Booth/St. Helens 1904 facial comparison

[wpbinzel]

(10-02-2020 08:06 AM)M J Ray Wrote:  I am an author and local historian from Granbury, Texas. I am curious if anyone on here has ever had access to and read the 35 Affidavits from Granbury citizens who knew St.Helen, that were given to Federal investigators in the 1920's? They are part of the Swaim collection at Georgetown University, and there are also copies in the papers of Swaim's wife and daughter housed at San Angelo State University, in Texas. I am writing a book on local history of that time period (1870-1900)and would very much like to see in their own words how these people whose descendants I know perceived this man. I am unfortunately totally stymied on any kind of access to either collection because of COVID19. So it occurred to me that someone on here might have either contents notes, or actual copies that you would be willing to share. Thanks in advance for any responses.

M. J. - I extend my welcome to you as well.

I passed your inquiry along to Colleen Puterbaugh, the Collections Manager and Archivist at the James O. Research Center at the Surratt House Museum in Clinton, MD. This was Colleen's response:


Though the Surratt House Museum isn’t open to the public, the staff is still working per usual. At the James O. Hall Research Center, in the Hall files, there is an entire file drawer devoted to David E George/ St. Helen. I did locate the file that contains copies of some (all?) of the affidavits in the Swaim Collection. One note says they are from Box 10 in that collection. A full collection list is also included. That was in the 1990’s, now of course that is all online. You can find the contents listing for box 10 here- https://findingaids.library.georgetown.e...ts/1292476
See “Collection Organization” on the right hand side, you can click any of those to explore the collection more fully. The papers in general are here, for all the boxes therein. https://findingaids.library.georgetown.e...rces/10551

Their main website does say that the Library will open effective August 26, and that many services remain available online. To put in a request for items in a box or probably to have one of their librarians do more research for you, there is a button to “request” at the top.

I say all this because, unfortunately, I cannot duplicate the materials to send to you. The restrictions from the Georgetown Library are very clearly printed on the materials. You will have to obtain duplicates directly from the records’ repository. If you could come to our site, they can be viewed in person. But of course, that is not possible due to distance or COVID restrictions. So hopefully if you reach out to the GU Special Collections again, this time they’ll be able to assist. Good luck!

Colleen Walter Puterbaugh

Collections Manager/ Archivist

James O. Hall Research Center

Surratt House Museum
9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735
Department of Parks and Recreation
The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
history.pgparks.com
301.868.6185