Eugene V. Debs Papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Eugene V. Debs was president of the American Railway Union, an advocate of industrial unionism and a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World, and a five-time candidate for president of the United States on the Socialist Party ticket. The collection, comprised of material donated to the Tamiment Library by several individuals, contains correspondence, examples of Debs' published speeches and writings, newspaper clippings, graphics, ephemera and material relating to the Eugene V. Debs Foundation. Included is a selection of material collected by Debs' attorney, Samuel Castleton, relating to Debs' imprisonment for opposition to U.S. involvement in World War I. Among the correspondents are: James Oneal, Algernon Lee, Edwin Markham and Seymour Stedman.
Historical/Biographical Note
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, to French immigrant parents, Eugene V. Debs worked as a painter on the railroad and as a clerk, while becoming active in Democratic politics at the local and state levels. He gained prominence as editor of the magazine of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and served as secretary-treasurer of the union. In 1893 he broke away from the conservative Brotherhood to organize the American Railway Union (ARU), one of the first industrial unions in the United States. After leading the ARU in a bitter strike against the Pullman Company in 1894, he was sentenced to six months in jail. He was among the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World in 1905, but broke with the organization in 1908.
Debs ran for president of the United States in 1900 as the standard-bearer of the newly formed Social Democratic Party, a precursor of the Socialist Party of America. A compelling orator and charismatic leader, he was the Socialist Party's presidential candidate in 1904, 1908, 1912 and 1920.
On June 16, 1918, Debs delivered an impassioned speech in Canton, Ohio in opposition to the United States' involvement in World War I. He was arrested and tried under the Espionage Act of 1917; the indictment accused him of "attempting to cause insubordination, mutiny, disloyalty and refusal of duty within the military…. [and promoting] the cause of the Imperial German Government." He was sentenced, at the age of sixty-three, to serve ten years in federal prison. In 1920, while still imprisoned at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Debs conducted his last campaign for president; he won more than 900,000 votes - 3.5 percent of the total. On December 25, 1921, President Warren G. Harding commuted Debs' sentence to time served and Debs was released from prison.
After his release, and despite his worsening health, Debs continued to speak and publish widely on behalf of the Socialist Party, and related causes such as the campaign to free Sacco and Vanzetti. He died at the age of 70 at Lindlahr Sanitarium in Elmhurst, IL on October 20, 1926, and was buried in Terre Haute.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically.
The files are grouped into four series:
Missing Title
- I, Correspondence, 1899-1965
- II, General Files, 1892-1966
- III, Samuel Castleton Papers, 1886-1951
- IV, Oversize.
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains correspondence, including some letters from Debs to James Oneal, Algernon Lee and Edwin Markham. Letters from Theodore Debs' regarding his brother are also present in the collection. Published copies of Debs' speeches and writings are also included, as are newspaper clippings and subject files. The papers of Samuel Castleton, Debs' attorney during his trial under the 1917 Espionage Act, contain correspondence and copies of Castleton's column in the Appeal to Reason entitled "Debs in Prison."
Of particular significance are materials relating to Frank X. Holl, a colleague of Debs' from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen; the large body of correspondence between Theodore Debs and Socialist Party activist Joseph Cohen; clippings relating to the production of a Debs Medallion in 1914; subject files on Debs' "Red Special" campaign train; publicity materials from the Eugene V. Debs Foundation; and a set of playing cards with depictions of Debs and other labor leaders produced by the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America.
Subjects
Organizations
Genres
People
Topics
Places
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Because of the assembled nature of this collection, copyright status varies across the collection. Copyright is assumed to be held by the original creator of individual items in the collection; these items are expected to pass into the public domain 120 years after their creation. Tamiment Library is not authorized to grant permission to publish or reproduce materials from this collection.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Eugene V. Debs Collection; TAM 020; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This is an assembled collection, created by Tamiment Library staff over a number of years and derived from a variety of sources. Donated by Marguerite Debs Cooper, daughter of Eugene Debs, in 1947 and 1962. Another accession was donated by Miriam Allen deFord in 1959. The accession number associated with these gifts is 1950.159.
Custodial History
This is an assembled collection, created by Tamiment Library staff over a number of years and derived from a variety of sources. Marguerite Debs Cooper, daughter of Eugene Debs, donated materials in 1947 and in the early 1960s. Miriam Allen deFord donated materials in 1959. The Samuel Castleton Papers were donated by his daughter, Sylvia Weyl Castleton at an unknown date. The accession number 1950.159 is associated with this collection.
About this Guide
Processing Information
The Eugene V. Debs Graphics Collection (GRAPHICS 007) was incorporated into this collection at an unknown date.
In August 2017, three busts and two portraits of Eugene V. Debs were retroactively accessioned into this collection and were prepared to be moved to offsite art storage in September 2017.
