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“I hope to pay one last visit to the ranch, with little Ted, who will then be nearly eleven; and I shall think of you very often, riding over the immense rolling plains, with their mat of short, sun-scorched grass; for it has always seemed to me that we two felt those plains as no one else I have ever seen does,” wrote Theodore Roosevelt to Patty Selmes in 1897.
Established by an Act of the First Territorial Legislature on November 7, 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona’s oldest historical agency. The items in their collections illuminate Roosevelt’s relationship to the Great Plains, as well as his connections to the Selmes, Greenway, and Ferguson families. Isabella Greenway was the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, as well as the daughter of Patty Selmes. The Selmes family called North Dakota home.
Materials in this collection include correspondence from Gutzon Borglum regarding the creation of Mount Rushmore, letters examining national politics, as well as items relating to the history of the Rough Riders. Most importantly, this collection shows the value Roosevelt and his family placed on developing and preserving relationships over a lifetime.
See below to view items from this collection.
Sally Flandrau Cutcheon acknowledges Charles Macomb Flandrau’s plans to travel to Venice. Cutcheon discusses visiting family in Boone County, Kentucky.
1896-07
Commissioner Roosevelt asks Charles Macomb Flandrau whether he has seen Roosevelt’s friend George Cabot Lodge. He would like to introduce Flandrau to a couple of people once Flandrau is settled at Harvard. Roosevelt advises Flandrau to socialize only with underclassmen during his first year at Harvard.
1891-10-23
Theodore Roosevelt was very pleased with Charles Macomb Flandrau’s article. If Flandrau is ever in New York, Roosevelt wants to see him.
1918-02-02
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson expresses her gratitude to John Campbell Greenway for his note and flowers. She also acknowledges the comfort that Greenway brought her, talking about her brother, Theodore Roosevelt. Robinson compliments Greenway’s siblings and is leaving two books with Sara Irvine Greenway Keller for Greenway.
Unknown
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson acknowledges John Campbell Greenway’s Christmas card, though it made her homesick to see him. She would like to see him soon and discuss the Rough Riders, among other things. Robinson would like to send Greenway her biography of Theodore Roosevelt but does not know where to send it. She will be traveling west in March and hopes to see Greenway.
1922-01-12
As soon as she has an itinerary, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson will send it to John Campbell Greenway. She wonders if it would be possible to see Greenway in Arizona as she will be traveling to the Grand Canyon at some point.
1922-02-23
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson is not sure whether her letter will reach John Campbell Greenway, but sends “warm, affectionate greetings.” She reminisces about their last visit at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and discusses the death of Anna Roosevelt Cowles’s husband, William S. Cowles. Robinson inquires about where to send a volume of poems called Roosevelt as the Poets Saw Him.
1923-06-11
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson consoles John Campbell Greenway on the death of Patty Macomb Flandrau Selmes, discussing how alike Greenway and Selmes were and acknowledging their bond. She requests that Greenway please write her a line about Isabella Ferguson, and in a handwritten addendum acknowledges that she later received a telegram from Ferguson. Robinson discusses her son’s and grandson’s travel plans, and hopes that Greenway might take an interest in her grandson Douglas Robinson.
1923-07-26
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson expresses her happiness over the engagement of John Campbell Greenway and Isabella Ferguson. Robinson acknowledges that though she is to speak to no one about it, she can speak to Greenway. Patty Macomb Flandrau Selmes would be happy at the match.
1923-08-06
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson thanks John Campbell Greenway for the letter to her son, Theodore Douglas Robinson, about Monroe Douglas Robinson. She describes Monroe Douglas Robinson’s health struggles and the devotion of his wife. Robinson believes Greenway’s suggestion of Theodore being a forest ranger is a good one and she plans to help him find a position.
1924-01-27
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson hopes that someday she can visit John Campbell and Isabella Greenway. She acknowledges the invitation from Greenway, and how pleased her son, Monroe Douglas Robinson, was to be included in the invitation. Robinson discusses her son’s plans to travel to Europe to find a job and her sadness that Greenway was not able to meet Douglas Robinson.
1924-03-19
Wedding announcement for the marriage of Archibald Roosevelt and Selwa Carmen Showker.
1950-09-01
Sara Delano Roosevelt solicits assistance from Isabella Greenway for the Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry, New York. She describes the needs of the children and how much monetary support is needed for each child.
1934-12-25
Isabella Greenway King has suggested that Belle Roosevelt and Mrs. Henry Field seek advice from Mary C. Bingham about their children.
1943-10-19
A handbook for Roosevelt’s Rough Rider Association, which includes a list of association officers, the association’s constitution and by-laws, and a list of the association’s members, honorary members, and the muster-out roll. Handwritten annotations about members or officers is present throughout. Pages 56-57 and 88-89 are uncut in the original and cannot be scanned.
Kermit Roosevelt appreciates the letters from Robert Harry Munro and Isabella Ferguson. He would like to visit Cat Canyon and see Martha and Robert Munro Ferguson.
1913-12-08
Kermit Roosevelt describes life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Belle Roosevelt; including Belle’s driving habits, their servants, and home life. He is pleased that Theodore Roosevelt won the libel suit. Kermit intends to enlist if the United States enters the war.
1915-05-26
Kermit Roosevelt sends Christmas greetings and hopes they might spend a Christmas together soon. He outlines his family’s plans for where they would like to live and work in the future. Argentina is on the “right side” regarding attitudes towards the war and Roosevelt would be enlisting if he were not married.
1914-12-23
Kermit Roosevelt is in New York with Ethel and Richard Derby. He has plans to stay at Sagamore Hill soon. Roosevelt will be attending one of the camps in Plattsburg, New York, and his family will be going abroad in the fall. Belle Roosevelt is still recovering and their son, Kim, is also having some health issues. The planning for Kim’s christening is underway.
1916-09-06
Kermit Roosevelt describes his current assignment and activities in Iraq. He has joined the Light Armored Motor Battery Service and primarily performs reconnaissance. There are many Scots in his battery. Belle and Kim Roosevelt are doing well. Kermit continues to travel with a book, now rather tattered, that was given to him by Martha Ferguson.
1917-01-10