Your TR Source
Ernest P. Holcombe’s reports on his travels as special inspector to attend the hearing in the case of Holm Olaf Bursum v. Territory of New Mexico. Holcombe mentions his conversations with Judge Albert B. Fall, who was under the influence of alcohol. Holcombe details the proceedings of the Bursum case, which resulted in the Territory owing an amount of money to Bursum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-19
Theodore Roosevelt thanks William H. H. Llewellyn for his letter and the work he has been able to accomplish in New Mexico. Roosevelt has written Albert B. Fall and Holm Olaf Bursum as Llewellyn suggested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-03-22
Theodore Roosevelt does not believe that Bronson M. Cutting made the statement he is quoted as saying. Roosevelt does not recall ever writing to Cutting about Holm Olaf Bursum and has written Cutting to find out the facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-03
Theodore Roosevelt does not believe he has ever written a word about Holm Olaf Bursum and has written to Bronson M. Cutting to find out what the facts are.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-03
Theodore Roosevelt encloses something George Curry sent him, saying he is “sure it is all a fake.” Roosevelt does not believe he ever wrote to Bronson M. Cutting about Holm Olaf Bursum and asks for the facts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-03
A printing of the full proceedings of the Republican Territorial Central Committee meeting held at Albuquerque.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
A report on the financial affairs of the New Mexico territory penitentiary under Holm Olaf Bursum’s administration was promised. Instead of a carefully prepared statement to the reform paper, it was poorly promulgated through one newspaper and caused divide in the press and confusion among the people. To resolve the matter and provide “actual information and reliable conclusions,” the Advertiser reviewed the case and published their findings.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
Holm Olaf Bursum responds to the report concerning the financial affairs of the New Mexico territory penitentiary under his administration, by citing a few instances which highlight the report’s “unfairness, incorrectness and unreliability.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-04
United States Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn reports to President Roosevelt that Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg has begun his investigation in New Mexico by listening to men of bad character who are opponents of Roosevelt and his administration. Llewellyn does not object to the investigation, but urges that it be carried out in a fair and impartial manner.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-23
Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman has refrained from addressing President Roosevelt’s statements in his letters concerning Hagerman’s forced resignation because he felt that on further reflection, Roosevelt would correct his false accusations. However, Hagerman now feels compelled to answer the accusations Roosevelt has made against him and set the record straight. Hagerman includes a detailed timeline and description of events and persons involved in his forced resignation due to accusations of land fraud. In conclusion, Hagerman says that the entire affair has hurt the standing of the Republican Party in New Mexico and asks Roosevelt to take this into consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
Acting Governor of New Mexico Raynolds confirms the text of a telegram he sent Attorney General Bonaparte regarding the behavior and actions of Ormsby McHarg, United States Special Assistant Attorney General, in the case of Holm Olaf Bursum, the former Superintendent of Prisons. McHarg has made several demands of the territorial government, and while the territory is anxious to comply, they are not required by law to do so. Further, McHarg has impugned the character and capability of several officials. Raynolds asks for specific guidance from the Department of Justice as to the wishes of the department and the actions the territorial government of New Mexico is expected to perform in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-15
William H. H. Llewellyn writes to William Loeb regarding an investigation of the management of the penitentiary in New Mexico by Holm Olaf Bursum. While Llewellyn does not want to defend Bursum from any actual wrongdoing, he has known Bursum for twenty-five years, and he does not believe that he has any personal dishonesty, especially with regards to his finances. Llewellyn believes Bursum can disprove the charges against him. He believes that Governor Herbert J. Hagerman is stirring up trouble.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927
William H. Andrews conveys to William Loeb his feeling that Governor Herbert Hagerman of the New Mexico Territory is trying to “make trouble for us” by hinting at an investigation of Holm O. Bursum and the financial records of a penitentiary. Andrews asserts that Bursum has done no wrong. Regarding Arizona’s bid for statehood, Andrews wrote to approximately 100 Rough Riders there; most are loyal to the President, but a dozen or so responded negatively. Governor Joseph Kibbey of Arizona is “out to defeat joint statehood,” but if Wilson is appointed in Kibbey’s place, Andrews feels statehood would carry in Arizona.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
William H. Andrews encloses newspaper clippings related to the meeting of the Democratic and Republican Territorial Committees on joint statehood of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as two letters from O. D. M. Gaddis. He notes that Charles Henry Akers, publisher of the Phoenix Gazette, is anxious to provide his support for joint statehood but is also indebted to his paper. Andrews reports that he has heard nothing from Senator Boies Penrose regarding the matter of President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers of America.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-07
Luther R. Smith, private secretary to Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock, and William Spencer Sturgess met with ex-Governor Miguel Antonio Otero, ex-Attorney General George W. Prichard, and Republican Chairman of New Mexico Holm Olaf Bursum in El Paso, Texas. Smith and Sturgess tried to convince Bursum to go against joint statehood in New Mexico. Bursum declined, stating that he had told William H. Andrews and President Roosevelt that he and Solomon Luna would vote in favor of joint statehood. Smith and Sturgess then said that they are “getting up a job” on Andrews to get him arrested on some charges connected with the Enterprise National Bank. William H. H. Llewellyn is confident that joint statehood will get through unless the cause is hampered by “such fellows as Smith.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-05
Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927
Acting Governor of New Mexico James W. Raynolds reports that Ormsby McHarg, United States Special Assistant Attorney General, and his representative Ernest P. Holcombe arrived in New Mexico and informed him that he was there to investigate acts of territorial officials, though he did not present any credentials to prove he was indeed an official of the United States. McHarg stated that he would appear in the court case of Holm Olaf Bursum, the former superintendent of prisons. In the process of relaying his intentions, McHarg threatened to involve the Department of Justice, President Roosevelt, and the press, if his demands were not met. In this and subsequent communications, McHarg accused the territorial attorney general and other officials of incompetence, ignorance of the law, and corruption. Though McHarg insisted all his communications be treated as confidential, a story appeared in the press which seems to have been planted by him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-13
The editorial writers of the Alburquerque Morning Journal claim the paper would be in contempt of court if the writers were to discuss the report of referee Charles V. Safford in the case of Prison Superintendent Holm Olaf Bursum. The Alburquerque Evening Citizen encourages the Morning Journal to address a series of questions in order to keep “what little self respect it has.” The list of questions to be answered includes queries about the Bursum case, corrupt prison practices, and the alleged corruption of New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-15