Harley Martin Kilgore (1893-1956), Senator, Papers, 1941-1956, undated A&M 3143

Harley Martin Kilgore (1893-1956), Senator, Papers, 1941-1956, undated A&M 3143


[logo]

West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center

Repository
West Virginia and Regional History Center
Identification
A&M 3143
Title
Harley Martin Kilgore (1893-1956), Senator, Papers ca. 1927-1956, undated
URL:
https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/195684
Quantity
57.7 Linear Feet, Summary: 57 ft. 8 in. (130 document cases, 5 in.); (4 small flat storage boxes, 3 in.); (8 large flat storage boxes, 3 in.); (4 scrapbooks, 6 in. total)
Creator
Kilgore, Harley Martin, 1893-1956
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Papers of Harley M. Kilgore, U.S. Senator from West Virginia. Includes typescripts, clippings, printed materials, and correspondence regarding U.S. Senate voting and campaigning; the Senate Judiciary Committee; correspondence with Federal government agencies, various individuals, and West Virginia state agencies; Senate legislation on a variety of topics, including appropriation, education, health, and housing; various West Virginia subjects and individuals; Kilgore's speeches, press releases, and radio broadcasts; and other topics. See Historical Note for more information on Senator Kilgore. See Scope and Content Note for more details.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Harley Martin Kilgore (1893-1956), Senator, Papers, A&M 3143, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

Harley Martin Kilgore (January 11, 1893 - February 28, 1956) was born in Brown, West Virginia, to Quimby and Laura Martin Kilgore. He received his LL.B. from West Virginia University in 1914 and was admitted to the bar the same year.

He taught school in Hancock, West Virginia in 1914 and 1915. Also in 1915, he organized the first high school in Raleigh County, WV, and served as principal. He established his law practice in Beckley, WV in 1916. During World War I, he served in the infantry from 1917 and was discharged as a captain in 1920. Kilgore married Lois Elaine Lilly in Huntington, WV on May 10, 1921. That same year, he helped organize the West Virginia National Guard, and was promoted to major and appointed commander of 2nd Battalion the following year. He also served as Beckley city recorder in 1922. His son, Robert Martin Kilgore, was born in 1924. His daughter, Elinor Stuart Kilgore, was born in 1926.

In 1932, Kilgore was assigned to the state headquarters of the National Guard. He was elected judge of the Raleigh County criminal court from 1933 to 1940 on the Democratic ticket. In 1940, he was elected to the U.S. Senate with support from the Neely faction of the Democratic Party, and won reelection in 1946 and 1952. Also in 1940, he was placed on active military duty as judge advocate for West Virginia's Selective Service system until he entered the Senate. A member of the U.S. Senate from 1941 until his death, Kilgore served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program. In October 1942, he became chair of the Subcommittee on War Mobilization of the Military Affairs Committee (also known as the Kilgore Committee).

In 1948, Kilgore served as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, where he was an outspoken supporter of Harry S. Truman. He retired from the West Virginia National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in 1953. He died in 1956 at age 63 at Bethesda Naval Hospital, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Scope and Contents

Papers of Harley M. Kilgore, U.S. Senator from West Virginia. Includes typescripts, clippings, printed materials, and correspondence regarding U.S. Senate voting and campaigning; the Senate Judiciary Committee; correspondence with Federal government agencies, various individuals, and West Virginia state agencies; Senate legislation on a variety of topics, including appropriation, education, health, and housing; various West Virginia subjects and individuals; Kilgore's speeches, press releases, and radio broadcasts; and other topics.

Series include:

Series 1. Political File [boxes 1-6], 1946-1952, undated
Series 2. Senate Judiciary Committee Papers and Other Senate Committees [boxes 7-9], 1949-1954, undated
Series 3. Correspondence with Federal Government Agencies [boxes 10-17], 1954–1956
Series 4. Legislative Files (Topical) [boxes 18-60], 1944–1955
Series 5. Legislative Files (Numerical) [boxes 61-69], 1949, 1953-1956
Series 6. General Correspondence [boxes 70-80], ca. 1927-1953
Series 7. General Correspondence with West Virginia State Agencies [boxes 81-82], undated
Series 8. West Virginia Matters (Topical) [boxes 83-87], 1948-1949, undated
Series 9. West Virginia Matters (Name File) [boxes 88-91], undated
Series 10. Speech File and Other Writings, Releases, etc. [boxes 92-107], 1941–1956
Series 11. Democratic Party Campaign Materials [boxes 108-109], 1952
Series 12. Coal Mine Problems [boxes 110-111], undated
Series 13. Post-War German Problems [boxes 112-116], 1944-1945, undated
Series 14. Department of Justice Patent Policy Survey [box 117], undated
Series 15. Miscellaneous Printed Materials [boxes 118-120], 1945, undated
Series 16. Clippings [boxes 121-123], 1946-1956, undated
Series 17. Senator's Constituent Lists, 1952 Campaign [boxes 124-129], 1952
Series 18. Senator's Voting Record, 80th-84th Congresses [boxes 130-132], 1947–1956
Series 19. Senator's Committee Work Books [box 133], undated
Series 20. Scrapbooks [boxes 134-145], 1941-1954, undated

