Donald E. Baker Collection, 1939-2015

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Baker, Donald E., 1918-
Title
Donald E. Baker Collection
Dates
1939-2015 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 linear feet, (1 box)
Collection Number
OLPb026BAK
Summary
This collection includes correspondence, publications and other papers from Don Baker, a WWII conscientious objector interned at the Cascade Locks (Oregon) Civilian Public Service Camp, who had been sentenced to prison at McNeil Island, Washington following his protest and desertion from the camp work.
Repository
Lewis & Clark College, Special Collections and Archives

Aubrey R. Watzek Library
615 S. Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, OR
97219
Telephone: 5037687758
Fax: 5037687282
archives@lclark.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and availible for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Donald (Don) E. Baker was born in 1918. Baker petitioned and received conscientious objector status during World War II. On January 21, 1942 Baker was assigned to Civilian Public Service Camp 21 at Cascade Locks, Oregon. The men at the Cascade Locks camp worked during the day as foresters. Their responsibilties included logging, planting, building roads, and fighting fires. Baker was also involved with the printing of the camp newsletter and the first two issues of The Illiterati, a literary journal edited and published by Baker, Kemper Nomland, and Kermit Sheets. In 1944 Baker walked out of the camp in an act of protest. Soon after he was arrested by Federal authorities and sentenced to prison at McNeil Island Prison in Washington. This collection includes letters sent to Baker while he was in prison by his close friend and fellow C.O., James Townsend. Townsend kept Baker informed about activities at Cascade Locks and the two carried on philosophical discussions about their roles as conscientious objectors.

After the war Baker, like many of his fellow C.O.'s, settled in San Francisco where he worked as a printer until retirement. Baker died on September 30, 2015.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish, exhibit, broadcast, or quote from materials in the Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections requires written permission of the Head of Archives & Special Collections.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Custodial History

Donated to Lewis & Clark College by DonBaker in 2008, with a remainder donated by his family in 2015

