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Guide to the Harry R. Thompson Papers
MS-0551
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Collection Title: Harry R. Thompson Papers
Dates: 1938-1942
Identification: MS-0551
Creator:
Thompson, Harry R.
Physical Description: 0.20 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: askscua@sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Harry R. Thompson was an active community member in San Diego, California.
9999-176
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.
This collection is open for research.
Identification of item, folder title, box number,
Harry R. Thompson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
Chronological.
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.