James Aswell Collection
Scope and Content
The collection consists primarily of the manuscripts for his works that include The Midsummer Fires, Young and Hungry Hearted, and There’s One In Every Town. Other manuscripts of three unpublished newspaper articles from 1932-1936; The White Sheep (an unfinished novel based on the life of Huey Long); The Price of Liberty ( a group of stories about the men an women who fought for the principles in the first ten amendments tour constitution). Also included in the collections group of manuscripts are those for eleven short stories.
A great deal of correspondence concerning the publication of his novels and short stories is found in the collection. Correspondence with several representatives of William Morrow & Company as well as the Sydney Sanders Literary Agency are an example of the type found. Discussions of corrections to be made and progress on forth coming works are found through out the correspondence. Included in the collection’s correspondence is fan mail received form all over the United States about his novel Midsummer Fires. Many letters were sent to the author praising his short stories about Natchitoches. Several letters are from individuals requesting help from Aswell with a project they are working on.
The collection also includes a large group of newspaper articles. These concern publicity given his books and short stories as well as his brief political career. Aswell was an unsuccessful candidate in 1940 for the Eight District seat to the United States House of Representatives. He was also a strong supporter of Sam Jones, reform governor elected in 1940.
Of special interest in the collection are letters written to Aswell by outstanding literary figures. These include a letter from F. Scott Fitzgerald (1934), Ernest Hemingway (1929), Witter Bynner (1927), and an undated letter from W. S. Maugham.
A listing of Aswell’s books that were incorporated into the Louisiana Collection was added artificially. It can be found in folder 277.James Aswell Collection Addition
Material contained in boxes 11 through 17 of the James Aswell Collection was donated by Mrs. Nobie Gibbs and added to the existing collection. Her donation of Aswell material lends itself to emphasize the personal life of the Aswells. A family photograph album, several loose photographs, relics which belonged to Aswell’s step-son Gregory Douglas, and so forth are found in the collection.
There is a great deal of information also about James Aswell, Sr., and the settlement of his estate. The collection contains many pages of correspondence between his wife, Rosalind, and her employers while she worked as a commercial illustrator. Aswell’s interest and participation in Louisiana politics is also well represented in the collection’s material. A large collection of newspaper articles dealing with his father’s death, his work, state politics, and so forth are located in the final box of the collection. Last but not least, the collection holds copies of columns and novelettes written by Aswell, as well as the typed manuscript and galleys for his novel Midsummer Fires.
Inventory
Folder
1 The Midsummer Fires, page notes.
2 Pages 275-336 and carbon copy.
3 Letters, The Midsummer Fires, 1948-1949.
4 Correspondence about reviews, The Midsummer Fires, 1948-1949
5 List of complimentary copies, Midsummer Fires
6 Midsummer Fires book shipments, 1948.
7 Correspondence, bookstore sales, Midsummer Fires, 1948-1949.
8 Fan mail, Midsummer Fires, 1948
9 Part 1. Fan mail from out-of-state, Midsummer Fires, 1948-1949.
9 Part 2. Typescript, Midsummer Fires, with new ending.
9 Part 3. Typescript, Midsummer Fires, pages 1-216.
9 Part 4. Typescript, Midsummer Fires, pages 217-387.
10 Typescript, The Young and Hungry Hearted
11 Typescript, Letters from Far Away
12 Typescript, Water Over the Bridge
13 Typescript, The Painted Door
14 Typescript, The Handicapper
15 Typescript, First Miracle
16 Typescript, Up Ahead
17 Typescript, Journey to the End of the Lane (page 13 missing)
18 Typescript, Yours, Perplexed
19 Typescript, Like With Dolls
20 Typescript, The Unanointed
21 Typescript, Natchitoches, the Famous Town Nobody knows ( 3 versions)
22 Typescript, Captions for photos, Natchitoches, the Famous…
23 Galleys, There’s One in Every Town, page 1-26
24 Typescripts and Reviews, There’s One in Every Town
25 Typescript, The White Sheep
26 Typescript, Man Against Manhattan
27 Typescript, The Price of Liberty Foreword, The First Ten
28 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, the first amendment.
