Letter from Will Irwin to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Gonzales, Narciso Gener, 1858-1903, Hapgood, Norman, 1868-1937, Judicial corruption, Jury selection--U.S. states, Murder, Political corruption--U.S. states, Political violence, South Carolina, Tillman, Benjamin R. (Benjamin Ryan), 1847-1918, Tillman, James H., 1869-1911
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Will Irwin discusses the corruption of the Tillman family, specifically surrounding the shooting of journalist Narciso Gener Gonzales by John H. Tillman. Irwin claims that Tillman’s uncle, Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, instructed members of the South Carolina Dispensary to pose as canvassers selling enlarged photographs to ascertain South Carolinians’ opinions on the shooting. Using this information, Irwin asserts, the jury was selected to be prejudiced in favor of James H. Tillman, which led to his acquittal.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-01-11
Creator(s)
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
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:
Letter from Will Irwin to Theodore Roosevelt. [January 11, 1909]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59998. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Irwin, Will, 1873-1948. Letter from Will Irwin to Theodore Roosevelt. [11 Jan. 1909]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59998.
APA:
Irwin, Will, 1873-1948., [1909, January 11]. Letter from Will Irwin to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o59998.
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. January 30, 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.
