Lester Calloway Hunt

Lester Calloway Hunt was a Wyoming Governor and United States Senator. Hunt was elected governor of Wyoming in 1942 and 1946, and U.S. Senator in 1948, a position he held until his death in 1954. His papers contain news clippings about the second red scare and his correspondences related to the Mundt-Ferguson-Johnston bill and the McCarren Act. These correspondences occurred during his time serving as Senator, and included individuals’ support, encouragement to Hunt, and opinions regarding the current events of the time. Hunt was victimized, like many other people, by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Hunt disgusted with McCarthy's tactics, publicly named McCarthy 'an opportunist', 'a liar', and a 'drunk'. McCarthy was not pleased by this and wanted to get revenge. Lester did not run for a second term in the Senate, as he was threatened by McCarthy's confederates that if he did run a secret regarding his son would be released. Senator Hunt killed himself and two years later the senate voted to censure McCarthy, closing his era and the public terror that went with it. 

Written to the House of Representatives from the National Lawyers Guild, regarding the urgency to abolish the Committee on Un-American Activities.

The House Committee of Un-American Activites was created in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and rebel activites of private citizens, public employees and organizations suspected of having Communist ties. The committee was abolished in 1975, almost 30 years after the National Lawyers Guild urged it to be abolished. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_1
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. Clara Williams

The Mundt-Ferguson Communist Registration Bill was a proposed law that would have required all members of the Communist Party in the U.S. to register with the Attorney General. Many individuals would write to their senators about their support of certain peices of legislature. Senator Lester C. Hunt responded to Mrs. Clara Williams in assurance that her views were supported. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_2
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letters written by Carl L. Sackett to Lester C. Hunt and one to Joseph C. O'Mahoney

Carl L. Sackett an attorney at law in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was a constituent of Wyoming's Senators Lester C. Hunt and Joseph C. O'Mahoney. Carl L. Sackett acknowledges that it is hard to draw bills to prevent Communists or Communist sympathizers from being active without interfering with the Bill of Rights. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_3
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. G. U. Dinneen

Mrs. G. U. Dinneen, the secretary of the Jacques Laramie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, writes to Hunt stating that the Un-American Activites Committee should be continued and Hunt should give it his support. Hunt states that the committee will continue but with a altered role. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_4
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of communication between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. Adolph Boesel

Mrs. Adolph Boesel believed that the Un-American Activites Committee should be continued do to the service that it has provided. The committee's anti-communist investigations were often associated with McCarthyism. Lester C. Hunt acknoweldges that the committee is part of the House of Representatives not the Senate, but from what he had heard it was to be continued. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_5
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Wilcox

Marurice and E. A. Wilcox worked in Sheridan, Wyoming for their company Wilcox Abstract Company. They write to their senator, Lester C. Hunt, to voice their opionins on current legislative issues including the continuation of the House Un-American Activities Committee. They wished to see it continued to keep the Communist from taking over the governemnt. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_6
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. M. F. Griffith

Mrs. M. F. Griffith, the Local National Defense Chairman of the Fort Casper Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, agrees with many other people writing to Senator Hunt that the Un-American Activities Committee should be continued. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_7
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. Emma Crinklaw

Mrse. Emma Crinklaw, the secretary of the Luke Voorhees Chapter of the N.S.D.A.R, writes on their behalf that they wish to see the Un-American Activites Committee continued. Hunt informs her that the House voted to continue the work of the committee. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_8
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. Henry Dahlem

Henry Dahlem from Cody, Wyoming wants America to be rid of all of the Communists and wants to keep all of American as wonderful as Wyoming is. Lester Hunt assures that he will speak and voice opinions with his constituents in mind. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_26_9
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 26, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of communication between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. Pearl Lewis

Pearl Lewis, the president of the Sheridan, Wyoming Unit American Legion Auxiliary urges Senator Hunt's support of the Mundt-Ferguson-Johanson Bill. This bill would require all members of the Communist Party to be registered. It was introduced in 1950, passed in the House of Representatives but failed in the Senate. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_1
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kuzma