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Correspondence, 1942-2008Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Letter form National Director, Brethren Civilian Public Service to D. Baker
January 9, 1942
1 3
Russell G. Pruden to Camp Director : CPS Camp #38
October 17, 1942
1 2
Letter from Russell G. Pruden to D. Baker about "the Columbian" : CPS Camp #21
October 7, 1942
1 4
From LeRoy Qualls to Camp Director about "the Columbian", CPS Camp #21
October 21, 1942
1 5
Letter from Jerome K. Wilox to Donald E. Baker about "The Columbian": CPS Camp #21
November 2, 1942
1 7
From Raymond H. Shove to "The Columbian" Directors: Camp #21
November 10, 1942
1 8
From Jerome K. Wilox to Donald Baker about "The Columbian" : CPS Camp #21
November 18, 1942
1 6
Letter from Rox M. Corfman to Welfare Hospital (Welfare Island, N.Y): CPS
November 5, 1942
1 9
From Betty and Jordan (family) to Donald Baker: CPS Camp #21
January 14, 1943
1 10
From Fran and Bill to Donald Baker
January 21, 1943
1 11
An Open letter to the people at Camp 56 from J. W Sulek
March 1943
1 12
From Harriet to Donald Baker
March 1, 1943
1 13
From Donald Baker, Bob Mclane, Dave Salstorm, General Correspondence: CPS #56
March 22, 1943
1 17
From Harold Row to Donald Baker and Others
April 12, 1943
1 14
Letter from Rufus M. Franz , Camp #60 Director to Donald E. Baker
March 27, 1943
1 15
Letter from Karl Olson to Donald Baker, Bob McLane, Dave Salstorm: CPS Camp #37
April 3, 1943
1 16
Letter from Charles D. Hornig to General Lewis B. Hershey
April 4, 1943
1 18
Letter from Jesse Wallace Hughan: CPS
April 15, 1943
1 19
From Harriet to Donal Baker
August 7, 1943
1 20
From Donald Baker to his Family, about leaving CPS: CPS Camp #21
January 10, 1944
1 21
To Donald Baker: CPS Camp #21
January 15, 1944
1 22
From his Father to Donald Baker: CPS Camp #21
January 18, 1944
1 23
From his Mother to Donald Baker: CPS Camp #21
January 19, 1944
1 24
From Donald Baker to his Mother: CPS Camp #21
January 20, 1944
1 25
From Donald Baker, General Correspondence: CPS Camp #21
January 21, 1944
1 26
From Donald Baker to United States Attorney (After leaving CPS Camp #21)
March 7, 1944
1 27
From C. B. Baldwin to The United States Board of Parole, Department of Justice: Parole Request
November 8, 1944
1 28
From Robert A. Fangmeier to Earle J. Baker, about Donald Baker's Parole
November 21, 1944
1 29
From Jack McGraw to Fellow Outmate, General Correspondence
April 1, 1946
1 30
From Josiah P. Marvel, Chairman CO Demobilization Committee, General Correspondence
July 1946
1 31
From Mulford Q. Sibley to COs: The Pacific Research Bureau
August 9, 1946
1 32
From Rev. Alfred Schmalz to Ministers of Congregational Christian Churches: Committee on Conscientious Objectors
November 27, 1950
1 33
The Congregational Christian Pacifist Fellowship and List of COs
April 12, 1952
1 34
From Alan Jenkins, General Correspondence: The Congregational Christian Pacifist Fellowship
August 28, 1953
1 36
From Rhonda Refsnider, PTI Volunteer to Donald Baker, about Oral History Project
September 14, 2002
1 37
From Rhonda Refsnider to Donald E. Baker, about Oral History Project
October 4, 2002
1 38
From Doug Erickson and Paul Merchant to Donald Baker
October 23, 2008
1 39
From Wallace Hamilton, Committee on Educational Aid to COs, General Correspondence
ca. 1940s-1950s
1 40
From Cicero Codina, Mutual Aid Food Package Service, For Overseas , General Correspondence
ca. 1940s
1 35
Letter from Cynthia Eller to the Conscientious Objectors
July 19, 1988
1 41
From Melvin Holt to Donald E. Baker about Membership of the Cooperative Society
ca. 1940s
1 42
From Emmy to Donald Baker
ca. 1930s- 1960s
1 43
Cards + Postcards
ca. 1940s- 1990s
1 44
Paul Merchant, Doug Erickson and Don Baker correspondence
2008
1 45
Townsend to Baker
March 10, 1944
1 46
Townsend to Baker
March 23, 1944
1 47
Townsend to Baker
June 26, 1944
1 48
Townsend to Baker
ca. 1944
1 49
Townsend to Baker
July 12, 1944
1 50
Townsend to Baker
July 23, 1944
1 51
Townsend to Baker
August 7, 1944
1 52
Townsend to Baker
August 14, 1944
1 53
Townsend to Baker
August 20, 1944
1 54
Townsend to Baker
August 25, 1944
1 55
Townsend to Baker
September 3, 1944
1 56
Townsend to Baker
September 14, 1944
1 57
Townsend to Baker
September 26, 1944
1 58
Townsend to Baker
October 19, 1944
1 59
Townsend to Baker
November 6, 1944
1 60
Townsend to Baker
November 29, 1944
1 61
Townsend to Baker
December 8, 1944
1 62
Townsend to Baker
December 22, 1944
1 63
Townsend to Baker
January 4, 1945
1 64
Townsend to Baker
January 31, 1945
1 65
Townsend to Baker
February 7, 1945
1 66
Townsend to Baker
March 20, 1945

