Butt, Archibald Willingham, 1866-1912

Robert A. Kirk informs Ralph H. Cameron he will travel to Washington D. C. on a secret trip for the Governor of Arizona. Kirk will be delivering returns and asks Cameron and Archibald Willingham Butt to collect him upon his arrival. Kirk confirms there is support for Theodore Roosevelt clubs in Arizona, but more support for President William H. Taft is needed. Kirk includes a postscript to Cameron asking for his help securing him a position.

Comments and Context

Robert A. Kirk and Ralph H. Cameron were heavily involved in securing statehood for Arizona, which would occur on February 14, 1912.

Collection

Grand Canyon National Park

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-12-05

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Recipient

Atkins, J. E.

Mr. Bruce writes that he has made the revisions in his book. He mentions Dr. Ryder, Captain Butt, Mrs. Longworth, and Kermit. Letterhead from the Manhattan Drafting Co.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1934-04-26

Mr. Bruce writes to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. regarding a booklet that he is issuing on the work of James E. Kelley, of which two pages “are devoted to Col. Roosevelt.” Bruce asks that someone from the Roosevelt family look over the proofs to determine if “Capt. So and So” mentioned in Kelly’s notes was Captain Archie Butt.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1934-03-16

President Roosevelt wishes his son Kermit Roosevelt a happy birthday. He would like to hear all about Kermit’s trip west and especially to hear about college. Preparation for the Africa trip is going well. Roosevelt would like to know if the English shoes he sent Kermit are all right and says that at Christmas he will take Kermit’s list of books that he would like to bring. Roosevelt discusses Ethel Roosevelt’s horse jumping and details a “scramble walk” he took with Archibald Willingham Butt through Rock Creek Park.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-10-10

President Roosevelt is glad to hear from Fitzhugh Lee, who is missed as “Master of Horse” and family friend. Roosevelt gives an update on Ted Roosevelt and Kermit Roosevelt’s career and education, respectively, and on Archie Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt’s school lives. Roosevelt is proud of Lee, and looks forward to hearing more from him while he is at the cavalry school.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-30

President Roosevelt forwarded Julia Ward Howe’s letter to Secretary of State Elihu Root, and had already asked him to take up the case personally. He is glad Howe appreciated what he said about her piece, the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-09

Theodore Roosevelt sends his appreciation to William Edward Butt for the letter. Roosevelt states no one loved Archibald Willingham Butt more than he did, outside of Butt’s family, referring to Butt’s recent death in the Titanic disaster.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-28

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks John A. Joyce for his letter and poem and notes Roosevelt’s regard for Archibald Willingham Butt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-25

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of War Wright a memorandum that he would like included in the record of Captain Archibald Willingham Butt. Roosevelt considers Butt an “exceptionally able and efficient officer” whose tact and diplomacy has been helpful in his work and planning regarding the Army. If Roosevelt should ever command troops again he would like Butt to serve under him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-03

President Roosevelt thanks Captain Fitzhugh Lee for sending a saddle bag, and wishes that Lee could have joined himself and Archibald Willingham Butt on the 100-mile ride.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-01

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit about the last speech he made as president, at an Abraham Lincoln celebration in Kentucky. He was touched to see the enthusiastic crowds at the stations throughout the journey. Roosevelt also discusses his plans to sell his horse Roswell, and preparations for his upcoming Africa trip.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-13

President Roosevelt also wishes that Captain McCoy could have joined him on the ride to Warrenton. It would not have been tiring for McCoy, as it was for Roosevelt and his current military aide, Captain Archibald Willingham Butt. Roosevelt has written to the War College about McCoy’s suggestion. He misses working with McCoy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-08

President Roosevelt tells his son Archie about recent events, including a diplomatic dinner at the White House, a meeting on improving conditions in the Navy, and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s condition. Roosevelt also expresses concerns about Quentin Roosevelt, and relays details about his ninety-eight mile ride.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-16

President Roosevelt updates his son Kermit Roosevelt on recent happenings as he concludes his presidency. Irritated by the negative reaction to his “moderate” physical exercise order, Roosevelt recounts his recent, one-day ninety mile ride out to Warrenton, Virginia, which he hoped “would put a stop to any grumbling.” He also discusses the state of his relationship with Congress, which has soured as he nears the end of his term. Roosevelt does not expect to pass any legislation this winter, and, as such, feels that Congress cannot do him much harm. To conclude, Roosevelt fondly reflects on his presidency, noting that he and his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, have enjoyed the White House “more than any President and his wife,” but are content and willing to leave it for a life of happiness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-14

President Roosevelt thought the letter Fitzhugh Lee sent to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was very interesting. He is pleased that the French officers are accepting Lee, and believes it is because of Lee’s willingness to work hard and do his duty. Roosevelt comments on a recent hike in Rock Creek Park he took with a number of Generals, and sends Lee some amusing pictures that were drawn afterwards of it. The Roosevelt family had a pleasant Christmas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

President Roosevelt shares his doubts about his son, Ted Roosevelt, taking a job on New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes’s staff, and encourages Ted to speak to his boss, Robert P. Perkins, about it. Roosevelt believes that at best the position would be largely a symbolic one, and at worst would commit Ted to attending events that he does not wish to attend and gain him “a certain unenviable notoriety.” Roosevelt acknowledges he may be mistaken, and again encourages Ted to speak to Perkins. Roosevelt enjoyed having his son visit recently, and provides an update on his recent activities since Ted departed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-16

President Roosevelt returns the letter to his son, Kermit Roosevelt, and tells him that he thinks it was probably well-meaning. Roosevelt is pleased that Kermit had a good time at Geneseo, and would have liked to have seen Kermit on the hunt. Winter has come to Washington, D.C., and Roosevelt has gone horseback riding. He has also tested some of the guns that he is going to bring on his safari, and thinks they are good. He proposes that he and Kermit test them together during the week of Christmas, and then pack them up for shipping. He asks Kermit if he would like to see a presentation of slides by Frank M. Chapman sometime during the holidays.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-03

President Roosevelt was proud to hear that his son, Kermit Roosevelt, visited Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and Isabella Ferguson, and is concerned about their situation. Roosevelt has been enjoying the fall weather at the White House, and updates Kermit on some family matters, including that he has sold a horse. Preparations for Roosevelt’s African safari are proceeding, with many officials and friends coming together to help ensure that they are able to find the animals that Roosevelt wishes to hunt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27

President Roosevelt is glad to hear that his son Archie is having a good time. Roosevelt tells Archie about the activities of Quentin Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt, and about their pets Ace and Scamp.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-27