Your TR Source
President Roosevelt describes the fall foliage in Washington, D.C., and updates Kermit on the family’s activities, including Roosevelt’s tennis playing and scramble-walking. He discusses the entertaining schedule they have been keeping. Roosevelt also adds that the Democrats have been spreading lies during the campaign and he will send Kermit a list of how he thinks the states will vote.
1904-10-15
President Roosevelt reports that Ted just returned from a trip where he killed a bull moose. Roosevelt has been riding, playing tennis, and taking long “scramble-walks” with Ted, Gifford Pinchot and others. He gives updates on Quentin, Ethel, and Archie as well.
1904-10-09
President Roosevelt is glad Kermit Roosevelt is happy with the “Russell plan” for St. Louis. When he gets back to Sagamore, Roosevelt plans to take the children on a “scramble walk” through the woods and swimming through ponds. He includes a sketch of him taking Rusty the horse jumping.
1904-06-12
President Roosevelt’s horses are still ill. John Willis and Buffalo Bill visited. Roosevelt walks with Granville Fortescue but admits he needs to get more exercise. He relates a story about Archie and Quentin reciting poems.
1904-02-19
President Roosevelt reports injuries to the horses and not being able to ride with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt due to the slippery weather. He did go for a walk with Doctor Lambert, Gifford Pinchot, and James Rudolph Garfield where they all kept falling on the ice. He also played hide and seek with Ethel, Archie, Quentin, and the Garfield children.
1904-01-29
The weather in Washington has been bad and President Roosevelt has not been able to go riding. Roosevelt played single stick with Granville Fortescue and is very busy.
1904-01-13
Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt writes to his sister and brother-in-law despite a lack of correspondence from them. He updates them on polo and horses, laments his lack of physical exercise, and remembers his nephew, Theodore Douglas Robinson. Roosevelt also mentions an upcoming hunting trip out west and discusses his work.
1889-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister about his activities in Italy with Edith. He mentions his exercise regimen, articles he has written for Century Magazine, and future plans to spend the rest of the summer at Sagamore Hill. Roosevelt also mentions that he wishes his ranch had been more successful.
1887-01-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Corinne in anticipation of an upcoming visit home. Roosevelt mentions a sparring content, in which he came in second place, and a recent trip to Maine.
1879-03-23
Theodore Roosevelt thanks his sister Corinne for the books she sent him. He also writes of his growing respect for the intellect of his fellow classmates, especially after spending an evening boxing, wrestling, and reading Tennyson with several of them. Roosevelt also requests that she ask their father about a subscription.
1877-10-28
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his mother, claiming it to be the longest letter he will ever write. He writes about many topics, including his friends and various social calls, the status of his studies and courses he is taking, his exercise regimen, and the weather.
1878-10-08
Theodore Roosevelt tells his sister Anna about being turned out of Sunday School for being a Presbyterian. He states that Corinne Roosevelt is going out a lot and reports on his social activities at Harvard.
1880-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his sister Anna asking a few questions and describing in detail how he spends his days at Harvard with sample schedules for a Monday and a Saturday. The letter also requests that books be sent from home. He wants everyone from home to keep writing him as well.
1876-11-01
Uncle Sam helps President Roosevelt split a log labeled with various monopolies and trusts. Roosevelt’s mallet is labeled the “Attorney General” and his wedge “The Law.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-07
Commissioner Roosevelt was pleased to receive William Wingate Sewall’s letter. He still has some cattle in North Dakota that are under the care of Sylvane M. Ferris. Roosevelt has been unable to exercise much and is “getting stout.”
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1890-11-02
Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt believes that all Americans owe a debt to Walter Camp for his championing of athletics and exercise, which Roosevelt believes is necessary as America develops a larger population of sedentary classes. Roosevelt particularly approves of football, and is disdainful of people like Harvard University President Charles William Eliot who wish to ban it because of the injuries it can cause. Roosevelt discusses injuries he has sustained during various sports and exercises, and says that while he approves of altering football’s rules so that it is less dangerous, he would rather have it be dangerous than not have it at all. Many prominent politicians in Washington, D.C., were involved in sports during their college years, and Roosevelt draws a link between having a sound body and a sound mind.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1895-03-11
The friendship between Dr. Rixey and the Roosevelts has been very meaningful and Theodore Roosevelt believes that Rixey was one of the most positive influences on his children. Roosevelt’s health had been poor and he is nearly “done out.” Rheumatism prevents him from exercising and lack of exercise makes it difficult to stay in good condition. Roosevelt was pleased with the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition and views it as his last adventure.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-02-22
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his nephew William Sheffield Cowles about the Christmas celebrations that took place at Sagamore Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-28
President Roosevelt tells his son Archie about the goings-on of his brother Quentin, his sister Ethel, his mother Edith, and some family pets. Roosevelt has just made his last speech as president, but he will be very busy with routine business over the next three weeks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-13
President Roosevelt would like Commissioner West to look into incorporating William K. Sixsmith’s exercise regime, including boxing, into the District of Columbia schools.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-28