Guide to the Judge Daniel H. Thomas Scrapbooks

Descriptive Summary:
Creator: Judge Daniel H. Thomas, 1906-2000
Title: Judge Daniel H. Thomas Scrapbooks
Dates: 1951-1996
Quantity: 2.5 cu. ft.
Abstract: 13 scrapbooks of and one tribute book to Judge Daniel H. Thomas
Accession: 00-09-357

Biographical Note:
Daniel Holcombe Thomas was born in Prattville, Alabama, in 1906. He was appointed to the federal bench in 1951 by President Harry Truman. Although Judge Thomas retired in 1972, he retained supernumerary status until his death in 2000, making him one of the United States' longest serving justices. Known as a conservative, Judge Thomas served on several civil rights cases, one of the most important of which was the Birdie Mae Davis v. Mobile County School Board school desegregation case. He also developed a national reputation as a justice ruling in maritime cases.

Scope and Content:
This collection consists of 13 personal scrapbooks spanning the entire tenure of federal judge Daniel H. Thomas. It also contains one bound volume of congratulatory letters written to Judge Thomas upon the 15^th anniversary of his installation as a judge, as well as miscellaneous speeches, letters, and articles about the judge. Within the scrapbooks are a myriad of items, including newsclippings, brochures, programs, letters, photographs, telegrams, cards, and invitations. Of particular note within the collection are the clippings related to the Birdie Mae Davis and Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster cases.

Access Restrictions:
This material is open for research.

Preferred Citation:
Judge Daniel H. Thomas Scrapbooks, The Doy Leale MCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama

Related Material:
Non-Partisan Voter's League Records, 92-09-247

Researcher Note:
This material is available on microfilm from Samford University Library, Birmingham, Alabama. Judge Thomas' case files can be found at the Bounds Law Library, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Detailed Description of the Collection:

Scrapbook 2 | Scrapbook 3 |  Scrapbook 4 |  Scrapbook 5 |  Scrapbook 6

Scrapbook 7 | Scrapbook 8  | Scrapbook 9 | Scrapbook 10 | Scrapbook 11   

Scrapbook 12 | Scrapbook 13 | Box 1

Scrapbook 1
Federal Judge's Prayer
Clippings: Mobile Register, Jan. 27, Feb. 14, May 31, June 1, 1978: Moonie Suit of Bayou officials
Clippings: Noting Donation of Pratt Portraits to Huntingdon College
Clipping: Mobile Press, Feb. 15, 1978: Silver Beaver Award
Record of Man with Fish; May 1978
Clipping: Mobile Register, Sept. 10, 1978: Merrill Thomas
Clipping: Selma Times, Aug. 10, 1978
Invitation & Program: Alabama Business Hall of Fame, Oct. 17, 1978
Biography of Daniel Pratt - Alabama Business Hall of Fame
Certificate of Membership: Golden Fifties Club, Univ. of Alabama, April 1978
Letter: Univ. Of Alabama National Alumni Association, May 26, 1978
Graduation Program: Univ. of Alabama, Jan. 1928
List of Reunion Participants, 1978 (Class of 1928)
Class of 1928 - Picture and Identification, Apr. 22, 1978
Clipping: Bar Association Meeting - Harry Seale, May 1979
Letter: J. Barton Greer, May 23, 1979
Letter: Oscar H. Lipscomb, Aug. 11, 1980
Card: Belated Birthday, Aug. 25, 1979
Clipping: Mobile Register, Cameron Retirement, June 1, 1979
Letter: C. J. Coley, Aug. 17, 1978
Certificate of 50 years service, Mobile Bar Association
Announcement: Vow renewal, Oct. 25, 1979
Telegram: "Hope, Owen & Mike," Oct. 25, 1979
Clipping: Selma Times Journal, Henry Pratt, Aug. 26, 1979
Program: Naturalization Ceremonies, May 1, 1979
Clipping: Mobile Press, Federal Court and Civil Rights, Oct. 1, 1979
Transcript: Speech - Daniel Pratt, June 11, 1967
Clippings: Computer Cases, Dec. 1980-Jan. 1981
Clipping: Naturalization Ceremonies, May 7, 1981
Clipping: Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Thomas
Clipping: Letter to editor, Calvin Wells, Sept. 21, 1981
Bulletin: Mobile Bar Association, Sept. 1981
Program: U.S. Court of Appeals, Opening and Closing, Oct. 1-2, 1981
Clipping: Death Penalty in Alabama, Mar. 11, 1981
Clipping: Sea Coast Echo - Deep Hole Trial, Sept. 27, 1981
Clippings: Mobile Press and Register, Naturalizations, Dec. 2, 1981
Letter: William O'Connor, Dec. 31, 1981
Obituary: Sam Pipes, Oct. 29, 1982
Clipping: Azalea City News and Review, 31 Years for Judge Thomas, May 16, 1982
Clippings: Sports - Prattville Ship Owners and Liability, 1983
Clippings: Work Party
Clipping: Cottage, Gulfport, Miss., Aug. 5, 1982
Clipping: Verta Swetman, Aug. 17, 1982
Clipping: Tampa Tribune, Capricorn Suit, Dec. 30, 1981
Clippings: Tampa Tribune and Mobile Press, Blackthorn Collision
Clippings: Tampa Tribune, Summit Venture, Oct. 1982, Mar. 1983; May 1984
Obituary: Charles Hohenberg, Oct. 22, 1984
Clipping: Pensacola Journal, Skyway Disaster, May 9, 1985
Clipping: USA Today, New Skyway Bridge, Apr. 30, 1987
Program: Marker Dedication Honoring Hugo Black, Apr. 19, 1974
Program: Investiture Ceremony for Emmett R. Cox, Apr. 25, 1988
Letter: Russell T. Infinger, May 1, 1987
Brochure: "Little Doc's Ambulance"
Clipping: Prattville Birthday (98^th)
Clipping & Letters: Female Juror Virginia Greer, May 12 & 26, 1966
Clipping: Race Relations - Selma
Letter: Mrs. William Lewis, Feb. 24, 1966
Clipping: Prattville Ranch, Dec. 11, 1937
Clipping: Prattville and the Pratts, Apr. 1949
Letter & Family Pictures: William Pratt Thomas, May 1984
Clipping: "Little Doc," Mar. 1978
Brochure: Tourism in Prattville
Clipping: Mobile Press, Retirement of Judge Thomas, Aug. 22, 1971
Letter: Dorothy Dixon of American Forestry Association - Dimensions of White Oak Tree on the Thomas Estate in Prattville, Apr. 22, 1964
Letters: Ida Garrison - Regarding a Court Case, June & Aug. 1954
Transcript: Speech at Retirement of Judge Thomas, Aug. 25, 1971
Letters: Mrs. Davis' Class - Brookley School, Dec. 1970

