Joseph Jennings Dorn Papers

Collection

Identifier: A2353

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of correspondence, bills, newspaper clippings, magazines, photographs and other papers regarding Joseph Jennings Dorn's role in the trial of Bruno Hauptmann for kidnapping Charles Lindbergh's baby. The collection includes: correspondence of Arthur G. Koehler, a wood identification expert for the Forest Service; letters from Dorn and his wife to their daughter while they were in New Jersey for the trial; newspaper clippings and magazine articles regarding the Hauptmann trial; correspondence from John K. Kelly, a professor at the University of Delaware who was researching the case; and a piece of wood from Hauptmann's ladder.

Dates

1929-1999

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Joseph Jennings Dorn, son of J.M and Visle (Self) Dorn, was born in 1885 in Dornsville, Edgefield County, South Carolina. Dorn was a prominent businessman in McCormick, South Carolina. He was a co-owner of McCormick Manufacturing Company, Dorn Lumber Company, and president of the Dorn Banking Company. He and his brother, M. Gary Dorn, started the firm of M.G. and J.J. Dorn, which had lumber manufacturing plants and cotton gins across South Carolina. Dorn was also elected to the state senate in 1930. He was married to Nora Cuddy and they had a daughter, Mabel. Dorn's lumber company supplied wood that was used to make the ladder that Bruno Hauptmann used to kidnap Charles Lindbergh's son in 1932. Dorn had to testify at Hauptmann's trial in 1935. Joseph Jennings Dorn was killed in an automobile accident in 1936.

Extent

0.9 Cubic Feet ( (2 boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two boxes with the first box containing correspondence and other documents and the second box containing published materials.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by Dr. Mabel Purkerson in 2009. Dr. Purkerson was a friend of Joseph Jennings Dorn's daughter, Mabel.

Digital copies

The Joseph Jennings Dorn Papers were partially digitized by Robert Suriano, March-April 2011. The images may be viewed online by clicking the links beside each item in the inventory.