Archive of Material Related To Hoover's Attempted Purchase of Land in the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California,

while at Stanford University, following his presidential reelection defeat (1932). Collection includes Three (3) Autographed Letters Signed by Hoover, together with other related material. Fourteen (14) items total. 1). Typed Letter Signed ("Herbert Hoover") [Palo Alto, California] September 15, 1933, to his attorney. Edward D. Lyman at the Los Angeles law firm of Overton, Lyman & Plumb. 4to, 1 1/2 pages, with holograph correction and addition (with a surveyor's map attached, indicating location of the property): "For your confidential information, I and some friends have been purchasing some land in the southern San Joaquin Valley. We would like to extend these holdings if we could get areas with proper soil and water. Either the Los Angeles Athletic Club or the Los Angeles Duck Club own two sections of land southeast of Bakersfield.They use it for duck shooting purposes. this institution has recently been in financial difficulties .it might be willing to sell the land for a reasonable price if it were given a perpetual right to maintain their Duck Club on it. That club.would cause some slight interferences with agricultural operations, but that could be represented in the price. In other words it is not worth as much with the Duck Club on it as it would be with the Duck Club off. I would be glad if you would find out what the lowest price is that they would accept and the terms of payment .I send you a small map with the areas marked." A holograph addition has been added above the closing: "I want my name kept out of it!" 2). Typed Letter Signed ("Herbert Hoover") [Palo Alto, California] September 16, 1933, to his attorney. Edward D. Lyman at the Los Angeles law firm of Overton, Lyman & Plumb. 4to, 1 page: "Since writing you yesterday I find the assessed value of the land mentioned is $58,000 for 1298 acres. I am told that if the Club kept a small acreage and had exclusive shooting right over the balance they would be as well off as if they owned the whole. I am leaving for two weeks to visit the Chicago Fair. would you keep Mr. Sexson, my secretary, advised. He will keep in touch with me." 3). Telegram, on Western Union form, September 19, 1933, from Hoover's secretary, Paul Sexson at Palo Alto, to P.B. Plumb: "Referring to phone conversation matter is entirely confidential.principals name would not be divulged." 4). Typed letter (carbon copy), September 20, 1933, from Eugene Overton, to Herbert Hoover (to Sexson's attention): "I learned that the property that you are interested in belongs to the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and I have just talked with Mr. Frank A. Garbutt, who controls that Club.he is considered one of the most able business men and hardest traders in this City.he asked if our clients would be willing to let the Athletic Club reserve the oil rights.he then stated that he might not be so much interested in reserving the shooting rights as the oil rights." With a P.S.: "Since dictating the above [I learned] that you [said] the urgency in this matter was due to the fact that there was some oil development at or near the land." 5). Telegram, on Western Union form, September 21, 1933, from Paul Sexson, to Eugene Overton: "Please have G[arbutt] quote us two prices one with oil rights and one without." 6). Telegram, on Western Union from, September 22, 1933, from Eugene Overton to Paul Sexson: "G[arbutt] states will have to confer with Directors. doubts if would be willing to quote price without reserving oil rights." 7). Typed letter (copy), Los Angeles Athletic Club, Office of the Board of Directors, September 23, 1933, from Frank A. Garbutt to Eugene Overton: Please call the store for more information if needed.. No Binding. Fine/Fine. (Inventory #: 500772)