Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Harry R. Thompson Papers
- Dates:
- 1938-1942
- Creators:
- Thompson, Harry R.
- Extent:
- 0.20 linear ft
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Harry R. Thompson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Harry R. Thomposon Papers consist of letters written to Mr. Thompson, mostly from his brother George. Harry lived at 4127 Marlborough Ave.,San Diego, CA. There are a few empty envelopes and a list of names and addresses at the bottom of the stack, some of which have dollar amounts by their names. One entry, Mrs. Jeff C. Hocker, has the word “Kill” written and striked through by her name.
All but one letter fall between March 22, 1940, and August 31, 1942 (also an empty envelope stamped 1938). Harry’s brother, George A. Thompson, wrote most of the letters. George lived in Joliet, Illinois with his wife who in 1940 fell deathly ill: “The doctor gave her up 3 days ago.” She passed away soon after.
George often discusses the weather in Joliet, describing winter snow storms and summer hot spells. He briefly discusses WWII, noting that the “Yankies [are] giving the Japs plenty.” George shares a story about a local woman, Christina, whose house was robbed while she was home. She discovers the robber stealing her jewelry and begins beating him: “She put up some fight. He tried to choke her but she bit him … he begged for mercy.”
Among the letters addressed to Harry R. Thompson is one from Mary Barnett of Culmore Point, Londonderry, Ireland. She notifies Harry of George’s wife’s death: “Brother George’s wife has gone to the land beyond.” Another sender, Nettie Whitmore, thanks Harry graciously for the many books he donated to her library. A postcard from “The Theosophical Book Association for the Blind” is addressed to Harry, also thanking him for supporting their organization.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Harry R. Thompson was an active community member in San Diego, California.
- Arrangement:
-
Chronological.
- Accruals:
-
9999-176
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 2018-04-26
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was encoded in EAD by Archon 3.21 from an SQL database source on September 24th, 2019 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Harry R. Thompson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
- Location of this collection:
-
Library and Information Access5500 Campanile DriveSan Diego, CA 92182-8050, US
- Contact:
- (619) 594-6791