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Bordwell (Walter) papers
M0256  
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Collection Details
 
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  • Scope and Content
  • Preferred Citation:
  • Provenance
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Conditions Governing Access

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives
    Title: Walter Bordwell papers
    creator: Bordwell, Walter
    Identifier/Call Number: M0256
    Physical Description: 3.5 Linear Feet (8 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1835-1929 (inclusive), 1890-1912 (bulk)
    Date (bulk): bulk

    Scope and Content

    The Judge Walter Bordwell Papers concern both his private and professional life as lawyer and judge. The collection spans the years 1835-1929, with the bulk of the material occurring from 1890-1912, during which his career was most active. There is little material from 1915-1925 - the years between his retiring as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and his death. The material is grouped and arranged generally, but not strictly, in alphabetical order. Items within the groups are arranged chronologically but with attached items left attached.
    The first half of the collection (boxes 1-4) deals with his personal holdings. Included are diaries, memorandum books, financial records and receipts, business cards, a Bible, and a 1928-29 edition of Whos's Who in California, in which is a biographical sketch of Bordwell. There is little personal correspondence, most of which is between him and his cousin Charles Bordwell during the years 1897-1902. There is no original photograph of Judge Bordwell; there are, however, several articles with pictures of him dispersed throughout the newspaper clippings.
    Material from his professional life is contained in the second half of the collection (boxes 5-8). Included are his certificates to practice law, correspondence, pamphlets, dockets, lists, handwritten drafts, and marriage contracts. His most publicized case within the collection is the McNamara Brothers - Burning of the L.A. Times Building Investigation. Although few of the actual court proceedings for this trial are included, there is a variety of correspondence from the public to the Judge, newspaper clippings, and a journal kept by the Judge during the trial. Much information is also contained on the Helena M. Granger vs. Henry W. Robinson case.
    Included within the bulk of newspapers are a considerable number of clippings on World War II events.
    Notable correspondents and others involved with his cases include Clarence Darrow, Governor James Hawley of Idaho, and U.S Senator John D. Works.

    Preferred Citation:

    [Identification of item] Walter Bordwell Papers (M0256). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

    Provenance

    Gift of Walter B. Lull, 1976.

    Conditions Governing Use

    While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish

    Conditions Governing Access

    The collection is open for research. Note that material is stored off-site and must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

    Index

    Index of Names (Box - Folder)
    Bernard, Obed (Box 6)
    Bordwell, Charles (2-12)
    Bordwell, Eliza (2-12)
    Bordwell, George (2-4)
    Bordwell, J. L. (5-10)
    Bordwell, Mrs. Walter, (2-2, 2-6)
    Bordwell, Midad (?) (2-11)
    Chubb, Amand (5-17)
    Darrow, Clarence (Box 7)
    Diehm, Ferdinand (5-1)
    Dunbar, E.G.B. (5-9)
    Folsom, E.W. (5-10)
    German American Savings Bank (2-4, 2-11, 5-11, 5-15)
    Granger, Helena M. (Box 6)
    Habl, Ferdinand (5-11)
    Harriman, Job (7-4)
    Hawley, Governor James (5-13)
    Ingersoll, George (2-12, 5-2, 5-16)
    McDonald, E.N. (5-14, 5-15)
    McNamara, J.J. & J.B. (Box 7)
    McNamara, John A. (7-2)
    Nightingale, Newell (5-16)
    Palmer, F.E. (5-17)
    Penn, William (2-4)
    Robinson, Henry W. (Box 6)
    Robinson, Eliza A. (Box 6)
    Satterwhite, Thomas D. (5-10)
    Stohr, Silvester (5-11)
    Windsor, Herbert E. (2-2, 5-7, 5-2)
    Winternitz, J.U. Dr. Oscar Winternitz (5-12)
    Works, Senator John D. (5-13)

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Lawyers -- California.
    Judges -- California -- Sources
    Bordwell, Walter