Charleston Gazette Publishing Company Records and Chilton Family Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

The coloring book in box 23 is restricted until it can be cleaned.

Researchers may access audiovisual and digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

The coloring book in box 23 is restricted until it can be cleaned.

Researchers may access audiovisual and digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

The coloring book in box 23 is restricted until it can be cleaned.

The coloring book in box 23 is restricted until it can be cleaned.

Researchers may access audiovisual and digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Charleston Gazette Publishing Company Records and Chilton Family Papers, A&M 3020, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
18.75 Linear Feet 18 ft. 9 in. (5 document cases, 5 in. each); (2 document case, 2 1/2 in.); (8 records cartons, 15 in. each); (3 records carton, 17 in. each); (4 flat storage boxes, 3 in. each); (2 flat storage boxes, 4 in. each); (1 flat storage box, 1 in.); (1 clamshell box, 3 in.)
Creator:
Chilton, William E. (William Edwin), 1858-1939 and Chilton, Betty
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Charleston Gazette Publishing Company Records and Chilton Family Papers, A&M 3020, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Scrapbooks, correspondence, business papers, and memorabilia of a prominent Charleston family that were long time owners of the Charleston Gazette. There are papers of W. E. Chilton, Sr., and for his son and grandson, W. E. Chilton, Jr. and W. E. Chilton, III. The papers of Chilton senior include some correspondence, but mostly land papers documenting the coal mining district in Webster and Braxton Counties. There are also scrapbooks, and contracts pertaining to the family newspaper business; and volumes on the education of W. E. Chilton, Jr. at Woodberry, VA Forest School, and at Yale. The military service of the Chiltons is documented by the service papers, photographs, and other material for W. E. Chilton, Jr. and W. E. Chilton, III in World War (WWI) I and World War II (WWII) respectively.

The initial acquisition of 1992 includes eight boxes documenting primarily William Edwin Chilton senior (1858-1939), including series for: general correspondence; rare signatures; subjects; land titles and abstracts; legal records; newspapers and pictures; scrapbooks; and artifacts. For details see inventory in control folder at the library.

Rare signatures in the initial acquisition of W. E. Chilton, Sr., include: Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Newton D. Baker, Alben W. Barkley, "Count" Basie, Lester Young, Louis D. Brandeis, Richard E. Byrd, Cab Calloway, Dale Carnegie, Tom Clark, Grover Cleveland, Charles Curtis, Josephus Daniels, John W. Davis, "Dizzy" Dean, Jack Dempsey, Thomas E. Dewey, J. DiMaggio, James A. Farley, Bob Feller, Ella Fitzgerald, John N. Garner, Lou Gehrig, Carter Glass, Hank Greenberg, W. C. Handy, Averell Harriman, Herbert Hoover, J. Edgar Hoover, Harold L. Ickes, Helen Keller, Guy Lombardo, Joe Louis, William G. McAdoo, Glenn Miller, Dwight Morrow, C. W. Nimitz, G. W. Norris, Westbrook Pegler, Gifford Pinchot, Drew Pearson, Sam Rayburn, Eddie V. Rickenbacker, Paul Robeson, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Babe" Ruth, J. D. Salinger, Margaret Sanger, Sam Snead, Felix B. Stump, Fred M. Vinson, "Fats" Waller, W. A. White, Jess Willard, Ted Williams, Wendell Willkie, Edith Bolling Wilson, Woodrow Wilson, and Cy Young.

The addendum of 2001 includes five boxes documenting primarily William Edwin Chilton, III (1921-1987), including series for: biographical information; incoming letters; photographs; ephemera; clippings; subjects; legal records; writings, speeches, and publications; and oversize. For details see inventory in control folder at the library.

The addendum of 2004 includes one folder containing a book owned by Ned Chilton titled "Mr. Dooley In Peace and in War" by Finley Peter Dunne, published in 1899 by Small, Maynard and Company. The author's name does not appear in this book. Dunne was a newspaper columnist, and this book features 49 of his writings.

