Eldon S. Dummit Collection, ca. 1917-1972

Descriptive Summary

Title
Eldon S. Dummit Collection, ca. 1917-1972
Creator
Dummit, Eldon S., 1896-1973
Extent
4 cubic feet
Finding Aid Author
Processed by Staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Catherine Domek
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Eldon Steven Dummit was born August 6, 1896, on a farm in Southwest Missouri. He graduated from high school in Monett and then attended Drury College at Springfield. In 1920, he received his law degree from the University of Kentucky. He taught law for one year at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. He returned to Lexington in 1921 to practice law. A prominent member of the Republican party in Kentucky during the 1940's and 1950's, Dummit served as Attorney General of the state during the administration of Governor Simeon Willis from 1943-1947. In 1947, Dummit made an unsuccessful bid for the governor's office. He had won his party nomination in the primary earlier that year, but was defeated in the general election by his democratic opponent, Earle C. Clements. For many years Dummit was actively involved in civic and leadership organizations, including: Optimist Club International, of which he served as International President for 1941/42; the Pyramid Club; the Boy Scouts of America; and the American Legion. Speaking as a veteran of World War I, Dummit made frequent speeches and appeals for the Community War Chest during the years of World War II. Eldon S. Dummit died in Lexington, Kentucky on May 4, 1973.
Scope and Content
The Dummit Papers reflect his years as Attorney General and his unsuccessful bid for governor in 1947. Included in the collection are legal opinions and actions, election documents, news clippings, telegrams, speeches, documents relating to the Optimist Club International (of which Dummit was president in 1941-1942), photographs and memorabilia. Among the correspondents are John Sherman Cooper, Thruston B. Morton, and Kentucky Governors Flem Sampson and Simeon Willis.

Contents of the Collection

Correspondence Series

General Correspondence

1917-1939

  • Box 1
  • Folder 1
To top

1941-1946

  • Box 1
  • Folder 2
To top

1947-1948

  • Box 1
  • Folder 3
To top

1949-1970

  • Box 1
  • Folder 4
To top

Telegrams

February-September 1947

  • Box 1
  • Folder 5
To top

October 1947-June 1952

  • Box 1
  • Folder 6
To top

Attorney General Series

Election Documents

1943

  • Box 1
  • Folder 7
To top

Legal Opinions and Actions

1944-1947

  • Box 1
  • Folder 8
To top

Requests for Opinions

1944-1945

  • Box 1
  • Folder 9
To top

1946

  • Box 1
  • Folder 10
To top

1947-1949

  • Box 1
  • Folder 11
To top

Undated

  • Box 1
  • Folder 12
To top

Gubernatorial Election Series

Election Documents 1947

  • Box 2
  • Folder 1
To top

Correspondence 1947

  • Box 2
  • Folder 2
To top

Political Cartoons 1947

  • Box 2
  • Folder 3
To top

Wiman Charges 1947

  • Box 2
  • Folder 4
To top

Campaign Publicity Series

Attorney General Election 1943

  • Box 2
  • Folder 5
To top

Gubernatorial Election 1947

  • Box 2
  • Folder 6
To top

Kentucky Miscellaneous Elections

  • Box 2
  • Folder 7
To top

Presidential Election in Kentucky 1960

  • Box 2
  • Folder 8
To top

Speech Series

Campaign

Attorney General 1943

  • Box 2
  • Folder 9
To top

Gubernatorial 1947 (Folder A)

  • Box 2
  • Folder 10
To top

Gubernatorial 1947 (Folder B)

  • Box 2
  • Folder 11
To top

In Support of Other Republicans (undated)

  • Box 2
  • Folder 12
To top

Church Audiences

Undated

  • Box 2
  • Folder 13
To top

National Association of Attorney Generals

1944

  • Box 2
  • Folder 14
To top

Non-political

1929-1942

  • Box 2
  • Folder 15
To top

1944-1946

  • Box 3
  • Folder 1
To top

1947-1949

  • Box 3
  • Folder 2
To top

1950-1965

  • Box 3
  • Folder 3
To top

Undated Folder I

  • Box 3
  • Folder 4
To top

Undated Folder II

  • Box 3
  • Folder 5
To top

Duplicate Copies of Speeches

Duplicate Copies of Speeches

  • Box 3
  • Folder 6
To top

Notes and Outlines

Folder I (undated)

  • Box 4
  • Folder 1
To top

Folder II (undated)

  • Box 4
  • Folder 2
To top

Folder III (undated)

  • Box 4
  • Folder 3
To top

Folder IV (undated)

