Guide to the Harry R. Thompson Papers

Finding Aid Authors: Christopher Pappas.
© Copyright 2018 Special Collections & University Archives. All rights reserved.
2018-04-26
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: askscua@sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791

Guide to the Harry R. Thompson Papers 1938/1942

Special Collections & University Archives

Overview of the Collection

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

Biographical Information:

Harry R. Thompson was an active community member in San Diego, California.

Administrative Information

Accruals:

9999-176

Conditions Governing Use:

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.

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is open for research.

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.

Arrangement of Materials:

Chronological.

Scope and Contents

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.

 

Correspondence 1938-1942

Item 1

Envelopes June 1, 1938

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: One envelop is address to Thompson from the Federation of Southern California Lodges Theosophical Society, the other is addressed to Thompson with no return sender identified.
Item 2

Letter From George Thomspon March 22, 1940

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Short letter re weather updates and replying to latest correspondence.
Item 3

Letter from George Thompson May 3, 1940

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Short letter re the eminent death of wife.
Item 4

Thank You Note n.d.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Mass printed note is thanking Thompson for his interest in services for the blind. Note is from the Theosophical Book Association for the Blind.
Item 5

Letter from George Thompson February 28, 1941

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Letter re health updates and weather updates.
Item 6

Letter from George Thompson December 23, 1941

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include a story about Christine fighting a burglar who attempted to steal jewelry from their home.
Item 7

Letter from N. S. Whitmore January 20, 1942

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include thanks for sending books to author, and updates to meeting times for the club Whitmore is involved in.
Item 8

Letter from George Thompson May 31, 1942

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include updates on a new baby and weather updates.
Item 9

Letter from George Thompson August 31, 1942

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Letter re friends with new jobs in relation to World War II in ammunition plants and blue printing.
Item 10

2 Pages from Address Directory n.d.

Item 11

Letter from Mary Barnett August 29

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents note: Letter contents include family/friend updates re World War II.