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President Roosevelt has heard that there was no court martial or court of inquiry regarding Colonel Day “in the supposed drunkenness case.” He asks Secretary of War Root to look into this.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-23
President Roosevelt has approved of Lieutenant Werlich’s promotion, despite his tendency to “have sometimes taken too much liquor.” Roosevelt feels Werlich’s naval record offsets this conduct, but encourages him to stop drinking and vow never to drink again for the sake of both Werlich and the Navy. This is not a condition of Werlich’s promotion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-26
Before the Republican National Convention there was a rumor being circulated by those opposed to Theodore Roosevelt in Independence, Kansas, that Roosevelt was a “very intemperate man.” At the convention, there were further rumors that Roosevelt was drunk during during most of the convention. H. O. Williams would like to know the truth of this matter and requests a statement from Governor Hadley.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-24
Governor Hadley was closely associated with Theodore Roosevelt throughout the Republican National Convention and saw nothing to substantiate the rumors that Roosevelt was drunk or even consumed any alcohol. While Hadley does not intend to join Roosevelt’s third party movement he will defend Roosevelt from unjust personal or political attacks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-25
Thomas B. Smith confirms receipt of Theodore Roosevelt’s letter regarding Hugh F. McFadden’s dismissal from the post office. Smith continues by explaining the situation, including McFadden’s intoxication and disregard of protocol. Smith says he has received multiple letters from Senators and Congressman (due to the plea for help from McFadden’s young daughter), but under these circumstances he feels justified in dismissing McFadden.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-01
Edward Jackman writes to Theodore Roosevelt asking why, as a private citizen, has he not yet spoken out against the “commercialization and personal greed of the present day.” Jackman also mentions appalling business practices, the over-consumption of liquor, and the destruction being done to the environment for commercial purposes. He finishes his letter by asking Roosevelt what he can do to help combat these issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-30
Captain Cameron McRae Winslow never believed that Theodore Roosevelt had taken action regarding his “difficulty” with Admiral Conway H. Arnold. He believes the difficulty stems from unfit men being promoted to the rank. He does not think men who are “addicted to the intemperate use of alcohol” should be promoted to high military ranks. He hopes his “difficulty” with Arnold results in a more careful selection of officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-11
William G. Raines informs President Roosevelt about some unsavory rumors regarding his drinking habits. Raines wants President Roosevelt to know so that he may best protect himself against this “deadly work.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-23
Anna Roosevelt Cowles asks President Roosevelt to read the enclosed letter from Frances E. Monson, and to have William Loeb write her if he knows of a place that can help her son. She recently visited New York, where she visited Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, who have moved into their new home and are expecting their third child. She also saw Mr. Mills, who is frail but fondly remembers Edith. She has seen her nephew Ted, and will see him again on Sunday, and expects to see Alice Roosevelt Longworth today.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-18
Frances E. Monson asks Anna Roosevelt Cowles if her brother, President Roosevelt, can recommend a ranch where young men can go to “work hard in the open air all day,” with no access to alcohol. Her son, Charles Monson, is “fighting for his future against drinking” and would benefit from such a place.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
Former Rough Rider Micah John Jenkins informs President Roosevelt that he has won his battle against alcohol, and has no desire to drink anymore. To mark the occasion, he sends Roosevelt a gallon of rye whiskey. He thanks Roosevelt for his example, which inspired him to stop drinking. Jenkins also sends a photograph from his young daughter, Ruth Darling Jenkins. He discusses the decorations for the room shown in the photograph, which includes engravings of Roosevelt, General Leonard Wood, and Napoleon I.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16
Ambassador Reid writes to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt a “letter of indiscretions” about English society life and the state of affairs in Europe. First, he reflects upon the precarious and sad position of the German Emperor William II, who keeps making blunders and “plunging from one extravagance to another” in hopes of making people forget about his last mistake by making new ones. Reid fears that some mistakes, like his asking France to apologize for a matter when he had already agreed to arbitration, could lead to war in Europe. Reid also updates Roosevelt about Walter Spencer Morgan Burns’s drinking problem, and the controversy surrounding the separation of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill and Consuelo Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill. King Edward VII has banned the Marlboroughs from Court until they live together again, but the Duchess is refusing to reconcile. Mrs. Reid’s private secretary, Helen Rogers, is recovering from surgery to remove her appendix. Reid has discussed having an American or Anglo-American Exhibition in a year or two, at the White City in Chicago. Mrs. Reid will be sailing in December to visit her father, but Reid cannot go because the State Department issued a circular instructing all Ambassadors to remain at their posts and not take further leaves of absence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-12
Whitelaw Reid sends President Roosevelt an article from The Observer that provides an alternate view of King Edward VII of England’s actions regarding the Cabinet, but notes that the paper is more like American “yellow” press. Reid offers his views on gossip that has re-emerged about the new Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, and updates Roosevelt on the actions of William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-14
Joseph Bucklin Bishop reports on the health of Minister to Guatemala Joseph Wilcox Jenkins Lee. Lee is suffering from alcoholism and has not been in good health. Recently he lied about his condition while he was hospitalized. Bishop has heard numerous reports about Lee’s conduct prior to his assignments in Guatemala, and none mentioned that he was unable to perform his duties. However, the one report out of Guatemala is that he is a chronic drunk who cannot carry out his responsibilities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-20
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt from January 1884 to December 1891. Notable events include the deaths of Alice Lee Roosevelt and Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, Roosevelt’s time on his ranch, the completion of Sagamore Hill, Roosevelt’s engagement and marriage to Edith Kermit Carow, Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt’s birth, the “Great-Dieup” of cattle in North Dakota, and the founding of the Boone and Crockett Club.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
The Francis Murphy Association describes how it will aid individuals struggling with liquor and their families.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-12
An unknown witness relates an incident in which he reports that a likely-inebriated Governor of Puerto Rico Regis Henri Post unleashed a slew of verbal abuse on the Puerto Rico School Superintendents, with particular acrimony aimed at Assistant Commissioner of Education Everett W. Lord. One redacted section quotes Post accusing the superintendents of being the second largest cause of anti-American sentiment in Puerto Rico, behind only the missionaries. The recounting of Post’s attempts to apologize the next day does not suggest the superintendents were willing to forgive Post.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-28
A number of Long Island residents sign a note saying that they have never witnessed Percy Frampton, a postal worker, intoxicated and believe he has been dealt with unjustly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-08
People are gathered in a barn for a Christmas dance party. The fiddler arrives late, a bit intoxicated. Caption: Jabe Gormley–I got ‘im; I got ‘im; – but he’s been to two dances already!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1895-12-04
“Father Knickerbocker” stands at a bar at the “Tammany Inn,” drinking “Irish Whiskey,” with Richard Croker as the bartender, standing behind the bar, offering “Mixed Drinks Croker Style.” A weeping young boy labeled “Reform Movement” has a hold of Father Knickerbocker’s arm, trying to get him to leave the bar and come home. Caption: “Father, dear Father, come home with me now!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1893-11-29