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Finding Aid for the John R. Neal Papers, 1850-1959


MS-1126

University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN


Encoded by: Elizabeth Dunham, October 10, 2006.

Summary Information
Title: John R. Neal Papers

Date/Date Range :   1850-1959

Extent: 7.5 linear feet

Abstract:
The papers consist of more than 10,000 separate items including family correspondence, books, memorabilia from Neal's political campaigns, and other related materials. The papers cover approximately 100 years, from around the 1850's to 1959. Taken as a whole, they are a remarkable historical collection that should illuminate the shadowy personal life of this important figure in Tennessee history.

Call number: MS-1126

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Access and Use
Aquisition Information:
John N. Wheelock donated this collection to the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library in 1979.
Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Copyright:
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of Item], John R. Neal Papers, MS-1126. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Arrangement

Collection consists of four boxes divided into five series:

  1. Series I: Family Papers
  2. Series II: Relatives' Papers and Financial Records
  3. Series III: The Scopes Trial and Political Career
  4. Series IV: Accomplishments and holdings (assets)
  5. Series V: Miscellaneous material

Biography / History

John R. Neal (1874-1959) was involved in many historic and controversial events in Tennessee during the first half of the twentieth century. As a member of the state legislature in 1909, he guided the first general education appropriation bill through the Senate. He was one of the instructors at the University of Tennessee in 1923 who was purged in the "Slaughter of the PhDs," an incident that brought nationwide attention to the school. He was involved in many celebrated civil liberty trials, including the Scopes Trial in 1925 at Dayton, where he served as chief defense council. He drew attention to the Crump political machine while conducting his many races for political office, and he is generally credited with helping to create the Tennessee Valley Authority. For all of his fame in these endeavors, Neal is just as well known for his eccentric habits and quixotic nature. He would often wear the same clothes for days, and carry checks around for weeks before cashing them. Although beloved and admired by his law students, his forgetfulness and unorthodox appearance led to his dismissal from Tennessee and later to decreasing effectiveness at his own law school, the John Randolph Neal College of Law at Knoxville.


Collection Scope and Content Note

The dual nature of Neal's personality is reflected in the John R. Neal papers. Neal saved everything he could over the years, both important and trivial. His involvement in important affairs is reflected in correspondence with important figures of the day, papers related to matters like the Scopes Trial, and items pertaining to the 1924 gubernatorial campaign. His love of history and respect for his relatives is shown in the correspondence he kept between members of the family. His eccentric personality is represented by the trivia he accumulated along with the many collection notices and canceled checks.

Subject Terms

  • Neal, John Randolph, 1876-1959.
  • Scopes trial -- Tennessee -- Dayton.
Contents List
   

Series I: Family Papers, 1859-1899
Box   1     Folder   1    
George Franklin Neal (brother)

Scope Note:

Most items pertain to Naval Academy, including a report card.
Box   1     Folder   2    
Photographs

Scope Note:

Most are unidentified and undated.
Box   1     Folder   3    
Neal Family (Miscellaneous)

Scope Note:

Various pieces of family memorabilia.
Box   1     Folder   4    
Mary Permelia Neal (sister)

Scope Note:

Correspondence and other items, including a telegram notifying family of her death.
Box   1     Folder   5    
Amanda Neal (sister)

Scope Note:

Correspondence and other items. She and Permelia attended the Academy of the Visitation in Georgetown.
Box   1     Folder   6    
Sisters

Scope Note:

Items related to Amanda and Permelia together, as well as the few items related to sister Katherine Neal.
Box   1     Folder   7    
Mary Neal (mother)

Scope Note:

Scrapbook (miscellaneous letters). Correspondence from husband (from Nashville and Washington) and other correspondence.
Box   1     Folder   8    
Colonel John Randolph Neal

Scope Note:

Scrapbook (press clippings, obituaries). Correspondence from wife (including one letter written before marriage) and other memorabilia (related to business or politics).
Box   1     Folder   9    
Estate of John Randolph Neal
   

