One day Messenger Raleigh DeGeer Amyx was asked to see to it that a small package was taken directly to J. Edgar Hoover's home in Washington D.C. It was the Spring Valley area of Washington - in fact, many prominent Washingtonians lived there, including then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson - probably no more than a block from Director Hoover's home. When FBI Messenger Amyx knocked on the front door of Hoover's home, a valet answered the door. Amyx was shown in and directed downstairs, to leave the package on Director Hoover's Card table. This was more like a private area where a few fellows seemed to meet for poker some weekend evenings. On the way up the stairs, Amyx observed a Calender Girl type of Poster tacked to the wall. This was really tame stuff but fairly typical of the day.
On another day Raleigh DeGeer Amyx was asked to take a message from J. Edgar Hoover to United States Senator Lyndon B. Johnson - and on another assignment Messenger Amyx was asked to deliver a memorandum to John F. Kennedy, three years before JFK became President of the United States. While in Senator Kennedy's front office Messenger Amyx told the receptionist that he had a message from Director Hoover to Senator Kennedy. The receptionist indicated that the message should be left in her incoming box. For some reason Amyx mustered up the concocted story that Director Hoover had stated "For the eyes of Senator Kennedy only" - well, that ruse worked and the next thing you know young Amyx was right there in Kennedy's main office as the Senator read something that probably could very well have been left in JFK's front office. But as long as Amyx had bull dozed his way this far, the next question was to courteously ask the Presidential aspirant for a personalized autographed photograph - a request that Senator Kennedy smilingly and courteously honored. Today that same photograph inscribed by Kennedy to Raeigh DeGeer Amyx hangs witin his own office.
FOR J. EDGAR HOOVER'S YOUTHFUL MESSENGER - "TO RALEIGH AMYX WITH VERY BEST WISHES - JOHN F. KENNEDY"
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx never suspected any relationship between J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson to be anything other than two trusted friends who worked closely together. And not one other person within the FBI that Amyx saw daily had any other thoughts concerning their relationship - including long time FBI Agents. And Headquarters was loaded with men in Supervisory positions at the Highest Level. At that time the United States was divided into two halves, with a senior Special Agent in charge of either East of the Mississippi or West of the Mississippi. In fact, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx was asked to serve for some months, the two National Supervisors of Kidnapping, White Slave Traffic and Obscene matter. Again, heady stuff for a 19 year old.
CLYDE TOLSON & J. EDGAR HOOVER FOLLOWING AN INVITATION TO ATTEND A FORMAL EVENT
There was always someting huge going on at FBI Headquarters and Amyx saw many things up close and personal. And he respected many Associate Directors, Inspectors and Senior National Supervisors whom he was with on a daily basis. Favorites included The Director of the Investigation Division-Alex Rosen, the Director of Domestic Intelligence, Alex Belmont and especially, Inspector Deke DeLoach, a man that went out of his way to help the young Messenger Amyx out of a jam. And 40 years later the two accidentally bumped into each other at the famous five star resort where the now mature former FBI Messenger could properly extend his gratitude to Inspector DeLoach as one man to another.
There were three issues that troubled young Amyx during and after his tenure with the FBI. And really only three major issues - 1- The seemingly endless lack of trust that seemed to exist between the CIA and the FBI. It was all so counter productive to the Nation's interest of National Security. 2- Another issue was Director Hoover's seemingly endless delay in tackling the issue of Organized Crime at a much earlier point during Hoover's 48 year tenure as Director of the FBI. Hoover could have and should have done a bit better. 3 - And finally J. Edgar Hoover's failing to resign just about the same time that young Messenger Amyx first met up with him. If he had done so he would have left the position of FBI Director as a man deeply trusted by the vast majority of Americans. But he did not. Hoover stayed on way past the required age of retirement for every other thousands of men that served under him at the FBI. Hoover expected the other FBI Agents out by age 55. For some reason, it seemed appropriate for him to remain in his lofty position until his sudden death in 1972 at age 77.
It seemed that Hoover's primary hobby, other than horse racing, was his FBI position. Hoover seemed to just love being Director of the FBI. He had taken the FBI kicking and screaming into the modern era of law enforcement and then insisted upon staying in power until he could no longer keep up with the modern era at all. It was to be an unfortunate choice that Hoover came to make. He was a Segregationist in attitude and a product of his times. However, some people are more willing to learn new things and to better self evaluate. Hoover gradually grew to the point where he was obviously unable to do that.
Long an admirer of Director Clint Eastwood's work and his often accurate betrayal of history Mr. Amyx takes issue with Eastwood's novelized attempt as it pertains to the life of J. Edgar Hoover in the 2011 film, "J.Edgar." In brief, if you asked Mr. Eastwood a direct question of a scene where he shows J. Edgar Hoover kissing his Deputy Director, Clyde Tolson on the lips, his long time friend and associate, Eastwood would categorically admit that he flat out made the kissing scene up on the fly. It was not even in the movie script. And there is not now nor was there ever any known witness to such an event in the lives of either men. And this novelized attempt at audience seduction causes one to question a bit more of this Eastwood "J. Edgar"production. It is out of character for the film legend to do something such as this. Quite surprising indeed.
HOLLYWOOD LEGEND FILM DIRECTOR CLINT EASTWOOD - RECENTLY AT WORK ON SET
Today, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is well known as an American Historian and major collector of Americana artifacts. In fact, he has loaned portions of his premier collection for notable exhibits such as The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as well as other Presidential Libraries, etc. The best way to reach Mr. Amyx is directly though his well known website or simply Google his full name.
HISTORIAN AND COLLECTOR - RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX - MANY YEARS AFTER HIS TENURE WITH THE F.B.I.
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.
When Raleigh DeGeer Amyx was a young man, he applied for night school at American University as well as for a full-time job with the FBI, in Washington DC. After the detailed and necessary background investigation the Federal Bureau of Investigation accepted him for a position of Clerk. As such, he expected to be assigned to the FBI File Section, sorting through voluminous FBI files. Well, he was, but that assignment did not last long.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - WASHINGTON D.C. - THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS WELL AS F.B.I. DIRECTOR HOOVER WERE BOTH ON THE 5TH FLOOR PRIOR TO THE EXISTENCE OF THE NEW FBI HEADQUARTERS
Shortly after being in the File Section, more than one FBI agent asked the young man his name. Special Agents in FBI Headquarters noticed that Amyx always addressed them by their title, always said good morning, appeared well-dressed - always wearing cuff links. At any rate, Amyx was told to report to J. Edgar Hoover's personal Secretary of long-standing, Helen Gandy. At that time the FBI headquarters was located in the present day Department of Justice building on Pennsylvania Avenue. In fact, Director J. Edgar Hoover's office was on the 5th floor not far from the office of The Attorney General.
FOR WELL OVER A YEAR IT WAS STRAIGHT THROUGH THESE FORBODING FBI DOORS THAT MESSENGER RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX TRAVERSED TO SERVE J. EDGAR HOOVER
Ms. Gandy, Mr. Hoover's Personal Secretary, of well over a quarter of a century, shared with Raleigh DeGeer Amyx the fact that she was presently interviewing various people for the position of Messenger to Director J. Edgar Hoover. Not long after that, Amyx was advised that he had been selected for that position. In addition to that, Amyx was also selected to become a Tour Leader at FBI Headquarters. The combination of the two assignments brought young Amyx to each and every section of internal FBI Headquarters often. For a mere nearly 19 year old it was heady stuff. And it was to become the time of his life - career wise that is.
RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX - IN 1957, NOT FAR FROM THE F.B.I. HEADQUARTERS - ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE DELIVERING A MESSAGE FROM J. EDGAR HOOVER
Many of the Internal FBI messages that Raleigh DeGeer Amyx carried were kept in a leather pouch. They were often confidential and or secret messages in nature. Several times during each day, the young Messenger was asked to deliver letters and memorandums to each of J. Edgar Hoover's top 10 Associate Directors - as well as to Hoover's number #2 man, Clyde Tolson. In fact, Messenger Amyx often personally handed Clyde Tolson personal messages from Mr. Hoover directly to his desk, no more than 100 feet down the hallway from Mr. Hoover. And of course, it was tempting to read some of the private messages from time to time. However, both professional FBI men generally, in memorandum, stuck strictly to business. But nearly each day Hoover and Tolson would meet for lunch and take the same elevator directly to the basement level, were Director Hoover's chauffeur driven bullet resistant limousine awaited them.
CLYDE TOLSON & J. EDGAR HOOVER HAVE TAKEN THEIR ASSIGNED TICKET SEATS TO ATTEND ONE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION JOE LOUIS'S EARLY TITLE DEFENSES
Amyx was told if he was ever in the elevator with J. Edgar Hoover to always release the button calling for a particular floor stop for himself and respectfully permit both Hoover and Tolson to take the elevator directly to the garage and to the waiting Limousine. But this act of deference by all FBI employees was done more out of respect than out of fear. It was, after all, 1957 and 1958. Things were different then. Another thing was to always remember that your hand was not sweating if you happened to be in a situation where you might shake hands with Director Hoover. Why? Because J. Edgar Hoover felt that a sweating palm was an indication of insecurity and or weakness in a man. Well, again, it was the 1950's and if that was what Mr. Hoover wanted, then no big deal.
Whenever Messenger Amyx ran into J. Edgar Hoover, he always spoke in his booming baritone voice. Never really exactly friendly but certainly cordial in a professional way. But one day Amyx was walking near Hoover's 5th floor office and did not see J. Edgar Hoover coming around the corner. For some inexplicable reason Raleigh Amyx was walking along in the Department of Justice counting cadence - like a good soldier. Later Director Hoover commented that it was not necessary to count cadence while doing FBI duties within FBI Headquarters. Well, Mr. Hoover was right. Amyx never did it aloud again. That is for certain.
DIRECTOR J. EDGAR HOOVER THOUGHTFULLY PRESENTED THIS TO F.B.I. MESSENGER RALEIGH AMYX ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1957
END OF PART ONE OF TWO PARTS - THE SECOND INSTALLMENT ABOUT THE J. EDGAR HOOVER, HIS MESSENGER KNEW, WILL BE PUBLISHED WITHIN 72 HOURS
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.
During World War 11 General Dwight D. Eisenhower sometimes wore a handsome Leather Jacket while living at Telegraph Cottage, 15 Miles South of London. That was his Headquarters while in Command of the European Theater. Fortunately this rare historical World War 11 relic has been located. It is now in the The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection (A.K.A.) The Anerican Heritage Collection. The Ike Jacket came to Mr. Amyx directly from the General's Valet and Personal Cook, Sgt. and Mrs. John Moaney.
EISENHOWER'S WORLD WAR 11 LEATHER JACKET DURING CONFLICT IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE
General Eisenhower's WW11 Leather Jacket is a relic of significant magnitude. Little known is the fact that Eisenhower was a Four-Star General for a period of 17 months during World War II. For the final 7 months of this World Conflict Ike was a Five-Star General. At that time the Four-Star leather Jacket went to The General's Valet, Sgt. Moaney. There is no evidence, as of this writing, that it was ever replaced with a Five-Star Leather Jacket, for the final 7 Months of furious warfare. It is possible, although Sgt. Moaney could not recall that event.
PRESIDENT EISENHOWER & SGT. JOHN MOANEY BARBECUE TOGETHER - THEY WERE TOGETHER DAILY FROM 1942 -1969
It has now been revealed that Eisenhower's Leather Jacket was presented, nearly 30 years ago, to Mr. Amyx by the Moaney's. Impeccable provenance, in the form of a detailed Letter, on White House Stationery, was addressed to Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, attesting to all historic details many years ago. Specifically, the Leather Jacket came from Sgt. Moaney and Delores Moaney, who was not only married to Sgt. Moaney, but was also the Eisenhower's personal cook. In fact, the Eisenhower's were so fond of the Moaney's that following the 8 years they spent together in The White House both Sgt. Moaney and Dolores Moaney were invited to move, with the Eisenhower's to Gettysburg farm, the retirement home of the General and Mamie Eisenhower. This occurred following the Inauguration of John Fitzgerald Kennedy on January 20, 1961.
GENERAL EISENHOWER'S WW11 LEATHER JACKET WITH 4 HAND-SWEN BOUILLION STARS ON EACH EPAULET--THE PRESIDENT'S BINOCULARS REST AT LEFT SIDE
General Eisenhower, upon his death in 1969, also left Sgt. his handsome 18 Karat Gold Rolex , as well as funds, as an additional token of his affection. From 1942, until the President's death in 1969, Sgt. John Moaney was with Ike daily. Years before the President's death, Eisenhower authored a book entitled At Ease; and, in that book he thoughtfully described Moaney as a man indispensable to him during his lifetime. They were Inseperable.
RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX - HISTORIAN & COLLECTOR - IN 2010. NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO THE MAGNIFICENT EISENHOWER WORLD WAR 11 LEATHER JACKET WAS GIFTED TO HIM BY THE MOANEY'S.
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.
The world's finest collection of Official White House China, that graces the Formal State Dinners of our American First Families has been located. The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection, also known as The American Heritage Collection, now has the most proliofic quality collections of Official White House State Dinner China outside the White House. Included in the collection are well over 100 Official pieces from the Administration's of many of our American Presidents, although the majority of our President's ordered no Officail hisite House China st sll. A few of Mr. Amyx's tasteful presentaion cases are shared below along with a portion of his now well known colllection.
A SELECTION OF OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHINA AS DISPLAYED IN THE COLLECTION OF RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
These Presidents include, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Benjamin Harrison, Harry S Truman, Ronald Reagan, Dwight D Eisenhower, Ulysses S Grant, James K Polk, Andrew Jackson, Rutherford B Hayes, Woodrow Wilson, James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce, Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, James Monroe, U.S.S. Williamsburg Service Plates and Air Force One Official Presidential (forward-cabin) China.
ADDITIONAL WHITE HOUSE CHINA SELECTIONS FROM THE COLLECTION OF RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
Official White House State Dinner China is considered to be a Rare collectible, as it is nearly impossible to obtain in authentic format. However, in earlier White House days, Presidents such as Chester Arthur, would hold an auction on the White House lawn (hard for us to comprehend such an over the top act today) for items that were no longer in use, or met with President Chester Arthur's standards. Today, public auctions for White House furnishings? No way! In the early 1890's, First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison, an accomplished painter of China herself, started preserving and inventorying the present Collection of White House China, which is now in use or on display at The White House.
ANOTHER CASE OF OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHINA FOR YOU TO PERUSE - FROM THE COLLECTION OF RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
Occasionally, Raleigh DeGeer Amyx sells a select few pieces of extra Official White House China -- Or perhaps a trade might ensue. However, he is always in a serious mind frame, as he searches intensely for new historic additions to add to his prominent collection.
RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX - HISTORIAN & COLLECTOR - TO INCLUDE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHINA THAT CAN BE VIEWED ABOVE AS WELL BELOW THIS IMAGE
THE ELEGANT WHITE HOUSE CHINA OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN - THIS DINNER PLATE IS IN THE RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX COLLECTION.
THE MAJESTY OF THE WHITE HOUSE CHINA OF JAMES MONROE - HIS DESSERT PLATE - FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL CHINA COLLECTION OF RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
THE SUPREME ELEGANCE OF THE RONALD REAGAN SERVICE PLATE - AN EXAMPLE FROM THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CHINA COLLECTION OF RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX
FOR FURTHER EXAMPLES SEE THE RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX COLLECTION AND BE CERTAIN TO PERUSE THIS MARVELOUS BOOK OF THE COLLECTION OF A GENTLEMAN, BUT RECENTLY DECEASED, ROBERT L. McNEIL
HISTORIAN & COLLECTOR - RALEIGH DEGEER AMYX - 2010
For additional historical facts that may be of interest see: www.AmericanHeritage1.com
Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American historian and collector. His full biography can be read on his Wikipedia page.