CSU Northridge Reverend Wendell L. Miller Collection

CSU Japanese American History Digitization Project
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ddr-csujad-20

Reverend Wendell L. Miller was pastor of the University Methodist Church, Los Angeles. He became involved in local politics when gambling and prostitution began edging toward the area surrounding the University of Southern California (USC) campus. Miller founded the Citizens Independent Vice Investigating Committee (C.I.V.I.C.), which also campaigned against crime and corruption in City Hall, ultimately resulting in the recall of Mayor Frank L. Shaw. The collection documents Miller's involvement with C.I.V.I.C., and includes announcements, bulletins, correspondence, newspaper clippings, news releases, pamphlets, radio addresses, speeches, statements, and related items. There is also a small amount of material documenting Rev. Miller’s anti-war activities including letters from Japanese Americans sent to incarceration camps during World War II. See complete finding aid at: http://findingaids.csun.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=102

1928-1988

1935-1961

1.06 Linear Feet

California State University, Northridge. University Library. Special Collections & Archives

Reverend Wendell L. Miller Collection, Special Collections & Archives, University Library, California State University, Northridge

Copyright restricted
Copyright restricted

24 Objects

Letter from An American Mother to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 2, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-1)
doc Letter from An American Mother to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 2, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-1)
Vociferous indictment of the Ladies aid of the Methodist Church for holding a luncheon picnic for "Japanese leaving Santa Anita," and similar efforts, stating that such overtures to "entertain enemies of their native land" are "traitor[ous]" and "disgrace the good sense of American woman hood." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …
Postcard to brother Wendell Millermura [Wendell L. Miller], 1942 May 6 (ddr-csujad-20-2)
doc Postcard to brother Wendell Millermura [Wendell L. Miller], 1942 May 6 (ddr-csujad-20-2)
Backside of postcard with cartoon of U.S. plane bombing Tokyo and an angry Japanese citizen reacting, saying "Ho! You cannot do this to me! I am the son of heaven! What the hell?" Postcard is addressed to "My dear brother Wendell Millermura" and describes the writer as "a member of the Christian Church," asking Miller, "Where …
Letter from Lester Suzuki to Brother [Wendell L.] Miller, May 4, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-3)
doc Letter from Lester Suzuki to Brother [Wendell L.] Miller, May 4, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-3)
Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Temporary Assembly Center and describing early days there, including lack of regular work and schooling schedules and of appropriate food for children; scouts and boys' clubs being in development; religious services on Sundays attracting nearly 2000 people; and the need to wait for community facilities such as laundry and …
Letter from Mrs. L. [Lester] Suzuki to Rev. [Wendell L.] and Mrs. [?] Miller, May 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-4)
doc Letter from Mrs. L. [Lester] Suzuki to Rev. [Wendell L.] and Mrs. [?] Miller, May 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-4)
Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center. Suzuki thanks Reverend Miller and Mrs. Miller for their kindness; mentions friends among the "dear Caucasian ministers such as you"; and discusses the importance of religious services, housing in a new barrack vs. in the stables, making furniture from scrap wood, an impending increase in number of …
Letter from T. Takahashi and Family to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-5)
doc Letter from T. Takahashi and Family to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-5)
Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center; thanks Miller for his "kind treatment and wonderful assistance in our evacuation" and mentions that his or her mother is now recovering with them after suffering from worry and tiredness. Takahashi states that their life was previously too materialistic, and that this is a "God-given opportunity ... …
Letter from George Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, [September 11, 1942] (ddr-csujad-20-6)
doc Letter from George Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, [September 11, 1942] (ddr-csujad-20-6)
Personal letter written from Santa Anita Assembly Center. Yoshioka discusses the start of "movement to Relocation Centers," naming Parker Dam; Wyoming; Granada, Colorado; Arkansas; and Gila, Arizona, along with locations from which people are being removed, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Long Beach, and other Southern California locations. He also mentions that his family has …
Letter from Jane Harino to Rev. Wendell [L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-7)
doc Letter from Jane Harino to Rev. Wendell [L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-7)
Personal letter states that she is going to Jerome, Arkansas rather than to Granada, a change that pleases her because "there's a certain someone in Jerome - We're both so very happy"; also mentions passes for Miller [and Mrs. Miller?] as well as for the Reverend and Mrs. Clay, and asks that Miller help her by …
Letter from Rose Tani to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-8)
doc Letter from Rose Tani to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-8)
Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center expressing gratitude for Miller's having allowed them to store goods at his church; also thanks Miller and Reverend Clay for the lunch prepared by church members, and describes church services for Issei and for Nisei. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
Letter from Rosalie Y. Obi to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, 1942 June 17 (ddr-csujad-20-9)
doc Letter from Rosalie Y. Obi to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, 1942 June 17 (ddr-csujad-20-9)
Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center expressing thanks to Miller and his congregation for the lunch that they provided on the day of their removal from Los Angeles, departing from the Japanese Methodist Church, May 1, 1942. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_07
Letter from Geo. Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell] Miller, September 22, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-10)
doc Letter from Geo. Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell] Miller, September 22, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-10)
Personal letter written en route to Granada, Colorado from the Temporary Assembly Center at Santa Anita, describing the train ride thus far, one day into their journey. Included are a description of the food, the terrain in Utah, where they have currently made a stop, and the train itself, a Pullman with two cars out of …

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