CHAPTER 1: FIRST WARD
10 Irish Republic: Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 6–8, 11, B: 1, Part 1, GU; Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; Lay, p. 14; Beecher, Sept. 25 and 26, 2008; Brown, pp. 15–16; Memorandum on lunch with OCD and Father Vincent Donovan, Sept. 25, 1958, B: 18, WJDP, MHI; Goldman, pp. 39, 75.
10 Democratic Party: King letter to Edward H. Butler, Oct. 2, 1980, B: 19, RDP, MHI.
10 fine literature: Buffalo Courier & Republic, July 20, 1868; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 33–34, B: 1, Part 1, GU.
11 “Need Apply”: Buffalo City Directory 1891, p. 421; The Blue Book Buffalo 1905, p. 166.
11 was fifteen: State of New York, County of Erie, City of Buffalo, Birth Certificate for Jan. 1, 1883, WJD Birth Certificate File, BEH; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 8, 33–34, B: 1, Part 1, GU.
11 on the bar: Beecher, Sept. 11, 2007, Sept. 25 and 26, 2008; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 18, 34–35, B: 1, Part 1, GU.
12 or orations: Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 1, 22, 25, 38–39, B: 1, Part 1, GU; Memorandum on lunch with OCD and Father Vincent Donovan, Sept. 25, 1958, B: 18, WJDP, MHI; Beecher, Sept. 25, 2007; Sullivan, Sept. 25, 2008; Nardin Academy school records for WJD, 1895.
12 on the field: Saint Joseph’s Collegiate Institute brochure, B: 2, RDP, MHI; Bieron, Sept. 24, 2008; History of Saint Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, SJCI; Saint Joseph’s commencement program brochures, 1898–99, SJCI; “The Quigley Medal,” news clipping, May 1899, SJCI.
12 Donovan railed: Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 3–5, B:1, Part 1, GU; Stranges, p. 1; Ormsby, pp. 1–8; WJD grades in Records of the Collegiate and Academic Departments of Niagara University, September 1898 to June 1910, NU; WJD, “Religion—The Need of the Hour,” pp. 166–67.
13 the “handsomest”: Newton D. Baker Memorial Lecture by WJD, May 3, 1946, p. 68, B: 3A, WJDP, MHI; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 4, 43, B: 1, Part 1, GU; Notes on WJD, B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; Interview with RRD, March 6, 1972, B: 7, Troy Papers, RG 263, NA; Donovan Football Record, unnumbered box, WJDP, MHI; M. Halsey Thomas letter to WS, Dec. 19, 1958, B: 80, Historical Background Files, CU; The Columbian 1905: The Year Book of the Junior Class, p. 272, C722, CPI, CU; The Senior-Year Book of the Class of 1905, Record of the Senior Class of Columbia College, pp. 127–28, CU.
14 from Hyde Park: Kyle Bradford Smith, “Remember 109—Recollections of OSSers,” OSS Society Newsletter, Winter 2007, p. 14; Brown, p. 20; Newton D. Baker Memorial Lecture by WJD, May 3, 1946, p. 68, B: 3A, WJDP, MHI.
14 defense issues: Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; “The Rise of Wm. J. Donovan,” undated newspaper article, B: “World War I, Political Campaigns, etc.,” WJDP, MHI; “William J. Donovan,” undated newspaper article, B: 135, WJDP, MHI, MIH; WJD letter to Donnelly & O’Neil, Jan. 2, 1914, B: 1, BEH.
15 his way up: WJD letter to Saturn Club, Dec. 24, 1914, B: 1, BEH; Baker & Watson letter to WJD, Feb. 17, 1915, B: 1, BEH.
15 music harmony: Bing & Nathan letter to WJD, Dec. 7, 1915, WJD to Brother Clement Donovan, Dec. 22, 1915, B: 1, BEH; WJD letter to Loretta Donovan, Dec. 16, 1915, Immaculata Seminary Report Card for Loretta Donovan, November 1915, B: 1, BEH.