Related Material

491, 967, 1068, 1108, 1500, 3143, 3335

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

Back to Top

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

Back to Top

Container List

Series 1. Political File [boxes 1-6]
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Mixed Materials Box: 2 Mixed Materials Box: 3 Mixed Materials Box: 4 Mixed Materials Box: 5 Mixed Materials Box: 6 1946-1952, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes political material regarding several of Kilgore's campaigns.

Back to Top
Series 2. Senate Judiciary Committee Papers and Other Senate Committees [boxes 7-9]
Mixed Materials Box: 7 Mixed Materials Box: 8 Mixed Materials Box: 9 1949-1954, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes papers from Kilgore's time on the Senate Judiciary Committee (Kilgore chaired the Committee from 1955-1956) and other committees.

Back to Top
Series 3. Correspondence with Federal Government Agencies [boxes 10-17]
Mixed Materials Box: 10 Mixed Materials Box: 11 Mixed Materials Box: 12 Mixed Materials Box: 13 Mixed Materials Box: 14 Mixed Materials Box: 15 Mixed Materials Box: 16 Mixed Materials Box: 17 1954–1956
Scope and Contents

This series includes correspondence with assorted Federal Government agencies sorted by agency, including the Civil Service Commission, Department of the Army, etc.

Back to Top
Series 4. Legislative Files (Topical) [boxes 18-60]
Mixed Materials Box: 18 Mixed Materials Box: 19 Mixed Materials Box: 20 Mixed Materials Box: 21 Mixed Materials Box: 22 Mixed Materials Box: 23 Mixed Materials Box: 24 Mixed Materials Box: 25 Mixed Materials Box: 26 Mixed Materials Box: 27 Mixed Materials Box: 28 Mixed Materials Box: 29 Mixed Materials Box: 30 Mixed Materials Box: 31 Mixed Materials Box: 32 Mixed Materials Box: 33 Mixed Materials Box: 34 Mixed Materials Box: 35 Mixed Materials Box: 36 Mixed Materials Box: 37 Mixed Materials Box: 38 Mixed Materials Box: 39 Mixed Materials Box: 40 Mixed Materials Box: 41 Mixed Materials Box: 42 Mixed Materials Box: 43 Mixed Materials Box: 44 Mixed Materials Box: 45 Mixed Materials Box: 46 Mixed Materials Box: 47 Mixed Materials Box: 48 Mixed Materials Box: 49 Mixed Materials Box: 50 Mixed Materials Box: 51 Mixed Materials Box: 52 Mixed Materials Box: 53 Mixed Materials Box: 54 Mixed Materials Box: 55 Mixed Materials Box: 56 Mixed Materials Box: 57 Mixed Materials Box: 58 Mixed Materials Box: 59 Mixed Materials Box: 60 1944–1955
Scope and Contents

This series includes material regarding legislation organized by topic, including appropriations, displaced persons, housing, etc.

Back to Top
Series 5. Legislative Files (Numerical) [boxes 61-69]
Mixed Materials Box: 61 Mixed Materials Box: 62 Mixed Materials Box: 63 Mixed Materials Box: 64 Mixed Materials Box: 65 Mixed Materials Box: 66 Mixed Materials Box: 67 Mixed Materials Box: 68 Mixed Materials Box: 69 1949, 1953-1956
Scope and Contents

This series includes files regarding assorted legislation sorted by piece of legislation.

Back to Top
Series 6. General Correspondence [boxes 70-80]
Mixed Materials Box: 70 Mixed Materials Box: 71 Mixed Materials Box: 72 Mixed Materials Box: 73 Mixed Materials Box: 74 Mixed Materials Box: 75 Mixed Materials Box: 76 Mixed Materials Box: 77 Mixed Materials Box: 78 Mixed Materials Box: 79 Mixed Materials Box: 80 ca. 1927-1953
Scope and Contents

This series includes general correspondence sorted by subject or by correspondent, including several files of correspondence to or regarding the United States Navy, the Veterans Administration, assorted national and state politicians, and others.

