Dempster, George R. (George Roby), 1887-1964

Scope and Contents George Roby Dempster (1887-1964) was a talented and controversial Knoxville politician who served three terms as city manager (1929, 1935, 1946), one term as mayor (1952-1955), councilman, and State Commissioner of Finance and Taxation. He is most well-known for his invention of the Dempster Dumpster, a waste collection system. This collection is related to his business interests in the Dempster Dumpster Company and related subjects. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs of...

Scope and Contents George R. Dempster, 1958 "hobo" letter to Mrs. Howard W. Johnson, wife of motor lodge tycoon, thanking her for sending the new copy of her husband's book about hoboing as a young man. 2 page letter mentions appearing on the $64,000 Question T.V. show, George’s early hobo excursions and the famous theft of a workman's lunch pail while on the road. This leads up to George inviting everyone to come visit and have a free lunch at the Dempster factory as his penance for stealing the lunch pail...

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Scrapbooks1940s-1954 (some gaps), mostly newspaper clippings.

Scope and Contents Papers of Inez Giffin. Papers include: condolence letter from George R. Dempster, Feb. 9, 1932; American Red Cross Assistant Program Director/ Social Director General Hospital, Knoxville papers, 1945-1947; correspondence and cards, 1957-1964; Third Baptist Church and William Bright Ford papers, 1889-1929; The Four Fuller Brothers (musical group) autographed photograph; Eugene Williams (paralyzed child) and television set papers, 1954; Miscellaneous, including information on the flag and coat...

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‘Dempster Like It Or Not.’ newspaper column (clippings) by George Dempster, referring often to Mrs. Mary Vestal Plant. 7 clippings (no date) one envelope with note Re: ‘Mama’s writings’, initialed M. V. F. [Mina Vestal French].

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Photocopies of patents filed by George Dempster, W. M. Fulton, A. F. Sanford, and H. W. Sanford.