Finding Aid for the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records, 1942-1945
Processed by Manuscripts Division staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé and edited by Josh Fiala.
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 1999
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records,
Date (inclusive): 1942-1945
Collection number: 107
Creator: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Extent: 11 boxes (5.5 linear ft.)
2 oversize boxes
Abstract: The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee (formerly the Citizen's Committee for the Defense of Mexican American Youth) formed in
1942 in reaction to the indictment of 22 young men for murder. 12 defendants were convicted of first degree murder. The Sleepy
Lagoon Defense Committee raised funds to appeal the case and roused public opinion through education and publicity programs.
In 1944 the original judgment was overturned. The collection contains correspondence, publications, publicity materials, radio
scripts, office records, a transcript of the Sleepy Lagoon trial, and research materials including articles about Mexicans
and Mexican Americans in Los Angeles. Portions of the collection are in Spanish.
Language:
English
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including
copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds
the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold
the copyright.
The donor of this collection has requested that patrons who refer to the material in it should be informed as follows:
Access to the material in the UCLA Library does not in any way grant rights for the use of the materials aside from scholarly
purposes. It does not grant rights for the use of materials for book or article publication (except in recognized scholarly
journals) or for stage performances, films for theatre or television or any other public or commercial presentation.
In order to use the material for stage, film, television or other public or commercial publication or presentation, in which
real people are implied, even in dramatized form, there would have to be releases signed by the real people so implied, or
their heirs...
(Letter, Alice Greenfield McGrath to James V. Mink, August 15, 1978)
Materials in Boxes 1-12 are available on microfilm in the Department of Special Collections. Boxes 1-12 are not available
for consultation due to fragile condition.
Collection may not be copied for publication except with the permission of Alice McGrath.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Alice Greenfield McGrath, 1945.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records (Collection 107). Department of Special Collections, Charles
E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
History
The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee (first known as the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican American Youth) was
organized in October 1942 in response to the indictment of 22 young men for murder; all defendants but one were Mexican American;
12 defendants were convicted of first degree murder by Superior Court of Los Angeles County; Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
raised funds for the appeal of the case and roused public opinion through education and publicity programs; judgments and
decisions of the lower court were reversed by the District Court of Appeal of the state of California, 2nd Appellate District,
October 4, 1944.
Additional Historical Narrative
In August 1942, 22 defendants, all Mexican Americans but one, were indicted by the grand jury of Los Angeles county for the
murder of José Diaz, whose death occurred at a party on the Williams ranch in the city of Los Angeles near a little pond called
the Sleepy Lagoon. 12 were convicted of first degree murder by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County; the case was appealed
to the District Court of Appeal of the state of California, 2nd Appellate District, where the judgments and decisions of the
lower court were reversed (October 4, 1944).
The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee (first known as the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth) was
organized around October 1942, and dissolved January 1, 1945. It raised funds for the appeal of the boys' case and roused
public opinion to their cause through an educational and publicity program. The Archive was transferred to the Library by
Alice Greenfield, Executive Secretary of the committee, 1945.
Scope and Content
Collection contains correspondence, publications, publicity materials, radio scripts, office records, petitions, and research
materials of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee. Research materials include articles about Mexicans and Mexican Americans
in Los Angeles. Also includes an article from Guy Endore. A transcript of the Sleepy Lagoon trial is also in the collection.
Portions of this collection are in Spanish.
Extended Scope and Content Note
Materials in the archive include the following categories:
- a) Committee publicity
- b) Publications
- c) Correspondence
- d) Office materials
- e) Petitions
- f) Materials concerning the defendants, including Guy Endore's article, from
Hoy (August to September 1944)
- g) Materials collected by the committee concerning the Mexican minority
- h) Miscellaneous materials collected by the committee
- i) Legal materials including a transcript of the appeal trial.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- Publicity.
- Publications.
- Correspondence.
- Office Materials and Records.
- Materials concerning defendants.
- Materials regarding minorities, especially Mexican minority problems in Los Angeles.
- Miscellaneous materials concerning minorities, labor, etc.
- Photographic plates and newspaper mats.
- Transcript of trial.
- Legal documents.
- Scrapbooks.
- Miscellaneous items.
Boxes 1-12 of the collection have been copied onto 8 reels of microfilm.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee.(Los Angeles, Calif.)--Archives.
Sleepy Lagoon Trial, Los Angeles, 1942-1943.
Mexican-American youth--California--Los Angeles.
Civil Rights--California--Los Angeles.
Los Angeles (Calif.)--Race relations.
McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-.
Related Material
The Education of Alice McGrath [oral history transcript] / Alice Greenfield McGrath, interviewee. UCLA Oral History Department interview, 1987. [Call number:
300/269]. Available at Department of Special Collections, UCLA.
