Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 1

MSS 139 Simeon S. Willis Collection, 1786-1968

OVERVIEW

Number: MSS 139 Title: Simeon S. Willis Papers Dates: 1786-1968 Media: photographs; documents Quantity: 6 boxes; 3 FF1 folders; 1 FF2 folder Location: Archival Storage. Historical Society, 100 W. Broadway, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601-1931, Phone: (502) 564-1792, Email: [email protected] , http://history.ky.gov

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION Simeon Slavens Willis was born December 1, 1879 in Lawrence County, , to John H. and Abigail (Slavens) Willis. Willis eventually moved to Ashland, KY, where he practiced law. In 1928, he was appointed to the bench of the Kentucky Court of Appeals to complete the term of Republican Flem D. Sampson who had been elected governor. In 1943, he was elected , and focused his administration on health care reform, transportation, raised teachers' salaries, appointed the first African-American to the state Board of Education and created the Kentucky Commission on Negro Affairs in 1944. Willis married Idah Lee Millis of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, on April 14, 1920. They had one daughter, Sally Lesley Willis, who married Lt. Henry Meigs II on December 30, 1944 and had one son, Meigs. Simeon Willis died April 2, 1965 and is interred at the .

SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION The Simeon S. Willis materials document the personal and professional life of Kentucky governor Simeon Willis' personal and professional life. It includes photographs of his family and political career; land and property transfer documents; state payroll summaries; banking information; political newspaper clippings; and ephemera such as political campaign publicity materials, programs, announcements, business cards, etc. Also included is correspondence, primarily with his wife, Idah, both before and after their marriage, and daughter, Sally, while she was away at school. Much of the correspondence is directed to Idah Willis, who served as a national committeewoman and was active in Republican women’s organizations in Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 2 Kentucky. Audio recordings of Governor Willis’ inauguration and two speeches are available.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLECTION This collection is arranged into five series according to format.

RELATED MATERIAL Researchers are encouraged to search the Online Collection Catalog for additional related materials.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation: [Identification of item]. Simeon S. Willis Papers, 1786-1968, MSS 139, Kentucky Historical Society. Provenance: Donated by Sally Meigs, 1984 Separated material: The published items in this collection have been individually cataloged and can be found by searching the KHS Library catalog Property rights: The Kentucky Historical Society owns the property rights to this collection. Copyrights: Copyrights have not been dedicated to the public. Consideration of the requirements of copyright is the responsibility of the author and publisher.

CONTAINER LIST

Box Folder Folder Title Dates Description # # Willis' grandson in ocean; Sally Willis Meigs and son at beach; Simeon Willis; Idah Willis(?) in 1 1 Photographs 1915-1959 garden; Gus Thomas fishing; Harvey Willis(?); Willis in Washington, D.C.

Leonard Powell; Idah Willis; Willis; Tom Hackworth at Vesuvius Furnace, OH; Idah Willis at Mt. Vernon; Willis fishing; Willis at law office; postcard portrait of Dr. M. K. Moxley, R. M.? 1 2 Photographs 1918-1950 Davidson and Sim Willis; Willis with grandson Simeon "Willie" Meigs; Sally Willis and Henry Meigs marriage 1944; Mr. and Mrs. Jobson; Sgt. Nat Britton; Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Willis

Wedding of Sally Willis and Henry Meigs, 30 Dec 1944; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wall, Thom Wall and Mrs. T. J. S. Caldwell; Thomas Didiar(?), Betty Wall, Charles O'Connell; Idah 1 3 Photographs 1927-1947 Willis, Simeon "Willie" Meigs, Simeon Willis; Sally (Willis) and Henry Meigs, 1950; State Hospital Danville; governor's mansion; Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 3 Frank Bolton, Ralph Gates, Simeon Willis and J. Stephen Watkins at Milton-Madison Bridge Freeing Celebration; Madison Mayor O. L. 1 4 Photographs 1943-1947 Head; Wright Brothers Monument; Red Mile Trotting Track Lexington; J. Stephen Watkins; Paintsville; U.S. Route 23 "Missing Link"; Louisa; Morgan County High School band; 1930-1940 J. Stephen Watkins speaks at West Liberty 13 1 5 Photographs and 1946 Sep 1946; Morgan County High School band; J. Stephen Watkins, Gov. Willis at dinner 1945; 1 6 Photographs 1943-1947 Simeon Willis; Kentucky Reform School(?) Simeon Willis portrait; Willis seated with others dancing in background, men in uniform; Willis at Fort Knox 7 Apr 1947; Willis speaking on radio 1 7 Photographs 1920-1950 WLAP and WFKY; Willis speaking at Red Cross Auditorium at Fort Knox 7 Apr 1947, listening are Gen. Collins, Major Hedkin and Gen. May; Willis addressing Louisville Optimist Club 20 Sep 1946; Willis at Red Bird Mission School (Beverly, KY) commencement 9 Apr 1943; photo of Willis and others signed by Judge E. J. Hunsucker, 26 May 1945; Willis, speaking, and 1 8 Photographs 1943-1953 daughter Sally, listening; J. Stephen Watkins and Willis at dinner, 8 Jun 1945; Gov. and Mrs. Willis stand on small concrete bridge; John Steele, R. S. Blazer, Simeon Willis, B. F. Forgey and H. E. Redmon at Kentucky Colonels party 30 Sep 1953; Willis at desk. Willis and young girl placing box in cornerstone at Paris (KY) Tuberculosis Hospital, 25 Jul 1946; Mimi Chancler, Mrs. A. B. Chandler and governor of Ohio; Wills and Thomas E. Dewey; 1 9 Photographs 1940-1960 Elect Willis Governor billboard at Paducah, KY; Willis being sworn in as governor, 7 Dec 1943; Willis with grandson Simeon "Willie" Meigs, 1950; Willis and A. B. "Happy" Chandler; Willis speaking at inauguration, 7 Dec 1943; Willis tasting peach from basket of "Chief Paduke" peaches, 25 Jul 1945; President 1 10 Photographs 1900-1965 Truman, Willis and Sen. Alben Barkley, Oct 1945; Emma Nell & Anne (or Amy); Idah Willis c1920s; Willis c1920s; pictures from party; Willis and group in front of 22 Sep 1 11 Photo Album twin-engine airplane "Ashland Flying Octanes; 1954 crowd in western-theme museum Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 4 Album given to Willis to commemorate his visit to Fort Knox, KY, on Army Day, 7 Apr 1947, 1 12 Photo Album 7 Apr 1947 signed by Maj. Gen. John W. Leonard. Signal Corps photographs of events and people.

Boulton; Drury; Brooks; Culbertson; Marshall; Porter; Swartz; Mrs. Leslie (Nelle R.) Croft, niece by marriage, seeking teaching position; Thomasson; Stanley Reed, U.S. solicitor 2 1 Correspondence 1934-1943 general; Allday; Hubert Meredith, tips for candidacy; Allison; Bryan; Coyte; Ramey; Ryle; Adams; Churchill; Schwalbach; Wallis.

Jessie Stuart, author, "Beyond Dark Hills," "Taps for Private Tussie," "The Year of My Rebirth"; Russell; Gerards and Gypsy; Charles E. Whittle, chairman, Kentucky Public Service Commission; 2 2 Correspondence 1944-1960 Slaymaker; Simeon Willis response to newspaper article concerning William P. Mount and the Union charge up Missionary Ridge; Gov. Thomas Dewey; Meigs.

Wedding announcement; family pictures; family Correspondence news; from Winifred 2 3 Adams Berg 1934-1938 (niece) to Simeon Willis family news; family pictures Correspondence 2 4 from Amy Willis 1936-1954 Buffington (sister)

Correspondence family news 2 5 from Madelyn 1935-1938 (niece) Correspondence family news between Simeon 2 6 1903-1911 Willis and Harvey L. Willis (brother)

Correspondence family news; letters of military life, illness, from between Simeon Camp Sherman, Ohio during World War I 2 7 1911-1918 Willis and Harvey L. Willis (brother) Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 5 letters from Camp Taylor, KY, during World War Correspondence I 2 8 from Gerard W. 1918 McNeal (nephew)

Deskins; Flanary; Auxier; Rutherford; Korn; Fyffe; Siler; Hines; Buehler; Blackburn; Cornelison; Winn; Jenkins; Nickell; Anderson; Correspondence 2 9 1939-1943 See; Caldwell; Hezelrigg; Ashmore; Randolph; (telegrams) Dimmick; McKinstry; O'Brien; Byrd; Shepard; Abbott; Forbes; Roberts

Rogers; Shonert; Welch; Leadingham; Risen; Page; Wright; Lida; Cassiday and Nickell; Collins; Steele; Adelaide and Hotard; Maise; Williams; Fullerton; Burnam; Revercomb; Speight; Wood; Dale; Vaughan; Nels; Ethridge; Miller; Bauman; Carrier; Alexander; Walsh; Tyree; Black; Smoot; Howard; Strother; Arnett; Correspondence 3 Nov - 4 2 10 Hallanan; Moore; Evans; McCoy; Hobbs; (telegrams) Nov 1943 Kimberly; Black; Brock; Felt; Moore; Ridgley; Hook; Hagin; Turner; Downs; Burpo; Taylor; Clark; Adair; Stambaugh; Hyden; Taylor; Shirley and Georgia; Montgomery; King; Duncan; Downing; Tynes; Sampson; Jarvis; Boatman.

Smiley; McCann; Rountree; VanHook; Johnson; Weideman; Nash; Jones; Taylor; Odell; Nichols; Mason; Bischoff; Ward; Carter; Vain; Taylor; Salyer; Barton; Knuckles; Thompson; Baker; Correspondence 5 Nov - 17 Braxton; Risner; Josselson; Gatrell; Horger; 2 11 (telegrams) Nov 1943 Lobwing; Robsion; Sturgill; Sharpton; Fred; Bobbitt; Lyons; Walker; Clay; Crain; Miller; Martin; Tucker; Blatt; Perkins; Bill (brother); Walker; Bentley; O'Rear; Healey.

Courtship letters. Includes clippings from 1919 Correspondence Life magazine; between Simeon July - Sept 2 12 Willis and Idah 1919 Millis (before she became his wife) Courtship letters. Simeon discusses buying Correspondence cameo and ring for Idah in Cincinnati; between Simeon Dec 1919 - 2 13 Willis and Idah Feb 1920 Millis (before she became his wife) Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 6 Courtship letters. Letters between them when Correspondence Simeon Willis was out of town. between Simeon Willis and Idah March - Dec 2 14 Millis (before and 1920 after she became his wife)

Correspondence Simeon in Vanceburg for a trial (Feb 1921); in between Simeon Feb 1921 - Lexington for a trial (Jan 1922); Idah writes 2 15 Willis and his Nov 1922 about daughter Sally; in Cincinnati for a trial wife, Idah. (Nov 1922) Simeon in Cincinnati for trial (May 1924); Correspondence Simeon with Lewis on vacation in Minnesota between Simeon May 1924 - (Aug 1925); Simeon writes from West Virginia 3 1 Willis and his Apr 1942 Bar Association meeting (July 1930); Idah in the wife, Idah. hospital in New York City (Apr 1942);

Todd; Betty; Henderson; Allen; Clay; Putran?; Correspondence Shoffstall; Smythe; Quarles; Kiser; Dixon; 3 2 to Simeon and 1919-1947 Haffler; Vanzant; Stewart; Hudgins; Stone; Idah Willis Webb; Hodopp; Davis; Boyd; Virginia.

Letters from Sally at Merry Meeting Camp in Bath, Maine; letters from Sally away at school; Correspondence Simeon describes flooding (Jan 1937 ); Simeon between Simeon 1935 - Apr 3 3 and Idah in Lexington for a trial (Mar 1937); Willis and 1937 Sally from National Cathedral School, daughter, Sally. Washington, D.C. (Apr 1937).

Correspondence Letters to and from Sally in school in between Simeon Oct 1937 - Washington, D.C.; 3 4 Willis and Jan 1938 daughter, Sally.

Correspondence Letters to and from Sally in school in between Simeon Feb 1938- Washington, D.C.; 3 5 Willis and Apr 1938 daughter, Sally.

Correspondence Letters to and from Sally in school in between Simeon May 1938 - Washington, D.C.; 3 6 Willis and Jun 1939 daughter, Sally.

