Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

James H. "Fats" Miller, Jr. Scrapbook (RG 62.0057), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Charles Francis in 2024.

Biographical Note

James Henry Miller, Jr. was born in Hinton, West Virginia on May 25, 1891. His graduated from Washington and Lee University though the exact year is in question. Alumni records have his graduation year as 1915. However, he isn't listed in the Register of Students past 1914. Miller died at the age of 32 on August 24, 1923.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a scrapbook compiled by James "Fats" Miller while he attended Washington and Lee University 1911-1914. It includes clippings, ephemera, and photographs. The clippings primarily relate to athletics, specifically football. Miller was a W&L football player, and the scrapbook has telegrams congratulating him and the team on their wins. The ephemera relates to W&L Athletic Association and social events. There is a program for the Annual Interscholastic Track and Field Games dated April 25, 1914, tickets stubs, Finals 1913, dance card book, and W&L receipts. The photograph subjects include campus buildings and people, a Lexington parade, football, baseball, basketball, and a large format print of the crew team rowing in the North River. Of particular note is a photograph labeled "Pride of KA" that shows two young African American boys posed in a boxing stance and wearing boxing gloves. There is also a pencil drawing of Miller. The scrapbook also contained a number of loose sheets of composition paper that appear to have been used to create an autograph book. The individuals signed their names, sometimes drew images such as alcohol bottles or revolvers, and wrote quotes that usually pertain to women or football. A number of these individuals also included the initials "F.L.S." and "KKK" in their entries. Some write out Ku Klux Klan. Based on the entries, it's highly probably these individuals attended Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• College Students -- Social life and customs
• Francis, Charles
• Kappa Sigma. Mu Chapter (Washington and Lee University)
• Washington and Lee University--Alumni and alumnae