Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 21/7/66
Walter Gormly (1915-2000)
Papers, ca. 1940s-ca. 1990s


Descriptive summary

creator:

Gormly, Walter (1915-2000)
title:

Papers
dates:

ca. 1940s – ca. 1990s, n.d.
extent:

6.5 linear feet (5 records center cartons)
collection number:

RS 21/7/66
repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research
publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:

Walter Gormly Papers, RS 21/7/66, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Walter Ford Gormly was born February 7, 1915, the middle son of Will J. and Anna L. Gormly of Mount Vernon, Iowa. After transferring from Colorado State College, he received his B.S. (1939) from Iowa State College (University) in Mechanical Engineering. While a student, Gormly was active in the Collegiate Presbyterian Church and the local chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Because he was a conscientious objector, and because he refused to serve in government-sanctioned work camps, Gormly was incarcerated for three years during World War II in the federal prison at Sandstone, Minnesota. While in prison he staged a hunger strike, which lasted for four months and four days (during which time he was fed intravenously) before he was freed without parole.

Gormly, believing that federal tax dollars funded the military, continued his anti-war activities by refusing to pay federal income tax during the 1950s. In 1962, he staged another hunger strike in front of the Internal Revenue Service building in Des Moines, Iowa, and was once again jailed for a short time. During this period, Gormly also became very interested in food and drug issues and was a vocal opponent of fluoride. He published "Newsman's Gadfly" during the 1960s and authored a column, "Voice from the Woods". He was a member of the Society for Social Responsibility in Science (SSRS) and the Humanists of Iowa. Gormly died February 26, 2000.

 

Collection description

The collection contains correspondence, writings, subject files, and other miscellaneous Items Gormly collected. Subjects include conscientious objection (WWII), the anti-fluoride movement, the Society for Social Responsibility in Science, and Humanism.

 

Container list

Box

Title

Dates

1

Affidavit for Aitkenhead v. Borough of West View
Articles, leaflets, news clippings booklets pertaining to the safety of fluoride
Correspondence, not related to Gormly

n.d.

1

Photocopy of magazine, "Environmental Action"

Correspondence, not related to Gormly

1984, n.d.

1

Loose Newspaper and Journal Articles

Copy of Chairman's Address at the National Congress on Medical Quackery (1961)
Booklet, The Effect of Soils and Fertilizers on the Nutritional Quality of Plants
State of Wisconsin Supreme Court Case, Cudahy Junior, Chamber of Commerce v. James Quirk

n.d.

1

Correspondence and Booklet from the American Medical Association

n.d.

1

Extra Fluoride Literature, booklets, articles, correspondence from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

n.d.

1

"DEBUNKS F PROMOTION" – Booklets, articles, and Correspondence (not related to Gormly) focused on showing the dangers of fluoride

n.d.

1

"Additive Tests" – Booklets and Journal Articles on Safety and Testing of Food Additives

n.d.

1

Loose booklets, articles, and minutes from the Michigan House of Representatives, Fliers

n.d.

1

Articles on the dangers of Fluoride

1980s

1

Letter from Ralph Nader to Lee M. Thomas of the EPA

1987

1

"Fluoridation, Semi-Technical Promotional" – Packets of information from the American Dental Assoc., Journal Articles, Reports, and Booklets relating to the promotion of fluoride and its use in public water supplies

n.d.

1

Loose Articles on Water-Supply Toxicology
Correspondence with the Iowa State Weather Bureau, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the American Cancer Society, and other social/governmental/medical organizations concerning the dangers of fluoride

n.d.

1

"Your Campaign Kit to Combat Food Faddism and False Claims" package from the American Medical Association

1959

1

Correspondence from the Greater Milwaukee Committee Against Fluoride

n.d.

1

Book: Nutrition of Plants, Animals, Man, sponsored by the College of Ag., Michigan State University

1955

1

"Scientific Papers on Organic Farming" – Booklets on soil quality and fertilizers

n.d.

1

Correspondence from Charles Gish, including a prepared packet of information promoting the use of fluoride (1971)

n.d.

1

Loose: Several copies of "No.67, Journal of the House of Representatives (Michigan)
Report from the Committee on Water Fluoridation

1964

1

Letters written by Gormly to newspapers, government (IRS), and miscellaneous correspondence,

1948-1997

2

Loose: Articles, fliers, and correspondence regarding fluoridation. Booklet: "Dental Clinics of North America

n.d.

2

Several Copies of Pamphlet: "Effect of Sodium Fluoride Administration on Body Changes in Old Rats"

1957

2

Material on Fluoridation compiled by Walter Gormly (journal articles)

n.d.

2

Correspondence, some concerning the "Newsman's Gadfly"

1960s

2

Correspondence and materials concerning vital statistics and cases of "mongloidism" in Iowa, as it relates to fluoride use

1960s

2

Writings of Gormly, includes some carbon copies

1970s

2

"Speaking Tour" – Speeches, correspondence, and related materials for speaking tours

1953, n.d.

2

"File Copies" – Correspondence and copies of the "Newsman's Gadfly"

1963-1968

2

"Columns," – Gormly's columns

1984

2

"Income Tax" – Tax documents, news clippings, and correspondence with IRS, President, and other governmental agencies

1952-1987

2

Gormly's columns

1982

2

Gormly's columns

1981

2

Gormly's columns as news clippings

1980s, n.d.

2

Gormly's columns

1983

2

Loose: news clippings, writings, correspondence, journal articles, misc

n.d.

3

Correspondence and materials related to toxic substances in consumer products

n.d.

3

House" – Materials concerning his house building (businesses and services, heating, cooling, etc.)
Booklets on building your own earth home

n.d.

3

"Letters to save" – General Correspondence (Includes letters from MENSA, CBS, and various newspapers)

n.d.

3

"Fennel" – Correspondence relating to Bob Fennel, mentally ill friend committed for passing out anti-war leaflets

n.d.

3

Correspondence and other materials concerning pacifism

n.d.

3

Columns, "From the Woods," by Gormly and related correspondence

n.d.

3

Newsletter for the Society for Social Responsibility in Science

1960-1967

3

"SSRS Correspondence" – Fliers, articles, letters, and miscellaneous materials from the SSRS

1960s

3

SSRS Correspondence" – Additional fliers, articles, letters, and misc. materials from the SSRS

1960s

3

Correspondence regarding Gormly's columns and syndication

1960s-1994

3

"Humanists" – Newsletter, correspondence, and materials related to the Humanists of Iowa

1980s-1990s

3

"Peacemakers" – Materials for national Peacemakers conferences

 

3

"Fluoridation" – Articles, correspondence, news clippings, and misc. materials related to fluoridation of public water supplies

1959-1997

3

"Cancer" – Articles, news clippings, and correspondence related to increased cancer risk due to chemicals in fertilizers, water, etc.

1960s-1970s

3

Articles and correspondence related to soil quality and agricultural production

n.d.

3

Course materials for correspondence course on Small Communities
Writings and correspondence related to small communities

n.d.

3

Correspondence, articles, and materials related to chlorination of public water (with some materials concerning fluoride)

n.d.

3

Loose: Columns, booklets, and articles on contaminated milk; news clippings on Gormly; materials related to fluoride; journal articles; booklet on school consolidation

n.d.

3

Correspondence and materials concerning design of farm equipment and techniques

n.d.

3

Booklets for operation and maintenance of farm machinery

n.d.

3

Loose: News magazine, news clippings on fluoride and other issues and columns of Gormly.

n.d.

4

Loose: Annual New Years' Letters

1980s-1990s

4

"My Writings" – Correspondence related to jail time, conscious objection, and selective service

1942-1946

4

Correspondence, writings, and leaflets for the Inmates' Advisory Council

n.d.

4

Gormly's letters

1945

4

Gormly's letters

1946

4

Letters and materials related to Gormly's parole

n.d.

4

Anti-war correspondence and articles

1941-1942

4

Letters relating to Gormly's trial, imprisonment, and release

n.d.

4

Gormly's letters

1944

4

Letters received by Gormly

1945-1946

4

Gormly's letters

1943

4

Memoranda and letters related to hunger strike and imprisonment over IRS protest

1960s

4

Legal Papers
Prison Rules
Applications for pardon

1940s

4

"Miscellaneous" – "A Manual for the New Inmate Committed to the United State Penal and correctional Institutions," and other materials on rules and regulations

Miscellaneous materials related to imprisonment

n.d.

4

Correspondence related to the Basic Education School at Sevagram, India

1950s

4

Miscellaneous letters to and from Gormly

n.d.

4

Miscellaneous news clippings on various environmental and social issues

n.d.

4

Newsletters and correspondence for the War Resisters League

n.d.

4

Correspondence, recipes, news clippings, and newsletters for the Iowa Natural Food Associates

n.d.

4

Letters from Abraham Kaufman (From the War Resisters League)

1940s

4

Correspondence concerning Gormly's columns

n.d.

4

Typed copies of columns, "Voice from the Woods"

n.d.

4

Economic charts and graphs

n.d.

4

News clippings of Columns, "The Gadfly," published in the Citizen-Times

n.d.

4

Articles and booklets related to fluoridation and water pollution

n.d.

4

Columns, news clippings and typed copies, in the North Cedar Press

1970

4

Typed copies of columns, "Voice from the Woods"

n.d

4

Pamphlets, newsletters, and correspondence of the Socialist Party

n.d.

4

Technical papers, pamphlets, and journal articles favorable of fluoridation

n.d.

5

Carbon copies of "Voice from the Woods" columns

n.d.

5

Carbon copies of correspondence

1965-1970

5

Typed copies of "Voice from the Woods"

1977-1979

5

Carbon copies of correspondence, New Year's letters and columns

1970-1980

5

Typed copies of "Voice from the Woods"

1980

5

"Pat Nichols Jacobs" – "Update" Newsletter
Articles on the dangers of fluoride

1985, n.d.

5

Loose: Article: "Fluoridation- Crime Against Science and Humanity" by F.B. Exner; Offer of $500 reward from Gormly

1967, n.d.

5

"American Dental Association" – Correspondence from Lisa Watson, with materials, booklets, and pamphlets on the positive uses of fluoride in public water systems

n.d.

5

"1985 Columns" – Typed copies of "Voices from the Woods"

1985

5

American Public Health Association, Inc. –

Journal article on fluoride and correspondence

n.d.

5

"Fluoridation Correspondence" – Correspondence concerning fluoride

Articles and news clippings

n.d.

5

Loose: Letters from Walter Gormly, while in Sandstone Prison, to his mother, Anna Gormly (1945); Index cards with quotes written on them; Legal briefs: U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. v. Walter Ford Gormly (1942), and Supreme Court of the United States, Walter Ford Gormly v. U.S. (1943)

1942-1943

5

Letters written to Gormly by Abraham Kaufman, Ex. Secretary of the War Resisters League, while Gormly was in prison during WWII

1940s, n.d.

5

Loose: News clippings, magazines, columns, and miscellaneous articles

n.d.