15 military neophytes: WJD letter to Col. Charles I. DeBevoise, Nov. 15, 1913, B: 128A, WJDP, MHI.
16 wanting to join: WJD letter to David H. Biddle, Dec. 11, 1915, WJD letter to John M. Scopes & Co., Feb. 17, 1916, WJD letter to Maj. J. Leslie Kincaid, Dec. 17, 1915, WJD letter to Cpt. Chester King, March 13, 1916, WJD letter to Lt. Col. Henry A. Bostwick, Dec. 21, 1915, B: 128A, Troop I bylaws, B: 137B, WJDP, MHI.
16 amateur productions: Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 25, 48–49, B: 1, Part 1, GU; WVHD, p. 34, WJDP, MHI; Unidentified newspaper obituary for Eleanor R. Belmont, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; Belmont, pp. 77–79, 95, 100, 111–12; Donald S. Rumsey letter to David Donovan, Dec. 5, 1982, Part 3, B: 1, GU.
16 a millionaire: Beecher, Sept. 25, 2008; Brown, pp. 27–29; “Death of Aaron Rumsey,” Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, April 6, 1864, p. 3; Dunn, pp. 155–56; “D. P. Rumsey Dead,” Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, April 5 and 11, 1906, p. 14 and p. 8; RRD letters to Susan Rumsey, B: 2, GU; Rosemary Hall report card for RRD, December 1908, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; Mugler, Jan. 21, 2008.
17 her daughter: Banta, Jan. 28, 2008; Spaulding, Feb. 18, 2008; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, p. 11, B: 1, Part 1, GU.
17 “own class”: WJD letter to RRD, undated, B: 135, WJDP, MHI.
17 his fiancée: Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, p. 11, B: 1, Part 1, GU; “I Remember,” unidentified newspaper article from Buffalo, MMP.
18 them a car: “Donovan-Rumsey,” Buffalo Evening News, July 16, 1914, p. 18; WJD letter to John T. Ryan, March 27, 1915, B: 1, BEH; WJD letter to Susan Rumsey, B: 135, WJDP, MHI.
18 “your manners”: Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; Donald Rumsey interview, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow, 1975-undated, WJDP, MHI; Guy Martin interview, April 28, 1941, B: 6, RDP, MHI; Dunlop, pp. 171–72; WVHD, p. 12, WJDP, MHI.
18 across the border: C. P. Franchot cable to Robert Lansing, June 22, 1916, B: 137B, WJDP, MHI. There has been wild speculation by Anthony Cave Brown and other OSS writers that during his European tour with the Rockefeller Foundation Donovan met British agent William Stephenson and was secretly recruited and trained by British intelligence. There is no credible evidence that was the case. Donovan was working only for the Rockefeller Foundation. See Troy, Wild Bill and Intrepid, pp. 165–77.
19 his father: Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, p. 11, B: 1, Part 1, GU; WJD letter to RRD, May 12, 1916, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 31–32, B: 1, Part 1, GU.
19 “to get well”: “Troop I Gets Invitation to Private Lake,” unidentified news article July 24, 1916, and other news clips, BCA; WJD letter to RRD, Oct. 2, 1916, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; WJD letter to RRD, Fall 1916, EMC.
20 loyal soldier: Harris, pp. 2–3, 17–41, 50–60, 73–74, 96–99, 198, 285; WJD letter to RRD, circa August 1917, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; WVHD, p. 12, WJDP, MHI; “69th Has New War Game, ‘Bucking the Line,’ to Harden Men for French Trenches,” unidentified news article, Aug. 28, 1917, B: 137C, WJDP, MHI.
20 and wife: WJD letter to RRD, Sept. 12, 1917, B: 134, WJDP, MHI; WJD letter to Susan Rumsey, 1917, WJD letters to RRD Aug. 2, 8, 21, and 30, 1917, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 14, B: 1, Part 1, GU.