Alice Greenfield McGrath Papers (
Collection 1490
). Available at the Department of Special Collections, UCLA.
S. Guy Endore Papers (
Collection 279
). Available at the Department of Special Collections, UCLA.
Container List
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee's Publicity Regarding Case
Note
Available on microfilm reel 1.
Box 1, Folder 1
News releases.
Scope and Content Note
Mimeographed copies.
Box 1, Folder 1
Letter, 1944 March 1 to Parole Board, San Quentin, California
1944 March 1
Correspondent: Welles, Orson, 1915-
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : Sleepy Lagoon case and the press
1943
Scope and Content Note
Upper left hand corner: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee, Carey McWilliams National Chairman.
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : reasons for the convictions in the Sleepy Lagoon case
1944
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : telegram from Latin American labor delegates stating support of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
1944 May 15
Scope and Content Note
The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee releases the telegram sent by 14 Latin American deleagets of the International Labor Organization
Conference held in Philadelphia, Pa.
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : support for the Sleepy Lagoon defendants and appeal of the trial
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : the CIO supports the Sleepy Lagoon case defendants
1944 September 9
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : brief submitted to the Board of Prison Terms and Parole at San Quentin on behalf of the Sleepy Lagoon defendants
1944 March 1
Box 1, Folder 1
Katz, Gallagher and Margolis prepare oral arguments for the appeal in the Sleepy Lagoon case
1944 May 9
Box 1, Folder 1
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee claims a real victory with the announcement of the parole of nine of the defendants
1944 June 7
Box 1, Folder 1
Hollywood benefit buffet to be held in support of the Sleepy Lagoon defendants
1944
Scope and Content Note
Sponsors of the benefit buffet include Vincent Price, John Garfield Anthony Quinn, Katherine Locke and Elia Kazan, among others.
Box 1, Folder 1
Sleepy Lagoon case dismissed on October 23
1944 October 28
Box 1, Folder 1
Memorandum, 1943 November 4 to Charles Ellis, Labor Herald
1943 November 4
Box 1, Folder 1
Social conditions of Mexican American youth
Author: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Scope and Content Note
1943 March 2
Box 1, Folder 1
We have just begun to fight (draft)
1943
Author: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Box 1, Folder 1
Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican American Youth deplore attacks against Mexican youth
1943 June
Author: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Box 1, Folder 1
Press telegram, the Daily People's World, San Francisco, Calif.
Box 1, Folder 1
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee to be abolished
1944 December 29
Author: McWilliams, Carey, 1905-
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : Manuel Delgado is the first Sleepy Lagoon defendant released from prison
Scope and Content Note
Manny Delgado is the first of the Sleepy Lagoon defendants to be paroled from prison.
Box 1, Folder 1
News release : Hollywood fund raiser held to benefit the Sleepy Lagoon defense
1943 December
Scope and Content Note
Benefit held December 12,1943 at the Mocambo in Hollywood with Anthony Quinn was the keynote speaker. In attendance were Katherine
DeMille, John Garvey and Gene Kelly among other notable Hollywood stage, screen and radio writers, directors and actors.
Box 1, Folder 2
News releases.
Scope and Content Note
Preliminary drafts and carbon copies.
Box 1, Folder 3
Publicity stories concerning case.
Note
In English.
[Empty/Filmed empty]
Box 1, Folder 4
Publicity stories written by Alice Greenfield.
Physical Description: (3 items).
Box 1, Folder 4
Shipyard worker Eliseo Hernandez sells out copies of the pamphlet "The Sleepy Lagoon Case"
1943 July 27
Author: McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-
Scope and Content Note
Eliseo Hernandez walked into the SLDC office and asked for copies of the pamphlet to sell. In a short time he was selling
more copies than had been previously sold.
Box 1, Folder 4
On October 21 the first brief will be filed with the appellate court in the Sleepy Lagoon case
1943 October 14
Author: McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-
Box 1, Folder 4
What comes next for the Sleepy Lagoon boys?
1944 October 27
Scope and Content Note
Greenfield writes of the hopelessness and anger the "boys" initially felt and how that changed to hope and strength as the
work of their supporters paved the way for their release.
Box 1, Folder 5
Publicity stories.
Physical Description: (2 items).
Note
In Spanish.
Box 1, Folder 5
Straight wire press release : Veredicto del caso de la Laguna Dormida revocada = Sleepy Lagoon case verdict reversed
1944 October 4
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Box 1, Folder 5
Informe rendido por los Ciudadanos del Comité de Defensa de la Juventud Mexico-Americana
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 5
El Comité de la Laguna Dormida aclama la decisión de la corte de apelación
1944
Scope and Content Note
The Sleepy Lagoon Defense Commitee hails the appellate court decision on the Sleepy Lagoon case.