  • Box 4
  • Folder 4
To top

Optimist Club Series

Bulletins 1934-1935; 1940; 1944-1945

  • Box 4
  • Folder 5
To top

Certificates 1935, 1939-1941, 1971-1972

  • Box 4
  • Folder 6
To top

Correspondence 1941-1969

  • Box 4
  • Folder 7
To top

Meeting Programs 1937-1947; 1963;1970

  • Box 5
  • Folder 1
To top

Newspaper Clippings 1930-1941

  • Box 5
  • Folder 2
To top

Newspaper Clippings 1941-1946

  • Box 5
  • Folder 3
To top

Newspaper Clippings 1970 and Undated

  • Box 5
  • Folder 4
To top

Printed Materials, Miscellaneous 1935-1972

  • Box 5
  • Folder 5
To top

Speeches 1939-1967

  • Box 5
  • Folder 6
To top

Speeches Printed in OPTIMIST MAGAZINE 1945, 1952

  • Box 5
  • Folder 7
To top

Speeches Presentation of Awards 1934-1951

  • Box 5
  • Folder 8
To top

Newspaper Clippings Series

American Legion (undated)

  • Box 5
  • Folder 9
To top

American Legion 1930-1939

  • Box 5
  • Folder 10
To top

Attorney General Election 1943

  • Box 5
  • Folder 11
To top

Attorney General-Years in Office 1943-1947

  • Box 5
  • Folder 12
To top

Family, Friends, etc. (undated)

  • Box 5
  • Folder 13
To top

Gubernatorial Election 1947

  • Box 6
  • Folder 1
To top

Legal Cases (undated)

  • Box 6
  • Folder 2
To top

Marshall Ferdinand Foch, death, 1929

  • Box 6
  • Folder 3
To top

Miscellaneous Folder I

  • Box 6
  • Folder 4
To top

Miscellaneous Folder II

  • Box 6
  • Folder 5
To top

Miscellaneous Folder III

  • Box 6
  • Folder 6
To top

Miscellaneous, Political (1931-1932)

  • Box 6
  • Folder 7
To top

Memorabilia Series

Anecdotes and Jokes for Speeches Folder I

  • Box 6
  • Folder 8
To top

Anecdotes and Jokes for Speeches Folder II

  • Box 6
  • Folder 9
To top

Anecdotes and Jokes for Speeches Folder III

  • Box 6
  • Folder 10
To top

Biographical Sketches and Obituary of Dummit

  • Box 6
  • Folder 11
To top

Broadsides

  • Box 6
  • Folder 12
To top

Bulletins

  • Box 6
  • Folder 13
To top

Certificates

  • Box 6
  • Folder 14
To top

Directories of Kentucky State Government

  • Box 6
  • Folder 15
To top

Introductions and Songs

  • Box 6
  • Folder 16
To top

Legal Memorandum

  • Box 7
  • Folder 17
To top

Meeting Programs 1927-1939

  • Box 7
  • Folder 1
To top

Meeting Programs 1940-1943

  • Box 7
  • Folder 2
To top

Meeting Programs 1944

  • Box 7
  • Folder 3
To top

Meeting Programs 1945

  • Box 7
  • Folder 4
To top

Meeting Programs 1946

  • Box 7
  • Folder 5
To top

Meeting Programs 1947

  • Box 7
  • Folder 6
To top

Meeting Programs 1948-1961

  • Box 7
  • Folder 7
To top

Membership Cards

  • Box 7
  • Folder 8
To top

Memorandum

  • Box 7
  • Folder 9
To top

Miscellaneous Items

  • Box 7
  • Folder 10
To top

Radio Transcript-Henry J. Taylor

  • Box 7
  • Folder 11
To top

Photograph Series

Political

8 X 10, B&W left to right: John Fred Williams, unknown, John Sherman Cooper, unknown, Thruston Morton. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 1
To top

8 X 10, B&W left to right: John Fred Williams, unknown, Dummit, John Sherman Cooper, unknown, Thruston Morton. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 2
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit with stone mason, campaign photo. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 3
To top

Duplicate of Folder 3

  • Box 8
  • Folder 4
To top

8 X 10, B&W Portrait of Eldon S. Dummit

  • Box 8
  • Folder 5
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit presenting American Legion trophy to horse and rider. Note on back of photo-"War Bond Drive March 8, 1943

  • Box 8
  • Folder 6
To top

8 X 10, B&W Portrait of C. I. Ross, State auditor of Kentucky 1943-1947, and Republican state campaign chairman in 1947.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 7
To top

7 X 10, B&W left to right: Adrien Royer, Dr. Paul Chaloult (Past President and Lt. Gov. of District 15), President Charles A. Jean, Major Renault M. Dechene, Premier Adelard Godbout, Leo. Langlois, International President (Optimist Club) Eldon S. Dummit, Charles H. Cote. ca. 1941-42, photo taken on trip to Canada.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 8
To top