CHAPTER 2: THE GREAT WAR
21 that day: Duffy, p. 271; WJD letters to RRD, Sept. 17, 21, and 25, 1918, B: 132A, WJDP, MHI; Cooke, pp. 133–34.
22 he told Ruth: WJD letters to RRD, Dec. 26, 1917, Jan. 1, Feb. 7, March 11, March 28, April 4, May 7, 1918, B: 132A, WJDP, MHI; Harris, pp. 150–78.
23 he loved it: WVHD, p. 24, WJDP, MHI; Dunlop, pp. 58–59; Interview with Mrs. William J. Donovan, March 6, 1972, B: 7, TTP, RG263, NA; WJD to RRD, Nov. 11, 1917, B: 132A, WJDP, MHI; WJD to C.O. Co. C, 165th Inf., Jan. 16, 1918, WJD memo to CO Medical Detachment, March 4, 1918, WJD memo to C. O. Co. C, March 4, 1918, and Oliver Ames memo to Platoon Commanders, March 4, 1918, B: 26, E: 1241, RG120, NA.
23 published them: Sept. 13, 1918, Donovan, 1/165, B: 230, RG117, NA; Cooke, p. 164; Sen. Wadsworth letter to WJD, Aug. 9, 1918, and King letter to WJD, Sept. 1, 1918, B: 137B, WJDP, MHI; Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; Sen. Wadsworth letter to WJD, May 18, 1918, B: 129, WJDP, MHI; “Major Donovan’s War Diary,” New York Sun Magazine Section, Sept. 22, 1918; WJD to RRD, Aug. 7, 1918, Box 132A, WJDP, MHI.
23 abandon God: Sen. Wadsworth letter to WJD, Aug. 9, 1918, B: 137B, WJDP, MHI; letter to RRD, Feb. 28, 1918, B: 1, BEC; Goldman, pp. 75–76; WJD letters to RRD, April 4, Aug. 7 and 26, Sept. 5, 9, and 21, 1918, and March 27, 1919, B: 132A, WJPD,
MHI; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 13, 19, 21, B: 1, Part 1, GU; Beecher, Sept. 26 and 26, 2008; McIntosh, April 7, 2009; Vincent Donovan letter to RRD, November 1918, B: 137D, WJDP, MHI; Memo of conversation with Betty McIntosh, April 26, 1973, B: 7, TTP, RG263, NA; Donald Rumsey interview, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow, 1979-undated, WJDP, MHI.
24 through forces: Coffman, p. 255; Ferrell, The Question of MacArthur’s Reputation, p. 11; Cooke, pp. 134, 163–69.
25 right flank: Ferrell, The Question of MacArthur’s Reputation, pp. 13–22, 82–83; Cooke, pp. 167–70; Harris, pp. 336–39.
25–29 With rain to carry it out: Ferrell, The Question of MacArthur’s Reputation, pp. 22–42, 52, 81–88; Ferrell, Dec. 22, 2008; 201–Bootz, Henry A. testimony, April 14, 1930, B: 232, RG117, NA; Harris, p. 341; WJD letter to RRD, Oct. 15 and 23, 1918, B: 132A, WJDP, MHI; 42nd Division Inspector report to Commanding General on WJD countermanding order, Oct. 25, 1918, B: 94, HDQRS.—Dec. File 331.5-350, E: 1241, RG120, NA; AEF and 5th Corps Records of the relief of Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lenihan and Col. Harry D. Mitchell, B: 85, World War I Organization Records 5th Corps, RG120, NA; Cooke, pp. 174–81; Harris, pp. 349–60; Duffy, pp. 275–78, 284–85. One story that has refused to die over the years is that the battery Harry Truman commanded was supposed to provide artillery support for Donovan’s attacking regiment October 14 and 15. When it did not do so, Donovan allegedly complained, earning the everlasting enmity of Truman, who eventually retaliated by closing down Donovan’s OSS. Nothing could be further from the truth. Truman’s battery was nowhere near the Landres-et-Saint-Georges battle.
