Glen Schwendemann Manuscripts and Research Collection SPC.2008.002
Finding aid prepared by Patricia Mannix; revised and updated by Karen Clemons, 2024
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2010; 2024-04
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Schwendemann Manuscripts and Research Collection
Creator:
Schwendemann, Glen
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2008.002
Physical Description:
6 boxes
(four document cases; two record storage boxes)
Physical Description:
3.6 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1839-1908
Date (inclusive): 1944-2009; undated
Date (bulk): 1960-1975; 2007; undated
Abstract: This collection contains research material generated by Glen Schwendemann, a former Torrance Unified School District teacher
and historian, on mob violence (lynchings and murder) in the United States from the 1840s to early 1900s; as well as his research
and publications on Nicodemus and the Exodusters movement in Kansas. Also included in this collection are unpublished manuscripts
written by Schwendemann on ancient and medieval times, and personal papers related to Schwendemann's education, family history,
and collection of books.
Language of Material:
English
.
Availability
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
The materials were donated to the California State University Archives at California State University, Dominquez Hills, by
Glen Schwendemann in 2008.
Processing Information
Materials processed by Patricia Mannix, 2010. Accurals processed by Karen Clemons, 2024.
History
Intended as the basis of a manuscript on U.S. mob violence from the 1840s to 1890s but unpublished, the material was researched,
collected, and edited by Glen Schwendemann over four decades (ca. 1960-2000). The data was collected from newspapers, dating
from the mid to late nineteenth century, in the form of microfilm and then transcribed by Schwendemann. The intended title
of the manuscript was:
Mob Violence in America, 1839 – 1892. Schwendemann's interest in and committed research on the subject was inspired by his Master's thesis (University of Oklahoma,
1957) on nineteenth century African-American migration from the South, particularly on Nicodemus and the Exodusters movement
in Kansas. Located in Graham County Kansas, Nicodemus, the first Black community west of the Mississippi River, is a small
town that was founded by newly freed slaves in 1877.
Glen Dale Schwendemann (1928-2009) was born in Homestead Oklahoma to John Michael Schwendemann (1908-1977), a grain buyer;
and Caroline E. Schwendemann (1886-1978) (nee Denny). Glen had four sisters: Kathryn Shinn, Dorothy Southern, Helen LeGate,
and Ruth Yoshpa, and two brothers: John M., and Warren. Schwendemann was a history teacher for Torrance Unified School District,
as well as a historian, collector of rare books, and book binder. His collection of books dating from 1556 are also part of
the archives at California State University, Dominguez Hills. After Schwendemann passed in 2009, he donated his home located
at 1515 Acacia Ave in Torrance to the Boy Scouts.
Scope and Contents
The Schwendemann Manuscripts and Research Collection (1944-2009; undated) contains material related to research conducted
by Glen Schwendemann, a historian and former Torrance Unified School District teacher. A majority of the collection is located
in Series I and consists of primary source accounts of mob violence in the United States from 1840 to 1906. "Lynching" is
understood as an event in which a person alleged to have committed a crime or offense is arrested and murdered (typically,
hanged) by a mob; when the person is not arrested, but hanged or executed in some other manner by a mob, it is considered
"murder." Mob violence of the latter sort is often associated with the western part of the United States in the post-Civil
War period. The events of mob violence documented largely took place in the mid-West and the South, and to less degree, in
the West and Southwest. The material is divided into two main categories of persons (primarily men) lynched or murdered: "Blacks"
and "Whites." Latino, Native American, and Asian men are included in the sections on Whites lynched or murdered. There are
also several accounts of the lynching of women in the two main categories. Notes indicate that two sections on mob violence
– titled "Lynching of Black People" and "Murder of Black People" - were meant to be part of the material; these are not included
in the collection, although an index of names titled "Blacks not Arrested but Killed by Mobs" is. The bulk of the material
therefore is centered on "lynching" and "murder" of "Whites."
This collection also contains material related to Schwendemann's research on Nicodemus, an all Black colony that was founded
in Kansas in 1877; and Black migration and Exodusters- African Americans who migrated from states along the Mississippi River
to Kansas. This includes reproductions of archival material such as letters, photographs, petitions, and photographs collected
from the Kansas State Historical Society; as well as published copies of Schwendemann's articles on Nicodemus and Exodusters,
and his thesis entitled "Negro Exodus to Kansas: First Phase, March-July 1879". Other material in this collection includes
copies of unpublished manuscripts by Schwendemann on ancient and medieval times; and personal papers such as diplomas, transcripts,
resumes, documents related to Schwendemann family history, photographs, lists of books belonging to Schwendemann that were
a part of his personal collection, material related to Schwenemann's bookbinding hobby, and a copy of an Olympiad yearbook
from Torrance High School.
Arrangement
Arranged in three series:
- Series I: Mob Violence in America 1839-1892 [manuscript], undated
- Sub-Series A: Introduction, Sources, and Persons Lynched/Killed by Mobs by Race and Number, undated
- Sub-Series B: Lynchings of Whites, and Whites not Arrested but Killed by Mobs, undated
- Sub-Series C: Indices, 2000; undated
- Series II: Research Materials,1953-2009; undated
- Sub-Series A: Kansas: Nicodemus and Exodusters Research,1953-2009; undated
- Sub-Series B: Other Research, 1965-1967, 1970; circa 1960s
- Series III: Personal Materials,1944-1970; 1990; undated
Note on Dates
Dates that fall into the range of 1840s-early 1900s are taken from the reproductions of original research material. Other
dates listed are dates when Schwendemann compiled his research and published material. These dates fall into the range of
1950s-1970s; circa 2007; or are undated.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hangings -- Arizona -- 1880-1890
Lynching -- California -- History
Lynching -- Georgia
Lynching -- Kentucky -- History
Lynching -- Louisiana -- New Orleans
Lynching -- Mississippi
Lynching -- Missouri -- History
Lynching -- Montana -- History -- 19th century
Lynching -- North Carolina
Lynching -- Oklahoma
Lynching -- South Carolina -- History -- 19th century
Lynching -- Southern States
Lynching -- Southern States -- History
Lynching -- Tennessee
Lynching -- Texas -- History -- 19th century
Lynching -- United States
Lynching -- Virginia -- History
Lynchings -- 1850-1860
Hangings -- 1860-1870
Alabama -- History -- 1819-1950
Arkansas -- History
Colorado -- History -- 19th century
Delaware -- History
Florida--History--19th century. -- History -- 19th century
Idaho -- History
Indiana -- History -- 19th century
Illinois -- History -- 19th century
Kansas -- History -- 19th century
Maine -- History -- 19th century
Maryland -- History
Michigan -- History -- 19th century
Minnesota -- History -- 19th century
Nebraska -- History -- 19th century
Nevada -- History
New Mexico -- History -- 19th century
Ohio -- History -- 19th century
Oklahoma -- History -- 19th century
Oregon -- History -- 19th century
Pennsylvania -- History
Utah -- History -- 19th century
West Virginia -- History
Wisconsin -- History -- 19th century
Wyoming -- History -- 19th century
Series I: Mob Violence in America 1839-1892 [manuscript]
undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains material compiled by Schwendemann while he was working on an unpublished manuscript regarding mob violence
in America from 1839-1892. Included in this series is a listing of primary and secondary sources; methodology; lynchings by
location; lynchings of white people; lynchings of Black people, and names of the deceased.
Note on Dates
Dates that fall into the range of 1840s-early 1900s are taken from the reproductions of original research material. Other
dates listed are dates when Schwendemann compiled his research and published material. These dates fall into the range of
1950s-1970s; circa 2007; or are undated.
Sub-Series A: Introduction, Sources, and Persons Lynched/Killed by Mobs by Race and Number
undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains copies of the introduction for Schwendemann's unpublished manuscript "Mob Violence in America 1839-1892"
as well as index cards and lists of primary and secondary sources used.
box 1, folder 1
Manuscript Terms and Methodology
undated
box 1, folder 2-5
Sources - primary and secondary 1852-1880
undated
box 1, folder 6
Numbers by Race and Year - U.S. Lynchings/Murder of Whites & of Blacks 1839-1892
April 2007
box 1, folder 7
Additional Lynchings and Instances of Mob Actions 1891
April 2007
box 4, folder 1
Lynchings by location 1868-1899
undated
box 4, folder 2
Lynchings- lists; notes; research 1869-1891
undated
box 4, folder 3
Conventions- lists. Includes location and date of convention 1859-1906
undated
Sub-Series B: Lynchings of Whites, and Whites not Arrested but Killed by Mobs
undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains lists of white lynchings. Each page includes information such as the victims, suspected crime, location,
date, source, and a summary of the events surrounding the lynching.
box 1, folder 8-20, box 2
White Lynchings 1839 -1898, 1900, 1906
undated
box 3, folder 1-16
Whites not Arrested but Killed by Mobs 1840-1892
undated
Sub-Series C: Indices
2000; undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains indexes to lists of whites and Blacks not arrested but killed by mobs from 1840-1901. Information
included is a listing of hangings by state, name of victim, their suspected crime, location, date, and source. Also included
in this sub-series is a listing of the deceased and includes name, location of death, and date.
box 3, folder 17-18
Index of Whites not Arrested but Killed by Mobs 1840 -1892
undated
box 3, folder 19-20
Index of Blacks not Arrested but Killed by Mobs 1840-1901
undated
box 3, folder 21-23
Names of the Dead 1866-1965
2000
Series II: Research Materials
1953-2009; undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains material regarding Schwendemann's other research that was not related to mob violence. A majority of
the materials relate to Nicodemus, an all Black colony that was founded in Kansas in 1877, as well as Black migration and
exodus to Kansas in 1879. This series contains reproductions of archival material such as letters, photographs, maps, petitions,
and other documents from the Kansas State Historical Society, as well as memorandums and letters Schwendemann sent while trying
to seek out research, and publish articles. Also included in this series are published copies of Schwendemann's articles "Nicodemus:
Negro Haven on the Solomon", "Wyandotte and the First 'Exodusters' of 1879", "St. Louis and the 'Exodusters' of 1879", "The
'Exodusters' on the Missouri", and Schwendemann's graduate school thesis "Negro Exodus to Kansas: First Phase, March-July
1879". Finally this series contains copies of unpublished manuscripts Schwendemann wrote on ancient and medieval times.
Note on Dates
Dates that fall into the range of 1840s-early 1900s are taken from the reproductions of original research material. Other
dates listed are dates when Schwendemann compiled his research and published material. These dates fall into the range of
1950s-1970s; circa 2007; or are undated.
Sub-Series A: Kansas: Nicodemus and Exodusters Research
1953-2009; undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains reproductions of archival material such as letters, photographs, maps, petitions, and other documents
from the Kansas State Historical Society, as well as memorandums and letters Schwendemann sent while trying to seek out research,
and publish articles on the topics of Nicodemus, and Exodusters in Kansas.
Also included in this sub-series are published copies of Schwendemann's articles "Nicodemus: Negro Haven on the Solomon",
"Wyandotte and the First 'Exodusters' of 1879", "St. Louis and the 'Exodusters' of 1879", "The 'Exodusters' on the Missouri",
and Schwendemann's graduate school thesis "Negro Exodus to Kansas: First Phase, March-July 1879".
box 4, folder 4
Correspondence regarding Nicodemus
1960-1962, 1966-1967, 1973
Scope and Contents
A majority of the correspondence is between Schwendemann and Kansas State Historical Society regarding the publishing of his
article "Nicodemus: Negro Haven on the Solomon". Other letters in this file are in regards to Schwendemann's attempt to find
a thesis by William J. Belleau concerning the Nicodemus Colony in Graham County, Kansas.
box 4, folder 5
"Nicodemus: Negro Haven on the Solomon" by Glen Schwendemann
Spring 1968; 1971
Scope and Contents
Published copies from Commission on Civil Rights, History of Minority Groups in Kansas No. 3;
The Kansas Historical Quarterly
box 4, folder 6-11
Graham County, Kansas- petitions May 1877-March 1880 [reproductions]
undated
box 4, folder 12-13
Governor St. John- Correspondence Received May 1877-December 1880 [reproductions]
2007; undated
Scope and Contents
Documents are reproductions from the
Governor Records - St. John, 1879-1883 Series III: Subject Files located at Kansas Historical Society. For more material related to Governor St. John and Exodusters
see:
John Pierce St. John Papers, 1859-1917 . File also includes document entitled "Negro Correspondents from the Exodus Correspondence of Governor John P. St. John"
edited by Glen Schwendemann (2007)
box 5, folder 1
"A History of Nicodemus Graham County Kansas" A thesis presented to the graduate faculty of the Fort Hays Kansas State College
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of science. By Orval L. McDaniel
1950
box 5, folder 2
photographs and negatives of Nicodemus and Hill City residents, 1902, 1904, 1908 [reproductions]
undated
Scope and Contents
Includes images of George Washington Jones, Emancipation Day Celebration at Nicodemus, Kansas [flyers]; William L. Sayers;
Abraham Taylor Hall; George M. Sayers and Family; Daniel Tucker Hickman; Graham County map; and others.