“Our Daily Bread”.
broadcasted May 24, 1944
Physical Description: (4 items).
Box 1, Folder 6
Our Daily Bread radio script, May 5, 1943 : the Sleepy Lagoon case
May 5, 1943
Interviewer: Van Dycke, Tom
Interviewee: Marty, Joe L.
Scope and Content Note
Van Dycke interviews labor leader Marty on the issues of the case. Our Daily Bread, Radio Department of the Los Angeles CIO
Council. KPAS 1110 on the dial.
Al Jarvis Show.
broadcasted September 22, 1944
Physical Description: (2 items).
Box 1, Folder 6
Radio script for the Al Jarvis show with guest Guy Endore
1944 September 22
Scope and Content Note
On the Al Jarvis radio show, KFWB, Endore discusses the case and the work of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee and National
Chairman Carey McWilliams. His research into the case led to his book "The Sleepy Lagoon Mystery."
Box 1, Folder 6
Radio script for show with three of the Sleepy Lagoon boys on the day of their release
1944 October
Interviewer: Partlow, Vern, 1910-1981
Interviewee: Leyvas, Henry Reyes, 1923-1971
Interviewee: Ruíz, Jos00E9;, 1925-1996
Interviewee: Telles, Robert, 1924-1967
Scope and Content Note
On CIO radio program, Partlow gives an introductory background on the facts of the case and then lets the boys speak.
Box 1, Folder 6
Our Daily Bread script, February 18, 1944, Albee Slade, commentator
1944 February 18
Scope and Content Note
Our Daily Bread, Radio Department of the Los Angeles CIO Council.
Box 1, Folder 7
Texts of speeches.
Scope and Content Note
Four speeches, including text and outline for speech by Josefina Fierro de Bright, National Secretary Spanish Speaking People's
Congress.
Box 1, Folder 8
Publicity work with labor unions.
Physical Description: (23 items, including some duplicates).
Scope and Content Note
Includes petitions, resolutions, form letters, carbon copies, holograph materials and pamphlets.
Box 1, Folder 8
Letter, 1943 April 30, Los Angeles, Calif. to all State CIO Local Unions
1943 April 30
Correspondent: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Correspondent: Marty, Joe L.
Scope and Content Note
Letter on Committee letterhead and signed by Chairman J.L. Marty asking unions for their support and donations to the Sleepy
Lagoon defense fund. Officers of the Committee are listed across the top of the page and sponsors are listed at the bottom
of the page.
Box 1, Folder 8
Los Angeles CIO Council's statement on recent race riots here
1943 June 22
Author: Los Angeles CIO Council
Box 1, Folder 8
California CIO Council Resolution in support of the appeal of the Sleepy Lagoon trial
1943 April 4
Author: California Industrial Union Council
Scope and Content Note
Concurred in by the California CIO Council Executive Committee in meeting April 3-4, 1943 held in Los Angeles, Calif.
Box 1, Folder 9
Publicity regarding defense committee publications.
Physical Description: (10 items, some duplicates).
Scope and Content Note
Guy Endore's
Sleepy Lagoon Mystery, and also including clippings, form letters, etc.
Box 1, Folder 10
Publicity photographs.
Scope and Content Note
Photos mainly of “the boys.”
Box 1, Folder 10
Henry Leyvas at Los Angeles County Jail
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 10
Gus Zamora at Los Angeles County Jail
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 10
Jack Melendez at Los Angeles County Jail
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 10
Ysmael "Smiles" Parra and family
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
Photograph of Parra, his wife and child on the day of his transfer to Chino Prison.
Box 1, Folder 10
Sleepy Lagoon defendants greeted by supporters on the day of their release
1944 October
Scope and Content Note
Photograph taken in lobby of Los Angeles County Jail. In the extreme right hand corner o photograph is Sleepy Lagoon trial
defense attorney Ben Margolis.
Box 1, Folder 10
Sleepy Lagoon defendants and Alice McGrath with defense attorney Ben Margolis
1944
Scope and Content Note
Photograph taken in attorney Margolis' office. The following signed their names above their images, l-r: Angel Padilla, Gus
Zamora, J.J. Melendez, Hank Ynostroza, Chepe Ruíz.
Box 1, Folder 10
Sleepy Lagoon defendants leaving Hall of Justice
1944
Photographer: Stern, Phil
Box 1, Folder 10
Ysmael Parra, Gus Zamora and John Matuz with family members
1944
Scope and Content Note
Standing, l-r: Ysmael Parra holding daughter, Gus Zamora, Matuz and grandmother Mrs. Acuña; sitting, l-r: Delia Parra and
a Matuz female cousin. Photograph taken in Chino.