Correspondence Letters from Sally at Merry Meeting Camp in between Idah Bath, Maine; Sally has the mumps; Sally visiting 3 7 1935-1937 Willis and in Michigan (Jul 1935); daughter, Sally. Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 7 Correspondence Letters to and from Sally in school in between Idah Washington, D.C.; Sally writes from Palm 3 8 1939-1945 Willis and Beach, FL (Jan 1944) daughter, Sally. Dawson; Farmer; Eversole; letter from Idah's mother; George Colvin, superintendent, Louisville & Jefferson County Children's Home; Correspondence 3 9 1920-1940 Eileen Willis, cousin and high school freshman to Idah Willis in Graydon, WV, seeking legal information; Farmer; Wendell Willkie;

Marks; Harper; Bartlett; Mrs. John T. Pratt, president, Women's National Republican Club, invites Idah to be a member (Nov 1943); Courtney; Duncan; Richard Priest Dietzman Correspondence encloses letter from Col. O. R. McGuire 3 10 Nov 1943 to Idah Willis requesting information on Simeon Willis as a "useful man" to the Republican Party in the national campaign (Nov 1943); Eskridge; Offutt; Ford.

Fitch; Carrie; Martin; Sara Clements, wife of incoming governor , writes thanking Idah Willis for information; Sadie; Ann Taft sends resolution from Boyd County Correspondence Dec 1943 - Republican Women's Club urging nomination of 3 11 to Idah Willis Jun 1944 Simeon Willis for U.S. president; Mrs. John (Lula) Scott asks Simeon Willis' consideration of Hayden Harris as liaison officer (Feb 1944); Daniel; Eleanor.

Cowgell; Hammond; Gates; Oram; Martha Taft, wife of Sen. Robert Taft; Nevels; Willkis?; Evans; Sara Clements, wife of Gov. Earl Correspondence Nov 1947 - Clements; McKinsty; Plummer; Walden; Davie?; 3 12 to Idah Willis 1968 Howard; Vice President Richard Nixon; Arrowood; Beula Nunn, wife of Gov. Louie B. Nunn; Richard NIxon

Correspondence ca 1938 - Virginia; Warwick; Poage. 3 13 to Sally Willis 1940s Poage; Toler; Davis; Dixon; Casebolt; Crum; Abstracts for Park 3 14 1906 Brown; Newman; Hampton, Thomas; Adkins; City Land Sale Park City Land Company; Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 8 Briem or Biem or Bierns and Friedman; Mulligan; Molin; Deed 11 Feb 1895 from R. C. Titles, contracts, Richardson and Juliette T. Richardson his wife ca 1894 - 3 15 leases for to D. A. Leffingwell; Pollock; Meinhart; Shute; 1919 Ashland property Lincoln Lodge No. 242 I.O.O.F. of Ashland; Kuckertz; Jeffers; Davidson; Shaw; Hassel;

Land grant to 4 1 9 May 1780 Joseph McDowell Order of Railroad Telegraphers; The Civil Legion; 1944 driver license; El Hasa (Shrine) Temple, Ashland; Hilton/Statler Hotels; Licenses, American Law Institute; Kentucky Civil War 1902, 1944, 4 2 membership Round Table, Lexington; Ashland Lodge 350 1956, 1959 cards, hotels Elks; Sheraton Hotels; Ashland Commandery, Knights Templar; Boyd County Bar Association; Kentucky State Bar.

E. E. Shannon; Van Hoose Adams Co.; Emma Van Hoose; motor vehicle title 1926 Lincoln; Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity; Kentucky State Bar Association; Kentucky Legislative Research 4 3 Certificates 1925-1956 Commission Advisory Committee on the Judicial System; Gov. A. B. Chandler names Simeon Willis member of the Public Service Commission.

State payroll Jan - Mar, 4 4 summaries 1943 - 1946 State payroll Jul - Sep, 4 5 summaries 1943 - 1946 State payroll Oct - Dec, 4 6 summaries 1942 - 1946 House Bills No. 5 appropriations 4 7 (1948), No. 14 1948-1950 (1950) includes personal timeline 4 8 Cash book 1902-1903 includes newspaper clippings, quotations 4 9 Cash book 1912-1939 includes newspaper clippings, quotations 4 10 Cash book 1938-1954

Check stubs, 4 11 1954 - 1956 deposit slips Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 9 Deposit slips - 1954 - 4 12 Farmers Bank & 1956, 1960 Capital Trust Paid checks from Jan - May 4 13 attorney account 1958 Paid checks from Aug, Dec 4 14 attorney account 1958 speech by Idah Willis to Corbin Women's Miscellaneous Republican Club; Simon Michelet "The Five documents; ballot Border States, 1920-1944"; proclamation county; ca 1943 - thanking Idah Willis for service as national 5 1 Republican Party 1950 committee-woman; ulcer diet; materials; Kentucky newspaper list Governor's Conference 1946; Frank Buttram Event tickets & ca 1939- invitation to reception and buffet supper as part 5 2 materials 1946 of Governor's Conference; guest pass to Oklahoma Club.

Jenkins; Dooley; Willis for Court of Appeals; Campaign and ca 1920 - Willis for Governor 5 3 Republican party 1952 publicity materials

Lincoln Protective Club banquet; In Memoriam John Herriman Holt; tribute to Virgil Vaughan Adkins; Harry H. Ramey memorial; Founders Day (1946) - Gov. Simeon Willis speaker; corner stone laying ceremony for 5 4 Programs 1934 - 1946 Kentucky Tuberculosis Sanatorium; A Newspaper Study of the Department of Welfare; "The Judicial Process in the Evolution of Law" address by Simeon Willis to Kentucky State Bar Association (1938)

Wedding memory Simeon Willis to Idah Mellis; Guard W. McNeal, 5 5 14-Apr-20 album witness. Collected quotes, ca 1913- quotes and poetry, including one poem by Idah 5 6 common book 1950 Willis; Announcements, Manders; Sackett; Allen; Willis Christmas cards; 5 7 business cards, 1933 - 1955 stationery from executive mansion, Frankfort. blank stationery Miscellaneous Madalyn Buffington; Bellefonte County Club by- 5 8 ephemera / 1923 - 1952 laws and rules (1952). memorabilia Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 10 ca 1920 - 5 9 Clippings, politics 1950 ca 1920 - 5 10 Clippings, politics 1950 ca 1920 - 5 11 Clippings, politics 1950 ca 1920 - 5 12 Clippings, politics 1950 ca 1920 - 5 13 Clippings, politics 1950 ca 1920 - 5 14 Clippings, politics 1950 Clippings, Sally / Wedding in Frankfort 30 Dec 1944 Sara Willis ca 1944 - 5 15 marriage to Lt. 1946 Henry Meigs II Aluminum transcription disc, 33 rpm. Recorded Gov. Willis May 26, by WHAS. [Sides 1 and 2] 6 1 speaking at 1946 Glasgow Hospital

Aluminum transcription disc, 33 rpm. Recorded Gov. Willis May 26, by WHAS. [Sides 3 and 4] 6 2 speaking at 1946 Glasgow Hospital

circa 1943- Aluminum transcription disc, 78/33 rpm 6 3 Governor #1 1947 Vinyl, 78 rpm. Recorded by WHAS. [Sides 1 and Gov. Willis December 6 4 3] Inaugural 7, 1943

Vinyl, 78 rpm. Recorded by WHAS. [Sides 2 and Gov. Willis December 6 5 4] Inaugural 7, 1943

Gov. Willis December Vinyl, 78 rpm. Recorded by WHAS. [Sides 3 and 6 6 Inaugural 7, 1943 5] Land in Pennsylvania and Ohio signed by Presidents Andrew Jackson, John Tyler, and FF1. Land Grants 1835-1844 Martin Van Buren, to Joseph Williams, John 123 Williams, James Lewis, Frederick F. Reinemann. Photostat of "A Presentation -- A Tribute" from the presentation of Simeon Willis' portrait to the FF1. Kentucky Historical Society; Image of Governor Photographs ca. 1945 258 Willis receiving a medal; Image of Governor Willis shaking hands with two men; image of Governor Willis Simeon S. Willis Papers MSS 139 Page 11 An original political cartoon by Harry Keys, "A Strange Entry in the Kentucky Derby"; FF1. Miscellaneous 1943 Scrapbook of clippings from the Morgantown 259 Republican regarding the Willis gubernatorial campaign, compiled by editor E.W. Neel Two newspaper articles about Simeon Willis' inauguration (encapsulated); Collier's magazine FF2. Miscellaneous 1909, 1943 marking the Lincoln Centennial and including a 57 speech made by President Theodore Roosevelt at Hodgenville