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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.
Commissioner Roosevelt summarizes his recent, and difficult, hunting trip with Hector Munro Ferguson. Sylvane M. Ferris is very ill and unable to assist with the cattle round-up apart from some overseeing. The cattle are looking well but prices are low. Roosevelt concludes by discussing several matters related to the ranch.
Arizona Historical Society
1892-08-11
Commissioner Roosevelt does not know Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s address and asks him to find some missing cattle checks. Without the checks they will not be able to pay dividends.
Arizona Historical Society
1893-11-01
Commissioner Roosevelt will do everything he can for Arthur Kinnaird if he shows up. He hopes Robert Harry Munro Ferguson has received the Boone and Crockett Club book. Roosevelt still does not have Ferguson’s address and fears his letter will be returned. (A note on the last page confirms that the letter was returned.) Roosevelt closes with some thoughts on yacht racing.
Arizona Historical Society
1893-10-12
Commissioner Roosevelt notes Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s resignation in July. Directions have been given to have Ferguson’s check returned. Roosevelt discusses some missing checks and reimbursement to Ferguson and Tilden Russell Selmes on an unspecified investment. Roosevelt has been struggling with a colleague but knows this colleague is having an even more difficult time. Ted Roosevelt recently received some guinea pigs which he adores.
Arizona Historical Society
1893-11-24
Commissioner Roosevelt describes the Boone and Crockett Club dinner and Kermit Roosevelt’s antics. He has not been getting much exercise but takes the eldest children for walks on Sundays and goes horseback riding with Senator Lodge. Politics are at a “fever beat” and Roosevelt is enjoying it but wishes he could go on a wilderness expedition with Robert Harry Munro Ferguson.
Arizona Historical Society
1894-01-31
The missing cattle checks have been found and dividends can now be paid for December and June. Commissioner Roosevelt would like Robert Harry Munro Ferguson to attend the Boone and Crockett Club dinner in January. Asa McIlhaney visited and Roosevelt relates an anecdote about Ted Roosevelt helping them chop down a grove of trees.
Arizona Historical Society
1893-11-22
Commissioner Roosevelt recently traveled to his ranch; the hunting went well but his cattle were in poor condition. Roosevelt jokes that his tales of antelope will not compare to Ferguson being in the real wilds with caribou and white bear.
Arizona Historical Society
1894-10-16
Commissioner Roosevelt announces the birth of his son, Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt. All concerned are doing well and the other children are delighted with the baby. Roosevelt asks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson to plan to be at Sagamore Hill the first two weeks of July. Cecil Spring Rice will also be visiting.
Arizona Historical Society
1894-04-12
Commissioner Roosevelt enjoyed visiting Thomas Hitchcock in Aiken, South Carolina. There was a great deal of exercise with shooting, fox hunting, and polo. However, the “mental companionship” was lacking. Cecil Spring Rice has returned but is “very blue.” Roosevelt hopes Spring Rice will join them when Robert Harry Munro Ferguson visits Sagamore Hill. He inquires about Ferguson’s travel plans.
Arizona Historical Society
1894-03-28
President Roosevelt has done everything he can for Lord & Hewlett in their suit against the Department of Agriculture, and he does not believe the case can be furthered.
Arizona Historical Society
1903-08
Ticket to the 1900 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Arizona Historical Society
1900
Theodore Roosevelt will discuss ranch matters and more important things after Robert Harry Munro Ferguson arrives. He discusses the content of his upcoming annual report. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt continues to recover from an unnamed health issue.
Arizona Historical Society
1889-1895
Theodore Roosevelt regrets he cannot join Robert Harry Munro Ferguson on an upcoming trip. He expects that Ferguson will have a difficult time, especially with mosquitoes, but that Ferguson is doing something worth doing. Roosevelt wishes he could go but is happy at home with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and the children.
Arizona Historical Society
1889-1895
Theodore Roosevelt discusses travel and hunting plans for the summer. He may be delayed if Congress holds an extra session.
Arizona Historical Society
1889-1895
Theodore Roosevelt says that he is looking forward to receiving the book Life in Mexico. He expresses his disappointment at not seeing John Campbell Greenway while Greenway was traveling through New York. Roosevelt asks about Greenway’s family and relates details about Kermit Roosevelt’s recent trip to Northern Mexico.
Arizona Historical Society
1911-09-19
Theodore Roosevelt appreciated the telegram.
Arizona Historical Society
1909-03-03
President Roosevelt agrees with John Campbell Greenway and references his letter about “undesirable citizens” and recent speech in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He is committed to fighting against “red flag gentry” and “unscrupulous swindlers of great wealth.” In a handwritten note, Roosevelt thanks Greenway for his interest in Ted Roosevelt and Ted’s upcoming visit to see Greenway.
Arizona Historical Society
1907-08-23
Theodore Roosevelt has not heard from John Campbell Greenway and asks if Greenway can meet him in El Paso, Texas, or Albuquerque, New Mexico. They would then continue on to the Roosevelt Dam and Grand Canyon.
Arizona Historical Society
1911-01-31
Theodore Roosevelt thanks John Campbell Greenway for the telegram. He is distressed at the events on the Mexican-American border that resulted in the death of Americans. Roosevelt would have handled the incident much more aggressively.
Arizona Historical Society
1911-05-12
Theodore Roosevelt refers to an enclosed letter and asks John Campbell Greenway to verify and follow up on its contents. Roosevelt asks if Greenway’s family will be staying in the Long Island Sound area for the summer.
Arizona Historical Society
1911-07-05