The addendum of 2018 April 4 includes 3 boxes consisting of material related to the Charleston Gazette and W.E. (Ned) Chilton III including publications, artwork, and historic certificates that were presumably collected for display in his home or office.

The addendum of 2018 July 24 includes 10 boxes consisting of material related to the Chilton family and their activities and involvement with the Charleston Gazette, its employees, notable figures, business contacts, and other related entities. Formats include scrapbooks, clippings and facsimiles of articles, publications, print and digital photographs, correspondence, records of court proceedings, art prints, receipts, financial documents, certificates and other forms of achievement recognition, and additional miscellaneous related items.

The addendum of 2018 November 29 includes 1 folder featuring a selection of ephemera related to the personal achievements of W.E. (Ned) Chilton III and Elizabeth (Betty) Chilton.

This series includes mostly incoming letters and cards to William Edwin Chilton, Sr. [1858-1939], William Edwin Chilton, Jr. [1893-1950], William Edwin [Ned] Chilton, III [1921-1987], J. Eustace Chilton, and a number of employees of the Charleston Gazette; topics of discussion include personal matters and business affairs of the family, business of the Charleston Gazette, business of the U.S. Senate, Prohibition, the Depression, the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Democratic Party issues and strategies, among other subjects; there are original cartoons by popular comic strip artists drawn for William E. "Ned" Chilton, III, [with black ink on heavy card stock.] As W.E. Chilton, III, was an avid collector of autographs, some files also contain letters soliciting signatures, as well as signed cards and replies.

This series includes signatures of prominent celebrities and historical figures collected by the Chiltons. (Access to rare signatures requires the permission of a WVC curator.)

This series includes the WWI US Navy Air Corps service papers of Chilton, Jr., and the WWII US Army Air Corp diary of Chilton, III.

This series includes land papers for coal and timber lands in Braxton and Webster counties.

This series includes the wills and other documents of Chilton, Sr. and Chilton, Jr.

This series includes copies of the Yale Daily News for 1914-1915.

This series includes one scrapbook for Chilton, Sr. (1911-56) and five scrapbooks for Chilton, Jr. (1911-1953), among others.

This series includes two Yale fraternity paddles, a WV House of Delegates License Plate, a ceremonial key to the City of Logan, and a glass encapsulated nail of WVU Martin Hall.

This series documents the life of William E. "Ned" Chilton, III, member of a prominent Charleston family which has managed the Charleston Gazette since the late nineteenth century. The majority of this collection consists of letters received by Chilton that discuss family matters, the business of the Charleston Gazette, social and political issues, and current events of the time.

All boxes listed with "ADD" at the beginning of the box number are part of this addendum.

This series includes mostly incoming letters to William Edwin "Ned" Chilton, III, from 1920-1985. These letters describe business and personal matters of the Chilton family and the Charleston Gazette. Since Chilton corresponded with numerous journalists, syndicated columnists, and elected officials, these incoming letters document his social and political activities and discuss historic and political events. Some early letters belong to his father, W.E. Chilton, Jr. and his grandfather, W. E. Chilton, Sr..

This series includes incoming letters from 1961-1985 covering a range of personal and political topics. Topics include family, travel plans, possible guests for Firing Line, William F. Buckley Pulitzer nomination, Mexico, gun control, Rockefeller campaign spending, the Freedom of Information Act, Rhodesia, libel, 1980 presidential election, cost of legal services, public presentation of legal ethics committees, punishment of nonviolent crimes, drugs, drug policy, L.T. Anderson, and Vietnam. Other letters from Buckley also can also be found within the chronologically sorted letters.

This series contains incoming letters from 1960-1987 that discuss personal and political matters. Topics include banking and equality under the law, FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, civil liberties of Congress, Edvard Munch, National Taxpayer's Union, neo-liberalism, editing problems in Charleston Gazette, Hoover Commission Study, West Virginia economics and politics, Russell Baker, Bob Eckhardt, salaries of legislators, oil crisis, AT&T, Congressional Power, Richard Nixon, Ted Kennedy, Robert C. Byrd, punishment for white collar crime, Ralph Nader, flag burning, UMW pension fund, Associated Press vs. United Press International, prisons, treatment of prisoners, drunk driving, neo-liberalism and homosexuality, nomination of Chilton for Hugh Hefner 1st Amendment Award, Larry Flynt, legalization of drugs, and national security policy. More letters from Robert and Mary Sherrill can be found within the chronologically sorted letters.