29 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, the first amendment, freedom of press
30 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, the first amendment, religion
31 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, the first amendment, religion
32 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, second amendment
33 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, third amendment
34 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, fourth amendment.
35 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, fifth amendment.
36 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, sixth through tenth amendments.
37 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, amendments one and eight, J. P. Zenger case.
38 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, Nathaniel Bacon.
.
39 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, John Wilkes.
40 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, George Mason.
41 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, religious, an unusual punishment.
42 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, star chamber; magna charta.
43 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, Haymarket riot.
.
44 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, miscellaneous notes.
45 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, bill of rights.
46 Typescript, The Price of Liberty, sources.
47 Correspondence with Jo Stewart, literary agent, 1948.
48 Carbon copy of James Aswell’s letter to Jo Stewart, literary agent, 1948
49 Letters from Mrs. Sydney Sanders, literary agent, 1948-1949.
50 James Aswell carbon copy letters to Marde (Mrs. Sanders), 1948-1949
51 Letters from James Oliver Brown, literary agent, 1948-1949
52 Carbon copy James Aswell to Jim Brown, literary agent, 1948-1949
53 Letters from Sidney Sanders
54 Carbon copy James Aswell to Sidney Sanders, 1949
55 Agency letters to Aswell, 1948, 1949.
56 Letters from Helen King, of Wm. Morror & Company,1946-1947.
57 Letters from Helen King, 1948.
58 Letters from Helen King, 1948.
59 Carbon copies James Aswell to Helen King, 1947.
60 Carbon copies James Aswell to Helen King, 1948.
61 Carbon copies James Aswell to Helen King, 1948.
62 Polly Street of Wm. Morrow Company to Aswell
63 Carbon copy Aswell to Polly Street,1948
64 Various people at Wm. Morrow Company to James Aswell, 1948-1949
Folder
65 James Aswell correspondence with T. Hobson, Wm. Morrow & Company ,1947-
1949
66 James Aswell and Charles R. Byrne, 1949, 1951
67 James Aswell and William Hart of Crowell-Collier, 1948
68 James Aswell and H. N. Swanson, 1947-1949.
69 Ernest Hemingway, Witter Bynner, Graham Greene, 1929, 1927, 1951, check.
70 Ernest Hemingway, 1929.
71 F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1934
72 Walter Winchell, 1940
73 W. H. Maugham, undated
74 Correspondence James Aswell and Clark Kinnaird, 1949.
75 James Aswell and Burton Bascoe, 1949-1950.
76 James Aswell and Lynda Hadley-Thomason, 1949
77 James & Rosalind Aswell and Holger Norlin, 1949-1951.
78 Various letters to Aswell requesting help.
79 Invitations to speak, 1948-1949
80 Miscellaneous letters from James Aswell, 1948-1949.
81 Miscellaneous letters from James Aswell, 1948-1949.
82 Correspondence Price of Liberty, 1941.
83 Correspondence about Marion West, 1952-1953
84 Correspondence about Natchitoches story, 1949
85 Fan mail, The town…called Smith, 1949.
86 Letter to James Aswell Sr., about son’s education at Princeton, 1922