Publications: Newsletters, 1942-1947Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 67
Coercion: A study in the Use of Force Series 2, No. 4
April 1944
1 68
The Columbian Vol.1, No.6
April 11, 1942
1 69
The Columbian Vol.1 No.18
February 1943
1 70
The Compass, CPS Camp #56
Summer- Fall 1944
1 71
The Compass, CPS Camp #56
Spring 1946
1 72
F.O.R Fellowship: Conscientious Objectors in World War 2, Vol.15 No.1
January 1949
1 73
The Forerunner Vol.2 No.4
April 1944
1 74
The Grapevine No.7: Prison News Exchange Service
February 1946
1 75
The Outmate No.1, Phila. Prison Group
April 1, 1946
1 76
The Outmate No.2, Phila. Prison Group
June 1, 1946
1 77
The Outmate No.3, Phila. Prison Group
August 1, 1946
1 78
The Outmate No.4, Phila. Prison Gruop
October 1946
1 79
Pacifica Views, CPS Camp #76
July 1943- August 1943
1 80
Pacifica Views, CPS Camp #76
July 1946- December 1946
1 81
Pacifica Views, CPS Camp #76
January 1947- April 1947
1 82
Paisano Vol.3 No.2
April 6, 1944
1 83
Paisano Vol.3 No.3
April 20, 1944
1 84
Paisano Vol.3 No.5
May 18, 1944
1 85
Paisano Vol.3 No.6
June 1, 1944
1 86
Paisano Vol.3 No.7
June 15, 1944
1 87
Paisano Vol.3 No.8
June 29, 1944
1 88
Paisano Vol.3 No.9
July 13, 1944
1 89
Paisano Vol.3 No.10
July 27, 1944
1 90
Paisano Vol.3 No.11
October 8, 1944
1 91
Paisano Vol.3 No.13
September 7, 1944
1 92
Paisano
September 9, 1944
1 93
Paisano Vol.3 No.14
September 21, 1944
1 94
Paisano Vol.3 No.15
October 5, 1944
1 95
Paisano Vol.3 No.21
December 28, 1944
1 96
Paisano Vol.3 No.22
January 11, 1945
1 97
Paisano Vol.3 No.23
January 25, 1945
1 98
Paisano Vol.3 No.24
February 1945
1 99
Paisano Supplement, "City College After Two Years in the Service of the U.S Navy"
October 18, 1944
1 100
Prison Views Vol.1 No.1, Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia
May 1947
1 101
Program S.F: The Magazine for Theatergoers Vol.2 No.15, The Playhouse
Early 1960s
1 102
The Reporter Vol.1 No.6, National Service Board for Religious Objectors
December 1, 1942
1 103
The Reporter Vol.1 No.14 National Service Board for Religious Objectors
April 1, 1943
1 104
The Reporter Vol.1 No.15 National Service Board for Religious Objectors
April 15, 1943
1 105
The Reporter Vol.1 No.19, National Service Board for Religious Objectors
June 15, 1943
1 106
The Reporter: Prison Supplement, National Service Board for Religious Objectors
December 1, 1943
1 107
The Reporter Vol.2 No.18, National Service Board for Religious Objectors
March 15, 1944
1 108
School of Pacifist Living No.1: CPS #21
January 1, 1944
1 109
The Tide Vol.2 No.1, CPS Camp #56
January 1943
1 110
The Tide Vol.2 No.3, CPS Camp #56
March 1943
1 111
The Untide Vol.1 No.1, CPS Camp #56
January 6, 1943
1 112
The Untide Vol.1 No.3, CPS Camp #56
January 1943
1 113
The Untide Vol.1 No.4, CPS Camp #56
January 30, 1943
1 114
The Untide Vol.1 No.5, CPS Camp #56
February 6, 1943
1 115
The Untide Vol.1 No. 6, CPS Camp #56
February 1943
1 116
The Untide Vol.1 No.7, CPS Camp #56
February 20, 1942
1 117
The Untide Vol.1 No.8, CPS Camp #56
February 28, 1943
1 118
The Untide Vol.1 No.9, CPS Camp #56
March 5, 1943
1 119
The Untide Vol.1 No.10, CPS Camp #56
March 13, 1943
1 120
The Untide Vol.1 No.11, CPS Camp #56
March 20, 1943
1 121
The Untide Vol.1 No.12, CPS Camp #56
March 1943
1 122
The War Register No.52, The Westminster Press
Autumn 1946
1 123
Youth Action Vol.1 No.7, Youth Committee for Democracy
April 1943

