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Edward Boyce Papers
| Accession #: | Ms50 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Edward Boyce Papers |
| Participants: | |
| Physical Description: | 12 linear ft. (12 boxes) |
| Description: | Biographical Note: Edward Boyce was born and educated in County Donegal, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in 1882 and worked his way west as a laborer. In 1887 he arrived at Wardner, ID, where he found employment in the Coeur d'Alene mining district. Boyce became active in labor organization and was jailed for his participation in the 1892 labor disputes. In 1893 he joined the Western Federation of Miners, served as president, 1896-1902; and edited its magazine, The Miner's Magazine, 1900-1902. Boyce's leadership of the Western Federation of Miners was aggressive, and during his presidency the union waged three bitter strikes; Leadville, CO, 1896-1897; the Coeur d'Alenes, ID, 1899; and Telluride, CO, 1901. After his marriage to Eleanor Day in 1901, Boyce gradually disengaged himself from the labor movement. He resigned from the Western Federation of Miners in 1902. The Day family purchased the Portland Hotel Company in Portland, OR, and Boyce moved to Portland to serve as its president, 1911-1941. In Portland he became active in the business community, serving as president of the Oregon Hotel Association, 1936, and as chairman of the Tunnel Commission of the State of Oregon, 1931-1935. Content Description: The Edward Boyce papers contain a wide variety of materials documenting the various periods of his life. Included are his diaries, 1896-1941. While the earlier diaries contain information regarding his activities in the Western Federation of Miners, the entries are quite circumspect and reveal very little regarding behind-the-scenes activities or Boyce's role in the violence that marked his term as president. The later diaries contain very brief daily entries of his business and social activities. The correspondence files are fragmentary, but do contain some valuable information regarding the Western Federation of Miners, particularly after Boyce left the organization. Correspondents include: Clarence Darrow, Eugene V. Debs, William D. Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, John M. O'Neill, and Eamon de Valera. There is extensive correspondence with all members of the Day family regarding mining and other financial matters. Boyce had a great interest in Democratic Party politics and in Irish Free State causes, and there is correspondence reflecting these interests. There is a complete run of The Miner's Magazine, 1900-1902. The records of the Portland Hotel Company, 1889-1941, comprise the bulk of the Boyce papers. Included are incorporation records and stock certificates and financial and other business records. Sources: Fahey, John. "Ed Boyce and the Western Federation of Miners," Idaho Yesterdays (Vol. 25, No. 3), pp. 18-30. Fahey, John. The Days of the Hercules (Moscow, ID: University Press of Idaho, 1978). Related Materials : See also Eleanor Boyce Papers (Ms 51) and John Fahey Papers (Ms 65 and Ms 98). Online finding aid available: http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv42759. |
| Category: | Manuscript Collection |
| Related Objects: |
Ms51 (Boyce, Eleanor B. Day (Eleanor Berniece Day), Eleanor B. Day Boyce Papers, 1887 - 1951)
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| Credit Line: | Edward Boyce Papers (Ms 50), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA. |
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