State Detective A.J. Hoyt Letter
Scope and Contents
The collection contains one three-page letter concerning an escaped convict, R. L. Buchanan, wanted for murder, from State Detective Hoyt to the Chief of Police in Dallas, Texas. Hoyt describes Buchanan’s character flaws, saying he is a “heavy drinker” and a “gambler with negroes.” Hoyt also instructs the Dallas Chief of Police to “wire the Governor (Vardaman).” The letter is on stationery from “The Collins House” in Houston, Mississippi, a boarding house run by “Mrs. M. P. Collins, Proprietress.” The letterhead also advertises: “Everything New” and “Rates Two Dollars.”
Dates
- August 23, 1905
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
In 1904, James K. Vardaman became governor of Mississippi and was renowned for his white supremacist platform that advocated violence against African Americans. Despite his rhetoric that encouraged such violence, Vardaman was forced to take action against lynching and other racial hate crimes when bankers threatened to withdraw loans in the region and the flight of blacks left many areas in the state without laborers. He hired A. J. Hoyt, a member of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, to investigate these crimes, and Hoyt proved quite capable. His efforts effectively eradicated organized whitecapping, an anti-black movement that aimed to enforce “community” standards, in Mississippi.
Extent
1 Folder
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection contains a three-page letter from State Detective A. J. Hoyt to the Chief of Police in Dallas, Texas, asking for help locating an escaped convict, R. L. Buchanan, who had been serving time for murder.
Provenance
Donated by Diane Ross on August 21, 2004.
- Crime -- Mississippi. Subject Source: Local sources
- Criminal justice, Administration of. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Letter. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Race relations. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Vardaman, James Kimble, Governor, 1861-1930
- Title
- State Detective A.J. Hoyt Letter
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Lauren White.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
