Descriptive Summary
MSS 2381
William A. Hightower,
1924-1991
Hightower, William A., 1878-1974
L. Tom Perry Special Collections
22.5 linear ft. (containing: 15 cartons and 1
typewriter)
Hightower was convicted
in 1921 and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a Catholic priest.
While incarcerated for 42 years at the California State Prison, San Quentin,
Hightower gained a reputation as a writer, poet, and philosopher.
Contains Hightower’s writings including
novels, essays, and poetry. Includes correspondence from prison personnel,
Hightower, and Genelle Larson Pugmire. Contains copies of a manuscript in which
Hightower discusses his conviction and declares his innocence. Includes
political essays discussing many of the current events during his prison term,
including the Great Depression, World War II and the atomic bomb, and
communism. Also includes various novels, many with western American themes.
Includes the typewriter Hightower used when composing in prison.
Provenance
Donated by Genelle Larson Pugmire in 1989 installment.
Access
Access restricted by donor until further notice.
Conditions of Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary
copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from William A. Hightower Papers must
be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry
Special Collections Board of Curators.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: MSS 2381; William A.
Hightower Papers; 19th and 20th Century Western Americana; L. Tom Perry Special
Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
Following Citations: MSS 2381, LTPSC.
Subject Tracings
Institutions
Added Author
Pugmire, Genelle Larson
Places
California State Prisons
Prisoners– San Quentin
Genre/Form
Poetry
Essays
Novels
Manuscripts
Correspondence
Subject
The Great Depression
1929-1940 World War
1939-1945– Atomic Bomb Communism 19th and 20th Century
Western Americana
Container List
Papers
Papers
Box
Contents
1
Contains 7 handmade notebooks of philosophical writings,
poetry and essays. Notebooks are titled: “Essays” and “Rhymed Comment.”
2
Contains 4 handmade notebooks that are labeled “Rhymed
Comment” and “4", “5" and “6." Notebooks contains the same type of writings as
carton 1.
3
Contains 6 handmade notebooks/scrapbooks, again with
philosophical writings. One notebook is entitled “Crime & Communism”; Two
notebooks are labeled “Loyalty” and contain political essays entitled
“Americanize America”; and 3 notebooks are labeled “Words.”
4
Contains 4 handmade notebooks of philosophical writings,
mostly written like poetry.
5
Contains 4 handmade notebooks, 2 semi-bound manuscripts,
and 3 boxes of manuscripts. Most of these writings are novels and have the
following titles:
“The Lady of Lions”
“Vol. 1 An Annex to Eden”
“Odyssey of Odysseus O’ Day”
“Miscellaneous Writings on Various
Subjects”
“The Mothers” which includes half writings/half
poetry
“A Tall Tale From Texas”
“It Started With A Storm”
“Lucky Fellow & Lucky Friends”
“Aimless Amby”
6
Contains manuscript entitled “The facts in the case–
Hightower as he is”; contains a handmade notebook of philosophical writings;
folders of political essays and philosophical writings; partial manuscripts for
novels that include the following titles:
“It Started With A Storm”
“Six Gun Son-of-a-Gun”
“The Lady of Lions”
7
Contains 5 handmade notebooks of philosophical or
political writings. They have the following labels: “Essays,” “Facts that are
Factors,” “Politics,” “Communism,” and “Religion.”
8
Contains 6 handmade bound volumes of philosophy, and are
labeled alphabetically.
9
Contains loose papers (essays and parts of novels),
correspondence, and 1 photograph of fellow inmates. Also contains 1 box of
misc. writings and essays referring to Henry Ford and Ford automobiles. The
portions of the following novels are included:
“The Lady of Lions”
“Rolan Stone”
“It Started With A Storm”
“The Six Gun Son-of-a-Gun”
10
Contains the bankruptcy papers of Francis B. Perry, ca.
1991; essays and philosophical poetry and similies; and 4 handmade volumes with
the following labels:
“G-H and Hiroshima”
“I-J-K”
“-N-Comment”
11
Contains slips of paper with quotes, short poems, and
philosophical statements regarding various topics.
12
Contains slips of paper with quotes, short poems, and
philosophical statements regarding various topics.
13
Contains 9 novel and essay manuscripts with handmade
binding and the following titles:
“Lucky Fellow” or “Lucky Feller & His Lucky
Friends”
“A Tall Tale From Texas: The Grandson of Pecos Pete,
Guadaloupe Looey”
“Annex to Eden, Vol. 2"
“It Started With A Storm”
“Misc. Short Stories & Manuscripts”
“The Last of the Hired Guns”
“A Clean Love Story”
“Six Gun Son-of-a-Gun”
“Manuscripts for Various Novels & Essays”
14
Contains scrapbooks of philosophical writings, including
essays and poems. Also contains two binders, the first with correspondence,
mostly between Hightower and his niece, Genelle Larson. The second contains a
copy of the manuscript “Real Convictions.” Carton also includes papers on
copyright information and instructions for a mimeograph.
15
Contains 4 homemade bound volumes with alphabetical
titles ranging from letter “a” to “f.” Volumes are written in poetry format and
are more philosophical writings on various alphabetical topics. Also includes
newspaper and magazine clippings.