7 X 10, B&W left to right: Dr. Norbert Bourgault, Louis Pare, Lt. Col. Jean Chaloult (brother of Past President Dr. Paul Chaloult), Charles H. Cote, Alderman Emile Robitaille, International President(Optimist Club) Eldon S. Dummit, President Charles A. Jean, Russell Williams-Assistant Secretary of Rotary International, Chicago; Bill Warmington-Director of the Quebec Rotary Club; Jos S. Royer-of the Rotary Club, past president of the Quebec Club and past district governor, father of Optimist Adrien Royer, Boys' Work chairman; Dr. Remy Langlois, Past President and Lt. Gov. Dr. Paul Chaloult. ca. 1941-42. Photo taken on trip to Canada.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 9
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit presenting trophy to horse and rider. Undated.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 10
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit in tobacco field, campaign photo. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 11
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit in tobacco field, campaign photo. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 12
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit seated at table, looking on as Boy Scout official awards medal. Campaign photo. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 13
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit presenting trophy to teenage boy. Undated.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 14
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit with road surveyors, campaign photo. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 15
To top

Duplicate of no. 15

  • Box 8
  • Folder 16
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit on the steps of Memorial Hall, Lexington, Kentucky, campaign photo. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 17
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit and John Fred Williams. ca, 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 18
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit campaign speech. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 19
To top

8 X 10, B&W left to right: unknown, Keen Johnson, unknown, Dummit. Note on the back: "Johnson, Dummit at Big Sandy Coal operators"

  • Box 8
  • Folder 20
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit (third from left) and five unknown men. Inset photo (3 X 3 1/2, B&W) of unknown woman. Note on back: "Fayette Republican Leaders". ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 21
To top

8 X 10, B&W John Fred Williams at podium. ca. 1947.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 22
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit at podium. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 23
To top

8 X 10, B&W Gov. Simeon Willis, Dummit, C. I. Ross. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 24
To top

8 X 10, B&W Gov. Simeon Willis at podium. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 25
To top

8 X 10, B&W left to right: John Fred Williams, Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction; U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper; Frank A. Ropke, Jefferson Co. Campaign Chairman; Dummit; Governor Simeon Willis. September 26, 1947, Memorial Auditorium, Louisville, Kentucky. Dummit gubernatorial campaign opening.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 26
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit at podium. ca 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 27
To top

8 X 10, B&W Willis at podium. ca 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 28
To top

8 X 10, B&W John Sherman Cooper at podium. ca 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 29
To top

8 X 10, B&W Photo of billboard "Elect Dummit" Gubernatorial campaign 1947.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 30
To top

8 X 10, B&W Photo of billboard "Who do You want for Govenor?". Gubernatorial campaign 1947.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 31
To top

8 X 10, B&W Mrs. Dummit between two unknown women. ca. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 32
To top

7 x 9, B&W Portrait of Jouette Ross Todd.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 33
To top

Dummit and Clements

8 x 10, B&W Eldon S. Dummit at podium, Earle C. Clements seated at left. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 34
To top

8 X 10, B&W Clements at podium, Dummit seated. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 35
To top

8 X 10, B&W Clements at podium, Dummit seated. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 36
To top

Miscellaneous

4 x 6, B&W portrait Thomas Manley. 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 37
To top

5 X 7, B&W portrait Eldon S. Dummit

  • Box 8
  • Folder 38
To top

8 X 10, B&W left to right: seated- Dummit and Utah Governor Herbert B. Maw; standing- Ora H. Barlow, Dr. F. H. Raley of Salt Lake City Optimist Club. Inscribed-"To Eldon S. Dummit with best wishes from Herbert B. Maw Governor of Utah". 1942

  • Box 8
  • Folder 39
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit presenting Optimist Cup to Dr. A. W. Fortune. 1946 (Right side of photo is damaged.)

  • Box 8
  • Folder 40
To top

8 X 10, B&W Dummit presenting Optimist Cup to Thomas R. Underwood. 1949

  • Box 8
  • Folder 41
To top

Photo postcard- Legion Ville Home, Independence, Kansas. Undated.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 42
To top

Photo postcard- woman on steps of building, palm tree in background. Undated.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 43
To top

Portrait of M. B. Holifield, signed, enclosed in mat board folder.

  • Box 8
  • Folder 44
To top

6 1/4 X 6 3/4, B&W photo pasted to sheet of onion skin paper. Seated left to right: Miss Cave, C. I. Ross; standing left to right: Dummit, Gov. Simeon Willis; Lt. Gov. Kenneth Tuggle; Comm. of Agriculture Elliott Robertson. 1943

  • Box 8
  • Folder 45
To top

14 X 8, B&W Dummit making speech. ca 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 46
To top

11X14, B&W Dummit making speech. ca 1947

  • Box 8
  • Folder 47
To top

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.