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Scrapbook 2
Program: Portrait Dedication, Mar. 14, 1972
Program: Retirement Ceremonies for Judge Virgil Pittman, June 15, 1981
Letter: Intention to Retire - To US President, Apr. 16, 1971
Letter: Acknowledging Intention - From US President, May 5, 1971
Clipping: Mobile Press, Nixon Announces Thomas Retirement, May 6, 1971
Letter: J. Edgar Hoover, Aug. 13, 1971
Letter: Lister Hill, Aug. 4, 1971
Clippings: Mobile Press, Judge Thomas Retirement, Aug. 20, 22, 25, 27, 1971
Transcript: Letters from Mobile Bar Association Honoring Judge Thomas
Cards: Retirement Cards from Law Clerks and Others
Pictures: Judge Thomas with Clerks, Judges, and Secretaries
Program: Prayer and Transcript of Retirement Ceremony/Program, Aug. 25, 1971
Letter: Betty Callaway
Telegram: Ros Falkenberry - Selma, Aug. 25, 1971
Telegram: O. S. Burke, Aug. 23, 1971
Bulletin: Mobile Bar Association, Aug. 1971
Letter: Finley, McRae, May 14, 1971
Letters: Sam Pointer, Clarence Allgood, Seybourn H. Lyne, Frank McFadden, Robert Varner, Frank Johnson, Richard Ribes, Walter Gelvin, Robert Hodnette, Lister Hill,           Robert Franck, John Godbold, Joseph S. Mead, Maury Smith, Joseph Johnston, Leo Brannon, Ruth McKinley, R. E. Stevenson, Ferrill McRae, William Bolling, James Strickland, Henri Aldridge, Gordon Madison, Reid Barnes, Royal Smith, Charles Arendall, Joe Connors, Joe Boston, Bob Frye, Frank Ahn, Brunswick Deutsch, E. A. Stewart, Sherrill Halbert, William McDermott, Autry Greer, Winston Arnow, Harold Collins, Robert McDonald, John Sparkman, Max Rogers, Ira DeMent, Arthur Tonsmeire, John Manderville, Chester Foster, Julian McPhillips, R. P. Denniston, Harry Seale, Palmer Pillans
Program: Clippings and Transcript from Portrait Dedication, Mar. 14, 1972
Pictures & Clippings: W. B. Hand as Judge