29 fight again: Duffy, pp. 325–26; WJD letters to RRD, Nov. 11 and Dec. 7, 1918, Jan. 15, 1918, B: 132A, WJDP, MHI; WVHD, p. 22, WJDP, MHI.
30 ever met: Duffy, pp. 326–27; Harris, pp. 375–77.
30 AEF headquarters: WJD letters to RRD, Nov. 24 and 28, Dec. 6, 1918; Harris, pp. 375–79; Affidavits collected by Father Duffy for WJD Medal of Honor, B: 129 and 136A, WJDP, MHI; C.O. 165th Infantry memo to Adjutant General of the Army, Feb. 22, 1919, B: 136A, WJDP, MHI.
30 Ourcq River: John J. Pershing letter to Newton D. Baker, June 13, 1919, and memo to Pershing from the Adjutant General AEF, June 8, 1919, B: 19, JP, LOC; Ferrell, Dec. 22, 2008.
31 would follow: WJD letters to RRD, Oct. 8 and Dec. 22, 1918, Jan. 17–28, Feb. 15, March 7, 23, and 27, 1919, B: 132A and 135, WJDP, MHI.
31 and wept: Donovan scrapbook of welcome home news articles, B: 131A, WJDP, MHI; Corey Ford interview with Vincent Donovan, November 1967, pp. 25–26, 53, B:1, Part 1, GU.
CHAPTER 3: THE PROSECUTOR
32 with details: Donovan diary, June 8, 14, and 16, 1919, Box 132A, WJDP, MHI; RRD letter to Susan Rumsey, June 26, 1919, B: 3, BEC.
33 in Washington: WJD letter to Roland Morris, Nov. 16, 1919, B: 19, RDP, MHI; F. C. MacDonald diary, The Omsk Journey, B: 95B, WJDP, MHI; WJD letter to William J. Eagan, Oct. 23, 1919, B: 2, BEC.
33 the picture: Vincent Donovan letter to WJD, Sept. 6, 1919, B: 1, BEC.
33 North Shore: Lay, pp. 11–18; WJD letter to Reginald D. Boardman, Nov. 17, 1919, B: 2, BEC; Raichle, OHC, pp. 1–3, 20.
34 billion-dollar plans: WJD letter to Col. Frank McCoy, July 30, 1920, B: 128B, WJDP, MHI; Chernow, pp. 210–11.
34 delicately put it: WJD letter to RRD, March 9, 1920, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; Brown, p. 78; Donald Rumsey interview, p. 10, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow, 1979-undated, WJDP, MHI; Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI.
35 violation charges: Lay, pp. 19–37, 76–77, 143–44; “Buffalo Bombers Phone Threat to Get Col. Donovan,” New York American, April 20, 1924; “To Close This Chapter,” unidentified news article, “Donovan Asks Strict Regard for All Laws,” unidentified news article, B: 130B, WJDP, MHI.
35 in Munich: WJD diary entry, March 21, 1923, B: 132B, WJDP, MHI; WJD letter to John J. Larkin, Sept. 16, 1922, WJD letter to Col. William Haskell, Nov. 22, 1922, B: 130C, WJDP, MHI. Previous biographers (Dunlop, p. 151) have speculated that Donovan met Hitler during his 1923 trip to Germany. But Donovan’s itinerary and diary for the trip clearly show that no such meeting took place.
35 the armory: Ferrell, Dec. 22, 2008; “Col. ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan of Old 69th Gives His Honor Medal to Regiment,” unidentified news article, B: 130B, WJDP, MHI; Sen. James Wadsworth letter to Maj. Gen. P. C. Harris, Feb. 28, 1921, B: 426, AGO 1917-25, 220.515-52, RG407, NA; WJD letter to Francis P. Duffy, Nov. 6, 1919, B: 2, BEC; “Col. Donovan Gets Congress Medal,” New York Times, Dec. 8, 1922, p. 16.
