Memorandum regarding Ormsby McHarg
Subject(s): Actions and defenses, Bursum, Holm Olaf, 1867-1953, Curry, George, 1861-1947, Fall, Albert B. (Albert Bacon), 1861-1944, Finance, Public--Accounting, Government etiquette, Governmental investigations, Governors--U.S. territories and possessions, Holcombe, Ernest P. (Ernest Prosser), 1864-1914, Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927, McHarg, Ormsby, 1871-, New Mexico, Parker, Frank W. (Frank Wilson), 1860-1932, Political corruption, Politicians--Conduct of life, Press and politics, Prisons--Auditing, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Root, Elihu, 1845-1937, Safford, Charles V., 1865-1925, United States. Department of Justice, United States. Department of the Interior, United States. Dept. of Justice, United States. Dept. of the Interior
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Acting Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds reports that Ormsby McHarg, United States Special Assistant Attorney General, and his representative Ernest P. Holcombe arrived in New Mexico and informed him that he was there to investigate acts of territorial officials, though he did not present any credentials to prove he was indeed an official of the United States. McHarg stated that he would appear in the court case of Holm Olaf Bursum, the former superintendent of prisons. In the process of relaying his intentions, McHarg threatened to involve the Department of Justice, President Roosevelt, and the press, if his demands were not met. In this and subsequent communications, McHarg accused the territorial attorney general and other officials of incompetence, ignorance of the law, and corruption. Though McHarg insisted all his communications be treated as confidential, a story appeared in the press which seems to have been planted by him.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-07-13
Creator(s)
Raynolds, James W. (James Wallace), 1873-1910
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Page Count
5
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Memorandum regarding Ormsby McHarg. [July 13, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o294578. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Raynolds, James W. (James Wallace), 1873-1910. Memorandum regarding Ormsby McHarg. [13 Jul. 1907]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 19, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o294578.
APA:
Raynolds, James W. (James Wallace), 1873-1910., [1907, July 13]. Memorandum regarding Ormsby McHarg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o294578.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 19, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
