University of Washington, Tacoma the History Of
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-r i . UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, TACOMA THE HISTORY OF MURRAY AND ROSA MORGAN BY AMY LOELLE ADAMS DECEMBER 16, 1998 SUBMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY HISTORY PROJECT Project Summary In the spring of 1939, two people sharing a love for the Northwest and common interests in writing, research, and adventure were married. Little did anyone know then that this union between Murray and Rosa Morgan would have such an effect on Northwest history. For over sixty years, Murray has been a journalist and historian, writing articles, books, and doing radio broadcasts covering a world-wide range of subjects, although mainly concentrating on issues in the Northwest. His works are especially relevant to Tacoma, where he is known as the expert in the city's history. Rosa has been a constant throughout as a researcher, editor, photographer, and proofreader. Their enthusiasm for their work has produced beautifully written narrative histories that allow the reader to easily imagine what life was like in the past. Together Murray and Rosa Morgan, doing what they love and do best, have changed the way we feel about the Northwest through their research and Murray's writings. What follows is a project centered around the lives and times of Murray and Rosa. The introductory paper will give the reader a background on Murray and Rosa's lives and a context in which to place the subsequent interviews. The interviews were taped the afternoon of November 10, 1998 at Murray and Rosa's house near Trout Lake. There are also several appendices included to learn more on Murray and Rosa's lives through primary sources. Contents I. Introductory Paper: The History of Murray and Rosa Morgan 5 - 18 II. Transcript of Interview with Murray Morgan 19 - 44 ill. Transcript of Interview with Rosa Morgan 44-76 N. Timeline of Murray and Rosa's Lives 77 -78 V. Writings of Murray Morgan 79 - 80 VI. Appendices: Newspaper Clippings and Copies A. Articles about Murray and Rosa's lives. B. Reviews of Murray's books. C. Murray's articles on his second trip down the Danube by kayak. and on Alaska. D. Excerpts from Murray's books describing his personal experiences. The History of Murray and Rosa Morgan Murray and Rosa Morgan's lives have spanned most of the twentieth century. They have witnessed many changes in their hometown of Tacoma and throughout the world. Throughout their lives, Murray and Rosa have been involved in journalism, working to document events through intensive background research. Many of Murray's books were inspired by events he and Rosa witnessed first-hand, that led to thorough research of their history. The Tacoma community knows and respects Rosa and Murray for their dedication to researching, documenting, and preserving Tacoma history. Although Murray is the more well-known of the couple through his writings, radio broadcasts, and teaching career, he is quick to extend credit to his wife, Rosa, who has researched, edited, and been his general "leg-woman" in all of his endeavors. What follows is the story of this incredible couple: the history of Murray and Rosa Morgan. Murray and Rosa were born when the world was at war. On Murray's birthdate, February 16, 1916, the United States had not yet entered World War I but had felt the effects of it in the sinking of the Lusitania the year before.) In April 1917, the u.S. entered the war. Dissent was severely discouraged through the Espionage and Sedition Acts (1917-1918).2 Murray's father, Henry Victor Morgan, a lifelong Socialist, could only have been dismayed when the Socialist leader, Eugene Debs was jailed for "declaring that wars were fought by the working class in the interests of the capitalist class.") World War I brought growth and economic prosperity to I W. 1. Rorabaugh and Donald T. Critchlow, America! A Concise History (Belmont, California: Wadsworth, 1994), Chapter 23. 2 Rorabaugh and Critchlow, 467. 3 Rorabaugh and Critchlow, 468. 5 Tacoma. The construction of Camp Lewis brought many jobs, workers, and troops to the region. By the end of 1917, there were 40,000 men at Camp Lewis training to be soldiers.4 Orders for airplanes and ships also increased productivity at Boeing and in the shipyards and brought more people to the Puget Sound region.5 Rosa was born on November 9, 1918, just two days shy of official armistice. On return from the war, U.S. soldiers found a shortage of jobs since many war contracts had been canceled.6 Anti-Socialist attitudes increased as labor struggles elevated around the country. They were especially prominent in Washington State. On the first anniversary of Armistice Day, November 11, 1919, in Centralia, Washington, the American Legion, representing anti-Bolshevik sentiment and right-wing thinking, paraded past the