The Kuzma family writes in support of the Mundt-Ferguson Bill as American citizens. Senator Hunt is pleased to see that his constituents are interested in national matters and alert to what is going on. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_2
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter written to Lester C. Hunt from Mardean Butler and Dorothy Moreland

Mardean Butler and Dorothy Moreland from Lusk, Wyoming urge Lester C. Hunt to support the President's veto. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_3
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. Clarence R. Miles

Clarence R. Miles was the manager of the Department of Governmental Affairs for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. Writing on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, urging that there are bills put in place to protect the United States against subversive activities like S. 2311. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_4
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Senate Bill introduced by Sentor Edward J. Thye and correspondence regarding the bill

Senate bill 3887 was introduced by Senator Edward Thye from Minnesota, it's main purpose was to establish a commission to investigate and evaluate programs designed to assure the government employees are loyal and that government information is not spread inappropriately. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_5
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. G. A. Lewis

Mr. G. A. Lewis was the secretary of the local Cheyenne Projectionist's Union urges Lester C. Hunt to do all that he could to rid the U.S. of all communists, the traitors. With the legislation mentioned the Federal Bureau of Investigation would have the authority to arrest and imprison all Communist in the U.S..

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_6
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"The Communist 'Peace Petition' Campaign" issued by the Committee on Un-American Activities

The petition was seen throughout the Nation, with the intention of confusing and dividing the American people and pausing the resistance against the Communism. The "peace petition" was deceptive and was being passed around while it appeared that the Soviet Union was strengthening thier forces. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_7
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Major Provisions of Bills and Laws on Internal Security; McCarran and Mundt-Ferguson Bills and 4061 and Exisiting Law

A layout of the bills and what they all entail. It was important to understand all of the details of the bills that one may be supporting. Constituents and those whom listen and vote for the constituents must understand what they are tyring to get to pass into law. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_8
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter written to Lester C. Hunt from Heuson

Heuson expresses his disapproval of the way that the Communist cases have been being handled and how it falles on tax-payer money to prosecute them. He wants to see a law that would make the convicted pay for the charges that are obtained. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_9
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of communication between Lester C. Hunt and Mr Dan J. Santo

Mr. Dan J. Santo questions what Lester C. Hunt has done to stop the Communists in the U.S.. Hunt assures Santo that he is working in favor of adding security for the people of the U.S..

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_10
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. Carl L Sackett and letters written by Carl L. Sackett to Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney

Joseph O'Mahoney was an American lawyer and served four complete terms as a Senator for Wyoming. O'Mahoney served along Lester C. Hunt as Senators during the second time when wide spread fear of Communists was very present in the United States. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_11
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. George N. Craig

George N. Craig was the National Commander of the American Legion in the District of Columbia. Craig was in support of the Mundt-Ferguson-Johnston Bill and encouraged Senator Lester C. Hunt to vote in it's favor. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_12
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. W. W. Hale

Mr. W. W. Hale was the Departme Adjutant of the American Legion, Department of Wyoming, spoke on behalf of the Legion in favor of the Mundt-Ferguson-Johnson Bill.

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_13
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An Analysis of Internal Security Bill

There were many existing laws that encourage internal protection from Communists in the U.S., such as The Smith Act, The Nationality Act, and many others. Despite these already present laws, it was seen that another bill was required to ensure internal security within the United States Government. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_14
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of communication between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. Robert Ramspeck, including amendment to S. 4037

Robert Ramspeck was the Executive Vice President of the Air Transport Association of America, he asks for Senator Hunt's support of the amendments made. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_15
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mrs. Edith M. Bechtel

Lester C. Hunt assures Mrs. Edith M. Betchel that Congress will take any precuation necessary to protect the U.S.'s interests during the seemingly emergent times.