36–37 Donovan stood to for the raid: Alex H. Griffin letter to Herbert Hoover, Feb. 26, 1929, B: 1, Part 5, GU; Raichle, OHC, pp. 5–7; “The Night They Raided the Saturn Club,” Dick Hirsch, Buffalo Courier Express, Aug. 24, 1980; “Raid Saturn Club, Arrest Bartender,” Buffalo Courier, Aug. 24, 1923, p. 1; “Raid Country Club; Others to Follow,” Buffalo Evening News, Aug. 24, 1923, p. 1; Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; Report #5 (10/16/42), B: 3, Downes Papers, E: 136A, RG226, NA; Martoche, p. 22; One Hundred Years, p. 295.
CHAPTER 4: POLITICS
38 high society: Memorandum on lunch with OCD and Father Vincent Donovan, Sept. 25, 1958, B: 18, WJDP, MHI; Mugler, Jan. 21, 2008; “The Catholic Viewpoint,” R. C. Gleaner, unidentified news article, August 1924, “Donovan Appointed Stone’s Assistant,” Aug. 15, 1924, unidentified news article, B: 130B, WJDP, MHI; “The Underworld Awaits the Word,” unidentified news article, B: 103C, WJDP, MHI; Kessler, pp. 15–16.
38–39 Donovan who to Bureau of Investigation: WJD Appointment diary, Sept. 13, Oct. 5, 1924, July 5, 1925, B: 132B, WJDP, MHI; Lyell, pp. 11–13, 246, 259; Gilbert, Sept. 29 and Nov. 11, 2007.
40 Donovan’s life: Gentry, pp. 20–21, 63–69, 74, 80, 101, 103, 111, 117, 122–31, 133–36, 280; Batvinis, pp. 42–46; Letter from George H. Wark, Sept. 15, 1924, 61-0-662(77), Newspaper clippings on WJD, March 23, 1930, July 5, 1932, and Aug. 1, 1932, 66-1897-26X (71), 66-1897-97(71), 60-1553-37(71), Oct. 18, 1924, JEH letter to WJD, 62-25733-326, encl. pp. 299, 430, 554 (109), FBI; Dunlop. p. 153.
40 the justices: Gentry, pp. 142–45; McFadden, OHC, p. 2; 1925–1928 Reports of the Attorney General, Office of the Assistant to the Attorney General, Antitrust Division, B: 130B, WJDP, MHI; interview with Bethuel M. Webster, p. 9, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow 1979-undated, WJDP, MHI.
41 double-crossing him: “Donovan Retires from State Race,” New York Evening Post, Sept. 21, 1926; Douglas MacArthur letter to WJD, June 21, 1928, B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; “Boom for Donovan Likely Tomorrow,” New York Times, May 24, 1928; William J. McEvoy memo, March 1, 1929, B: 1, MacLafferty Diaries, JM, HHL; Raichle, OHC, p. 20; Gentry, pp. 147–48; Hoover notes on reasons Donovan was not taken into the cabinet, B: 1038, Individual Name Files, HHL; Mabel Willenbrandt memo to Herbert Hoover, Feb. 8, 1920, B: 69, Presidential Papers Subject Files, HHL; WJD diary entry, March 2, 1929, File: WJD Diary, 1929, B: 2, Part 1, GU; WVDH, p. 3, WJDP, MHI; Interview with Mrs. William J. Donovan, March 6, 1972, B: 7, TTP, RG263, NA.
42 at night: History of the William J. Donovan Law Firm, pp. 1–2, 4–6–10, B: Donovan Firm History, WJDP, MHI; Smith, OHC, pp. 9–13, 40, 57; Gilbert, Oct. 29, 2007; Interview with John E. Tobin, June 30, 1980, pp. 5, 29, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow Jr. 1979-undated, WJDP, MHI; Interview with J. Edward Lumbard, May 20, 1980, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow 1979-undated, WJDP, MHI; Lagemann, pp. 25, 55; Raichle, OHC, p. 19; Donald Rumsey interview, p. 5, B: Interviews—Teitelbaum to Withrow, 1979-undated, WJDP, MHI.