Box 1, Folder 10
Al Jarvis, Henry Ynostroza and Guy Endore
1944
Scope and Content Note
L-r: Jarvis, Ynostroza, Endore at the microphone at radio station KFWB when Endore was a guest speaker on the Jarvis program.
Box 1, Folder 10
Sleepy Lagoon defendants boxing in San Quentin
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
l-r: Chepe Ruíz, Bobby Telles, Manny Delgado, Smiles Parra, and Henry Ynostroza with boxing coach.
Box 1, Folder 10
Sleepy Lagoon defendants playing basketball in San Quentin
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 10
Lions basketball team, San Quentin
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 10
Jack Melendez in San Quentin
1943 or 1944
Box 1, Folder 10
Gus Zamora and Johnny Matuz
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
Zamora and Matuz at Chino Honor Prison.
Box 1, Folder 10
Bobby Telles with band at Club Azteca, San Quentin
1944 or 1945
Scope and Content Note
Bobby Telles playing with quintet at "Club Azteca" in San Quentin. Inscribed in upper right hand corner: "To Alice a cool
chick From Bobby Telles Club Azteca."
Box 1, Folder 10
Mrs. Leyvas
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
The mother of Henry Leyvas.
Box 1, Folder 10
Gus Zamora, "Smiles" Parra and Johnny Matuz at Chino prison
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
l-r: Zamora, Parra, Matuz.
Box 1, Folder 10
José"Chepe" Ruíz and Manuel "Manny" Delgado with baseball teammates
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
Chepe Ruíz and Manny Delgado posing with prison baseball All Stars.
Box 1, Folder 10
Manuel and Peggy Delgado
1944
Scope and Content Note
Photograph taken in Chino; cropped for editing on both left and right sides.
Box 1, Folder 10
Basketball players at San Quentin
1943 or 1944
Scope and Content Note
Some of the Sleepy Lagoon defendants on the "Lions" basketball team, San Quentin.
Box 1, Folder 11
Miscellaneous publicity.
Physical Description: (11 items).
Scope and Content Note
Program for a pan America,
Daily News - clippings.
Box 1, Folder 12
Publicity fragments.
Physical Description: (12 items).
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee's Publications
Note
Available on microfilm reel 2.
Box 2, Folder 1
Appeal News.
(April 7, 1943 to March 4, 1944)
Scope and Content Note
Complete file: vol.1 no.1-vol.2 no.6.
Box 1, Folder 10
The Appeal News
1943 April 7 to 1944 March 4
Author: McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-
Scope and Content Note
This comprises the complete run of the newletter which was sent to the defendants in the Sleepy Lagoon case and supporters
of their defense.
Name of the committee changed in mid-September 1943.
Box 2, Folder 2
Appeal News.
Physical Description: Duplicates.
Box 2, Folder 3
Printed publications.
Scope and Content Note
Including the
Sleepy Lagoon Case (3 copies),
Sleepy Lagoon Mystery (3 copies),
Sleepy Lagoon Case-Pageant of Prejudice (2 copies).
Box 2, Folder 3
The Sleepy Lagoon case : with a forward by Orson Welles
1943
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Author: Welles, Orson, 1915-
Author: Bachrach, Marion
Scope and Content Note
Introduction by Marion Bachrach, Executive Secretary, Council for Pan American Democracy.
Box 2, Folder 3
We have just begun to fight!
1943
Author: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Scope and Content Note
Facts of the case are presented after the conviction of the Sleepy Lagoon case defendants.
Box 2, Folder 3
¡Nuestra lucha apenes [sic] ha comensado!
1943
Author: Abert, James William, 1820-1897
Scope and Content Note
Spanish translation of the pamphlet "We have just begun to fight!"
Box 2, Folder 3
Victory for democracy
1944 October
Scope and Content Note
Endore writes on the justice finally served with the reversal of the convictions in the Sleepy Lagoon case.
Box 2, Folder 3
Conspiración racial al descubierto en el caso de la "Laguna del Sueño"
1943
Scope and Content Note
Introduction by Orson Welles.
Box 2, Folder 3
The Sleepy Lagoon case : pageant of prejudice
1943
Author: McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-
Box 2, Folder 4
Manuscripts.
Scope and Content Note
- 1.
Sleepy Lagoon Mystery
- 2.
Sleepy Lagoon Case
- 3.
Sleepy Lagoon Case-Pageant of Prejudice by Alice Greenfield.
Box 2, Folder 5
Miscellaneous publications.
Physical Description: (7 items, all in triplicate).
Box 2, Folder 5
Victory in the Sleepy Lagoon case = Gran victoria en el caso Laguna Dormida
1944
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Box 2, Folder 5
This is the story of a crime
1944 January 29
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee advertisement originally placed in the
Los Angeles Daily News and reprinted as a flyer. Provides a background of the case and solicits donations for the defense.
