Chiles, Eugene Edward, papers Eugene Edward Chiles papers MSS 14439

Eugene Edward Chiles papers MSS 14439


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Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
URL: https://small.library.virginia.edu/

Ellen Welch

Repository
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Identification
MSS 14439
Title
Eugene Edward Chiles papers 1915-1922
URL:
https://archives.lib.virginia.edu/ark:/59853/646
Quantity
3 Cubic Feet, 7 document boxes
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 14439, Eugene Edward Chiles papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, at the University of Virginia.

Provenance

Purchased October 31, and November 11, 2008.

Biographical Note

Eugene Edward Chiles was a lieutenant in the United States Army who settled in Pittsuburg, Pennsylvania after the war. From 1918-1921, he received love letters from his girlfriend, Eugenie O'Neill (1888-1973), who was also from Pittsburgh but left to sail on the White Star Line for travel in London and France with her mother. She was the daughter of Florence O'Neill who was a writer for the Pittsburgh Dispatch. His father owned the newspaper and their family line descends from Hugh O'Neill (1781-1859 Ireland). Eugenie breaks up with Eugene after her parents divorce and financial issues arise. She marries Robert William Whitty Cryan.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_O%27Neill_(editor) https://www.geni.com/people/Florence-O-Neill/1826727

Scope and Contents Note

Eugene Edward Chiles papers, (3 cubic feet, 1915-1922) contain love letters from his girlfriend, Eugenie O'Neill who is traveling in European circles with wealthy and or famous acquaintances, while he is working as a realtor in Pittsburgh, PA. and Stephens City, Virginia, after the war. Her letters mostly describe her feelings for him and mention (briefly) famous places, people, and events from the Twenties. Topics consist of post war conditions, unemployment, strikes, feminism, racism, and the Sinn Fein rebellion (newspaper clippings). Included are a few letters from Eugene and letters from his mother, and girlfriends (1915-1922). There are also financial, military, miscellaneous, and personal papers belonging to Eugene Chiles.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 4 series: Series 1. Correspondence, Series 2. Financial papers, Series 3. Military papers, and Series 4. Miscellaneous and personal papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Container List

1
Correspondence
2.5 Cubic Feet 5 document boxes
1915-1922English.
Scope and Contents

This series contains mostly letters from Eugenie O'Neill to Eugene Chiles about their relationship, her daily activities lunching at the Ritz or sightseeing, and a variety of topics, including post war Europe, strikes, welfare, unemployment, Belfast and Sein Finn, discrimnation of African Americans in Paris, women, depression, psychics, and her philosophy on life. Included are a few letters from Eugene Chiles to her after their break up in 1921. There are also some letters from other family members and friends to Eugenie or Eugene. People mentioned are Cornelius Vanderbilt, Princess Thurn, Lady Duff Gordon, Lady Tindore, Baron Rothchilds, and Comte Lambert.

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2
Financial papers
0.04 Cubic Feet One folder in document box 6
1915-1920; UndatedEnglish.
Scope and Contents

This series contains financial papers such as bills, receipts, and insurance and real estate notebooks. Included are identification cards(with photograph) for Eugene Chiles.

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3
Military papers
0.04 Cubic Feet One folder in document box 6.
1917-1919English.
Scope and Contents

This series contains one folder of receipts, discharge papers, and other military correspondence and papers.

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4
Miscellaneous and Personal papers
1918-1921; UndatedEnglish.
Scope and Contents

This series contains miscellaneous papers including photographs of Eugene Chiles, Eugenie O'Neill, and other girlfriends; art supplies and ephemera; newspaper clippings about the estate of Senator Philander Chase Knox; a French-English translation book; typescripts of poetry; songs; and medical reports for Eugene Chiles.

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