Boxing

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt updates his son, Kermit Roosevelt, on recent happenings. Surprisingly, the presidential elector from Montana was his friend and former ranch foreman, Arthur William Merrifield. He describes his and Ted Roosevelt”s continued boxing matches with Joseph Grant. Archibald and Quentin are recovering from “grip.” Unfortunately, Edith’s horse Yagenka may no longer be ridable.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt informs Kermit Roosevelt he wrote to Endicott Peabody, the rector of Groton School. He recounts recent family activities, including his rides with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and boxing with Ted Roosevelt. Unfortunately, Edith’s horse Yagenka fell ill, but her dog Jack is devoted to her.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John R. Van Wormer

President Roosevelt thanks John R. Van Wormer, president of the New York Athletic Club, for allowing Professor Mike Donovan to come box. However, he apologizes for being unaware of Donovan’s contract with the club and asks Van Wormer if he still wishes Donovan to come.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mike Donovan

President Roosevelt informs Mike Donovan he will need to delay his visit to the White House for boxing. Roosevelt sustained some injuries while playing single-stick with Ted Roosevelt and a few others and needs time to heal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-13

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt updates Kermit Roosevelt on various happenings in the family. The president tells Kermit he is “reluctantly” realizing that boxing and wrestling are “too violent” for him as sports. Roosevelt is just glad he was elected president, whether or not his physical fitness is declining.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-11

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mike Donovan

President Roosevelt asks Mike Donovan to come and start boxing with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-09

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Kermit Roosevelt

President Roosevelt tells Kermit Roosevelt about the family’s trip to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, and how he walked through the exposition grounds with an enormous bruise without letting any reporters know he was experiencing pain in his leg. The president was most interested in the North Dakota and Philippine exhibits. President Roosevelt includes a handwritten note encouraging Kermit to “keep pegging away” in his studies and to not lose heart.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-29

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Mike Donovan

President Roosevelt tells Mike Donovan to wait two weeks before visiting because he wants to get Congress going before he starts boxing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-19

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John H. Storer

President Roosevelt thanks John H. Storer for sending Humphrey Storer’s letter about boxing against Ted Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt congratulates Ted Roosevelt on his boxing. President Roosevelt will soon be on his western trip and is concerned that “nothing but slush” will make traveling in Yellowstone difficult.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

Kermit Roosevelt will be returning to school tomorrow. A fencing master met with President Roosevelt and General Wood to offer advice in their “broad sword exercise.” He reiterates his warning to Theodore Roosevelt that he should not box or wrestle out of his class.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-06

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt is sorry to hear about Ted Roosevelt’s tonsillitis. Roosevelt has been spending time with Major William Austin Wadsworth and his famous horse, Black Friar. Finally, President Roosevelt advises Roosevelt not to wrestle or box out of his class.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-15

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Curtis Guild

President Roosevelt enjoyed the article. He points out that Curtis Guild, as a fencer, naturally forgets about boxing. Roosevelt did not wear his glasses while sparring.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-12

Letter from Lyman Abbott to Theodore Roosevelt

Lyman Abbott, editor-in-chief of The Outlook, approves of Theodore Roosevelt’s editorial against prize fights. Because Roosevelt approves of boxing, Abbott believes his condemnation of prize fighting will carry weight. He adds that from now on they will meet on Tuesdays.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-06-08

Letter from Kermit Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

Kermit Roosevelt tells President Roosevelt about an upcoming football game which he is confident his team will win. They needed a referee for the game and Walter Camp and Charles Dudley Daly were unavailable, so they have Harvard coach, Joshua Crane. He explains to Roosevelt his plans to take up boxing next year, because he wants to learn how to use his fists. He also mentions that Bishop Charles Henry Brent is visiting and has invited him to stay with him in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908

Letter from William R. Harr to Charles J. Bonaparte

William R. Harr has investigated the charges against United States Attorney Robert W. Breckons that have been brought by E. W. Thwing, and gives Attorney General Bonaparte a thorough report of his findings. Harr addresses both Breckons’s personal character and his professional involvements and associations. Harr concludes that while he believes Breckons has worked efficiently and well, “his desire to serve his friends and increase his fortune has led him into a number of acts of questionable propriety and into some of unquestionable impropriety.” Harr understands from Breckons that he does not plan to stay in his position much longer, as the workload has increased to such a degree as to prevent additional private practice, which is necessary to supplement the income from the government position due to the high cost of living in Hawaii.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-01

Letter from Robert Bridges to Theodore Roosevelt

Robert Bridges has delayed responding to President Roosevelt’s question about photographers for his African safari until he could talk to William T. Hornaday. Two main names have been mentioned as possibilities: Ernest F. Keller and John C. Hemment. Bridges comments briefly on the credentials of the two men, as well as their possible cost to hire, but wished to see if Roosevelt had any personal preference between the two before discussing any further with them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-01

Letter from Thornton H. Simmons to Theodore Roosevelt

Thornton H. Simmons thanks President Roosevelt for the letter he sent to clear up a question about Roosevelt’s boxing record while he was at Harvard. Simmons now feels confident to answer Herbert S. Underwood, of the Boston Record, although he will not let him read the letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-17

Telegram from Robert James Fitzsimmons to Theodore Roosevelt

Boxer Robert James Fitzsimmons writes to President Roosevelt thanking him for a letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-28

Chronology January 1879 to December 1883

Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt between January 1879 to December 1883. Notable events include Theodore Roosevelt’s engagement and marriage to Alice Hathaway Lee, his appointment to the New York State Legislature, and his first visit and buffalo hunt in North Dakota.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association

Creation Date

1985