This series contains photos of W.E. "Ned" Chilton, pictures of other Chilton family members, and miscellaneous unidentified photos. This series also contains autographed photos collected by Chilton.

This series includes a variety of artifacts collected by Ned Chilton.

This series includes newspaper and magazine clippings which document Chilton's family, career, and miscellaneous topics. Other clippings include a series of Charleston Gazette editorials from 1949 and newspaper clippings relating to W.E. Chilton, Sr.'s election to Senate in 1911.

This series includes documents relating to Chilton's Journalism Professorship at WVU, the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, the WVU Parkersburg Center, Yale University, the 1982 Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award, as well as certificates, financial papers and receipts, invitations, programs, and tributes.

This series includes documents from a case argued by W.E. Chilton, Sr. and court decisions relating to the wills of W.E. Chilton, Jr. and John D. Schoonmaker.

This series includes miscellaneous writings on political and historical topics by William Edwin "Ned" Chilton, III.

This series includes oversize photos, drawings, cartoons, blueprints and certificates.

This addendum includes one folder containing a book owned by Ned Chilton titled Mr. Dooley: In Peace and in War by Finley Peter Dunne. It is a third or fourth edition copy, published in 1899 by Small, Maynard and Company. The author's name does not appear in this book. Dunne was a newspaper columnist, and this book features 49 of his writings.

This addendum consists of material related to the Charleston Gazette and W.E. (Ned) Chilton III including publications, artwork, and historic certificates that were presumably collected for display in his home or office.

This sub-series contains a selection of publications collected by Ned and Betty Chilton. Many of these books were gifted to them and contain notes or signatures from the individual who bestowed the gift. Others contain embossed imprints to indicate that Ned Chilton was the owner of the book. Topics include but are not limited to politics, comics, industry, fiction, and West Virginia history. Includes multiple books by William F. Buckley, Jr.

This sub-series contains four displomas/certificates given to W.E. Chilton, Jr. and Sr. to acknowledge Chilton Sr.'s induction into the legislature, Chilton Jr.'s school graduation, and their contributions to political funds.

This sub-series contains eight framed and unframed drawings or prints. Contents include two framed caricatures drawn by Taylor Jones (1976 and 1977), two framed prints from the Rex Morgan, MD (May 24, 1965) and Beetle Bailey (1975) comic strips, two unframed prints from the Blondie (November 28, 1993) and Dick Tracy (April 8, 1935) comic strips, an unlabeled print by comic artist Kendall Vintroux (March 19, 1966), and a framed copy of the Harper's Weekly political cartoon drawn by Thomas Nast, depicting the first representation of the Democratic party as a donkey and originally published on January 15, 1870.

This addendum consists of material related to the Chilton family and their activities and involvement with the Charleston Gazette, its employees, notable figures, business contacts, and other related entities. Formats include scrapbooks, clippings and facsimiles of articles, publications, print and digital photographs, correspondence, records of court proceedings, art prints, receipts, financial documents, certificates and other forms of achievement recognition, and additional miscellaneous related items.

This sub-series consists of scrapbooks featuring clippings from the Charleston Gazette, arranged by the Chilton family into binders organized by publication date.

This box contains five ring-bound scrapbooks and several loose scrapbook pages. These scrapbooks consist of materials related to the Charleston Gazette. The binders are labeled Old Days (contains materials from as early as 1900), Late 1950s, From 1980, Toward 2000, and 2001: A Gazette Odyssey. The unbound pages contain content ranging from the 1940s to 2017, and they appear to have been created around 2017.

This box contains five ring-bound scrapbooks consisting of photographs, clippings, and other materials related to the Charleston Gazette. The binders are labeled From the '60s (materials from ca. 1960-1979), Into 2003 (materials from 2002-2004), 2005, 2009, and 2014. These scrapbooks appear to have been created ca. 2017.

