Edwards, Harry Stillwell, 1855-1938 Archives

Draft of letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Clark Howell

President Roosevelt informs Clark Howell, a Democrat, that he stands by his federal appointments in the South, including the appointment of people of color. Roosevelt explains his selection and vetting process, and names Major J. F. Hanson, Walter H. Johnson, and Harry Stillwell Edwards as individuals with whom he has consulted in Georgia, Howell’s state. Roosevelt trusts that Howell would accept the opinions of these men. Also, while he considers the feelings of the people in a locality, Roosevelt emphasizes that he can only do this so much “without sacrificing principle.” Rather, “character, fitness, and ability” are his “prime tests” when making an appointment. Roosevelt concludes by expressing his concern at the attitude on this matter that many from the South have taken, but this attitude will not make him “swerve one hair’s breadth to one side or the other” from the course he has chosen.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Memorandum from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Taft

President Roosevelt sends President-Elect Taft a memorandum advising him to visit several people while he is in Georgia, to back up the Taft clubs there, and to avoid most office-holders.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Robert Shaw Oliver

President Roosevelt informs Acting Secretary of War Oliver he would like to appoint Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian and a son of Harry Stillwell Edwards to the United States Military Academy. The president asks Oliver to correspond with John Charles Woodward and Edwards about these appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Powell Clayton

President Roosevelt will look into the circular matter. He does not feel that all office holders should be prevented from attending the convention but would like to see as few as possible. Roosevelt does not want office holders to neglect their duties and create a scandal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Silas McBee

President Roosevelt appreciates Silas McBee’s “earnest and sincere effort” to support him editorially in McBee’s newspaper, The Churchman. Roosevelt defends his appointments in the southern United States, especially the appointment of African Americans. The African American men he has appointed are “of a high grade of excellence” and came with the recommendation of Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt recommends as well several prominent southern men who can speak to the nature of his appointments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-03

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from John M. Barnes to Theodore Roosevelt

John M. Barnes informs President Roosevelt that Harry Stillwell Edwards borrowed $400 from him, and despite Barnes’s best efforts, Edwards has still not repaid the full amount. Being a poor man, he cannot afford this loss. Barnes also complains of Judge Emory Speer, who he says has “pursued [him] with such implacable revenge” that no one will hire Barnes in Georgia. He is selling his property in hopes of returning to New York where he once held a good position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-15

Creator(s)

Barnes, John M. (John Madison), 1858-1920

Letter from W. Minter Wimberly to Theodore Roosevelt

W. Minter Wimerbly defends Postmaster Harry Stillwell Edwards against the accusation of not paying his debts. Wimberly, who has represented Edwards in legal matters for many years and has become his friend, relates how Edwards came to be in debt and the great efforts he has made to pay off his indebtedness. Both Wimberly and his partner have advised Edwards to seek relief by filing for bankruptcy, but Edwards has declined, committing to pay his debts as he is able. Wimberly believes the accusation against Edwards is unjust and slanderous.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-18

Creator(s)

Wimberly, W. Minter (William Minter), 1861-1919

Memorandum from Charles A. Conrard to Robert John Wynne

The commission of Albany, Georgia postmaster Benjamin F. Brimberry has expired and he is up for reappointment, but is charged by his enemies with involvement in a case of adultery. Brimberry is said to have written love letters for an illiterate Black man, Fred Crapps, to a married woman, Lucy Vandergrift. Brimberry did write the letters, but knew neither party and did not know Vandergrift was married. Brimberry’s friends and colleagues praise him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-26

Creator(s)

Conrard, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1866-1918

Will Edwards succeed Rucker as collector?

Headline of an article concerning the appointments of Harry Stillwell Edwards and Henry A. Rucker to federal jobs.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-15

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Walter H. Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Marshal Johnson asks whether he should decline chairmanship of the Georgia State Republican Committee. The committee will not be called together until after the National Convention finishes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-26

Creator(s)

Johnson, Walter H., 1848-

Letter from James H. Blount to Theodore Roosevelt

James H. Blount discusses sentencing criminals in the Philippines, including sentencing sixteen men to death. His experiences have led him to think that penal servitude may be “unrighteous.” Blount also enjoyed reading Theodore Roosevelt’s Winning of the West and met Luther S. “Yellowstone” Kelly, an ex-scout and friend to Roosevelt. Blount recognizes that he is working in an outpost while also understanding the importance of his work.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-21

Creator(s)

Blount, James H. (James Henderson), 1869-1918

Roosevelt Memorial Assn., visit home of “Teddy’s” mother

Members of the Roosevelt Memorial Association visit the home of President Roosevelt’s mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt. Photo caption: Photo made in front of Bullock Hall, Roswell, Ga., the home of Roosevelt’s mother, which officers of the Roosevelt memorial Assn. visited to secure data and pictures for the memorial home in N.Y.C.. Photo shows, L. to R., Hermann Hagedorn, W. C. McClure, an Atlanta friend of Roosevelt, and Harry Stillwell Edwards.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1923-10-19

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from Walter H. Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Marshal Johnson writes to President Roosevelt that friends have urged Register of the Treasury Lyons, Collector of Internal Revenue Henry A. Rucker, Henry Lincoln Johnson and Johnson to serve as Georgia’s delegates at the Republican National Convention. This means that Harry Stillwell Edwards could be defeated. To avoid this, Johnson suggests that William Loeb send Rucker a letter asking him to withdraw in order to preserve harmony in the party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-16

Creator(s)

Johnson, Walter H., 1848-

Letter from Walter H. Johnson to Theodore Roosevelt

Marshal Johnson provides a synopsis of the Georgia Republican State Committee meeting, including committee appointments and the upcoming State Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-02

Creator(s)

Johnson, Walter H., 1848-