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Scrapbook 3
Clippings: STAND Rally/Suit, May-June 1968
Clippings: Civil Rights/Schools, July 1968
Clipping: Mobile Press, Wedding Announcement, Mar. 7, 1969
Clipping: Mobile Register, Pratt Home/Tour, Apr. 9, 1969
Clipping: Birmingham News, Auburn Honors Mrs. Terrell, Apr. 21, 1969
Clippings: Fire Bombing Case, June 4, 1969
Clippings: Bank Merger, June 1969
Transcripts: Civil Rights/Segregation Cases, Mar. 1968
Pictures & Cartoons: School Case
Clippings: Robbery Case
Clippings: Carswell Appointment, Mar. & Apr. 1970
Program: Silver Beaver Awards, May 7, 1970
Clipping: Victoria Ewing Retirement, July 1970
Clippings: Fish Killings Verdict, Aug. 1970
Pictures: Groundbreaking for Archives and History, Sept. 8, 1970
Picture & Clipping: Naturalization, Dec. 23, 1970
Letter & Clipping: Toshoa Times, Nov. 10, 1970
Letter & Clipping: Merchants National Bank, Jan. 15, 1971

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Scrapbook 4
Pictures: Martin Luther King Jr. (n.d.), "Prathoma"-Prattville, Boy Scouts, Judges (n.d.)
Clippings: School Integration, Apr. 21, 1971
Clippings & Letter: Wendy Grasskoff, Jan. 31, 1971
Clippings & Program: Hand Replaces Thomas, Sept. 10, 1971
Class of 1923 Roll
Program: Portrait Dedication, Mar. 14, 1972
Invitations: Nixon/Agnew Inaugural Activities
Transcript: Mary Flock Funeral Oration, Aug. 23, 1973
Program: Sidney Gray, June 27, 1973
Letters: Boy Scouts of America, Archbishop Toolen, Sister Felicidad Canonst, William Pratt Thomas, Mrs. D. M. Dowdell, C. J. Coley, Mrs. Ernest B. Johnston
Pictures & Clippings: Pratt Plaque, Apr. 1975
Clippings & Program: Silver Antelope Awards, May 23, 1975
Portrait, Clippings & Picture: Scouts
Program: Naturalization Ceremony, Apr. 30, 1976
"Torch Light," Mobile College, Dec. 1976
Wedding Announcement: Merrill Thomas, Nov. 12, 1976
Clippings: Nashville Banner, Fraud Suit, Oct. 11, 1977

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Scrapbook 5
Clipping: Mobile Register, Naturalization, Jan. 6, 1965
Clippings: Selma Meeting, Jan. 15-16, 1965
Clipping: King Assault, Jan. 1965
Clipping: Civil Rights, Jan. & Mar. 1965

Scrapbook 6
Brochure: U.S. Courthouse, Sept. 1952
Letter: George Washington Carver, Feb. 15, 1938
Article: Prattville, Apr. 1949
Clippings & Pictures: Thomas Recommended for Judgeship, Dec. 1950
Clippings, Program & Pictures: Thomas Confirmed, March 1951
Clippings: Marshall Retires, May 1951
Letter: Joseph Lyons, June 11, 1951
Clippings: 1951 - Auto Theft Ring, Police Beating, Fishing Law, Vote Scandal; 1952 - Portrait Unveiling, Tax Evasion Case; 1953 - Bank Suit, Customs Collector, Marshal Oath, Griffin Retires, Bootleg Ring, New Appointments, Pratt and Prattville, Black Case, Sheriff Kills Witness; 1954 - Dr. E. A. Smith, Murder Trial, Naturalization
Brochure: Alabama Hall of Fame
Brochure: Eugene A. Smith
Program: Mississippi Law Institute, Dec. 2-3, 1954
Program: Newcomen Society, Dec. 14, 1954
Obituary: Mary Thomas, Apr. 27, 1955
Autographed Picture

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Scrapbook 7
Transcript: Swearing-in of Thomas, Mar. 1951
Cards: Floral Arrangements
Letter: J. Edgar Hoover
Telegrams & Letters of Congratulation: Mar.-Apr. 1951

