John Leonard Miller photograph collection, circa 1911-1978

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Miller, J. L. (John Leonard)
Title
John Leonard Miller photograph collection
Dates
circa 1911-1978 (inclusive)
1975-1978 (bulk)
Quantity
17 photographic prints (1 box) ; various sizes
Collection Number
PH0085
Summary
Photographs of John Leonard Miller, his wife Violet Miller and some of the people involved in the Everett Massacre
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Request at UW

Additional Reference Guides

These materials form part of the John Leonard Miller Papers which are described and indexed in the guide to the John Leonard Miller Papers .

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John (Jack) Leonard Miller was born on November 3, 1889 in Dayton, Kentucky. At 12 he left home and traveled around the country hoboing and taking odd jobs. He worked as a coal miner in Danville, Virginia and a harvester in the Midwest. Because of his interest in worker's rights, Miller joined the United Mine Workers while in Virginia. He joined the Socialist Party while he was in Canada and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1916. He moved to Seattle in early 1916 and was on board the Verona during the Everett Massacre of November 1916. He married Violet Wilson in 1924. After settling down Miller had a number of jobs and began writing. He continued to rally for workers rights and upon his retirement took up lobbying for fair treatment of senior citizens. In addition, he gave lectures and interviews regarding the Everett Massacre, and wrote short stories. He died at age 96 in 1986 of a heart ailment. He was the last living survivor of the Everett Massacre.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Everett Massacre occurred on November 5, 1916 when two boatloads of Industrial Workers of the World (otherwise known as "Wobblies") traveled aboard two steamers Verona and Calista to Everett from Seattle to attend a free speech demonstration. The workers' ships were met at the Everett docks by police, armed citizens and hired guards. Shots were fired, killing two deputies and five "Wobblies" who were passengers on the steamer Verona. The funeral for the massacre victims was held on November 19, 1916 and was attended by thousands of Seattle citizens.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of photographs of John Leonard Miller, his wife Violet Miller and some of the people involved in the Everett Massacre.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format .

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Nylene Schollhorn, John Miller's granddaughter, on October 7, 1986

Processing Note

Processed by Lindsae Long in 2006 and Marion Brown in 2007

The photographs were relocated from the John Leonard Miller Papers, Accession No. 2240-002 in Special Collections, on November 25, 1986.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/1 1 Postcard of six men in studio, Vancouver B.C.
"Noted desperados captured in Van. B.C."
circa 1911-1919
1/1 2 Group of trainmen
Walter P. Miller (photographer)
undated
1/1 3 Hand colored photograph of John Leonard Miller with donkey
Hart Studios (photographer)
undated
1/1 4 Pallbearers with casket of an Everett Massacre victim in front of Duggan the Undertaker Funeral Home November 19, 1916
1/1 5 The steamshipVerona
Marine Photo Shop (photographer)
Photograph from the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society
undated
1/2 6 John Leonard Miller and little girl reading Donkey Donkey
Jay Lurie (photographer)
1975
1/2 7 John Leonard Miller in hat
Jay Lurie (photographer)
March 1978
1/2 8 John Leonard Miller on steps laughing
Jay Lurie (photographer)
March 1978
1/2 9 John Leonard Miller looking at photographs with his wife, Violet and Shoshanna Lurie
This photograph was used in the article "Jack and Violet" printed inThe Seattle Times Pictorialon September 16, 1979.
circa 1979
1/2 10 John Leonard Miller and Violet walking
This photograph was used in the article "Jack and Violet" printed inThe Seattle Times Pictorialon September 16, 1979.
circa 1979
1/2 11 John Leonard Miller and Violet working a loom
This photograph was used in the article "Jack and Violet" printed inThe Seattle Times Pictorialon September 16, 1979.
circa 1979
1/2 12 John Leonard Miller speaking
Jay Lurie (photographer)
undated
1/2 13 John Leonard Miller with microphone undated
1/2 14 John Leonard Miller portraying an I.W.W. speaker at the Bicentennial Pageant at the Seattle Center.
Jay Lurie (photographer)
September 9, 1976
1/2 15 John Leonard Miller holding a Seattle First Citizen Award and a Retired Senior Volunteer Program Award January 27, 1975
1/3 16 Family photographs on piano
Jay Lurie (photographer)
March 1978
1/3 17 Objects whittled by H. P. Wilson before 1920
Jay Lurie (photographer)
H. P. Wilson was Miller's father-in-law. Miller wrote a short story about Wilson's whittlings and this photo accompanied it.
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Community activists--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Everett Massacre, Everett, Wash., 1916
  • Labor union members--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Older people--Political activity
  • Older people--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Social reformers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Miller, J. L. (John Leonard)--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Industrial Workers of the World

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Lurie, Jay (photographer)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)