Box 2, Folder 6
Excerpts of Appellate decision.
Physical Description: (6 copies).
Box 2, Folder 3
Excerpts from the decision of the Second District Court of Appeal of the State of California in the Sleepy Lagoon case ; entered
October 4, 1944
1944
Scope and Content Note
Excerpts from the appellate court decision which over turned the convictions in the Sleepy Lagoon case.
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee's Correspondence
Note
Available on microfilm reel 2.
Box 2, Folder 7
Excerpts from a letter written by Manuel Reyes, San Quentin
1943 April 28
Correspondent: Reyes Salazar, Manuel, 1925-1995
Scope and Content Note
Reyes writes of doing his part to contribute to the war effort in spite of being in prison.
Box 2, Folder 7
Letter, Los Angeles, Calif. to supporters of the Sleepy Lagoon case defendants
1944
Correspondent: McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Letter written by McGrath, Executive Secretary of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee, asking supporters to help fight the
slander and racism of the press, especially of the
Los Angeles Times newspaper.
Along the left side are listed the officers and sponsors of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee.
Box 2, Folder 7
Urgent!
1944
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Request for signatures on the petition to Attorney General Kenney calling for the release of the Sleepy Lagoon case defendants.
Box 2, Folder 7
Letter, Los Angeles, Calif. to trade unionists
1943 or 1944
Correspondent: McWilliams, Carey, 1905-
Correspondent: Joseph, Bella
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Letter, on temporary letterhead, from the Chairman and Executive Secretary of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee. Asks trade
unionists to adopt a resolution condemning the injustices in the Sleepy Lagoon case.
Box 2, Folder 7
Letter, Los Angeles, Calif. to Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee supporters
1943 or 1944
Correspondent: McWilliams, Carey, 1905-
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Letter from the National Chariman explaining the reason for sending a copy of "Sleepy Lagoon Mystery" by Guy Endore.
Along left side are listed the officers and sponsors of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee.
Box 2, Folder 7
Letter, 1943 December 21, Los Angeles, Calif. to Miss Buck
1943 December 21
Correspondent: McWilliams, Carey, 1905-
Scope and Content Note
Letter from McWilliams explaining why he accepted the position of National Chairman of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
and asking Miss Buck for her support in the Committee's efforts.
Box 2, Folder 7
Letter, 1943 March 26, Los Angeles, Calif. to Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee members
1943 March 26
Correspondent: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Scope and Content Note
Letter on committee letterhead updating members on the status of the case. Announces that Ben Margolis is on board as attorney
replacing George Shibley who left for the armed forces. The letter is signed by LaRue McCormick, Secretary.
Committee officers listed across the top of the page and sponsors are listed at the bottom of the page.
Box 2, Folder 8
Letters to Governor Earl Warren.
Physical Description: (2 letters, 3 items).
Box 2, Folder 8
Letter to Governor Warren
1943
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Unsigned letter asking Governor Warren to pardon the 17 defendants convicted in the Sleepy Lagoon trial.
Box 2, Folder 8
Letter to Governor Warren
1943
Author: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Unsigned letter requesting that Governor Warren seek the release of the Sleepy Lagoon trial defendants.
Box 2, Folder 9
Correspondence with State Attorney General Robert W. Kenny.
Box 2, Folder 10
Correspondence with Mexican Consulate.
Box 2, Folder 11
Correspondence concerning Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee publications.
Box 2, Folder 12
Order file for
Sleepy Lagoon Mystery.
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee's Office Materials, Records, etc.
Note
Available on microfilm reel 2.
Box 3
Checkbooks with California Bank for Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee (2).
Box 3, Folder 1
Financial statements, accounts, etc.
(October 21, 1942 to October 16, 1943)
Scope and Content Note
Expenditures, including Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Los Angeles Audit Report.
Box 3, Folder 2
Miscellaneous.
Scope and Content Note
Including correspondence, minutes of meetings, statement of committee's purpose, etc.
Box 3, Folder 2
Minutes, Conference, Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth held March 14, 1943 Belmont Studios, 122
1/2 South Vermont, Los Angeles
1943 March 14
Sponsor: Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth
Scope and Content Note
Meeting held in order to organize support for the Sleepy Lagoon trial defendants and to organize an appeal of the guilty verdicts.
Box 3, Folder 2
Petition to Governor Earl Warren of California
1943 or 1943
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Petition to Governor Warren for the reversal of the Sleepy Lagoon convictions. At the bottom of the page is handwritten information
for signing and sending in the petition.
Box 3, Folder 2
Petition on the Sleepy Lagoon case to Honorable Robert W. Kenny, Attorney General, State of California
1943 or 1944
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Petition asking Attorney General Kenny to examine the facts of the case and set aside all convictions in the Sleepy Lagoon
trial.
