The Harry R. Thomposon Papers consist of letters written to Mr. Thompson, mostly from his brother George. Harry lived at 4127 Marlborough Ave.,San Diego, CA. There are a few empty envelopes and a list of names and addresses at the bottom of the stack, some of which have dollar amounts by their names. One entry, Mrs. Jeff C. Hocker, has the word “Kill” written and striked through by her name.

All but one letter fall between March 22, 1940, and August 31, 1942 (also an empty envelope stamped 1938). Harry’s brother, George A. Thompson, wrote most of the letters. George lived in Joliet, Illinois with his wife who in 1940 fell deathly ill: “The doctor gave her up 3 days ago.” She passed away soon after.

George often discusses the weather in Joliet, describing winter snow storms and summer hot spells. He briefly discusses WWII, noting that the “Yankies [are] giving the Japs plenty.” George shares a story about a local woman, Christina, whose house was robbed while she was home. She discovers the robber stealing her jewelry and begins beating him: “She put up some fight. He tried to choke her but she bit him … he begged for mercy.”

Among the letters addressed to Harry R. Thompson is one from Mary Barnett of Culmore Point, Londonderry, Ireland. She notifies Harry of George’s wife’s death: “Brother George’s wife has gone to the land beyond.” Another sender, Nettie Whitmore, thanks Harry graciously for the many books he donated to her library. A postcard from “The Theosophical Book Association for the Blind” is addressed to Harry, also thanking him for supporting their organization.