Dismissed with Prejudice (Mss. Gr. 146)

In February 2000, a book entitled Dismissed With Prejudice by Mary Stearns McGaughan and Terrence F. McGaughan was brought to the attention of the Acting Assistant Archivist, Sarina Wyant. The book chronicled the grass roots efforts to stop the construction of an oil refinery in Jamestown, Rhode Island. It was a private press publication and the Library Special Collections was interested in obtaining a copy for the Rhode Island Collection.

It was discovered that the authors were deceased. Mary Stearns McGaughan's son, David Stearns Martin, was contacted and he was delighted to provide a copy of the book. Upon discussion it was discovered that supporting documents were in Mr. Martin's possession. On March 23rd, Mr. Martin donated about 1.5' of records to Special Collections. The records consisted of paperbound court briefs, correspondence, news clippings, and membership rosters. Mr. Martin requested that copies be made of the news clippings and that he retain the originals. In addition to copying the news clippings, research copies were made of deteriorating facsimiles of court testimony dated November 4, 1957, an opinion dated February 7, 1958, and a prospectus of the Commerce Oil Refinery Corp, 1957.