87 Political correspondence, 1931.
88 Speech by James Aswell, Sr., Operation of Federal Farm Board, 1930
89 High School year book pages; Who’s Who flier, 1923, 1949.
90 High School year book pages, notes to Aswell by Ursula Walker, 1923.
91 Small stamp album.
92 Business letters, Memory Lawn Cemetery, 1954
93 Business letters an cancelled checks, 1942.
94 Book purchased by Eugene Watson, 1955, 1958.
95 Requests for A Writer’s Library, 1971
96 Map of Natchitoches illustrated by Thelma Kyser, 1941.
97 Who the Hell is Hemingway.
98 W. Somerset Maugham, 1874-1965.
99 Washington News Letter (no author).
100 R. E. McInnis, Jr., membership in St. Jude apostolate.
101 Miscellaneous notebook pages.
102 Clippings.
103 Clippings.
104 Programs, Young Men’s Business Club of Natchitoches
105 Louisiana’s Back in the Union other clippings.
106 Publicity conversing Aswell campaign, 1940.
107 Aswell’s speaking engagements, 1939-1940
108 The Story of Your Next Congressman, James B. Aswell.
109 Campaign material.
110 Aswell’s political opposition, election returns.
111 Aswell’s political opposition, election returns.
112 Aswell’s political opposition, election returns.
113 Aswell’s suit against Allen; attacks politics, letter, 1947
114 Aswell’s suit against Allen; attacks politics, letter, 1947
115 Aswell’s suit against Allen; attacks politics, letter, 1947
116 Aswell’s suit against Allen; attacks politics, letter, 1947
117 Aswell’s suit against Allen; attacks politics, letter, 1947
118 Aswell’s suit against Allen; attacks politics, letter, 1947
119 Publicity: There’s One in Every Town
120 Publicity: There’s One in Every Town
121 Reviews by Aswell for Houston Post, 1951-1952.
122 Publicity, The Birds and the Bees,1952-1953.
123 Jim West Story and personal clippings,1948.
124 Jim West Story and personal clippings,1948.
125 Publicity, Midsummer Fires 1948-1950, undated.
126 Publicity, Midsummer Fires 1948-1950, undated.
127 Article on Aswell, clippings about Aswell, Aswell’s stories, 1958
128 Article on Aswell, clippings about Aswell, Aswell’s stories, 1958
129 Article on Aswell, clippings about Aswell, Aswell’s stories, 1958
130 Midsummer Fires: jacket design, galley.
131 Midsummer Fires: jacket design, galley.
132 Midsummer Fires: page proofs, pages 1-140.
133 Midsummer Fires: page proofs, pages 141-268.
134 Midsummer Fires: page proofs, pages 269-387.
135 Rubber stamp of James Aswell’s signature.
136 Letter to James Aswell, Sr., from president of University of Virginia, 1926
137 Grade report for James Aswell, University of Virginia, 1926
138 Congressional Club Date Book, Mrs. J. B. Aswell Sr., 1926
139 Legal Correspondence, 1931
140 Estate of James Aswell, Sr., 1932
141 Estate of James Aswell, Sr., 1932.
142 Estate of James Aswell, Sr., 1932.
143 Estate of James Aswell, Sr., 1932.
144 Estate of James Aswell, Sr., 1934.
145 Letter from Joseph F. Faiella to Mrs. J. E. Cantrill, 1935
146 Settlement of estate of James Aswell, Sr., 1936
147 Checks written by Mrs. Ella F. Aswell,1936-1937.
148 Letter from Mrs. Ella Aswell to bank, 1934
149 Telegrams sent by James and Rosalind Aswell, 1929-1935
150 Aswell checks, 1937
151 Aswell bill,1937
152 Letter Pardee to LePresto; Letter Aswell to Pardee, 1935, 1938.
153 Check, telegrams, Aswell and Dr. Clark, 1938.
154 Letters, Aswell’s rented house, 1938
155 Bills; transportation of furniture, 1937-1939.
156 Letters and telegrams, Aswell and Dechert, 1938-1939
157 Letter from E. G. Thompson: politics, 1940
158 Letter from Mrs. Edna Rachal Parks, 1941
