Dale L. Morgan-Madeline R. McQuown, 1940-1944

File — Box: 2, Folder: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Morgan writes to McQuown of his research in the National Archives, passing on historical information pertinent to her research on Brigham Young and discussing his ideas about Mormon history. Only a few of the letters are of a personal nature.

A personal note thanking McQuown for a poem and describing a recent chess tournament. He mentions completing the first chapter of his novel, 1940.
A postcard from the home of Brigham Young describing the beautiful drive from Salt Lake to St. George. 1941.
A memorandum about the Mormon expulsion from Nauvoo. Morgan comments on the psychological relationship between Mormons and anti-Mormons in Illinois. Each side thought the worst of the other, to the point of fanaticism. DeVoto, Morgan says, implies that the mob made its final onslaught on Nauvoo because of the weakness of the city. But Morgan argues that as the Mormon leadership left for the West, the poorer elements and criminal fringe remained in the city. This reenforced the anti-Mormon opinion and a feeling of righteous justification for the invasion of the city grew. Morgan concludes the letter saying "Something of this point of view, in a really objective commentary on the final Nauvoo scenes, should be expressed.," 1942.
Letter Thanking McQuown for a List of Manuscripts, 1942.
Morgan writes of encouraging Juanita Brooks to write a book of personal reminiscences, "a new book of which I am what you might call the spiritual father." Mrs. Brooks had sent Morgan several chapters and he sent several reprinted episodes to McQuown. The letter concludes with a handwritten reminder that DeVoto's The Literary Fallacy will soon be published, 1944.
Morgan describes a visit from Fawn M. Brodie and gives McQuown several ideas for her Brigham Young book. He suggests that she read Brigham Young's correspondence of 1851-1857 as ex-officio superintendent of Indian Affairs and the correspondence between Young and Bernhisel found in the Coe Collection. Dale then summarizes the many libraries with important Mormon history materials which he and McQuown must someday visit, 1944.
Morgan relates a visit from a Mrs. Porter who brought him much gossip from Salt Lake City, 1944.
This letter accompanied a copy of DeVoto's The Literary Fallacy sent to McQuown (Morgan and McQuown frequently exchanged books). Morgan gives his characteristic unrestrained criticisms of the book. Generally, he says, the book is better than the reviews say. However, "I am disposed to doubt that DeVoto's preoccupation with the literary mind is the most profitable use he could make of his time. . ." DeVoto's talent is in a unique method of interpreting American culture not in "taking other writers apart." While on the subject of DeVoto, Morgan repeats some of his objections to the Year of Decision. He particularly objects to some of DeVoto's judgments about the Indians. At the time the book was published he sent DeVoto several pages of corrections and recommended he read some current studies in anthropology, 1944.
Morgan announces the arrival of his file cabinet, full of research materials. He delights that his personal research library is nearly complete with the arrival of the file and the thirty-two volume Early Western Travels series, 1944.
Morgan reports on the negotiations with Rinehart and Company, Inc., about the The Great Salt Lake. He also comments on the status of Fawn Brodie's No Man Knows My History, 1944.

Dates

1940-1944

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.