Box 3, Folder 3
Petition for programs to improve the socio-economic status of Mexican Americans
1942 November 24
Sponsor: Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee
Scope and Content Note
Petition asking for city, state and federal commitments to programs geared towards helping improve the economic, educational
and social status of Mexican Americans.
Box 3, Folder 3
Trip to Folsom and San Quentin, November 7-13, 1943
1943 November 11
Author: McGrath, Alice Greenfield, 1917-
Scope and Content Note
Alice McGrath reports back to the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Commitee on her visits with the incarcerated Sleepy Lagoon defendants
and makes recommendations for actions.
Materials Concerning Defendants
Note
Available on microfilm reel 2.
Box 4, Folder 1
Guy Endore's “El Misterio de la Laguna ” clipped from
Hoy.
August 5 to September 30, 1944
Box 4, Folder 2
Correspondence from “the boys” to Alice Greenfield.
1943
Scope and Content Note
From San Quentin.
Note
(Not to be copied)
Box 4, Folder 2
Zoot suiter: drawing
1943 or 1944
Artist: Delgado, Manuel, 1924-1999
Scope and Content Note
Drawing of a "zoot suiter" surrounded by hip sayings on Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee letterhead. Sent by Delgado from San
Quentin.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 May 16, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 May 16
Correspondent: Parra, Ysmael, 1922-2001
Scope and Content Note
Letter from Parra in San Quentin letting Alice know how the "boys" are doing.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 March 16 to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 March 16
Correspondent: Acosta, Andrew, 1925-
Scope and Content Note
Letter from Acosta asking Alice for any help she can provide on his case and for word on the "boys up north."
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 July 11, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 July 11
Correspondent: Parra, Ysmael, 1922-2001
Scope and Content Note
Parra updates Alice on how the "boys" are doing in San Quentin.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 June 16, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 June 16
Correspondent: Reyes Salazar, Manuel, 1925-1995
Scope and Content Note
Reyes Salazar make reference to the recent Zoot Suit riots and how they might affect the case of the Sleepy Lagoon defendants.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 February 29, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 February 29
Correspondent: Padilla, Angel, 1924-
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, n.d., San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
undated
Correspondent: Thompson, Victor Rodman, 1921-1998
Scope and Content Note
Letter from Rodman asking Alice to send him a picture of a "chick", preferably of her, to put up on his wall.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 September 24, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 September 24
Correspondent: Ruíz, José, 1925-1996
Scope and Content Note
Letter from Chepe letting Alice know how he is doing.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 May 4, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 May 4
Correspondent: Ruíz, José, 1925-1996
Scope and Content Note
Chepe writes of the appeal and of what his plans are if it isn't successful.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 April 28, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 April 28
Correspondent: Reyes Salazar, Manuel, 1925-1995
Scope and Content Note
Manny lets Alice know how he is doing in San Quentin.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 June 7, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 June 7
Correspondent: Ruíz, José, 1925-1996
Scope and Content Note
Chepe writes of his distress over the news of the invasion of France.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 January 25, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 January 25
Correspondent: Parra, Ysmael, 1922-2001
Scope and Content Note
"Smiles" writes Alice about the disappointment the "boys" feel over the postponement of the appeal.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 September 8, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 September 8
Correspondent: Ruíz, José, 1925-1996
Scope and Content Note
Chepe writes of his concern over the possible outcome of the forth coming appeal. He asks Alice to send his regards to the
"boys" in Chino.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 January 13 to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 January 13
Correspondent: Leyvas, Henry Reyes, 1923-1971
Scope and Content Note
Leyvas writes of his disappointment over the outcome of the trial and thanks Alice for her hard work and friendship.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 April 11, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 April 11
Correspondent: Leyvas, Henry Reyes, 1923-1971
Scope and Content Note
Leyvas writes of his disappointment over the outcome of the trial and thanks Alice for her hard work and friendship.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 August 14, Los Angeles, Calif. to Manuel Delgado
1944 August 14
Correspondent: Leyvas, Henry Reyes, 1923-1971
Scope and Content Note
Leyvas writes of his disappointment over the outcome of the trial and thanks Alice for her hard work and friendship.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 May 18, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 May 18
Correspondent: Ruíz, José, 1925-1996
Scope and Content Note
Chepe Ruíz writes to Alice about his visit with his mother.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, n.d., San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
undated
Correspondent: Telles, Robert, 1924-1967
Scope and Content Note
Bob writes Alice about some of the "boys" being transferred to Chino.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, n.d., San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
undated
Scope and Content Note
Victor asks Alice to send him photographs of girls so that he can draw them.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 July 12, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 July 12
Correspondent: Reyes Salazar, Manuel, 1925-1995
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1943 April 10, San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield and the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee, Los Angeles, Calif.