Back to Top
Series 7. General Correspondence with West Virginia State Agencies [boxes 81-82]
Mixed Materials Box: 81 Mixed Materials Box: 82 undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes correspondence with assorted West Virginia state agencies organized by agency.

Back to Top
Series 8. West Virginia Matters (Topical) [boxes 83-87]
Mixed Materials Box: 83 Mixed Materials Box: 84 Mixed Materials Box: 85 Mixed Materials Box: 86 Mixed Materials Box: 87 1948-1949, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes material regarding "West Virginia matters" organized by topic.

Back to Top
Series 9. West Virginia Matters (Name File) [boxes 88-91]
Mixed Materials Box: 88 Mixed Materials Box: 89 Mixed Materials Box: 90 Mixed Materials Box: 91 undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes materials related to "West Virginia matters" organized by subject/correspondent.

Back to Top
Series 10. Speech File and Other Writings, Releases, etc. [boxes 92-107]
Mixed Materials Box: 92 Mixed Materials Box: 93 Mixed Materials Box: 94 Mixed Materials Box: 95 Mixed Materials Box: 96 Mixed Materials Box: 97 Mixed Materials Box: 98 Mixed Materials Box: 99 Mixed Materials Box: 100 Mixed Materials Box: 101 Mixed Materials Box: 102 Mixed Materials Box: 103 Mixed Materials Box: 104 Mixed Materials Box: 105 Mixed Materials Box: 106 Mixed Materials Box: 107 1941–1956
Scope and Contents

This series includes transcripts and other material relating to speeches, press releases, congressional utterances, and other writings by Kilgore.

Back to Top
Series 11. Democratic Party Campaign Materials [boxes 108-109]
Mixed Materials Box: 108 Mixed Materials Box: 109 1952
Scope and Contents

This series includes material regarding assorted campaigns run by the Democratic Party, including an index of quotes from assorted speeches of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, assorted reports, etc.

Back to Top
Series 12. Coal Mine Problems [boxes 110-111]
Mixed Materials Box: 110 Mixed Materials Box: 111 undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes reports and unmounted newspaper clippings regarding coal mining problems and coal mine disasters.

Back to Top
Series 13. Post-War German Problems [boxes 112-116]
Mixed Materials Box: 112 Mixed Materials Box: 113 Mixed Materials Box: 114 Mixed Materials Box: 115 Mixed Materials Box: 116 1944-1945, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes material related to problems in Post-War Germany, including transcripts of the Nuremburg trial (United States vs. Carl Krauch, et al.) and other such material.

Back to Top
Series 14. Department of Justice Patent Policy Survey [box 117]
Mixed Materials Box: 117 undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes material related to the Department of Justice policy survey.

Back to Top
Series 15. Miscellaneous Printed Materials [boxes 118-120]
Mixed Materials Box: 118 Mixed Materials Box: 119 Mixed Materials Box: 120 1945, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes miscellaneous printed materials arranged by subject, including antisemitism, a variety of different countires, and other material.

Back to Top
Series 16. Clippings [boxes 121-123]
Mixed Materials Box: 121 Mixed Materials Box: 122 Mixed Materials Box: 123 1946-1956, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes mounted and unmounted clippings and newspapers.

Back to Top
Series 17. Senator's Constituent Lists, 1952 Campaign [boxes 124-129]
Mixed Materials Box: 124 Mixed Materials Box: 125 Mixed Materials Box: 126 Mixed Materials Box: 127 Mixed Materials Box: 128 Mixed Materials Box: 129 1952
Back to Top
Series 18. Senator's Voting Record, 80th-84th Congresses [boxes 130-132]
Mixed Materials Box: 130 Mixed Materials Box: 131 Mixed Materials Box: 132 1947–1956
Back to Top
Series 19. Senator's Committee Work Books [box 133]
Mixed Materials Box: 133 undated
Back to Top
Series 20. Scrapbooks [boxes 134-145]
Mixed Materials Box: 134 Mixed Materials Box: 135 Mixed Materials Box: 136 Mixed Materials Box: 137 Mixed Materials Box: 138 Mixed Materials Box: 139 Mixed Materials Box: 140 Mixed Materials Box: 141 Mixed Materials Box: 142 Mixed Materials Box: 143 Mixed Materials Box: 144 Mixed Materials Box: 145 1941-1954, undated
Back to Top