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Albert B. Fall Papers, 1918-1943

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Fall, Albert B.
Title
Albert B. Fall Papers
Dates
1918-1943 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.5 linear feet of shelf space, (3 boxes)
Collection Number
Cage 240 (collection)
Summary
Correspondence, memoranda, and materials used during Albert B. Fall's trial (all materials are reproductions). Correspondents include: President Warren G. Harding, E.L. Doheny.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Albert Bacon Fall was a lawyer in the New Mexico Territory and was elected as a Democrat to the House of Representatives in 1890. In 1912, he was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate. He was one of New Mexico's first two United States Senators. He was appointed by President Warren Harding in 1921 as Secretary of the Interior. In this position, Fall leased the government-owned Teapot Dome oil reserves to Mammoth Oil Company (controlled by Harry Ford Sinclair) and the Elk Hills oil reserves to Pan-American Petroleum Company (controlled by Edward Laurence Doheny). In 1929, he was convicted of accepting 100,000 dollars from Doheny and an important company position from Sinclair in exchange for the oil leases. For his role in what is known as the Teapot Dome Scandal, he was fined 100,000 dollars and sentenced to one year in prison.

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Content Description

This collection consists of photocopies of correspondence, memoranda, and materials used during the trial of Albert B. Fall. The Blue Book file, apparently collated by Fall for use during the conspiracy trials, consists primarily of Interior Department files regarding the leasing of oil lands. The El Paso file is primarily concerned with Fall's legal and financial difficulties following his resignation as Secretary of the Interior. The file also includes documents regarding Mrs. Fall's attempts to exonerate her husband. The Letter file consists of Fall's professional correspondence with President Harding, E.L. Doheny, and others, as well as Fall's private correspondence after his resignation.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description] Albert B. Fall Papers, 1918-1943

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections Washington State University Libraries Pullman, WA

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in three series: the Blue Book file, the El Paso file, and the Letter file. The Blue Book file consists of papers collected and used by Albert B. Fall in his trial; the El Paso file consists of papers collected by Mr. and Mrs. Fall pertaining to personal, financial, and legal matters; and the Letter file consists of the official and private correspondence of Albert B. Fall.

Acquisition Information

The photocopies in this collection were produced for Dr. David H. Stratton, Professor of History at Washington State University, from originals owned by Alexina Fall Chase of Almagordo, New Mexico, a daughter of A.B. Fall. The originals have since been donated to New Mexico State University Archives and Special Collections as part of the Albert B. Fall Family Papers, Ms 0008.

Bibliography

(Bibliography Source: Ohio History Central, ohiohistorycentral.org)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Mary I. Wakeling
2013

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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