Tom Mooney Case Photographs

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: SPC-2023-026

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Tom Mooney Case Photographs Collection (1918-1939, undated) contains 51 photographs and newsclippings; and one pamphlet regarding Tom Mooney, a political activist and labor leader who was convicted of the San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing of 1916. A majority of the photographs relate to Mooney's court case on an indictment related to the 1916 bombing. Photographs include images of Mooney on his way to sentencing; in court; at various pardon hearings and investigations; in prison; at San Francisco County Jail; and returning to prison at San Quentin. Also pictured with Mooney in some of the images are his attorney W. Bourke Cockran; Sheriff Thomas Finn; attorneys John F. Finerty and Frank P. Walsh; Ed Nockels; Leo Gallagher; Warden James N. Holohan; and others. There are also photographs of Mooney's wife, Rena at pardon hearings and at the governor's office; an image of Mooney speaking before Senate; an image taken after Mooney's release from prison in 1939; and an image taken of Mooney in a hospital bed waiting for treatment for an ulcer. Lastly, this collection contains clippings of photographs of the Preparedness Day parade prior to the bombing, images taken outside of the courthouse, and a letter (clipping) sent by Mooney from San Quentin addressed "to whom it may concern" regarding Stuart Scott's authorization to direct the Tom Mooney Molders Defense Committee. A majority of the photographs are press photographs taken by International News Photos, Inc.; and International Film Service, Inc. The pamphlet included in this collection is titled "Justice Raped in California: Story of So-Called Bomb Trials in San Francisco", published by the Tom Mooney Molders Defense Committee. This collection is arranged chronologically.

Dates

1918-1939; undated

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

The Gerth Archives and Special Collections is not the copyright holder for these photographs. If a patron wishes to make copies of materials in this collection, it is the responsibility of the researcher to attempt to locate the holder of the copyright to obtain permission for publication. Full responsibility for legal questions relating to the use and publication of manuscripts rests with the researcher. Copyright for a majority of the photographs belongs to: International Film Serivce, Inc.; and International News Photos, Inc.

Biographical / Historical

On July 22, 1916 during a Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco, CA., a bomb exploded killing 10 and wounding 40 people. Two labor leaders, Thomas Mooney (1882-1942) and Warren K Billings (1893-1972) were convicted and sentenced to death, which was later changed to life in prison. Later investigations found that the evidence against Mooney and Billings was falsified. In 1939 Mooney and Billings were released; and pardoned in 1961. Mooney, who had many health problems including ulcers and jaundice; died at Saint Luke's Hospital in San Francisco on March 6, 1942.

Extent

1 box

1 linear foot

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

For digitized photographs related to Tom Mooney please see: 1916 Preparedness Day Parade Bombing, 1916-1933 - Photographs, UC Berkeley: https://calisphere.org/collections/25500/. For material related to Tom Mooney please consult " Thomas J. Mooney legal documents and papers", UCLA.