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Father Edward J. Flanagan Signed AUTO Boys Town Letter WW II ARCHIVE
Right Rev. Monsignor Edward Joseph Flanagan (13 July 1886 – 15 May 1948) was an Irish-born priest of the Catholic Church in the United States, who served for decades in Nebraska. After serving as a parish priest in the Catholic Diocese of Omaha, he founded the orphanage and educational complex known as Boys Town, located west of the city in what is now Boys Town, Douglas County, Nebraska. In the 21st century, the complex also serves as a center for troubled youth.
Flanagan's work became widely known, especially after he was played by Spencer Tracy in the movie Boys Town (1938). In the post-World War II era, Flanagan was invited by General Douglas MacArthur to visit Japan and Korea, and later Austria and Germany, to give him advice about improving conditions for children in the occupied countries.
William Franklin Skiff (October 16, 1895 – December 25, 1976) was an American professional baseball player, manager and scout. Although he appeared only briefly in Major League Baseball in 22 total games as a catcher and pinch hitter for the 1921 Pittsburgh Pirates and the 1926 New York Yankees, he had a long career in the minor leagues: 19 seasons as a player or player-manager, and another 14 as a manager.
Born in New Rochelle, New York, the 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), 170 lb (77 kg) Skiff batted and threw right-handed. During his two big-league stints, he hit .250 in 56 at bats. His 14 hits included two doubles. His minor league career extended from 1916 to 1931 and 1933–51. As a manager he piloted the top-level Seattle Rainiers, Newark Bears and Kansas City Blues. He served the Yankees' organization for many years as a minor league skipper and scout.
Offered is an 8.5” x 11” typed letter signed by Father Flangan sent to Bill Skiff for his contributions to helping out Boys Town. The letter is dated January 22, 1944 mentioning the boys, Christmas, and God.
Gorgeous blue/black steel tipped pen signature of the very sought after Father Flanagan.
In addition to the letter, we are including the following:
8.5” x 11” Boys Town Honorary Citizen certificate made out to Skiff with a facsimile signature of Flanagan and the Mayor of Boys Town, Robert Whitehead.
Four - Honorary Citizen of Boys Town Card – from 1964, 1967, 1968, and 1973 signed by Bill Skiff on all four cards.
Facsimile letter from WWII when Stephen J Sudyka was in the US Navy in the Southwest Pacific, it is on the United States Navy letterhead. This 1 page letter was written to Reverend/Father E.J. Flanagan ( Edward Joseph Flanagan) who was the founder of Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. Sudyka was the first boy the Father took in to help guide him to a better life, he took his brother William in as well and both served in the military and both died the same year. This letter was a Thank you to Father Flanagan for his help and guidance, it speaks of Mr Sudyka's wife and of Sister Rose, as well as the Italian Kid with the spaghetti. This page measures 7" X 10" and is in excellent condition. This was actually sent out at the time and sent to Bill Skiff as a souvenir.
Item: 13688
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