Revisions to this Guide
Edition of this Guide
Repository
Series I: Correspondence, 1899-1955.
Language of Materials
Cooper, Marguerite Debs: Outgoing, 1947 , 1961 , 1965, inclusive
Debs, Eugene V.: Outgoing, 1906-1925, inclusive
Debs, Eugene V.: to Joseph Cohen, 1908-1925, inclusive
Debs, Eugene V.: to C.W. Ervin (photocopies, from Archives of Labor History and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University), 1907-1922, inclusive
Debs, Eugene V.: to Algernon Lee, 1907 , 1918 , 1923, inclusive
Debs, Eugene V.: to Edwin Markham (photocopies, from Edwin Markham Archive, Wagner College), 1899-1923, inclusive
Debs, Eugene V.: to James Oneal, 1910-1921, inclusive
Debs, Katherine M.: Incoming and Outgoing, 1926-1930, inclusive
Debs, Theodore: Outgoing, 1920-1926, inclusive
Debs, Theodore: to Joseph Cohen, 1917-1926, inclusive
Debs, Theodore: to Joseph Cohen, 1929-1936, inclusive
Debs, Theodore: to Joseph Cohen, 1937-1945, inclusive
Debs, Theodore: to Algernon Lee, 1914 , 1920-1923 , 1944-1945, inclusive
Debs, Theodore: to James Oneal, 1921-1922 , 1926-1927 , 1936-1943, inclusive
Germer, Adolph: Incoming, 1911-1945, inclusive
Loeb, Mitchell (re: Debs, Sacco and Vanzetti), 1955, undated, inclusive
Long, Fred W.: to Joseph Cohen, 1908, inclusive
Lyndenberg, H. M.: to and from Algernon Lee, Mar 1927, inclusive
Moore, Samuel: to Joseph Cohen, 1920-1927, inclusive
Stedman, Seymour: Incoming, 1918-1919, inclusive
Stedman, Seymour: Outgoing, 1918-1919, inclusive
Stone, Irving: to Joseph Cohen, 1945, inclusive
Series II: Subject Files, 1892-1966.
Language of Materials
Aldred, Guy A.: Convict 9653: America's Vision Maker, undated, inclusive
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America: Playing Cards Depicting Prominent Labor Leaders (Debs is depicted on the ace of clubs), undated, inclusive
Articles by Debs, 1892 , 1897 , 1904-1906, inclusive
Articles by Debs, 1910-1916, inclusive
Articles by Debs, 1917-1926, inclusive
Articles by Debs, undated, inclusive
Articles: "Review and Personal Statement" (typescript), undated, inclusive
Banquet in Honor of Eugene V. Debs: Program, Oct 9, 1925, inclusive
Biographical and General Information, 1920 , 1927, inclusive
Brent, Joseph: "Different Characters: Roosevelt, Lincoln, Taft and Debs" (typescript), 1907, inclusive
Brommel, Bernard J.: Articles, 1966-1969, inclusive
Brommel, Bernard J.: Interviews and Notes, 1960, inclusive
Brommel, Bernard J.: Research Correspondence, 1961-1962, inclusive
Clippings, 1904 , 1910 , 1919, inclusive
Clippings, 1920-1929, inclusive
Clippings, 1942-1943, inclusive
Clippings, 1955-1959 , 1964, inclusive
Clippings, undated, inclusive
Clippings: Articles by James Oneal, 1920-1925, inclusive
Clippings: Debs Medallion, Apr 5, 1914, inclusive
Clippings: Eugene V. Debs Foundation, 1960-1969, inclusive
Coldwell, Joseph M.: My Life in Prison With Debs, undated, inclusive
Conscience of America: The Years Between (teleplay, typescript), Feb 1976, inclusive
Cooke, Edmund Vance: "Eugene" (poem), 1918, inclusive
Cummings, Mary Vincent: "Memories of Girard, Kansas, Eugene V. Debs and Me", 1976, inclusive
Debs Amnesty Committee: What Did Debs Say?, undated, inclusive
Debs Amnesty Committee: Unlock That Cell!, undated, inclusive
Debs, Katherine Metzel: Obituary, Dec 12, 1936, inclusive
Debs Meeting Committee: Correspondence, 1923, inclusive
Debs Meeting Committee: Ephemera, 1923, inclusive
Debs Meeting Committee: Financial, 1923, inclusive
Debs Meeting Committee: General, 1923-1963, inclusive
Eugene V. Debs Foundation: Brochures, 1963-1966 , 1977, inclusive
Eugene V. Debs Foundation: Correspondence, 1963-1965, inclusive
Eugene V. Debs Foundation: Reports, 1962-1963, inclusive
Eugene V. Debs v. United States of America (United States Supreme Court): Brief for Plaintiffs in Error, Oct 1918, inclusive
Eugene V. Debs v. United States of America (United States Supreme Court): Certificate in Support of Petition for Rehearing, Oct 1918, inclusive
Eugene V. Debs v. United States of America (United States Supreme Court): Petition for Rehearing, Oct 1918, inclusive
