The collection consists of the papers of Hebert "Herbie" C. Biggs (b. 1917), the first Black bicycle messenger for Western Union Telegraph Company, from the 1940s to the 2000s, donated by his coworker and friend Isolina Bryant in 2012. The collection documents Biggs' naturalization and employment with Western Union Telegraph Company. The papers include photographs, clippings (newspaper), correspondence, financial records, funeral programs, and government-issued documents (identification cards, ration cards, naturalization forms). A newspaper article highlights the significance of bicycle messengers who delivered telegrams to notable visitors in Miami. Of note in the collection are fuel ration cards used during World War II.
Subject(s): Biggs, Herbie C., Immigration, Western Union Telegraph Company--Periodicals, Bicycle messengers--United States, World War II, Naturalization, Miami (Fla.)
Forms of material: photographs, clippings (newspaper), correspondence, financial records, government-issued documents (identification cards, ration cards, naturalization forms), funeral programs
Noteworthy people: Herbie C. Biggs (Herbert C. Biggs), John Wayne, Al Capone, Constance Bennett, Orson Welles, Rita Hayworth
Noteworthy organizations: US Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), US Office of Price Administration, Western Union Telegraph Company, The White House
Noteworthy meetings and events: World War II (1939-1945) and the fuel oil ration, Immigration Act of 1940
Noteworthy geographic locations/political boundaries: Bahamas, Miami, Fla., Overtown
Noteworthy topics: clippings (newspaper), correspondence, funeral rites and ceremonies, employment, World War II (1939-1945)