Scrapbook 8
Invitation: Country Club
Transcripts: Various Cases, 1962
Program: Judicial Conference, May 1962
Clippings: 1961 - Naturalization, New Appointments, Thomas/Female Jurors, First Female Juror; 1962 - Docks Suit, Auto Theft Case, Reappointment Suit, McLean/Taxes, Civil Rights/Voting, Echols/Larson Wedding, Death of C. E. Thomas, Reapportionment, Hoffa Trial; 1963 - Jansen Censure, Civil Rights/Schools, Counterfeiting Case, School Integration
Program: Newcomen Society, May 1962
Programs: Various Cases, 1963
Program: Judicial Conference, May 30-31, 1963

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Scrapbook 9
Obituaries: Judge Ervin, Oct. 24, 1949; Judge McDuffie, Nov. 2, 1950; Virgil Griffin, Jan. 30, 1951; Clarence Allgood, Feb. 2, 1991; Alice Hohenberg, Feb. 1996
Clippings: 1949 - Toulmin's Portrait, Nov.; 1950 - Thomas Nominated, Dec.; 1951 - Thomas Takes Oath (Mar.), Bank Shortage; 1952 - Portrait Unveiling, Various Cases;1972 - Black's Robe; 1991 - 40 Years on the Bench (Mar.); 1992 - Bank/Hilton;1993 - Railroad Wreck, New Federal Judge; 1994 - Editorial; 1996 - Thomas/Integration
Certificate: 50 Years, Missouri Bar Association
Transcript: Judson O'Brien, Nov. 17, 1993
Letter: W. Boyd Reeves

Scrapbook 10
Clippings: 1965-1966 - Redistricting/Integration, Various Cases; 1967 - Naturalization; 1968 - Hale Case; N.D. - Scouting

Scrapbook 11
Message (copy): J. Edgar Hoover
Pamphlets: United Fund of Mobile County
Visitor's Pass from Congress
Card: Father's Day from Sister Felicidad
Obituaries: Judge Kennamer, June 3, 1955; Percy C. Fountain, Feb. 1-3, 1956; Joseph Lyons, Oct. 14-15, 1957
Clippings: 1955 - Segregation Cases, Elevator Case, Impersonator Case, Naturalization, Dr. Sellers, New Railroad Comptroller; 1956 - Kennamer/New DA, Grain Elevator, Charles Ward, Judge Shoda, Moot Courts; 1957 - Cotton Gin, Senior Bowl, Loan Officers, Electrical Code; 1958 - Naturalization Case; 1959 - Tommy Thomas, Prattville Mansion, Contempt Case, Counterfeiting Case, Radio Damage Suit, Youth/Robbery Case; 1960 - Voter/Injunction; 1961 - Liquor Case, Integration of Golf Course
Program & Clippings: Mobilian of the Year, Jan. 18, 1960
Letter & Transcript: Writ of Mandamus Case, Mar. 15
Letter: Charles Ward, Feb. 20-24, 1956
Program: Alabama State Bar, July 1956

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Scrapbook 12
Clippings: School Integration, 1963-1965
Clippings: Naturalization Ceremonies

Scrapbook 13
Pledge of Allegiance
Bulletin: Mobile Bar Association, June 1986
"Footprints in the Sand"
Pamphlet: Prattville Deer Farm
Transcript: Speech
Clippings: Retirement, 1971
Pamphlets: Atlanta Archives
Letter: Anne, Feb. 2, 1989
Obituary: Frances W. Thomas, Apr. 27, 1988
Telegram: Herman Russomanno, Dec. 1984
Speech: Daniel Pratt (1967)
Transcript: Letter - Mrs. Donald Hawkins
Program: Naturalization, May 1988
Invitations: President George [H. W.] Bush
Program: Second National Conference of Federal Judges
Clippings: 1989 - Ceremony for J. B. Blackburn (June 29); 1991 - Daniel Pratt, Demolition of Sunshine Bridge
Program: Tribute to Robert Vance, Feb. 1990
Program: Devitt Award Ceremony, May 1989
Program: Investiture Ceremony, June 1990
Program: Portrait Ceremony, Nov. 1989
Program: Dedication Court of Appeals
Cards, Letters & Pictures: 40^th Anniversary, Feb. 1991
Letter: Judge Hutcheson, Mar. 1951
Alabama Business Hall of Fame Plaque (copy) - Daniel Pratt
Pictures: Hanging of Judge Hand's Portrait, Nov. 1989
Letters, Pictures, Cards & Clippings

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Box 1
Book of Tribute to the Honorable Daniel H. Thomas, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama, Upon the Fifteenth Anniversary of His Installation as Such Judge, Inspired by the Clerk of the Court, Honorable William J. O'Connor.