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_16
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of communication between Lester C. Hunt and Stauffer Curry Executive Secretary National Service Board For Religious Objectors

The National Service Board for Religious Objectors thought that McCarran's internal security bill would violate the priniciple of religious freedom for groups of people other than Communists, and should be neutralized. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_17
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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A telegram to Lester C. Hunt from Angus MacDonald

The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constituion gives Americans' many of their rights, including right to religion, and freedom of speech. Angus MacDonald is concerned that the bills proposed will infringe on Americans' rights. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_18
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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A resolution on internal security and civil liberties adopted by Congress of Industrial Organizations sent to Lester C. Hunt

Adopted on August 29th by the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the resolution on internal security and civil liberties was brought to Senator Lester C. Hunt. Resistance against Soviet aggression and the preservation of democracy was of utmost importance. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_19
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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A telegram to Lester C. Hunt from the United Electrical Radio & Machine Workers of America

The United Electrical Radio & Machine Workers of America are against the McCarran Kigore Police State Bills. These bills tighten alien exclusion and deportation laws and allow for detention of dangerous, disloyal, or subversive persons in time of emergency. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_20
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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A telegram to Lester C. Hunt from L. C. Pakiser

President Truman vetoed the McCarran Bill and Lester C. Hunt was encouraged by the American Veterans Committee to stand by President Truman

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_21
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letters written to Lester C. Hunt and Joseph C. Hunts from Lowell O. Stephens and responses back from Zan Lewis and Ira Whitlock

Debates about the McCarran Communist Bill were frequent, this bill would take away many Americans' rights. Yet after the Presidential veto the Senate overruled the veto and the bill was enacted. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_22
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of communication between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. David L McCabe

Mr. David L. McCabe approved of the McCarran's Bill, and thought that Communists should have to register so a closer eye could be kept on them. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_23
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Internal Security Act of 1950, conference report

The House of Representatives and the Senate had disagreeing votes on the "Internal Security Act of 1950" and the "Subversive Activites Control Act of 1950".

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_24
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Why President Vetoed the 'Anti-Red' Bill"

President Truman vetoed the 'Anti-Red' Bill (McCarran's Bill) due to major flaws and mockery of the Bill of Rights. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_25
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"A Resumé of the Internal Security Act of 1950" from the Offics of Senator Pat McCarran

Overturning President Truman's veto of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the Office of Senator Pat McCarran released an objective analysis of the principle proviosn of the law. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_27_26
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 27, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"What About Russia?" written by Tom M. Olson

Russia at the time was in control of over one-fifth of the earth, one of their leaders was Karl Marx (who was a danger to the rest of the world), and that it was Russian belief that for Communism to be successful it must be world-wide. Americans were scared that there were individuals in power and even thier neighbors that would try to implement Communsit beliefs into the American way of life. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_25_1
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 25, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Fewer Communisit in U.S.: But FBI Finds Them in All Defense Industries" published by U.S. News & World Report

A table showing that state by state the number of communists one year previous to the current (at that time) year, showed that the numerical number and strength was dwindling, and some of the leaders were going into hiding. American National Security was still on high alert but the imposed threat was decreasing. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_25_2
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 25, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"McCarran's Revenge" published in the Washington Post

The McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950 required communist organizations to register with the government. The act also made it a felony to take any steps that might contribute substantially to the establisment of totalitarian dictatorship in the United States. The McCarran subcommittee released a report that seemed to re-write history and try to petrate another fraued on the American people. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_25_3
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 25, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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An exchange of letters between Lester C. Hunt and Mr. and Mrs. Everett L. Pritchard

Constituents of Senator Lestor C. Hunt would write to him to express their opinions of the bills and other pieces of legislation that would be going thorugh the Senate. Mr. and Mrs. Everett L.. Pritchard would like the bill that was to be introduced, outlawing the Communist Party, to be passed. Hunt acknowledges their opinions and what the benefirst of not passing the bill would be, being able to keep an eye on the party because they could go under-ground and not be monitored. 

Resource Identifier
ah00270_37_25_4
Citation
Lester C. Hunt papers, Collection No. 270, Box 37, Folder 25, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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