International Workers of the World (Wobbly) headquarters, which represented leftist, labor union perspectives.? Shots were fired and several members of the American Legion were killed. In the mob scene that followed, one Wobbly was hung fro~ a railroad trestle while many others were imprisoned. The event and subsequent trial in March 1920 drew national attention to labor struggles in Washington and drew one Easterner to comment that "the American Union consists of 47 states and the Soviet of Washington."s This was the context that surrounded Murray and Rosa's infancy. As the United States entered the 1920s, Tacoma became a center of activity and economic prosperity. War veterans who remembered their training grounds at Camp Lewis with fondness 4 Paul W. Harvey, Tacoma Headlines (Tacoma: Tribune Publishing Co., 1962),52. 5 Michael Sullivan, History of Tacoma lecture, University of Washington, Tacoma, 4 November 1998. 6 Rorabaugh and Critchlow. 7 Harvey, 59-60. s Harvey, 60. 6 came back to make their homes.9 Housing was under construction throughout the city, and many new steel skyscrapers began to form Tacoma's skyline. IO The advent of the automobile and greater automation on farms drew many agrarian families into the city. I I The growing popularity of radio and movies painted a romantic picture of urban life. World War I had been the first war where the majority of soldiers were literate, and education continued to be expected and encouraged in young people. 12 Murray and Rosa were children during this decade. They met in Sunday School and became fast friends with similar interests. Each has fond memories of playing in neighborhood parks, going to movies together, and doing well in school. At the end of 1919, the Morgan family was pictured in the Tacoma Sunday Ledger with their new Ford sedan, symbolizing the beginning of a decade of greater economic prosperity. 13 Murray's father was the well-known minister of Park Universalist church on Division A venue and was also president of the International New-Thought Alliance. He went on several trips to Europe as a result of this affiliation, and took young Murray along at least twice in the 1920s. These early experiences of exploring the world beyond Tacoma instigated Murray's interest in history. Murray's parents were both writers with strong opinions on social issues. It is not surprising Murray followed their lead as an effective writer with interests in the Tacoma community. It is also evident that Murray's mother, Adda Laine Morgan, served as assistant in 9 Sullivan, 4 November 1998. 10 Sullivan, 9 November 1998. 11 Sullivan, 4 November 1998. 12 Ibid. 13 "Church Pastor Buys Third Ford, a Sedan," Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2 November 1919. See Appendix A for the picture and copy of the article. 7 her husband's career and was a vital part of his life. 14 By observing this parental model, Murray learned how important a loving and intellectually challengin~ partnership was in a marriage and chose such a partner in Rosa Northcutt. Rosa also fondly remembers her childhood and family. Her father, Stanley W. Northcutt, was self-employed as a bookkeeper and accountant as a partner in a motor freight business. Rosa's mother, Jessie O. Northcutt, was a mountaineer and instilled an early love of the Northwest in Rosa by taking her and her friends on camping trips to Mt. Rainier. Rosa's parents also encouraged adventure by allowing her freedom to explore the region with her friends at their beach cabins or on day-trips by themselves. Rosa's interests in writing were instilled in school, mainly by her work on the Lincoln High School newspaper. She also was independent enough to take classes she enjoyed, such as woodshop and architectural drawing, even when she was the only girl in the class. Throughout life, Rosa has continued her education, trying everything and taking a variety of courses at nearby colleges. Although it may have taken her a long time to get the credits lined up in the right patterns to earn a college degree, Rosa's eagerness to follow her own interests, no matter what the social norm might have been, created a personality rich in intelligence and diversity, constantly open to new challenges and ideas. This personality would ultimately produce exceptional skills in research and editing that became so evident later in her life. The cold, bitter winter of 1929 in the Pacific Northwest portended a downturn in economic prosperity for the next decade. IS The stock market crash of October 1929 sent the 14''Tacoma Churches," newspaper article from hanging file on Tacoma, Unitarian Churches in the Northwest Room, Tacoma Public Library. 8 - - - - -- -- - - - country into the Great Depression of the 1930s. This was the fonnative decade during which Rosa and Murray would turn from children to adults. In 1932, Tacoma put its political support behind Franklin D.