Lot 181
Very Personal Clarence Darrow ALS About a Los Angeles Trial (1857-1938) Lawyer best known for the John Scopes "Monkey " Trial in 1925 and for defending teenage murderers Leopold and Loeb (1924). Autograph letter signed, two separate pages, on Darrow, Sissman, Popham & Carlin letterhead, Chicago, Dec. 29 ("1920" is written in period ink in upper right corner). In 1911, Darrow went to Los Angeles to defend two labor leaders, James and John McNamara, who were accused of dynamiting the Los Angeles Times building and killing 20 men. In 1912, Darrow himself was put on trial (and acquitted) for attempting to bribe jurors in that trial. Through the prism of those experiences, Darrow writes to Dr. Theodore Perceval Gerson, prominent surgeon and California personality, who would like Darrow and his wife to move to Los Angeles. Fine. This is a very personal, very revealing letter written by Darrow before he took on his most famous cases.
In part: "…I want you to know just how I feel about L.A. Somehow for a number of years after my return the mention of the place…gave me a feeling of depression…there was never a feeling of bitterness or hatred against any one. I am…a firm believer that every one in this world does exactly as he must taking into account his nature and his environment and I don't for a minute judge any one…who was connected with my affair…I was a stranger in L.A. and was there when people were peculiarly agitated…The people of L.A. I believe to be the kindest, most charitable of any community I was ever in. It was only the sense of humiliation that hurt me so….I will be 64 years old next April and have practiced law almost 43 years and have worked hard. I don't want to start work in another place…Neither Mrs. Darrow's tastes nor mine are extravagant…as we get older we dislike cold weather more & more & would really like to come…".
Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800.
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| Realized $3,680 |
