Your TR Source
President Roosevelt informs his son Ted that he has written him a letter about the incident with the policemen and believes both Ted and his friend conducted themselves well under the circumstances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
President Roosevelt updates Dean of Harvard College Hurlbut on his son Theodore Roosevelt’s well-being after returning home in need of comfort and rest after his arrest. Roosevelt believes that Ted is defending his friend and fellow Harvard student Shaun Kelly by choosing not to press charges against the policemen who wrongfully held and struck Ted. Roosevelt also wants to forgo any further charges because he wants Ted to remain focused on his schoolwork, and wishes him to remain out of future public scrutiny.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-07
President Roosevelt wishes his son Ted had written sooner “instead of allowing us to inevitably believe that you acted foolishly” as he heard of Ted’s arrest from the newspapers. Roosevelt believes that his son and Arthur Blagden, a fellow student at Harvard, behaved correctly. However, Shaun Kelley, Ted’s roommate, did not. Roosevelt has written Boston Police Commissioner Stephen O’Meara about the plainclothes officer who struck Ted and believes the man “ought to be thrown off the force.” Senator Henry Cabot Lodge also wrote O’Meara supporting Ted in the incident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-02
Dean Hurlbut of Harvard College writes to President Roosevelt about the reported troubles and recent arrest of his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Moran is turning it into a political matter, attempting to harm Roosevelt through his son, who was struck by the police when arrested. Francis R. Bangs and John Perkins will look after Theodore’s best interests. Hurlbut hopes the story comes to light and he apologizes for the president’s son’s poor treatment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-05
Senator Lodge updates President Roosevelt about his son Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt and his arrest and upcoming trial, commenting that because Ted is the President’s son that he is “natural prey for yellow newspapers and adventurers like Moran.” Lodge believes Ted’s lawyer, Francis Reginald Bangs, is taking good care of the young men and that Police Commissioner Stephen O’Meara did not realize his men had struck Ted. Lodge further discusses whether the labor unions will support the Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections in New York and Massachusetts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-04