This sub-series consists of miscellaneous articles, clippings, and facsimiles of articles from the Charleston Gazette and other publications. Topics include Ned Chilton and other notable figures, politics, business, and industry in West Virginia, and additional miscellaneous topics.

This box consists of miscellaneous clippings from the Charleston Gazette and other publications. Also included is a printed, bound collection of facsimiles of articles originally published in the Charleston Gazette covering the subject of consumer fraud.

This partial box contains a broad selection of clippings, most originally printed in the Charleston Gazette, but also includes articles from other publications. Topics include Gazette Q and A interviews, politics, finance, articles written to memorialize Ned Chilton, and features highlighting Chilton family activities and achievements.

This partial box contains a collection of clippings from the Gazette and other publications, material related to awards and scholars sponsored by the Gazette, and additional miscellaneous related items.

This partial box contains a variety of clippings, from the Charleston Gazette and other publications, including articles written by or about W.E. (Ned) Chilton III.

This partial box contains Charleston Gazette and Chilton family keepsakes/mementos and related materials. Formats include clippings, facsimiles of articles and family history book pages, publications, and other miscellaneous materials. Topics include published articles based on the Chiltons' trip around the world in 1977, Gazette investigative reports, articles written by or about W.E. (Ned) Chilton III, the Charleston Gazette and Chilton family members featured in other publications, and Ned Chilton memorial articles.

This sub-series contains two framed prints and three commemorative plaques. Also included are two undated, unlabeled photos that appear to be of W. E. Chilton, Jr., a poster, a signed photo mat, several oversize publications, and clippings from the Charleston Gazette, the Sunday Gazette-Mail, and other news publications.

This box contains two framed prints, one from the Steve Roper comic and one from the Judge Parker comic, both from 1965. Also included are two undated, unlabeled photos that appear to be of W. E. Chilton, Jr., a Charleston Gazette poster, a photo mat signed by Lieutenant Colonel Alan Sierichs (retired), several oversize publications including The John Birch Coloring Book published in 1962, and clippings from the Charleston Gazette, the Sunday Gazette-Mail, and other news publications.

This partial box contains three commemorative metal plaques. One award was given in tribute to the Charleston Gazette from the Associated Press Managing Editors Association in 1979. The other two were presented to Elizabeth (Betty) Chilton, and include the West Virginia State College Second Century Award and the Charleston Distance Run Eugene M. Fuller Extra Mile Award, to acknowledge her excellence in leadership, service, and dedication.

This sub-series consists of two folders of photos, 19 .jpg images, and a folder of printed copies of the digital photos, which document Charleston Gazette and Charleston Daily Mail staff and activities. Also includes a 3 and 3/4 speed tape reel recording of political programs from the early 1960s and a CD-R of West Virginia Public Radio program content featuring Jim Haught discussing the Charleston Gazette, Ned Chilton, Don Marsh, and other topics.

This sub-series includes correspondence, court documentation, financial records, and other materials related to the Charleston Gazette and Chilton family business.

This partial box consists of materials related to Gazette business, including but not limited to correspondence, court proceedings, artwork, financial records, and other miscellaneous documents related to the Charleston Gazette and the Chiltons.

This partial box includes court case documentation, correspondence, and other Gazette related materials.

This partial box consists of Gazette business materials, including but not limited to travel documentation, sponsorship documents and correspondence, visiting scholars and journalists, government correspondence regarding the Freedom of Information Act and potential government files about the Gazette, committee and insurance information, and other miscellaneous business correspondence and documentation.

This partial box contains Charleston Gazette and Chilton family keepsakes/mementos and related materials. Formats include correspondence including letters and printed copies of emails, court reports, photographs, financial documents, and other miscellaneous materials. It includes materials the Chiltons retained from their trip around the world in 1977, information about the Charleston Gazette business, and documentation of Chilton family members' activities and achievements.

This addendum consists of a selection of ephemera related to the personal achievements of W.E. (Ned) Chilton III and Elizabeth (Betty) Chilton.