Flower, J. Howard: At Death of Debs: The Modern Knight of Man, 1926, inclusive
The Free Press: Special Debs Edition, 1908, inclusive
Freund, Ernst: "The Debs Case and Freedom of Speech" (The New Republic), May 3, 1919, inclusive
Friends of Debs Column: Why the Debs Column?, [1936], inclusive
Harris, Ellis B.: Debs the Dreamer (poem), undated, inclusive
Harvard Summer School News: "Inside Story of Debs War Arrest Bared by Miller", Jul 15, 1938, inclusive
Holmes, John Haynes: The Riddle of Amnesty, 1921, inclusive
Hook, Sidney: A Gallant American Rebel (Review of The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs), Jul 17, 1949, inclusive
Hughan, Jesse Wallace: Our 'Gene, 1920, inclusive
Hurt, Walter: Eugene V. Debs: An Introduction, undated, inclusive
Karsner, David: Debs in 1920, 1920, inclusive
LaPrade, Ruth: To His Oppressors (poem), undated, inclusive
London, Jack: "The Dream of Debs," adapted for radio by Harold L. Saks, undated, inclusive
MacLean, Isabel: The Religious Life of Eugene V. Debs, 1912, inclusive
Meeting Notices for the Release of Debs, 1921, inclusive
Miller, Martin H.: A Tribute to a Great American, 1955, inclusive
National Civil Liberties Bureau: The Law of the Debs Case, undated, inclusive
Nearing, Scott: The Debs Decision (Rand School of Social Science pamphlet), 1919, inclusive
The New Justice: Special Debs Number, Apr 1, 1919, inclusive
Obituaries, Oct 1926, inclusive
Orr, Rev. Hugh Robert: The Last Christian: Eugene V. Debs (sermon), 1920, inclusive
Paulish, John and Frank P. Zeidler: Spirit of Gene Debs: March (musical score), 1938, inclusive
Publications: Childhood, 1907, inclusive
Publications: Debs' Address to the Jury and Statement to the Court, Sep 1918, inclusive
Publications: Debs and the War, Sep 1918, inclusive
Publications: Debs on the Pacific Coast, 1920, inclusive
Publications: Eugene V. Debs: The Man and His Work (one copy autographed), Undated, inclusive
Publications: Eugene V. Debs: The Voice of Labor, 1918, inclusive
Publications: Eugene Victor Debs, The Champion of the American Working-Class, 1920, inclusive
Publications: Liberty, 1895, inclusive
Publications: Martyred Apostles of Labor, 1898, inclusive
Publications: Personal Notes and Recollections, undated, inclusive
Publications: Roosevelt's Heartless Tyranny, 1912, inclusive
Publications: Socialist Unity, Jun 1920, inclusive
Publications: The Children of the Poor, 1911, inclusive
Publications: The Debs Trilogy: Man, Woman, Child, 1917, inclusive
Publications: The Mission of the Socialist Party, 1904, inclusive
Publications: Tribute of Love to His Father and Mother, 1899, inclusive
Publications: "Winning a World", 1905, inclusive
Publications: Woman - Comrade and Equal, 1912, inclusive
Red Special Campaign Train, 1908 , 1962, inclusive
Research Notes, undated, inclusive
Resolution on Release of Eugene V. Debs and Other Political Prisoners, 1920, inclusive
Robinson, Arthur: The Great Dreamer, Nov 20 1926, inclusive
Socialist Call: Debs Centennial Issue, Oct 1955, inclusive
Socialist Party: The Heritage of Debs: The Fight Against War, 1935, inclusive
Speeches, 1900-1920, inclusive
Speeches: Canton Speech, Jun 16, 1918, inclusive
Speeches: Industrial Unionism, 1905, inclusive
Stedman, Seymour: Closing Statement (excerpt, typescript), undated, inclusive
Stokes, J. G. Phelps: Reasons for Supporting Mr. Debs, 1908, inclusive
Swinton, John: 1860 - Lincoln; Debs - 1895, 1895, inclusive
Taft, William H.: Ex-President Taft on Eugene V. Debs, 1920, inclusive
Tamiment Institute Library Bulletin: Eugene Victor Debs Birthday Issue, Dec 1960, inclusive
Terrell, Joseph Z: "The Imprisonment of Eugene V. Debs" (typescript), undated, inclusive
Thomas, Norman: Eugene Victor Debs, 1924, inclusive
United States of America v. Eugene Debs (Michigan Circuit Court): Bill for Injunction, 1894, inclusive
United States of America v. Eugene Debs (US District Court, Ohio): Copy of Indictment, Jun 1918, inclusive
Unsigned Articles, 1918-1966, inclusive
Unsigned Typescript, undated, inclusive
"Winning a World" Speech Recording: Clippings and Correspondence, 1905-1913 , 1961-1962, inclusive
Series III: Castleton Papers, 1886-1951.