1943 April 10
Correspondent: Reyes Salazar, Manuel, 1925-1995
Scope and Content Note
Letter to the editor of
The Appeal News.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, n.d., San Quentin, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
undated
Correspondent: Telles, Robert, 1924-1967
Scope and Content Note
Bob asks Alice to thank their supporters including Anthony Quinn.
Box 4, Folder 2
Statistics : the nature of the Mexican American criminal
1942
Author: Ayers, Edward Duran
Scope and Content Note
Ayers, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Foreign Relations Bureau, wrote this controversial report on the "biological and
racial nature" of violence among Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
Box 4, Folder 2
Letter, 1944 March 12, Chino, Calif. to Alice Greenfield, Los Angeles, Calif.
1944 March 12
Correspondent: Parra, Ysmael, 1922-2001
Scope and Content Note
"Smiles" Parra writes Alice to let her know how much better the situation is at Chino.
Box 4, Folder 3
Correspondence from “the boys” to various persons.
1944
Box 4, Folder 4
Information regarding defendants.
Scope and Content Note
Including carbon copies, photostats, mimeographed, holograph, typescript, biographies and reports of “the boys.”
Box 4, Folder 5
Miscellaneous releases, letters, etc. concerning the Sleepy Lagoon case and the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee.
Physical Description: (9 items).
Note
Not from or by the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee.
Box 4, Folder 6
Newsclippings about the case. Various papers.
Physical Description: (7 items).
Materials Gathered by the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Regarding Minorities - Emphasis is on Los Angeles Mexican Minority
Issues
Note
Available on microfilm reel 2.
Box 4, Folder 7
Los Angeles County Grand Jury.
October 1942
Physical Description: (11 items).
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, reports from the Los Angeles Police Department and findings of the Grand Jury.
Box 4, Folder 8
Mexican “boy gangs” of Los Angeles.
Physical Description: (16 items).
Scope and Content Note
“Pachuco” situation.
Box 4, Folder 9
Mexican juvenile delinquency in Los Angeles.
Physical Description: (54 leaves) Photostats of clippings.
Note
UNAVAILABLE for use.
Box 4, Folder 9
Delinquency in wartime
1942, 1943, or 1944
Author: Holton, Karl
Scope and Content Note
Holton was Chief Probation Offiicer, Los Angeles County Probation Department. In this report he discusses the then current
level of juvenile delinquency in Los Angeles County and the fallacy of increased juvenile delinquency amongst Mexican American
youth. Suggests changes and additions in social service programs for minority youth.
Box 4, Folder 10
Mexican minority in Los Angeles.
Physical Description: (13 items).
Scope and Content Note
Includes Waxman's letter.
Box 4, Folder 11
Mexican minority - General.
Physical Description: (8 items).
Box 4, Folder 12
Sinarquismo.
Physical Description: (4 copies).
Scope and Content Note
Translation of 24 page booklet.
Miscellaneous Material Collected by the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Concerning Minorities, Labor, etc.
Note
Available on microfilm reel 3.
Box 5, Folder 1
The Americas - A Review of Latin American News. Bulletin. vol.2 no.6 to vol.2 no.21.
(January 4, 1944 to September 5, 1944)
Physical Description: (17 items).
Box 5, Folder 2
Correo de Norte - Publicado pro El Consejo pro Democracia Panamericana.
February 4, 1944 to August 30, 1944
Physical Description: (12 items).
Box 5, Folder 3
Council for Civic Unity.
Physical Description: (34 items).
Box 5, Folder 4
International Labor Defense.
Physical Description: (18 items).
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence and miscellaneous file mainly concerning the Sleepy Lagoon Case.
Box 5, Folder 5
International Labor Defense.
Abstract:
Legislative and Information Service (Bulletin)
Box 5, Folder 6
International Labor Defense.
Abstract:
News (July 2, 1943 to September 2, 1944).
Box 5, Folder 7
Miscellaneous printed publications.
Physical Description: (9 items).
Note
In English.
Box 5, Folder 8
Miscellaneous printed publications.
Physical Description: (14 items).
Note
In Spanish.
Box 5, Folder 8
Fraternidad ; Año I, Num. 6
1944 November
Scope and Content Note
Editorial applauding the outcome of the Sleepy Lagoon trial appeal and the reversal of the convictions. Congratulates the
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee for all of the hard work done on behalf of the defendants, two of whom were Mexican citizens.
Box 5, Folder 9
Miscellaneous materials.
Physical Description: (16 items).
Scope and Content Note
Posters, fragments, clippings, etc.
Box 5, Folder 10
Miscellaneous mimeographed material collected by the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee.
Box 6
Photographic Plates, Newspaper Mats
Note
Available on microfilm reel 3.