Biographical / historical:

William Edwin Chilton, Sr. (1858-1939), US Senator and publisher of the Charleston Gazette, was born in St. Albans, West Virginia. Educated by private tutors, and later attending Shelton College, St. Albans, he began teaching school at the age of 16. He later studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1880, settling in Charleston shortly afterwards, and becoming associated with John E. Kenna, US Senator from West Virginia, who served from 1883 to 1893. He later became a member of Chilton, MacCorkle and Chilton, involved himself with Democratic politics, and attained recognition as an able leader in public affairs. He was appointed prosecuting attorney in 1883, was admitted to the Supreme Court in 1891, was chairman of the Democratic State Executive Committee in 1892, Secretary of the State from 1893 to 1897, and United State Senator from 1911 to 1917. He was recognized as an orator and writer of unusual power and force. After a defeated nomination to the United States Senate in 1924, he retired from his law practice and concerned himself with the editorship of the Charleston Gazette. He married Mary Louise Tarr in 1892, and had four children: William Edwin Chilton, Jr., J. Eustace Chilton, Eleanor Chilton, and Elizabeth Chilton Lowery Murray. Eleanor achieved recognition as a writer, authoring Shadows Waiting and Follow the Furies.

William Edwin Chilton, Jr. (1893-1950) President of the Daily Gazette Company and managing editor of the Charleston Gazette, was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He graduated from Yale in 1917, and then served during the World War, primarily in convoy flying based in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. He became managing editor of the Charleston Gazette in 1924. He married Louise Schoonmaker in 1920, and had two children: William Edwin (Ned) Chilton, III, and Mary Carroll Chilton Abbott.

Source: West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, ed. Jim Comstock (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1976), Vol. 5.

William Edwin "Ned" Chilton (November 26, 1921 - February 7, 1987) was born in Kingston, New York, the son of Louise C. Schoonmaker and William Edwin Chilton, Jr. He grew up in Charleston, West Virginia, and was educated in the public schools. After serving in the United States Army and Army Air Corp, he graduated from Yale University in 1950. Chilton married Elizabeth "Betty" Early in 1952. They have one daughter, Susan Carroll. He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates from Kanawha County in 1952 and was re-elected in 1954, 1956, and 1958. He was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1960 and again in 1964, when he served on the party's platform committee. In 1967, Mr. Chilton served as a member of the Citizen's Advisory Commission on the West Virginia Legislature. After working in the promotions department, Ned Chilton served as publisher of the Charleston Gazette from 1961 until his death in 1987. The newspaper gained distinction under his direction through innovative editorial policies including "right of reply" and front page corrections. In 1982, he received the Colby College Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award for courage and integrity in journalism, and in 1985 he was named to the newspaper advisory board of United Press International. He also served as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Awards committee. Although active in the newspaper business and politics, Mr. Chilton gave his time and support to numerous civic, social and public organizations.

Source: State of West Virginia House Resolution No. 15 "A House Resolution Commemorating the Passing of William E. "Ned" Chilton, III, publisher of the Charleston Gazette and former member of the House of Delegates" adopted February 16, 1987.

Elizabeth "Betty" Early Chilton was born in Williamson, West Virginia. She married William Edwin "Ned" Chilton in 1952. Mrs. Chilton has worked in various roles at the Charleston Gazette Co. and its related entities, working in public relations and later serving as president and an editorial board member of the Gazette, serving as vice president and treasurer of the Daily Gazette Co., and serving as the director of Charleston Newspapers. She attended both Hollins College and Marjorie Webster College and has been an active member in local and regional organizations dedicated to advancing journalism, education, and the humanities broadly. Mrs. Chilton has received awards for her work in the field of journalism and her service to her community, including the President's Distinguished Service Award from West Virginia University.

Source: "Charleston Gazette Co. president to receive WVU Distinguished Service Award," WVU Today, May 1, 2000. http://wvutoday-archive.wvu.edu/n/2000/05/01/2862.htm.

Acquisition information:
Multiple gifts of Chilton, Elizabeth "Betty" Early, 1992 April 9, 2001 July 24, 2004 November 16, 2018 April 4, 2018 July 24, and 2018 November 29.
Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard