Correspondence between Senator Lister Hill and Robert K. Bell.
Courts-martial and courts of inquiry--United States
Defense information, Classified
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles
Jupiter missile
Leaks (Disclosure of information)
Huntsville (Ala.)
Madison County (Ala.)
Washington (D.C.)
Bell writes to Hill in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Hill responds by thanking Bell for the letter and will do anything to help "along the lines of your suggestion."
Bell, Robert K.
Hill, Lister
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Correspondence
Text
Letter to Carl A. Elliott from Robert K. Bell with a reply from secretary Cora B. Marlowe.
Bell writes to Elliott in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Marlowe writes to Bell on behalf of Congressman Elliott who is out of town and will respond to Bell's May 8 letter upon his return.
Marlowe, Cora B.
Correspondence between George Huddleston and Robert K. Bell.
Bell writes to Huddleston in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Huddleston responds stating his will "make a discreet request" to Secretary Brucker and General Maxwell.
Huddleston, George, Jr.
Correspondence between George Grant and Robert K. Bell.
Bell writes to Grant in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Grant responds with interest and states that it looks as though the Army may "drop the Colonel Nickerson case by non-judicial punishment."
Grant, George
Correspondence between Kenneth Roberts and Robert K. Bell.
Bell writes to Roberts in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Roberts responds that he has done everything he could on the matter.
Roberts, Kenneth A.
Letter to Robert E. Jones from Robert K. Bell.
Bell writes to Bob Jones in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment.
Letter to General Matthew B. Ridgeway from Ray H. Jenkins.
Knoxville (Tenn.)
Pittsburg (Pa.)
Jenkins writes to Ridgeway in response to his letter to Charles Zimmer that his testimony would not be relevant and admissible in the case of Colonel Nickerson. Jenkins details in his letter why Ridgeway should reconsider and awaits his reply with interest.
Jenkins, Ray H.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Joe L. Evins.
Evins writes to Bell of his interest in his involvement in the Nickerson case due to serving with both him and Ray H. Jenkins in the military.
Evins, Joe L.
Handwritten letter to Robert K. Bell from J. B. Webster.
Webster writes to wish Bell and Nickerson good luck in the case and send copies of letters that may have information useful to the defense of Nickerson.
Webster, J. B.
Various correspondence regarding Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
intermediate-range ballistic missiles
This document contains various letters of appreciation received by Colonel Nickerson, efficiency reports, testimonies of Nickerson's character, certificates of achievement, and other services and recommendations pertaining to Nickerson.
Documents
Correspondence between Richey Green and Robert K. Bell.
Deland (Fla.)
Green writes to Bell saying he saw him on the news following the Nickerson case and he hopes the results were to his satisfaction. Bell writes to Green in response saying he is pleased at the outcome of Nickerson's trial and asks Green to visit him if he is ever in North Alabama.
Green, Richey
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Colonel William C. Pritchard.
Pritchard writes to Bell, sending a check for Colonel Nickerson to be used for any fines that would be imposed or for the expense of the defense of Nickerson. Bell responds with his sincere thanks and writes that he has given the check to Colonel Nickerson.
Pritchard, William C.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Ray H. Jenkins.
Jenkins writes after the trial of Colonel Nickerson, stating that he is completely relaxed and trying to get back into office routine. He approximates the expenses in the Nickerson case and says that his fee would be satisfactory as the amount agreed upon by Nickerson and Bell. He concludes by stating that Nickerson came out of the trial "unscathed and unscarred" and sends his best to Bell and his wife. The Nickerson trial ended with the dropping of the Espionage Act and perjury charges in exchange for 15 minor counts of mishandling defense information. Nickerson was fined $1,500, reprimanded, and forbidden to exercise his command for a year. He was later sent to a military base in Panama and died in a car crash a few years later.
Telegram to Robert K. Bell from Guthrie May.
Evansville (Ind.)
May wires Bell to congratulate him on the success of the Nickerson case and states that he is proud to be Bell's friend.
May, Guthrie
Telegrams
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Lt. Col. William G. Barry.
Barry writes to Bell to inform him that the Nickerson case has been transcribed and was forwarded to Washington the previous day. He expresses gratitude towards the manner in which Bell extended to him and hopes to renew their acquaintance in the future.
Barry, William G.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Harry M. Ayers.
Anniston (Ala.)
Calhoun County (Ala.)
Ayers writes to Bell about an article written in The Anniston Star about him and the Nickerson trial and congratulates Bell for getting Nickerson "out as light as he did."
Ayers, Harry M.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Robert E. Jones.
Bob Jones writes to Bell to congratulate him on the "splendid work" he did on the Nickerson case.
Jones, Robert E.
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Thomas C. Ryan.
San Fransisco (Calif.)
Ryan writes that he recently saw a picture of Bell in the New York Herald Tribune with Colonel Nickerson. He includes personal details of his life stating he remarried and recently took a trip to Europe. He reminisces of a Caribbean trip they took together a year before his first wife passed away. Ryan also congratulates Bell on the "wonderful result" of the trial. Bell responds, continuing to reminisce on the same Caribbean trip and states he hopes to travel out West and visit with Ryan while there. He concludes by thanking Ryan for the letter.
Ryan, Thomas C.
Letter to Ray H. Jenkins from Robert K. Bell.
Bell apologizes for being "a very poor correspondent" and thanks Jenkins for his letters. He writes that he is "having a terrific time with John Nickerson in trying to keep his mouth closed and to make him forget the word 'appeal'. Bell includes personal details of his life after the trial and concludes the letter by thanking Jenkins again for his friendship.
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Jim G. Lucas.
Lucas writes to Bell after the Nickerson case and encloses a picture that was requested by Bell. He mentions in closing that Jenkins informed him he will recommend against an appeal. Bell thanks Lucas for the picture and writes he is happy to hear Jenkins recommends against appeal as Bell is having a difficult time keeping Nickerson's "big mouth shut and to forget the word 'appeal'.
Lucas, Jim G.