box 5, folder 3
Portrait photographs from Graham County atlas [reproductions from Kansas State Historical Society]
undated
box 5, folder 4
Correspondence regarding publishing Schwendemann's work on the exoduster movement
1957-1961, 1969, 1973
box 5, folder 5
Letters, memorandums, and invoices regarding Schwendemann's research on the exoduster movement
1956-1957
box 5, folder 6
"Negro Exodus to Kansas: First Phase, March-July 1879, A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfillment of
the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts" by Glen Schwendemann
1957
box 5, folder 7
"Wyandotte and the First 'Exodusters' of 1879" by Glen Schwendemann
Kansas Historical Quarterly Vol. XXVI, No. 3
Autumn 1960
box 5, folder 8
"St. Louis and the 'Exodusters' of 1879" by Glen Schwendemann
Journal of Negro History Vol. XLVI, No. 1
January 1961
box 5, folder 9
"The 'Exodusters' on the Missouri" by Glen Schwendemann
Kansas Historical Quarterly Vol. XXIX, No. 1
Spring 1963
box 5, folder 10
Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. Reproductions from Singleton Scrapbook 1877-1886
undated
box 6, folder 1
Geo A. Ogle and Co. Atlas. Reproductions from Kansas State Historical Society of pages regarding counties in Kansas 1906
undated
box 6, folder 2
Photostats, Photographs, Negatives, Notes. Includes pages from books and articles regarding Kansas, 1883, 1891, 1900
undated
box 6, folder 3
Biographical information from Missouri State Archives regarding James Milton Turner; and Mississippi Archives regarding Secretary
of State James Hill
undated
box 6, folder 4
Correspondence- Kansas State Historical Society regarding Schwendemann manuscripts; and research
1958-1971, 1988-2009
box 6, folder 5
Research presumably for Nicodemus and Exodusters- Notecards, microfilm lists
1953, 1968; undated
Sub-Series B: Other Research
1965-1967, 1970; circa 1960s
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains unpublished manuscripts by Schwendemann on ancient and medieval times; and European explorations.
Also included are manuscripts on the Romans and Sumerians that are missing title information and pages.
box 6, folder 6
"Documents of Ancient and Medieval Times, Vol. 1: Egypt" Compiled and Edited by Glen Schwendemann
August 1965
box 6, folder 7
"Documents of Ancient and Medieval Times, Vol. 3: Hellenic Greece" Compiled and Edited by Glen Schwendemann
June 1967
box 6, folder 8
"Documents of Ancient and Medieval Times, Vol. 4: Rome, Republic and Empire" Compiled and Edited by Glen Schwendemann
June 1967
box 6, folder 9
"Documents of European Explorations" Edited by Glen Schwendemann
August 1970
box 6, folder 10
"Documents of European Exploration, Book III: The Voyage of Vasco da Gama to India" Compiled and Edited by Glen Schwendemann
November 1970
box 6, folder 11
Untitled manuscript on Romans
circa 1960s
box 6, folder 12
untitled manuscript on Sumerians (pages and title information missing)
circa 1960s
Series III: Personal Materials
1944-1970; 1990; undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains material related to Schwendemann's education such as diplomas, transcripts, and a resume; documents regarding
Schwendemann's family history such as birth and death certificates, correspondence, notes, and census data; photographs; lists
of books belonging to Schwendemann; material regarding Schwendemann's book binding hobby; a copy of "Homestead Alumni 1930-1953",
and a Olympiad Yearbook from South High School in Torrance, CA.
box 6, folder 13
Educational Materials- diplomas, transcripts, resume
1944, 1946, 1949, 1957, 1960-1962, 1965
box 6, folder 14
Schwendemann Family History
1949, 1960, 1962, 1994-1998
box 6, folder 15
Photographs presumably of Schwendemann and his family
1990; undated
box 6, folder 16
"Homestead Alumni 1930-1953" book [reproduction]
undated
box 6, folder 17
Lists of books belonging to Glenn Schwendemann. Includes lists of books donated
undated
box 6, folder 18
Bookbinding- paper, notes, directions, invoices
1969-1970;undated
box 6, folder 19
Olympiad Yearbook, South High School, Torrance California
1990