Misc. PublicationsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 124
British Pacifists Carry On!: Magazine
ca. Early 20th Century
1 125
"Caligula" By Albert Camus, Directed by kermit Sheets, At the Playhouse: Program
December 1957
1 126
Camp Angel Concert Series, CPS Camp #56: Third Program
March 14, 1943
1 127
"The Case Against Universal Military Training"
ca. Early 20th Century
1 128
"Christian Pacifism Today" By A. J. Muste, Church Peace Mission
ca. Early 20th Century
1 129
Civilian Public Service Camp #21 Program Description
ca. Early 20th Century
1 130
"Colonists" in Wyoming, About Detention of Japanese Americans
November 6, 1942
1 131
The Congregational- Christian Pacifists Fellowship: Pamphlet
ca. Early 20th Century
1 132
"Conscience Free" By Lloyd Frankenberg: Harper's Magazine
November 1947
1 133
"The Conscientious Objector Under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940: national Service Board for Religious Objectors
ca. 1930s- 1950s
1 134
"Coronet Magazine Presents Plague- Fighting Pacifists By Joel Canada and Lee Nicholas
July 1944
1 135
"The Diary of A. Scoundrel" By Alexander Ostrovsky, Directed by Kermit Sheets & Curtiss Cowan, At the Playhouse
ca. 1940s- 1970s
1 136
The Experience of the American Friends, Service Committee in Civilian Public Service
1941-1945
1 137
"Is the Achievement of Peace Within Our Power?": A Sermon by Rev. James Clark Brown
May 25, 1952
1 138
"It's Time to Shut Down America's Concentration Camps": Pamphlet
ca. 1940-1950
1 139
"Knights of the Round Table" By Jean Cocteau, Translated by W.H. Auden, Directed by Kermit Sheets: At the Playhouse
ca. 1940s- 1970s
1 140
Loyal to Their Christian Convictions Congregational Christian Convictions, Congregational Christian Young Men in Civilian Service
ca. Early 20th Century
1 141
Manchester College- 1997 Bulletin of the Peace Studies Institute, With Letter from Ken Brown to CPSers
March 1998
1 142
Men Against the State By George B. Reeves Number 9
1946
1 143
Mile High Timberline Lodge: A Year Around Resort: Pamphlet
Late 20th Century
1 144
"Miriam Loves Birds" a Novel by Kermit Sheets, Dedication to Don Baker
April 18, 1984
1 145
"Moral and Religious Arguements in Support to Pacifism: Conscientious Objectors and the Second World War" by Cynthia Eller: Featuring Don Baker
1988
1 146
"N.T. Basic of Pacifism- MacGreggor, A Study Help by Carl J. Landes: Index
May 22, 1940
1 147
"New About the San Dimas CPS Camp and the CO Fellowship Fund": Special Committee for C.O.s
October 18, 1941
1 148
"Ondine" A Play by Jean Giraudoux with Announcement of the Playhouse Season 1960-61
1960-1961
1 149
"Oral History Release Agreement" United States Department of Agriculture, Siuslaw National Forest
2002
1 150
Our Way in the Midst of War, Statement by the Executive Committee of the Fellowship of Reconciliation
December 9, 1941
1 151
Pacifism and the Human Spirit by Alfred Hassler: Pamphlet
ca. Early 20th Century
1 152
"Pacifists Facing World Problems"- Chicago Fellowship of Reconciliation
ca. Early 20th Century
1 153
"Peace Service Bulletin" Vol.6 No.12
December 1953
1 154
The Quare Fellow By Brendan Behan, Directed by Gina Waldron, The Interlayers at the Bella Union Theatre
Late 20th Century
1 155
"Rose Burke" By Henri Bernstein Mayfair Theatre, Portland
February 3, 1942
1 156
"S.O.S For Europe's Children" by Tracy D. Mygatt, Accounts of Starvation in Europe During WWII
March 1943
1 157
"San Francisco's Burning"- Musical, Written by Helen and Pat Adam, Music by Warner Jepson and Directed by Kermit Sheets: At the Playhouse
1961
1 158
"Seminary Students and the War Crisis" A Christian Pacifist Manifesto
1900s- 1950s
1 159
"Shaw Androcles and the Lion" Directed By Jane Steckle, At the Playhouse: Program
ca. Late 20th Century
1 160
"Stalingrad Statemate" Play by Kermit Sheets, CPS Camp #21
1943
1 161
"That Men May Live: Statement of Purpose" of the Fellowship of Reconciliation: Pamphlet
ca. Early 20th Century
1 162
"They Serve Without Weapons"- National Service Board for Religious Objectors: Pamphlet
ca. Early 20th Century
1 163
Trails on Slopes of Mount Hood, Recreation Guide 41
1939
1 164
"Up for Air- a musical venue", At the Playhouse: Program
ca. Late 20th Century
1 165
"Waldport 1943" A Poem By Kermit Sheets, Printed for the ninetieth birthday of Kermit Sheets At Lewis and Clark College
August 14, 2005
1 166
"War Elegies" by William Everson- Untide Press
1943
1 167
"Water of the Moon" By N.C. Hunter- The Playhouse Repertory
1949-1950
1 168
"A Week- End for Peace" By Jessie Wallace Hughan: War Registers League, NYC
May 2, 1943
1 169
"What is the Fellowship of Reconciliation": Pamphlet
ca. Early 20th Century
1 170
"You and the 1944 Budget: Plain Talk About Our Work" From the Fellowship of Reconciliation
1944

