“President Roosevelt spends the day making hay.”—News Item
Subject(s): Hay, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
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President Roosevelt pushes hay up as the man up above screams. Caption: “President Roosevelt spends the day making hay.” — News Item.
Comments and Context
J. H. Donahey’s complimentary cartoon (he otherwise was a mild opponent, drawing for the Democratic Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper) depicts President Roosevelt, typically strenuous, over-achieving in even the simple task of loading a hay wagon. At the time Roosevelt was on the longest summer vacation of his presidency, at Oyster Bay.
It is likely that Donahey intended more than a visualization of the president’s typical hyperactivity. The caption is reminiscent of the phrase “making hay while the sun shines,” first recorded in 1540s England, but always wise advice among farmers. Despite his long summer “rest,” the president’s daybooks reveal many meetings and a full complement of correspondence that summer.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-07-12
Creator(s)
Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Page Count
1
Production Method
Record Type
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:
“President Roosevelt spends the day making hay.”—News Item. [July 12, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301567. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949. “President Roosevelt spends the day making hay.”—News Item. [12 Jul. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301567.
APA:
Donahey, J. H. (James Harrison), 1875-1949., [1907, July 12]. “President Roosevelt spends the day making hay.”—News Item.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301567.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
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. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