Language of Materials
Castleton, Samuel: "Debs in Prison" (Column in Appeal to Reason), 1920-1921, inclusive
Chuca Choo! Song of the American Railway Union, 1894, inclusive
Correspondence: Allen, Ruth A. to Samuel Castleton, Jun 1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Babcock, Charles H. to Frank X. Holl, 1902 , 1913 , 1926, inclusive
Correspondence: Branstetter, Otto to Samuel Castleton, Feb 5, 1920, inclusive
Correspondence: Burke, Myrtle J. to Samuel Castleton, 1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Burton, S. D. to Samuel Castleton, Oct 27, 1920, inclusive
Correspondence: Castleton, Samuel, Outgoing (typescript copies), 1920 , 1944-1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Debs, Eugene to Adolph Germer (typescript copies), 1902-1913, inclusive
Correspondence: Debs, Eugene to Frank X. Holl, 1885-1912, inclusive
Correspondence: Debs, Theodore to Samuel Castleton, 1920 , 1944, inclusive
Correspondence: Debs, Theodore to Mandel V. Halushka, Aug 4, 1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Debs, Theodore to Frank X. Holl, 1904-1938, inclusive
Correspondence: DeVoe, Emma Smith to Frank X. Holl, Dec 14, 1910, inclusive
Correspondence: Fuhrberg, H. O. to Theodore Debs, Nov 5, 1926, inclusive
Correspondence: Germer, Adolph to Samuel Castleton, Sep 1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Halushka, Mandel V. to Samuel Castleton, 1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Halushka, Mandel V. to Sylvia Weyl, 1946-1947, inclusive
Correspondence: Holl, Frank X., Outgoing, undated , 1944, inclusive
Correspondence: O'Hare, Kate Richards to Samuel Castleton, Sep 16, 1945, inclusive
Correspondence: Sharts, Joseph to Samuel Castleton, Sep 8, 1920, inclusive
Correspondence: University of Texas Library to Samuel Castleton, 1945-1946, inclusive
Correspondence: Warren, Fred D. to Frank X. Holl, 1942, inclusive
Correspondence: Weyl, Sylvia Castleton, Outgoing, 1948-1951, inclusive
Correspondence: Weyl, Sylvia Castleton to and from Raymond Ginger, 1948, inclusive
Correspondence: Weyl, Sylvia Castleton to L. B. Woodcock, 1947, inclusive
Correspondence: Woodcock, L. B. to Samuel Castleton, 1945-1946, inclusive
Correspondence: Woodcock, L. B. to Sylvia Weyl Castleton, 1947, inclusive
Debs, Eugene: Statements for United Press (from prison), 1920-1921, inclusive
Holl, Frank X. (Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen): Membership Credentials, Photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Holl, 1886 , 1888 , 1945, inclusive
Holl, Frank X.: "Reminiscences about Debs" (typescript), undated, inclusive
Scrapbook, 1889-1936, inclusive
Series IV: Oversize, 1919-1939, undated, inclusive
Language of Materials
The Call: Cartoon, undated
Card from Geo. Koop and Co-workers, 1921, inclusive
Eugene Victor Debs Foundation: Publicity Materials, undated, inclusive
House of Debs Certificates, 1930s?, inclusive
Memorial Poster, undated
New Leader: Memorial Issue, 1926, inclusive
Orr, Rev. Hugh Robert: The Last Christian: Eugene V. Debs, 1920, inclusive
Portrait bust of Eugene V. Debs (painted bronze), 1922
Extent
Physical Facet
Scope and Contents
Artist: Moses Wainer Dykaar
Subjects
Topics
Portrait bust of Eugene V. Debs (painted white), 1922
Extent
Physical Facet
Scope and Contents
Artist: Moses Wainer Dykaar
Subjects
Topics
Portrait bust of Eugene V. Debs, 1919
Extent
Physical Facet
Scope and Contents
Artist: Louis Meyer
Subjects
Topics
Portrait of Eugene V. Debs, Undated, inclusive
Extent
Physical Facet
Scope and Contents
Artist: N. B. Leisser
Subjects
Genres
Portrait of Eugene V. Debs, 1939
Extent
Physical Facet
Scope and Contents
Artist: C. C. Morrison
