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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
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Biographical Note

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.

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Historical Background

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.

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Content Description

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

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

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.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

  • Description: Postcard of six men in studio, Vancouver B.C.

    "Noted desperados captured in Van. B.C."

    Dates: circa 1911-1919
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1
  • Description: Group of trainmen
    Walter P. Miller (photographer)
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 2
  • Description: Hand colored photograph of John Leonard Miller with donkey
    Hart Studios (photographer)
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 3
  • Dates: November 19, 1916
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 4
  • Description: The steamshipVerona
    Marine Photo Shop (photographer)

    Photograph from the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society

    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 5
  • Description: John Leonard Miller and little girl reading Donkey Donkey
    Jay Lurie (photographer)
    Dates: 1975
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 6
  • Description: John Leonard Miller in hat
    Jay Lurie (photographer)
    Dates: March 1978
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 7
  • Description: John Leonard Miller on steps laughing
    Jay Lurie (photographer)
    Dates: March 1978
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 8
  • Description: 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.

    Dates: circa 1979
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 9
  • Description: John Leonard Miller and Violet walking

    This photograph was used in the article "Jack and Violet" printed inThe Seattle Times Pictorialon September 16, 1979.

    Dates: circa 1979
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 10
  • Description: 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.

    Dates: circa 1979
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 11
  • Description: John Leonard Miller speaking
    Jay Lurie (photographer)
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 12
  • Description: John Leonard Miller with microphone
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 13
  • Dates: September 9, 1976
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 14
  • Dates: January 27, 1975
    Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 15
  • Description: Family photographs on piano
    Jay Lurie (photographer)
    Dates: March 1978
    Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 16
  • Description: 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.

    Dates: undated
    Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 17

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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)

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Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
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