Letters to the Editor

From Here to Hollywood

I am so glad that you featured an article about Jimmy Stewart before he died [see “Keystone Born, Hollywood Bred: ‘Movie Buff’ David Mallery Reviews the Acting Careers of James Stewart and Grace Kelly” by William C. Kashatus in the Winter 1997 edition]. In his inter­view, Mr. Mallery touched on so many things that later appeared in the actor’s obituaries and the many tributes in newspapers and magazines. Pennsylvania Heritage really celebrated Mr. Stewart’s career while he was living and not in death, as so many publications tend to do. From here to Hollywood, you put the actor’s life and career in perspective. Keep up the excellent standards you have set-your magazine is a model for others to follow.

Edward P. Simko
Philadelphia, Pa.

Born on May 20, 1908, in Indiana, Indiana County, film legend James Stewart appeared in eighty-one feature films, eleven television movies or series, and fifteen documentaries. He passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 1997, at his home in Beverly Hills.

Puzzling Photograph

I was puzzled by the caption accompa­nying the photograph of Crystal Bird Fauset and Thomas E. Dewey on page 38 of the Winter 1997 edition [see “Crystal Bird Fauset Raises Her Voice for Human Rights” by Eric Ledell Smith]. I find it hard to believe it is accurate. The person just behind Fauset, over her right shoulder, is clearly Edward Martin [see “In the Public’s Best Interest” by Elizabeth A. Early, Spring 1989], elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1942 at the same time Dewey was elected to his first term in New York. Governor Martin is certainly not going to be in New York or Albany, either in 1942 or 1946. It is highly unlikely that Fauset is congratu­lating Governor Dewey on winning either of those two races. While it is possible that the photograph is 1944 vintage, at the Republican National Convention, it is more likely that it is 1948, at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, at which time Dewey was placed in nomination by Martin, then serving as U.S. senator. It is certainly one of the worst pictures of Governor Dewey, even though he was not very photogenic under the most formal circumstances, but his appearance is more like 1948 than 1944. Thank you for introducing us to Crystal Bird Fauset, clearly someone who should not be forgotten.

I. B. Sinclair, Esq.
Media, Pa.

Both the photograph and identification were graciously provided by the Urban Archives of Temple University, Philadelphia, which frequently lends vintage and historic images to accompany articles in this magazine. Established in 1967 to document the social and economic development of Philadelphia from the mid-nineteenth century and forward, the Urban Archives contains community organization records and extensive news and photographic archives from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the defunct Philadelphia Bulletin.

Undeniable A-Peale

The recent article on Rembrandt Peale was most interesting [see “Soft Coal’s Soft-Spoken Diplomat” by Barry P. Micrina in the Spring 1997 issue]. We have in our research library at the Clinton County Historical Society a very large collection of personal letters, business papers , photographs, docu­ments, sketches, and paintings concerning the entire family of Rembrandt’s father, Samuel R. Peale, who lived in Lock Haven and raised his family here. These items were given to the historical society by Peale descen­dants now living in Connecticut and Oklahoma. Our goal, someday, is to write a history of this fascinating family and their contributions to Lock Haven and Clinton County.

David P. Winton
Lock Haven, Pa.

David P Winton is executive director of the Clinton County Historical Society in Lock Haven.