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C. Williamson thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his kind letter and sends a clipping of the results of the entertainment at Carnegie Hall by the orphans. Williamson also asks for a photograph of Roosevelt and shares that he lost his masonic pin while traveling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-29
A receipt for Theodore Roosevelt’s 1917 Oyster Bay American Red Cross subscription for $1,000, written on wrapping paper and annotated by Guernsey Curran.
1917-12
William Loeb encloses a check on behalf of President Theodore Roosevelt as a contribution to the current expenses of Grace Reformed Church where the Reverend Dr. John M. Schick is the pastor.
Sam White writes to Theodore Roosevelt explaining his current situation, where he is employed in a government department with slow prospects and caring for his elderly parents and younger sisters. White wants to get married, but needs a house first and does not come from wealth. He appeals to Roosevelt’s generosity and asks him to send £300 required to build a small house and emphasizes his own character qualities.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-11
Arthur C. Hastings writes Theodore Roosevelt, as he has been approached a few times by two brothers, “each one calling himself Senator McCrane, and Hastings states that both claim “authority to solicit money for” the Sanatorium Gabriels. Hastings states he has donated before; however he thinks the two individuals are getting ” a very large percentage” of the money “for their personal work.” Hastings asks for advice from Roosevelt on how his committee views the “soliciting agency.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-04
Harvey L. Simmonds asks Theodore Roosevelt to support Fisk University by recommending it to potential donors, speaking to influential philanthropists, and visiting the school to address the students.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Reverend Schick thanks President Roosevelt for his contribution to the church’s Christmas poor fund.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-18
This card demonstrates that an individual has become a member of the American National Red Cross chapter in Washington, D.C., President Roosevelt had indicated a willingness to join, and the card was sent him for this purpose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
Marie Koopmans-de Wet thanks President Roosevelt for the confidence placed in her, along with Andrew Murray and Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, to distribute money donated to aid her countrymen in South Africa. Koopmans-de Wet notes that Generals de Wet, de la Rey, and Botha will soon be visiting America and Europe. She encloses a copy of “the document which the patriots handed in giving the reasons why the brave boers had to come to terms and surrender.” Assuring Roosevelt the document is authentic, she notes that it is one of four copies in existence and entrusts it to his care.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-29
Puck tugs at the coat-tails of Andrew Carnegie, as he and John D. Rockefeller, Junior, pile money bags around the base of a statue labeled “Fame,” which they seek by endowing libraries and universities. Puck is suggesting that they could do more good for society by endowing places like a “Home for Consumptives.” Caption: Puck — You have qualified thoroughly as modern philanthropists, now why not do some good?
When Puck Magazine had opinions, they usually were expressed in written editorials or, in cartoons, through the character of its mascot-figure Puck. Here he suggests to the nation’s two greatest benefactors of the day, that their largesse might better be directed to the sick and poor than to libraries and universities.
Puck stands on a stage speaking to wealthy philanthropists. From left: an empty seat “reserved for Russell Sage,” Mrs. Leland Stanford, Miss [Helen Miller?] Gould, John D Rockefeller Jr., Andrew Carnegie, Vanderbilt [William K., by resemblance], [and] J. P. Morgan.” Puck is displaying a “Plan for model tenement” and pointing to a view of current tenement housing conditions projected on a magic-lantern screen on the stage. In the “Christmas sermon,” Puck is entreating that when these generous millionaires are performing their philanthropy, they not only endow schools and libraries, which benefit “those that already have much,” but also “give something to those who have less than nothing.”
Around the time of this cartoon, Puck, always a magazine of reform through its cartoons and editorials, joined the ranks of periodicals urging social justice activism and attention to urban ills in the movement called Naturalism. Having rejected the prescriptions of Bryanism, it welcomed and paralleled the reform agenda of Theodore Roosevelt. By 1910 its stances were vaguely Socialist.
President Roosevelt addresses the farmers of Bangor, Maine, and declares that in the midst of urbanization and industrialization, the countryside is the surest place to find “the old American spirit.” Roosevelt praises farm life and says it allows for a stronger sense of brotherhood and community. He discusses the importance of how to be properly charitable and to not place too much importance on material prosperity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-27
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1918-01-25
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Theodore Roosevelt writes to William H.H. Llewellyn to request his assistance in arranging accommodations in New Mexico for Pearl Holderman for health reasons. Roosevelt recalls Pearl’s deceased brother, Bert T. Holderman, who had served with the Rough Riders. Since she has little money, Roosevelt offers to personally pay her expenses “on behalf of the regiment.” Roosevelt asks Llewellyn to respond to Miss Holderman, living in Chetopa, Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-09-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to John Campbell Greenway to request his assistance in arranging accommodations in Arizona for Pearl Holderman for health reasons. Roosevelt recalls Pearl’s deceased brother, Bert T. Holderman, who had served with the Rough Riders. Since she has little money, Roosevelt offers to personally pay her expenses “on behalf of the regiment.” Roosevelt asks Greenway to respond to Miss Holderman, living in Chetopa, Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1917-09-28
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary writes to Nezza N. Arnold to inform him that Colonel Roosevelt cannot donate money to his cause.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-19
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary declines Harvey R. Smith’s request for money from Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-16
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary explains to A. S. N. Dobson that Roosevelt cannot comply as he receives numerous similar requests for subscriptions to various causes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-23
On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary express that Roosevelt has read Verda E. William’s letter and sympathizes deeply with their situation. The letter emphasizes that although Roosevelt would like to help, he is not in a position to do so and he receives numerous financial requests.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-06
Theodore Roosevelt is unable to make a charitable contribution to Hope Farm due to his other numerous financial commitments.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-29