Louis A. Johnson
Charleston, WV, ca. 1923, 1945
Sec. of War Louis A. Johnson Lengthy ALS to Wife re: Eyewitness Account of Bill Blizzard Trial, Plus Bonus TLS to WV Governor
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Two letters from former Secretary of War Louis A. Johnson (1891-1966), including a 12-page handwritten letter to his wife and a typed letter addressed to the Governor of West Virginia. A total of 13 pages in all, dated July 23, 1923 and January 3, 1945, respectively. Expected letter folds and age toning throughout, with isolated areas of minor tearing. Very good overall. Please see below for additional content information.

The lot includes:
1.) ALS, 12pp, measuring 5.5" x 9", White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, dated [Monday] July 23, 1923. Written from his hotel while on a business trip, Johnson offers a lengthy account of his travels and surroundings. Towards the end of the letter, he describes being present in the courtroom for the murder trial of William Blizzard (1892-1958), president of the United Mine Workers of America and main organizer of the labor uprising known as the Battle of Blair Mountain. Affectionately signed as "your devoted Lover", and again as "Louis" in the postscript.
An excerpt from the bottom of page 9 through bottom of page 11 reads: "There is a good auto road to Lewisburg- 12 miles- and we spend the morning there listening to the Blizzard trial for murder. I knew all the attorneys and they were very nice in seeing that JHD and myself got in where the attorneys sit, despite the good sized crowd in the old and ancient, quaint and dillapidated [sic] courthouse. It seemed strange and out of harmony that this trial growing out of a great labor fight- one of the greatest of our times should be staged in this farming country with its quiet life, so far removed from any modern industry of any kind- unless you call running this hotel an industry with its highly specialized price list?".

2.) Typed letter initialed, 1p, measuring 8.5" x 11", no place, dated January 3, 1945. Addressed to 21st Governor of West Virginia Matthew Mansfield Neely (1874-1958) and initialed as "L.J." at the conclusion, Johnson regretfully declines an invitation to attend the Governor's inaugural luncheon. The same day this letter was written, Neely would be appointed Representative of West Virginia's 1st district, only serving in the role of Governor for approximately twelve more days.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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8.5" x 11" (largest)