Letter from Gardner Jackson to Hollace Ransdell, October 1, 1928
Title (alt.):
Gardner Jackson Letters
Hollace Ransdell Letters
Description:
Gardner Jackson was a reporter for the Boston Globe during the 1920s. While working as a reporter, his wife Dorothy urged him to look into the trial of Sacco-Vanzetti that was taking place in Dedham, MA. Jackson believed they were on trial for their beliefs rather than the crime. By 1926, he left the Globe to become the Secretary of the Sacco-Vanzetti Defense Committee. Hollace Ransedell was a teacher, journalist, activist, and worked with the ACLU and served as secretary for the National Sacco-Vanzetti League. In this letter from Jackson to Ransdell, he opens the letter by reaffirming their ambition in regard to the Sacco-Vanzetti case. Jackson apologizes for not being able to attend an executive committee meeting, but offers some points that should be discussed at the meeting. One agenda item is the creation of a Sacco-Vanzetti Memorial House and the raising of funds for such an endeavor. In the second half of the letter, Jackson goes into detail about the publication of Sacco and Vanzetti's letters. Even after their execution, Jackson still advocated for justice for Sacco and Vanzetti. This letter and others found in the collection offer scholars an insight into the efforts taken by prominent figures and everyday citizens for justice for Sacco and Vanzetti.