Series II: Relatives' Papers and Financial Records
Box   2     Folder   1    
Papers of John Neal Wheelock (nephew)
Box   2     Folder   2    
Papers of Amanda Neal Wheelock (sister)
Box   2     Folder   3    
Papers of Amanda Neal Wheelock (sister)
Box   2     Folder   4    
Papers of Amanda Neal Wheelock (sister)
Box   2     Folder   5    
Papers of Amanda Neal Wheelock (sister)
Box   2     Folder   6    
Financial records of Amanda Neal Wheelock
   

Series III: The Scopes Trial and Political Career, 1924-1958
Box   3     Folder   1    
Press Releases

Scope Note:

These include statements released to the press and abstracts of statements made by potential defense witnesses.
Box   3     Folder   2    
Brief - apparently filed in Supreme Court
Box   3     Folder   2    
Petition to Rehear
Box   3     Folder   3    
AP Sketch

Scope Note:

Pages of a wire service biographical sketch of Neal.
Box   3     Folder   4    
Picture from the Chattanooga Times (from papers of Vic Weals)

Scope Note:

Neal, Bainbridge Colley, and Clarence Darrow are pictured. In this print, Neal has been "cut out" in order to show only Colley and Darrow.
Box   3     Folder   4    
Letter from Paul R. McNeil to Neal, 1943 September 10

Scope Note:

Asks Neal to alert the ACLU of an alleged wrong.
Box   3     Folder   4    
Letter from Arthur Garfield Hays to Neal, 1926 May 24

Scope Note:

"My dear Dr. Neal, This is just to let you know that I shall be at Nashville on Saturday night. I presume there will be a gathering of the clan there on Sunday. It will be a pleasure to see you. My only misfortune is that I shall have to leave Nashville Monday afternoon as I am sailing for Europe on Wednesday morning. With Kind regards, I remain Very cordially yours, Arthur Garfield Hays."

Box   3     Folder   5    
Brochure: "John R. Neal - Democratic Candidate for Governor" , 1924
Box   3     Folder   5    
Brochure: "Take Non-political State Affairs Out of Politics" (Neal for governor), 1924
Box   3     Folder   5    
Brochure: "Fourteen Points" broadside, 1924
Box   3     Folder   6    
Speech (Rhea County), 1924

Scope Note:

Neal made this Speech to open his 1924 gubernatorial campaign.
Box   3     Folder   7    
"Fourteen points" speech, 1924
Box   3     Folder   7    
"Fourteen points" speech stapled to a similar speech, 1924
Box   3     Folder   8    
Letter, 1924 May 26

Scope Note:

Probably an appeal to the WCTU by Mrs. Wheelock in support of Neal's campaign.
Box   3     Folder   8    
Posters: Neal to speak at Market Hall - "Women Especially Invited" , 1924
Box   3     Folder   8    
Fragment of speeches, 1924
Box   3     Folder   9    
Neal for Governor: Clipping from The Nation , 1926 June 23

Scope Note:

Nathan D. White to head campaign in Nashville against Governor Roberts.
Box   3     Folder   9    
Neal for Governor: Headquarters Stationary, 1926
Box   3     Folder   9    
Neal for Governor: Letter from State Democratic Executive Committee, 1950 June 29

Scope Note:

Neal was entered in the gubernatorial primary.
Box   3     Folder   9    
Neal for Governor: Petition to Qualify (General Election), 1958
Box   3     Folder   9    
Neal for Governor: Letter from Neal to State Democratic Executive Committee, undated

Scope Note:

Charges that Democratic candidates exceeded legal expenditures.
Box   3     Folder   9    
Neal for Governor: Letter from Knox County Election Commission, 1944 August 31

Scope Note:

Neal qualified for the primary
Box   3     Folder   10    
Neal for Senate: "Vote for John Randolph Neal for United States Senator"

Scope Note:

Neal ran against McKellar and Garrett.
Box   3     Folder   10    
Neal for Senate: Letter from Neal to newspaper editors, undated

Scope Note:

Asks for an investigation of corrupt election practices.
Box   3     Folder   10    
Neal for Senate: Fragment, 1952
Box   3     Folder   10    
Neal for Senate: Candidate Questionnaire, 1952 October
Box   3     Folder   10    
Neal for Senate: Letter to Neal from Charles G. Nease, Kefauver campaign manager, 1948 May 27

