Charles Postell papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Charles Postell papers
Creator: Postell, Charles Stanley, 1939-2008
Inclusive Dates: 1977-2003
Language(s): English
Extent: 6 Linear Feet
Collection Number: ms3915
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

Charles Stanley Postell was born in Adel, Georgia in 1939 and attended the University of Georgia's Grady School of Journalism. After working for the Moultrie Observer, the Valdosta Times, and the Miami Herald, he joined the Albany Herald where his work earned him awards from the United Press International and the Associated Press, as well as a position on the board of directors of the Investigative Reporters and Editors organization.

After covering the 1973 murder of six members of the Alday family in Donalsonville, Georgia, Postell spent ten years corresponding with ringleader Carl Isaacs and published a book, Dead Man Coming, about the murders. In 1980, four of Isaacs' fellow death row inmates escaped from the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. Charles Postell and his wife Judi were indicted on charges of aiding in their escape, but charges were dropped after Isaacs, the prosecution's key wittness, attempted to extort $15,000 from Postell in exchange for changing his testimony.

Scope and Content

This collection contains Charles Postell's papers related to his career as a journalist including his research, newspaper clippings, photographs, and correspondence, as well as other writings including speeches, manuscripts, and screenplays.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Charles Postell papers, ms3915, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Related material in this repository includes the Harry Crews papers, ms 3340.

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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1

1-4

Correspondence: Carl Isaacs to Robin Postell, 1988-1995

 

1

5

Correspondence: Carl Isaacs to Robin Postell, 2002-2003

 

1

6

Correspondence: Carl Isaacs to Robin Postell, undated

 

1

7

Correspondence: Carl Isaacs to government officials, 1977-1980

 

1

8

Correspondence: Linda Vinson, 1977

 

1

9

Correspondence: Carl Isaacs to Judi Postell, 1977-1980; 2002-2003

 

1

10

Correspondence: Carl Isaacs to Charles Postell, 1979-1980

 

1

11

Correspondence: Billy Isaacs to Robin Postell, 1993

 

1

12

Correspondence: Wayne Coleman to Charles Postell, 1981

 

1

13

Correspondence: Charles Postell, 1975-1991

 

1

14

Correspondence: Others, 1980; 1986

 

1

15

Correspondence: Charles Postell and Howard Libov re: Midnight Edition, 1988-1992

 

1

16

Correspondence: Charles Postell and Dorothy Deering

 

1

17

Photograph: Alday family trailer

 

1

18

Photographs: Carl Isaacs

 

1

19

Photographs: Charles Postell

 

1

20

Photographs for Dead Man Coming

 

1

21

Photograph: George Dungee

 

1

22

Photographs: Georgia electric chair

 

1

23

Photographs: miscellaneous

 

1

24

Photograph: Troy Leon Gregg and family

 

1

25

Map of Death Row drawn by Carl Isaacs

 

1

26

Dallas Moore v. Charles Postell et al. interrogatories

 

1

27

Testimony: Billy Isaacs

 

1

28

Profiles of people involved in the trials of Carl Isaacs

 

1

29

Conviction and lawyer's papers

 

1

30

Agreements: Carl Isaacs

 

1

31

Dog Story by Carl Isaacs

 

1

32

Carl Isaacs, misceallaneous

 

1

33

Map of Donalsonville, Georgia

 

1

34

Letter from Richard Nixon

 

1

35

Fan art

 

1

36

Postell family history

 

1

37

Birth certificate: Charles Postell (copy)

 

1

38

Resume: Charles Postell

 

1

39

Obituary: Charles Postell

 

1

40

Clippings: Alday murders, 1973-2003

 

1

41

Clippings concerning Charles Postell, 1973-2003

 

1

42

Clippings: Dead Man Coming

 

1

43

Clippings: Murder One (documentary), 1977

 

1

44-46

Clippings: Articles concerning the 1980 prison escape and the Postell indictment

 

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2

1

Book of material concerning 1980 prison escape attempt

 

2

2

Material related to the Charles and Judi Postell case

 

2

3-4

Evidence book

 

2

5

Research: 1980 prison escape

 

2

6

Research: Alcoholism

 

2

7

Research: Baker County , 1973-1977

 

2

8

Research: Baldy

 

2

9

Research: Bobby Hill

 

2

10

Research: Buck Bentley

 

2

11

Research: Charles Thomas White III

 

2

12

Research: Doellefeld kidnapping , 1988-1989

 

2

13

Research: George Dungee

 

2

14

Research: George Isaacs

 

2

15

Research: Georgia coroner system

 

2

16

Research: Harry Crews

 

2

17

Research: The Iron Horse

 

2

18

Research: Jackie Gleason

 

2

19

Research: James H. Gray Jr.

 

2

20

Research: Ku Klux Klan

 

2

21

Research: Koinonia Partners

 

2

22

Research: Lee Alto

 

2

23

Research: Leo Frank

 

2

24

Research: Loretta Lynn

 

2

25

Research: Mitchell County

 

2

26

Research: Montana

 

2

27

Research: Moon Madness

 

2

28

Research: Peter Zack Geer

 

2

29

Research: Robert Lee Jest

 

2

30

Research: Roy Lee Franklin

 

2

31

Research: University of Georgia

 

2

32

Research: Wayne Coleman

 

2

33

Research: Why Can't Georgia Execute?

 

2

34

Research: William Waters

 

2

35

Research: Witch

 

2

36

Research: Zen

 

2

37

Writing: Accent magazine articles by Charles Postell

 

2

38

Writing: Albany Herald articles by Charles Postell

 

2

39

Writing: Alday murders and trial articles by Charles Postell, 1973-1975

 

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3

1-3

Writing: Alday murders manuscript by Charles Postell

 

3

4-5

Writing: Alday murders manuscript by Charles Postell

 

3

6

Writing: Articles by Charles Postell

 

3

7

Writing: fragments on the Alday murders

 

3

8

Writing: Georgia Monthly

 

3

9

Writing: The Hunted Ones story by Isaacs, Gregg and Johnson

 

3

10-12

Writing: The Lord Don't Love Ugly typescript by Charles Postell

 

3

13

Writing: Manuscripts by Charles Postell

 

3

14

Writing: Miami Herald articles by Charles Postell

 

3

15

Writing: Midnight Edition screenplay first draft

 

3

16

Writing: Midnight Edition screenplay second draft

 

3

17

Writing: notes by Charles Postell

 

3

18

Writing: notes on the Alday murders

 

3

19

Writing: partial typescripts about the 1980 prison escape

 

3

20

Writing: Realtor Magazine Editor's Notes by Charles Postell

 

3

21

Writing: screenplay about the Alday murders

 

3

22

Writing: short pieces by Charles Postell

 

3

23

Writing: speeches by Charles Postell

 

3

24

Writing: Valdosta Times articles by Charles Postell

 

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4

Research notes on index cards

 

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5

1

Midnight Edition (film based on Escape of My Dead Men) laserdisc

 

5

2-20

Photographs and clippings used in Dead Man Coming

 

5

21

Album: newspaper articles related to Georgia Bureau of Investigation

 

5

22

Album: newspaper clippings concerning Charles Postell

 

5

23

Album: newspaper clippings concerning 1980 prison escape

 

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6

Carl Isaacs knitting

 

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7

Carl Isaacs matchstick house