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     MANUSCRIPTS and ARCHIVAL MATERIAL

Eugene Edward Chiles papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 14439

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1915-1922

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

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

Extent

3 Cubic Feet (7 document boxes)

Language of Materials

English

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.

Provenance

Purchased October 31, and November 11, 2008.

Title
Eugene Edward Chiles papers
Status
Completed
Author
Ellen Welch
Date
31 August 2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States