Scope Note:

Asks for a clean campaign.
Box   3     Folder   10    
Neal for Senate: Letter to Senator McKellar from Neal, 1927 January 4
Box   3     Folder   11    
Neal for Senate: "John R. Neal - Who he Is"

Scope Note:

See also Box 3, Folder 9, Item 7.
Box   3     Folder   12    
Public Record (Senate), 1946
Box   3     Folder   12    
Public Record (Senate), 1948
Box   3     Folder   13    
Neal for Congress: Handouts, 1939
Box   3     Folder   13    
Neal for Congress: Redistricting Speech, 1939
Box   3     Folder   14    
Qualifying Petitions: for Senate, 1952

Scope Note:

From Papers of Charles C. Burks.
Box   3     Folder   14    
Qualifying Petitions: for Governor, 1954

Scope Note:

From Papers of Charles C. Burks.
Box   3     Folder   14    
Qualifying Petitions: for Congress, 1956

Scope Note:

From Papers of Charles C. Burks.
Box   3     Folder   14    
Qualifying Petitions: for Governor, 1958

Scope Note:

From Papers of Charles C. Burks.
Box   3     Folder   15    
Letter to Charles A. Maner from Albert Gore

Scope Note:

Asks for support in Gore's Senate race.
Box   3     Folder   15    
Letter to Neal from Howard Baker, 1956 October 9
Box   3     Folder   15    
Miscellaneous (fragments)
Box   3     Folder   15    
Other candidates
Box   3     Folder   15    
TVA
Box   3     Folder   15    
Miscellaneous
Box   3     Folder   15    
"John R. Neal - Who he Is"

Scope Note:

This handout is identical to one made for Neal's Senate campaigns.
Box   3     Folder   16    
Brochures: John Randolph Neal College of Law
Box   3     Folder   16    
Applications for Admission, 1935

Scope Note:
  1. John J. Owens (9-30-3-)
  2. Addison E. Hook (2nd year; 9-17-35)
  3. Morris Simon (-3-)
  4. Roy L. Haston (1st year; 9-17-35)
  5. Lee ----- (1st year; 4-10-35)
  6. W. H. Archer (2nd year; 9-17-35)
  7. Book: Compilation of the Election Laws of Tennessee (Nashville, 1922)
   

Series IV: Accomplishments and holdings (assets), 1890-1959

Scope Note:

Some of the real estate belonged to the Wheelock family; Dr. Neal stated in his opening campaign speech that his entire holdings were in Rhea County (Box 3, Folder 6 )
Box   4     Folder   1    
Miscellaneous - various fragments
Box   4     Folder   2    
Galveston Co., Texas
Box   4     Folder   3    
Marshall Co., South Dakota
Box   4     Folder   4    
Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, Florida
Box   4     Folder   5    
Walker Co., Georgia
Box   4     Folder   6    
Hughes Co., Oklahoma
Box   4     Folder   7    
Rhea County
Box   4     Folder   8    
Spring City
Box   4     Folder   9    
Cumberland County
Box   4     Folder   10    
Meigs and Bledsoe Counties
Box   4     Folder   11    
Hamilton County and Chattanooga

Scope Note:

Copies of the Congressional Directory with names of recipients (family members) on the front of each - George Franklin Neal, Nora Kate Neal (probably Katherine), and John 0. Neal. A family Bible in the possession of Mrs. Virginia Murphy indicates that John O'Brien Neal was born in 1874, two years earlier than the generally accepted date of birth. When he wrote letters to his sisters he signed them "John Neal" (Box 3, Folder 1). A letter of recommendation indicates that by 1895 he had adopted the middle name of his father as his own.
Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Correspondence

Scope Note:

Neal wrote to his sisters in Georgetown, often as a note following his mother's letters. They used stationery that had belonged to his father and bore the House of Representatives print. The letters are quite similar in content to those written by his father (Box 1, folders 4, 5, and 6).
Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Report Card, 1892 June 4

Scope Note:

"Excellent!" written at the bottom of the page. Grades (60-100 scale): Latin, 73; Greek, 84; English, 84; History, 95; Mathematics, 80; French, 86; Physics, 92.
Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Letter of recommendation from Dr. George F. Mellen, Professor of Greek and French, 1895 March 13

Scope Note:

Neal is described as "a man of exceptional gifts and ability ... Scholarly in spirit and habit, a man of fine attainments, he is a diligent student and [sic.] a cultivated gentleman. As a translator and interpreter of a foreign language appreciating the spirit and genius of the author and his work, I thought him especially happy. I bear cordial testimony to his zeal and worth."

Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Program: "Joint Entertainment - Chi-Delta and Philomathesian Societies" , 1890 December 9

Scope Note:

Neal, a member of the Philomathesian Society, spoke on the subject "Absalom."

Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Deed, Joel I. Pyott to John R. Neal, 1893 January 11
Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Fragments of an expense account, 1890 March
Box   4     Folder   12    
John Neal at the University of Tennessee: Newspaper clipping - "Philo[mathesian] Society" , undated

Scope Note:

"The orator's medal was awarded to Mr. John R. Neal, whose oration was entitled The Confederate States. His oration was delivered in elegant style, and was excellently written, showing that the writer possesses a powerful command of language for a young man. His friends say that he is destined to become one of the leading orators of the South."

Box   4     Folder   12    
General Assembly roster
Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Letter of recommendation from Chancellor J. H. Kirkland, 1895 March 29

Scope Note:

"I have good reason to believe that he is a young man of more than ordinary promise."

Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Matriculation Card, 1894-1895
Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Letter of recommendation from W. M. Baskemill, 1895 April 25

Scope Note:

"With a naturally bright and retentive mind he combines application and determination to succeed. Along with these excellent qualities he possesses a quiet, strong character, which entitles him to the confidence of the public. It gives me pleasure to testify to his real worth, character and scholarship."

Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Advertising Contract, Vanderbilt Observer

Scope Note:

Neal was business manager of the paper.
Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Commencement Bulletin, 1894 June 20

Scope Note:

Neal received a Master of Arts degree.
Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Advertising copy and other fragments
Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Program, Oratorical Contest, Philosophic Literary Society, 1895 February 22

Scope Note:

Neal spoke on "The Sphinx Riddle of American Politics."

Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Letter from "Mamma" to "My Dear Johnnie" , 1893 April 27
Box   4     Folder   13    
John Neal at Vanderbilt: Fragments of the Vanderbilt Observer

Box   4     Folder   14    
John Neal at Denver: Envelopes - John Randolph Neal, Attorney at Law, 815 Ernest and Crammer Bldg, Denver, Colo.
Box   4     Folder   14    
John Neal at Denver: "Facts about the War" (from Chambre De Commerce De Paris)
Box   4     Folder   14    
John Neal at Denver: Letter, Amanda to Mrs. Neal, University Park, Colorado, 1902 January 25
Box   4     Folder   14    
John Neal at Denver: Letter from "Mamma" to "Johnnie" , 1908 December 4-1908 December 8

Scope Note:

Asks Neal to dress warmly.
Box   4     Folder   15    
John Neal in Tennessee: Press Clipping

Scope Note:

"Hon. John R. Neal, who represents the Ninth Senatorial District ln the Upper House of the Legislature now in session in Nashville, lives in Rhea County and comes of Methodist stock. His father for many years represented the Third Congressional District in Congress from this State. Mr. Neal is Chairman of the Committee on Education, and is one of the best-educated men in the State. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee in the Academic Department and of the Law Department of Vanderbilt and Columbia Universities. His constituents are for temperance and State-wide prohibition, and consequently will endorse and honor him for the right position he has always taken on all moral questions. His Democracy has never been questioned."

Box   4     Folder   15    
John Neal in Tennessee: Cartoon, "Driving Him from the State"

Scope Note:

Illiteracy personified driven by the light of the General Educational Bill - "900,000 yearly for schools."

Box   4     Folder   15    
John Neal in Tennessee: Letter from Mrs. Brown Ayres to Neal

Scope Note:

Expresses sympathy at the death of his mother.
Box   4     Folder   15    
John Neal in Tennessee: Expense Book
Box   4     Folder   15    
John Neal in Tennessee: Field Service Manual, 1917

Scope Note:

Neal taught ROTC - related courses during World War I.
Box   4     Folder   15    
John Neal in Tennessee: Newspaper Clipping

Scope Note:

"Mr. Neal, replying to Holladay's remarks about Hopkinsville said when It came to a choice between going to Kentucky with Democrats and remaining in Tennessee with Republicans, he would choose the former."

Box   4     Folder   16    
Envelopes from John R. Neal Headquarters, Nashville containing notes & memos
Box   4     Folder   17    
Checks and other financial statements
Box   4     Folder   18    
Collection notice. On the back is written "Fred Newman, 2nd year"

Box   4     Folder   19    
Legal Education: "Notes on Legal Education" (ABA), 1931 July 1
Box   4     Folder   19    
Legal Education: "Model Policy Relative to Discriminations in Higher Education" (Illinois Committee on Discrimination ln Higher Education), undated
Box   4     Folder   19    
Legal Education: "Standards of the American Bar Association for Legal Education" (ABA), 1943
Box   4     Folder   19    
Legal Education: "State Bar Examination Questions" in The Law Student , 1925 January 1
Box   4     Folder   20    
"I Reckon So!" Photocopy and 3 reprints from T. H. Alexander column, Nashville Tennessean , 1933 August 20
Box   4     Folder   21    
Advertising rates card from the Knoxville News-Sentinel

Scope Note:

Mr. Bob Luttrell, the salesman whose name appears on the card, said that Neal placed his advertisement for the school In the Knoxville newspapers each fall until his death.
Box   4     Folder   22    
Income Tax Return

Scope Note:

"Nature of business - Law School. Business name - no collections."

Box   4     Folder   23    
Letter from attorney H. W. Huff, 1943 October 28

Scope Note:

He asked when the commencement would be held.
Box   4     Folder   24    
Letter from Charles C. Burks, registrar

Scope Note:

Mr. A. K. Lawson was enrolled from 1948 to 1950 and was qualified to take the Tennessee Bar examination.
Box   4     Folder   24    
Letter from J. Dan Gibson to Neal, 1952 May 29

Scope Note:

"I would greatly appreciating you . . .forwarding [sic.] the Diploma .. . that you conferred on me last June. Just in case it has in a way slipped you mind this occurred [sic.] in The Andrew Johnson Hotel during the lawyer's convention there." The letter closed with a question: "Why did you choose not to run for Governor?"

Box   4     Folder   24    
Envelope from Chester Bryant, 1956 August 19
Box   4     Folder   24    
Letter from John Clarence Davis, Jr., to Neal

Scope Note:

He claimed to have been a student from "9-10-47 to Unknown date!"

Box   4     Folder   24    
Letter from Maurice R. Black to Neal, 1959 July 17

Scope Note:

He attended from 1934 to 1937, and received LLB and LLM degrees.
Box   4     Folder   25    
From Letter Shop and Trent Printing Company, 1957

Scope Note:

Unpaid bills from either his law school or from one of his political campaigns.
Box   4     Folder   25    
From Beneficial Finance and New England Mutual Life Insurance.

Scope Note:

Regarding unpaid loans. The latter was mailed to UT College of Law by mistake.
Box   4     Folder   25    
From Bowling Green University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to College of Law, 1952 January 22
Box   4     Folder   25    
From the Macmillan C. (publishers) to Librarian, College of Law
Box   4     Folder   25    
From Dennis & Co., Inc., to Librarian, College of Law, 1954 August 25
Box   4     Folder   25    
Envelopes from Charles A. Maner to Neal, 1957
Box   4     Folder   25    
Book: Report of the Penal Committee, Nashville, 1906
Box   4     Folder   25    
Book: Acts of Legislature, Nashville, 1883
Box   4     Folder   25    
Book: First Book of Bar Questions, Brooklyn, 1924
   

Series V: Miscellaneous material