Your TR Source
Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt are comfortable and in fine health. Roosevelt believes Kermit is a bit too daring, but Kermit’s marksmanship is improving, and they are enjoying great success. Roosevelt states that he has sent six chapters of his book to Scribner’s, but he has not looked at a newspaper since he left home.
1909-06-21
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles and mentions his support of her effort to recover fully from her illness of the previous year. He spent a brief time with Robert Munro Ferguson and Isabella Selmes Ferguson and agrees that Isabella Ferguson is quite brave although he believes he was not with Robert long enough to judge the condition of his health. Roosevelt is pleased that Cowles’s son William Sheffield Cowles Jr. is in public school with Cameron Winslow. Roosevelt is enjoying reading William Cullen Bryant’s translation of Homer’s Iliad.
1910-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt reports to his sister Anna Roosevelt that Bob has turned up after his trip and then describes his evenings the past week, mostly consisting of dinners with different friends.
1895-03-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes his sister Anna about Bob visiting Edith and the children at Sagamore Hill. Their brother Elliott’s former coachman informed brother-in-law Douglas Robinson that Katy Mann is bothering Elliott again. Roosevelt describes the scene in Washington these days.
1894-06-17
President Roosevelt thanks his brother-in-law Douglas Robinson for the will and asks a few questions about it, namely including Bob Ferguson and appointing Theodore Jr. a trustee already. He then speaks of the police affairs at the church and how a ‘nice old crank’ got in, which was a security failure on the part of the police. Roosevelt though it ridiculous for so many policemen to accompany him to church.
1903-12-03
Theodore Roosevelt invites his sister Anna to accompany him on a trip to Chicago. From there, Roosevelt will travel to Milwaukee. He asks if Bob can stop at the depot and reserve two drawing rooms.
1893-01-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes his son Kermit Roosevelt from his trip with Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt to Silver City, New Mexico. He met up with his friends Robert Harry Munro Ferguson and his wife Isabella and John Campell Greenway. He says Kermit has set a good example for his brothers, and Roosevelt cannot wait to see him in a few weeks, and Mother may come as well.
1913-07-11
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to tell him he hopes Robert Munro-Ferguson is on the road to recovery and that Aunt Corinne Robinson said Kermit was a comfort to her. A man sent Roosevelt a carved pipe he is keeping for Kermit. He says Ted Roosevelt is visiting and Roosevelt cannot believe Kermit did not get into the Sphynx Club at Harvard because he is going to Africa.
1909-02-24
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to thank him for helping Robert and Isabella Ferguson with their tragedy. Roosevelt talks of riding and says he had to sell two of the horses. He also adds more updates on the planning for their African hunting trip.
1908-11-27
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit in reference to a letter Kermit sent to him that Kermit had received from a friend. Roosevelt tells him the friend probably heard some baseless slander about Kermit and was trying to be kindly so Kermit should not be annoyed. He says he has tried out the new Winchester rifles at Dr. Rixey’s and wants Kermit to try them when he comes home for Christmas. Roosevelt adds that he has been riding and jumping the horses and playing tennis. He encloses a letter from Frank M. Chapman, the American Museum of Natural History’s ornithology director.
1908-12-03
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Kermit Roosevelt from a troop ship in Tampa Bay, Florida while waiting to ship out to Santiago. Roosevelt discusses being separated from Marshall and his horses, doing his own laundry, and how Robert Munro Ferguson sleeps on deck because his bunk is too hot.
1898-06-10
Theodore Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and daughter-in-law Belle to thank them for their Christmas present and describes the Christmas he spent with the children and grandchildren. Roosevelt encloses a letter from former Rough Rider Robert Harry Munro Ferguson. Roosevelt complains about a Thanksgiving address at Groton School by Guy Ayrault where he likened President Woodrow Wilson to Christ. Roosevelt closes by saying his horse rolled over on him but he suffered no injuries.
1915-12-27
Theodore Roosevelt updates his sister Anna on recent happenings in Washington. He and wife Edith have been doing quite a bit of socializing. They are planning a move to a larger house close to the one they currently rent. Roosevelt asked Bob Ferguson to spend the summer with them.
1891-04-12
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit Roosevelt and relates stories of Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt playing together. He says First Lady Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is back but is not feeling well. Ethel Roosevelt’s confirmation went well. Roosevelt is still having trouble with the Senate holding up the nomination of Ben Daniels and other legislation. Kermit has written some math problems on the envelope.
1906-03-19
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to tell him that after reading his letter, Edith is okay with inviting Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferguson to travel abroad with the family. Nick and Alice returned from their honeymoon trip and Ethel is now moved into Alice’s room. Cousin Sheffield Cowles has the measles and Roosevelt is going to visit although his eye is bothering him. Roosevelt says that he has been working very hard and has a hard time with passing the rate bill, the Philippine tariff bill, and some of his nominations in the Senate. Archie and Quentin went to a dog show.
1906-03-04
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit regarding Kermit inviting Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferguson on the trip abroad. Roosevelt says it was not considerate of Kermit to invite them because it upsets Edith to think of another woman on the trip, which is the reason she did not invite anyone. The family is settling down after Alice Roosevelt Longworth’s wedding and making her room ready for Ethel.
1906-02-20
President Roosevelt informs his son Kermit Roosevelt how the family spent Thanksgiving Day riding horses with the Lodges, Robert Ferguson, and General Wood, eating and dancing. He also talks about the family pets.
1902-11-28
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Douglas Robinson for his letter and describes a battle near Santiago. Regarding the political effect of his involvement in the war, Roosevelt comments that he would “rather have led that charge and earned my colonelcy than served three terms in the United States Senate”. Roosevelt writes that he is in good health, despite the conditions, and has avoided yellow fever.
1898-07-27
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt writes about mismanagement in Washington and how it is affecting his men. Roosevelt describes his dedication to his men and writes that he suffers through the same hardships as they do, relating to transportation, food, and supplies. He mentions that Robert Ferguson earned a promotion and regrets that Kenneth Robinson, Douglas Robinson’s cousin, was wounded.
1898-07-19
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Douglas Robinson for the items he sent and asks him to locate a few more belongings to send along. He writes that Robert Ferguson was promoted to lieutenant for his service and mentions Kenneth Robinson, who was wounded. Roosevelt writes about several deaths due to yellow fever, but that as long as it stays out of camp, they will be fine. Roosevelt describes his experiences in battle and expresses pride in having led his regiment, as well as describing the mismanagement from Washington and its negative affects on his troops.
1898-07-19