Peace officer Standards and Training, 1 letter,
2 essays from college, 1 college acceptance letter, 1 Community College Special Limited Services
credential, 2 note tablets, 1 check out list of library books, 2 petitions in lieu of filing fees,
and sheriff election campaign pamphlets.
Box/Folder: 5/21
Academy Materials and Other Items,
undated
Physical Description: 1 map to management training seminar, letter to his father,
Basic Peace Officers Training Academy Awards Program, 1 issue of
The Bullet, vol. 2, no. 2.
Box/Folder: 5/22
Financial Statements,
1982
Physical Description: 1 payment card, 1 form of materials estimate and costs.
Box/Folder: 5/23
Notes,
undated
Physical Description: 2 notes.
Box/Folder: 5/24
Miscellaneous,
undated
Physical Description: Information on Dick Fellows and Harry Bee, campaign memorabilia, Beverly-Burbank
Rotary Club pamphlet, notes, newspaper clippings, 1 excerpt from
Santa Clara County's Era of Good Feeling, crime stories by Captain William J. Miller.
Series V:
Ephemera,
undated
Physical Description: 1 protective sleeve of small badges.
Physical Location: Box 6.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains small physical objects, mostly of Captain Miller's badges during his career
in law enforcement.
Series VI:
Police Records & Administration,
1850-1982
Physical Description: 31 folders.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains information on prisoners, criminal activity records,
the Santa Clara County Jail, and fiscal reports.
Box/Folder: 6/1
Criminal Activity Reports,
1850-1900
Box/Folder: 6/3
Investigation Reports,
1934
Box/Folder: 6/5
Criminal Activity Reports,
1952
Box/Folder: 6/6-6/7
Annual Reports,
1953-1954
Box/Folder: 6/9
Santa Clara County Jail,
1958
Physical Description: Blue prints and news clippings.
Box/Folder: 6/13-6/17
The Informer, Water Production Statements, and News Bulletins,
1963-1968
Box/Folder: 6/18
Elmwood Rehabilitation Facility & Water Production Statements,
1968
Box/Folder: 6/20
Emergency Information,
1971
Box/Folder: 6/21
Training Bulletin & Water Production Statements,
1972
Box/Folder: 6/22
Inmate Information, Personnel, Training Information, Water Production Statements,
1973
Box/Folder: 6/23-6/24
Water Production Statements,
1974-1975
Box/Folder: 6/25
1 Note,
The Trailblazer,
Meeting Minutes, Water Production Statement,
1976
Box/Folder: 6/26
Water Production Statements, Sheriff Department Rank Information,
1977
Box/Folder: 6/27
Bank Note, Arrest Information,
1979
Box/Folder: 6/28
Weekend Movie Schedules,
1980
Box/Folder: 6/29
Captains Staff, Elmwood,
1973
Box: 9
Day-Book,
1892
Physical Description: 1 book.
Note
This book describes prisoner's clothing of when they came to prison.
Box: 10
Log Books,
undated
Physical Description: 4 books.
Box/Folder: unboxed
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Fees Books,
undated
Physical Description: 3 log books.
Series VII:
History,
1881-1977
Physical Description: 11 folders.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains information relating to the history of California,
San Jose, and Santa Clara County.
Box/Folder: 6/33
History of Santa Clara COunty & San Jose, Deputy Information,
1850-1900
Box/Folder: 6/34
A Brief Account of the Lick Observatory of the University of California,
1954
Box/Folder: 6/35
History of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.,
1958
Box/Folder: 6/37
History of Old California,
1971
Box/Folder: 6/38-6/40
Trailblazer issues, vol. 14, no. 1, 2; History of San Jose: vol. 15,
no. 1, 3, 4 and vol. 16, no. 1,
1974-1976
Box/Folder: 6/41
A Community Guide to Santa Clara County,
1977
Box/Folder: 6/42
Misc. Info.,
undated
Physical Description: Misc. info of Dick Fellows, historical notes, history of Santa Clara County.
Series VIII:
Correspondence,
1896-1980
Physical Description: 15 folders.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains letters to and from Captain Miller.
Box/Folder: 6/43
Dick Fellows Application for Pardon,
1986
Box/Folder: 6/46
Dick Fellows - Pardons,
1908
Box/Folder: 6/48
Suspected Narcotics Users,
1959
Box/Folder: 6/51
Lynn Vermillion to Sheriff Geary,
1974
Box/Folder: 6/53
Lt. Salvidor to Edgar P. Taylor/Weekenders,
1977
Box/Folder: 6/54
Lt. E. Pourroy to All Divisions/Sgt. Jorgenson to Capt. Miller,
1980
Box/Folder: 6/55
Films Incorporated/Jail Building Program,
1981
Box/Folder: 6/56
Tom Contratto to Capt. Miller/Capt. Miller to All Divisions/George Soto to All Dept. Heads,
1982
Box/Folder: 6/57
Cars & Parts/County of Santa Clara,
undated
Series IX:
Books,
1942-1971
Physical Description: 14 books.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains books relating to police administration.
Box 8
Police Records: Their Installation and Use by O.W. Wilson,
1942
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Home Investigation: Practical Information for Coroners,
Police Officers, and Other Investigators
, rev. and enlarged, 9th ed. by LeMoyne Snyder,
1944
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Criminal Investigation, 9th ed. by Charles W. Fricke,
LL.M, J.D., LL.D.,
1949
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Evidence for the Patrolman, by Floyd N. Heffron,
1959
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Statistics Essential for Police Efficiency,
by John I. Griffin, Ph.D.,
1958
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Scientific Investigation and Physical Evidence: A Handbook
for Investigators
, by Leland V. Jones,
1959
Physical Description: 2 books.
Box 8
Patrol Administration, by G. Douglas Gourley, M.S. in P.A. and
Allen P. Bristow, M.S. in P.A.,
1961
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Criminal Interrogation and Confessions,
by Fred E. Inbau, M.D., LL.B., and John E. Reid, LL.B,
1962
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Criminal Investigation and Interrogation,
by Samuel R. Gerber and Oliver Schroeder, Jr.,
1962
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Narcotics and Narcotic Addiction, 2nd ed.
by David W. Maurer, Ph.D., Victor H. Vogel, M.P.H., M.D.,
1962
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Police Administration, 2nd ed.
by O.W. Wilson,
1962
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
Management: for Supervisory and Administrative Personnel,
published by Charles C. Thomas,
1962
Physical Description: 1 book.
Box 8
How to Increase Your Word Power,
by Stuart B. Flexner,
1962
Physical Description: 1 book.
Series X:
Scrapbooks,
1922-1923
Physical Description: 2 scrapbooks.
Physical Location: Box 10.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains a scrapbook related to the history of San Jose and Santa Clara
County circa 1923 and another scrapbook of
Arthur Langford's souvenirs from high school and college and newspaper clippings
circa 1896-1902.
Series XI:
Audio Discs,
1946-1947
Physical Description: 56 audio discs.
Physical Location: Box 7.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains audio discs of pisoners' confessions. Many of them are of John
Pyne.