Digital Object
The people of the state of California, plaintiff and respondent vs. Gus Zammora [sic], et. al defendents and appellants: reporter's
transcript on appeal.
October 13-December 10, 1942
Physical Description: Digitized microfilm of the trial transcript.
Boxes 7-10
The people of the state of California, plaintiff and respondent vs. Gus Zammora [sic], et. al defendents and appellants: reporter's
transcript on appeal.
October 13-December 10, 1942
Physical Description: 6032 leaves in 12 volumes.
Note
Original transcripts in boxes 7-10 are
RESTRICTED from access and
UNAVAILABLE for use due to their fragile condition. However, photocopies of the originals have been made and are available to the public.
Boxes 7-10
The people of the state of California, plaintiff and respondent, vs. Gus Zammora [sic], et. al, defendants and appellants
: reporter's transcript on appeal
1942 October 13 - 1943 March
Scope and Content Note
At head of title: "In the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of Los Angeles, Department 43, Hon.
Charles W. Fricke, Judge."
"No. 90344."
"E.R. Perry and G.J.Kennelly, Official Reporters."
CONTENTS:
- v. 1. Index; [trial date:] Tuesday, October 13, 1942 ([7], 1-515 leaves)
- v. 2. Thursday, October 22, 1942 (leaves 516-1004)
- v. 3. Tuesday, October 27, 1942 (leaves 1005-1515)
- v. 4. Friday, October 30, 1942 (leaves 1516-2046)
- v. 5. Thursday, November 5, 1942 (leaves 2047-2540)
- v. 6. Tuesday, November 10, 2942 (leaves 2541-3002)
- v. 7. Monday, November 16, 1942 (leaves 3003-3550)
- v. 8. Thursday, November 19, 1942 (leaves 3551-4040)
- v. 9. Wednesday, November 25, 2004 (leaves 4041-4537)
- v. 10. Wednesday, December 2, 1942 (leaves 4538-5067)
- v. 11. Monday, December 7, 1942 (leaves 5068-5510)
- v. 12. Wednesday, December 10, 1942 (leaves 5511-6032)
Box 7
vols.1-3
Scope and Content Note
- Volume 1, October 13, 1942.
- Volume 2, October 22, 1942.
- Volume 3, October 27, 1942.
Box 8
vols.4-7
Scope and Content Note
- Volume 4, October 30, 1942
- Volume 5, November 5, 1942
- Volume 6, November 10, 1942
- Volume 7, November 16, 1942
Box 9
vols.8-9.
Scope and Content Note
- Volume 8, November 19, 1942.
- Volume 9, November 25, 1942.
Box 10
vols.10-12.
Scope and Content Note
- Volume 10, December 2, 1942.
- Volume 11, December 7, 1942.
- Volume 12, December 10, 1942.
- Volume 12, December 10, 1942. Second copy (last 100 leaves only).
Legal Documents
Note
Available on microfilm reels 7-8.
Box 11
Appellants' Opening Brief.
Physical Description: (2 copies).
Box 11
Application for Leave to File Brief as Friends of the Court and Brief.
Physical Description: (2 copies).
Box 11, Folder 1
Application for leave to file brief as friends of the court and brief : the Sleepy Lagoon case
1944 May 15
Scope and Content Note
Carey McWilliams, Clore Warne, A. L. Wirin, Aubrey Grossman, Attorneys for Applicants; Vito Marcantonio, David Scribner, William
Standard, Nathan Witt, of the New York Bar; Sol. D. Kapelson, of the New Jersey Bar, of Counsel.
Appendix A: Excerpts from report entitled "Statistics" be Ed. Duran Ayres, Foreign Relations Bureau (sheriff's office).
Appendix B: Excerpts from the San Quentin News, November 25, 1943, article entitled "The Neutral Corner."
Box 11
Clerk's transcript.
Physical Description: (2 copies).
Box 11
Decision of District Court of Appeal.
Box 11
The People
vs Zammora.
Physical Description: pp.219-288.
Miscellaneous Items
Note
Available on microfilm reel 8.
Oversize Box 12
Newspaper:
Daly News H.F.O. 'This is the story of crime'
1942
Oversize Box 12
3 "Zoot Suit" posters - World Premiere Season 1978-1979. Mark Taper Forum Music Center.
Oversize Box 12
The San Quentin News.
Physical Description: (Folder).
Scope and Content Note
vol.5, no.45-49; vol.6, no.1-19 (December 21, 1945 to July 5, 1946).
Oversize Box 13
Receipts, envelopes, ledger leaf and distribution list for
Mystery.
Physical Description: 12 items.
Oversize Box 13
Ledger of expenses and donor contributions. October 1943-December 1944.
Physical Description: 1 item.