159 G.H. Pierson and Aswell and R. B. Richardson: parish road, 1941
160 Letter to Aswell from Jessie Killon, Tullos, 1941
161 John E. Coxe commending Howard M. Collins, 1941
162 Christmas telegram
163 Undated valentines, 1932
164 Clipping, seven snapshots, 1919
165 Crew pass, J. Aswell, 1923
166 German Hotel bill, undated
167 Six telegrams to James Aswell c/o Christ Cella, 1937
168 Telegram Jack Lait to Aswell, 1937
169 Letter from Burton, Cluett, and Dana to Aswell, 1938
170 Aswell article on Lindbergh kidnapping, 1934
171 Rosalind Aswell published drawings, undated
172 Aswell writings: This Man’s Town
173 Aswell advertisements
174 Advertisement for novelette Smooth Baby
175 Aswell’s writings: Good by to Wanda
Folder
176 Review of Young Man of Manhattan, 1930
177 Letters from Aswell to his mother, 1934 and undated
178 Aswell writings: Smooth Baby
179 Aswell writings: My New York
180 Aswell writings: My New York
181 Aswell writings: My New York
182 Aswell writings: My New York
183 Telegrams about Aswell’s poll tax, Natchitoches, 1931
184 Tax receipt, Aswell, City of Natchitoches, 1935
185 Letter, Ora Hyams to Aswell, 1938
186 Farm account records, 1939
187 Carbon copy letter from N.C. Settoon to Char. O’Quinn about Aswell residence 1939
188 Bill for painting Aswell residence, 1939
189 , Letter Gus Blancand to James Aswell: New Orleans politics, 1941
190 Letter, adjutant General to James Aswell, 1941
191 Hotel bills, Baton Rouge, 1941
192 Tax notices, 1948
193 Report of Jerome A. Hayes to Gov. Sam H. Jones, undated
194 Material about the Long machine (typed), undated
195 Typed carbon copy incomplete speech: Jones administration, undated
196 Anti-Jones campaign fliers, undated
197 Radio speech supporting Taft as a presidential candidate
Folder
198 Reminiscences written by unknown person, undated
199 Miscellaneous poetry, undated
200 Make Obeisance Unto thy Sheaf
201 Valedictory delivered at Mansfield College at age seventeen, undated.
202 Unidentified reminiscences, undated
203
204 Clipping, baby Virginia Aswell Cantrill, undated.
205 Two photos believed to be of Rosalind Aswell, undated.
206 Photo of James Aswell, Jr., undated
207 Two group photos which include James Aswell, Sr., undated
208 Four photographs of James Aswell Sr., undated
209 Four photographs of a boy, five James Aswell Jr., photos, undated
210 unidentified photo, undated
211 Two photographs of James Aswell Jr. as a child, undated.
212 Rosalind Hightower’s passport.
213 Birthday greeting to Rosalind Hightower, and clippings, 1905
214 Article about Rosalind Hightower, 1928
215 Letters from Bethlehem Steel about ancient ships, 1933
216 Letter from Eliot Keen, Silver Screen, to Rosalind Hightower, 1933
217 Letter, E. C. Kreutzberg to Rosalind Hightower, 1933
218 F. Deppe, Bethlehem Steel, to Rosalind Hightower, 1933-1935.
219 John C. Long, Bethlehem Steel, to Rosalind Hightower, 1933, 1935
220 Marvin Phelps, Bethlehem Steel, to Rosalind Hightower, 1934
221 Bethlehem Steel to Rosalind Hightower, 1933-1934
222 Katharine Brush to Rosalind Hightower, undated.
223 Deposits and checks, 1934-1935
224 Furniture move request, 1939
225 Checks, 1940-1941
226 Gainesville High School banquet program, 1941
227 Rosalind’s European itinerary.
228 Rosalind Aswell to James Aswell, undated.
229 Clipping about Rosalind Hightower, undated.
230 Medal won by Gregory Douglas transferred to relics box
231 Star badge won by Gregory Douglas, Boy Scouts of America
232 Gregory Douglas high school diploma, 1942