Printed and Misc. Materials, PhotographsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 171
Donald Baker Parole Documents
1940-1945
1 172
Ski Instructions for Mt. Hood By MOunt Hood National Forest
1941
1 173
To the Congress of the United States, From Franklin Roosevelt: The White House
December 8, 1941
1 174
Selective Service/ Peacetime Conscription: News Announcement
ca. 1942
1 175
"The First Seven Weeks in CPS Camp No.21": Report about Cascade Locks By Camp Director Mark Schrock
January 15, 1942
1 176
Wyeth's 'Conchies' Fight With Shovel: Article about CPS in The Sunday Oregonian
March 1, 1942
1 177
Red Hot Memorandum #21: CPS Camp #21
1943
1 178
CPS Camp #56: Internal Report
March 18, 1943
1 179
"Proceedings in Re Sentence" of William G. Webb
May 12, 1943
1 180
Newspaper Clipping: The Call
September 24, 1943
1 181
Written Experience in CPS Camp #21 By Robert W. McLane
April 10, 1944
1 182
Revised mailing and Packing Instructions for Food and Clothing Packages, War Resisters League
September 27, 1946
1 183
"American Militarism" By H.C Holdridge Reprinted By the Christian Century: Article
1947
1 184
"For an Evening Service" From Punch: Hymn
November 2, 1953
1 185
"Herb Caen: In Our Time"- About Vietnam War
April 18, 1967
1 186
Misc. List of Names
1968
1 187
"Typographical Union Appeals for Viet Peace": San Francisco Chronicle
June 17, 1968
1 188
Invite- CPS Camp #21 Reunion - 35th Anniversary + 1972 Reunion Report
1976
1 189
Memorial Service for George Reeves: Newspaper Clipping
June 3, 1983
1 190
"Being A WWII Conscientious Objectors (CO) at Camp Angel": Donald Baker Interview by Rhonda Refsnider: Interview Transcript
August 28, 2002
1 191
Newspaper Clippings about kermit Sheets' Death
April 23, 2006
1 192
Death Announcement and Memorial of Joseph Francis Gunterman
February 2015
1 193
About Ella Nomland's Citizenship: Newspaper Clipping
ca. 1967
1 194
Bibliography- Suggested by Caleb Foote, Former Secretary of the Fellowship of Reconciliation: Misc.
ca. Early 20th Century
1 195
Budget Planning [Accounts 11, 12, & 16]
November 20, 1943
1 196
Collections of Poems: 'America the Beautiful, 'Solidarity Forever', 'The International', 'Men of the Soil'
ca. Early 20th Century
1 197
"Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe": Care Pamphlet
ca. Early 20th Century
1 198
Fellowship of Reconciliation: Misc.
ca. Early 20th Century
1 199
"Kermit Sheets: From WWII to Star War- A Lifetime of Opposing War" By Malinda Beck, Volunteer Profile- Newspaper Clipping
ca. Late 20th Century
1 200
List of Things to Bring for CPS Service By the Brethern Service Committee, CPS Camp #21
ca. Early 20th Century
1 201
Newspaper Articles about Conscientious Objector
ca. Early 20th Century
1 202
"Save Life": Mutual Aid Food Package Service List of Food
ca. Early 20th Century
1 203
"Vote For Peace in Vietnam" By Some Local 21 Members to Fellow Members
ca. 1955-1975
1 204
Conscientious Objectors: At Reunion for 35th Anniversary of CPS Camp #21 at The Menucha Conference: Photos
July 8, 1976- July 11, 1946
1 205
Conscientious Objectors Reunion Pictures and Negatives: Photos
July 1986
1 206
Conscientious Objectors Reunion Pictures and Negatives: Photos
June 1991
1 207
Photo Album: Don Baker's Cascade Locks CPS #21 Photograph album.
ca. 1942

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Civilian Public Service. Camp #21 (Cascade Locks, Or.)
  • civilian public service

Personal Names

  • Townsend, James

Geographical Names

  • Wyeth (Or.)