42 now sought: WJD letter to Walter E. Edge, June 9, 1932, B: 3, WEP, PU; “Bitter Race for Governor by Buffalo’s ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan,” Buffalo News, March 29, 1992.
43 the nomination: WJD address before the Women’s University Club, Oct. 29, 1930, B: 2A, WJDP, MHI; Notes on W.J.D., B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; vanden Heuvel, Jan. 7, 2008; letter to WJD, Aug. 16, 1932, B: 1, TGP, HIA.
43 husband’s side: Edward Clark letter to WJD, July 5, 1932, B: 4, EC, LOC; Win Donovan and Davison Committee flyer, B: 4
, EC, LOC; “Donovan Youngsters Lead Normal Lives,” Buffalo Times, October 1932, “Hundreds of Delegates Throng Rumsey Tea,” Buffalo Times, Oct. 4, 1932, B: 130B and B: “World War I, Political Campaigns, etc.,” WJDP, MHI.
43 for winning: Edward T. Clark letter to WJD, Oct. 13, 1932, B: 4, EC, LOC; “Victory Song” of Campaign for Republican Candidate for Governorship: “Wild Bill” Donovan, B: “World War I, Political Campaigns, etc.,” WJDP, MHI; Davison, OHC, pp. 189–90; William Donovan 1932, B: 458, EBP, LOC.
44 U.S. attorney: Win Donovan and Davison Committee flyer, B: 4, EC, LOC; “Donovan Says Rougher Man than Lehman Is State Need,” unidentified news article, “Donovan Gives Lie to Charge Made by Smith,” unidentified news article, Oct. 25, 1932, “‘Persecution’ Charge Hurled at Candidate,” unidentified news article, “Mrs. Roosevelt Defends State Administration,” Buffalo Courier-Express, Oct. 27, 1932, B: 130B and B: “World War I, Political Campaigns, etc.,” WJDP, MHI.
44 been forgotten: “Donovan Starts on Final Drive, Sure of Victory,” New York Herald Tribune, Oct. 31, 1932; “Donovan Retires to Quiet of Home,” unidentified news article, Nov. 8, 1932, B: 130B and B: “World War I, Political Campaigns, etc.,” WJDP, MHI; “Donovan Concedes Defeat and Congratulates Lehman,” New York Times, Nov. 9, 1932, p. 2; “State Victory Solid,” New York Times, Nov. 9, 1932, p. 15.
CHAPTER 5: FAMILY
45 on the go: Gilbert, Jan. 12, 2008; David G. Donovan, Nov. 4, 2007; Interview with Jim Murphy, April 28, 1981, B: 6, RDP, MHI.
45–47 As a teenager to of business: Beecher, Sept. 25, 2008; Gilbert, Oct. 29, 2007; RRD letters to WJD, Jan. 31, Feb. 6, 23, and 30, March 2, 1930, B: 135, WJDP, MHI; WJD letter to RRD, March 12, 1929, WJD letter to RRD, Feb. 28, 1930, RRD letter to WJD, 1930, B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Chapel Hill Farm, DHR # 021-0014; Henderson, Nov. 11, 2008; Gilbert, Oct. 29, 2007, Jan. 12, 2008; Memorandum for the Record on James R. Murphy, Jan. 10, 1969, Memo of Conversation with Betty McIntosh, April 26, 1973, B: 7, TTP, RG263, NA; WJD letter to RRD, late 1930s, B: 137C, WJDP, MHI; Application for Commission in U.S. Naval Reserve from David Rumsey Donovan, Oct. 20, 1940, NPRC; Bancroft, OHC, pp. 337–41; “Home Bridal Held for Mary Grandin,” New York Times, June 19, 1939, p. 18; Dunlop, p. 197; Gilbert, Sept. 29, 2007, Jan. 12, 2008; Tippaparn Donovan, Jan. 24, 2008.
Wild Bill Donovan Page 50