233 Arithmetic notebook from Gregory Hesselberg.
234 French notebooks from Gregory Douglas.
235 Some Gregory Douglas examinations
236 Gregory Douglas Chemistry notebook
237 Miscellaneous Gregory Douglas items.
238 Christmas present tag, James Aswell to Gregory Douglas
239 Issue LaSalle (La) Ledger, August 12, 1912
240 Review of New York play, 1930
241 Love Can Make Him Over, by James Aswell, 1941
Folder
242 Young Eyes, by James Aswell, undated
243 Article on Libby Holman by James Aswell,1932
244 Article illustrated by Rosalind Hightower, 1932
245 Article by Aswell about chorus girls,1933
246 Clipping about Aswell’s visit to Rockland county, 1933
247 Article by Rosalind Aswell about James Aswell, 1933
248 Mention of James Aswell, 1933.
249 Obituary James Aswell Sr., 1931.
250 Obituaries of James Aswell Sr., 1931
251 Aswell article about Alice Faye and Nicholas Foran, 1934.
252 Clippings about death of James Aswell Sr., 1931
253 Clippings about death of James Aswell Sr., 1931
254 Clippings about candidates for Aswell’s congressional seat
255 My New York, by James Aswell, 1931
256 Columns My New York, by James Aswell, 1931, 1933.
257 My New York, by Aswell, 1934
258 Aswell’s column about coming New Year, 1933
259 Aswell’s article about king and queen of Slam,1934
260 Aswell’s column Today’s Playboys, 1934
261
262 Highlights of Broadway, by Aswell, 1934
263 Highlights of Broadway, by Aswell, 1934
264 More Drinking by Aswell, 1934
265 Comments on The Summer Fires, 1948
266 Mentions of Aswell in Clippings, 1932-1933.
267 Photographs, undated
268 Biographical Material and Reports
269 Corks and cvrls, volume 38, yearbook clippings.
270 Corks and Cvrls, volume 39
270 College Humor (short stories)
271 Washington
271 Good Girls Get Married
271 Every Life Needs Glamour
271 Time of Loving
271 Reunion Above 207th Street
271 Town Boys
271 Jackpot!
271 Campus Widows
271 Portrait In Grease Paint
271 Bacardi Bride
271 Baby Be Good
271 Smooth Baby
271 Beauty and Boost
272 Miscellaneous
272 New York is Easy
272 A Sweet Trip Home
272 Just Miracle
272 Make Up Your Mind!
272 A Cloud of Dust
272 Nocturne Creole
272 The Unanointed
272 Five Million Negroes Move North
272 The Ice Storm
272 Low Field
272 Nineteen Thirty-five
272 They Say
272 There’s One in Every Town
272 Virginia
272 The American Magazine
273 The Intruder
273 No More Tears
273 Just Miracle
273 Liberty Magazine
273 Was This the Man She Had Married?
273 Five Million Negroes Move North
273 Liberty Magazine continues
273 The Unanointed
273 The handicapper
273 Today’s Woman
273 Shadow of Evil
273 The Woman Who Wanted Everything
274 The Centenary Review
274 Vicarious
274 Writers
274 Dark, Subversive Stuff
274 University of Virginia Magazine
274 Corruption
274 Louisiana Municipal Review
275 The Mad Mayor of Anopheles
275 Westchester Sportlites
275 What Columnists Can’t Write
275 The Ohio Starter
275 The Bright Face of Scandal
276 Collier’s The National Weekly
276 The Belle of Calomega
276 I knew her like a book
276 A Man Who caught Love Like a Cold
Folder
276 Collier’s The National Weekly
276 Farmers Find a New Us for Goose
276 Chickens in the Wind
276 A Matter of Technique
276 Glory in His Head
276 Will Dixie Bolt the New Deal?
276 How to Have Fun With 100 Million Dollars
276 New Orleans Takes the Cure
276 The Louisiana Lottery
276 Three in a Row
276 The Town the G.I.’s Called Smith
276 Water Over the Bridge
276 Chorus Call
276 All the Answers
276 Dazzled
277 List of Aswell’s books that were incorporated into the Louisiana Collection
