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Sterling E. Edmunds sends copies of the editorials he wrote for the St. Louis Chronicle. Edmunds’s opinion of President Roosevelt changed from a negative one to a positive one over the course of the election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-28
Foley reports to Theodore P. Shonts, chair of the Isthmian Canal Commission, regarding a visit of the Commercial Clubs of Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis to the canal. The guests asked extensive questions and were impressed with the progress of the project. Many of the staff expressed concern over the resignation of John F. Stevens as chief engineer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-02
Description and photograph of a souvenir handkerchief from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition featuring the event program and images of President Roosevelt, President Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, and exposition president David R. Francis.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1904
Former President Grover Cleveland escorts a woman wearing a crown labeled “St. Louis” and a sash labeled “Popularity” past President Roosevelt and David R. Francis, President of the St. Louis World’s Fair (also known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition). (Mr. Cleveland made a speech at the Fair, and it was thought that he might become a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President and run against Roosevelt.)
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-05-01
In an unsent draft of a letter to Senators Elkins and Scott, President Roosevelt explains his reasons for removing Thomas W. Cridler as Assistant Secretary of State and replacing him with Herbert H. D. Peirce. Roosevelt, and McKinley before him, believed that although he could be an able consul or representative at the St. Louis Exposition, Cridler does not have the qualities to be a good assistant secretary of state. Cridler was too involved in politics in his current position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-28
William Loeb encloses the letter of introduction to Governor Francis from President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-24
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock hopes that given the election results in Missouri, President Roosevelt will now decide to accept the invitation of Missouri Governor David R. Francis to visit the World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-09
Thomas J. Akins, Postmaster of St. Louis, Missouri, updates Theodore Roosevelt on the political situation in Missouri. The upcoming race for the U.S. Senate is of particular importance. Democrats David R. Francis and James A. Reed to not represent what Akins and Roosevelt believe is appropriate in public life. The Republican William Warner is likely running again for the seat, but he is not in good health.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-07-28
William Northrup McMillan introduces himself to President Roosevelt and invites him to stay with him at Juga Farm and his townhouse in Nairobi, Kenya, on Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari. McMillan mentions that he is the nephew of Senator James McMillan and offers the names of two other men who can attest to his connections and African experience. Juga Farm is home to many species of game and is close to other hunting grounds, including rhino and elephants. McMillan also offers the services of his safari guides, who are excellent lion trackers. McMillan will soon depart Kenya for London and gives his contact information there. The first four pages of this record are handwritten, accompanied by a typewritten copy of two pages.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-12
Francis B. Loomis writes to President Roosevelt about the upcoming return of Secretary of State Root from his Pan-American visit. Loomis calls it an “important international event” that is receiving much press coverage. He hopes Root’s return is met with equal fanfare. Loomis envisions a homecoming event that is national and bipartisan, and suggests names for speakers and organizations to involve.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
Ambassador Reid tells President Roosevelt about a recent meeting between William Jennings Bryan and King Edward VII, as well as the general attitude toward Bryan among Englishmen after a series of speeches he gave in London. Reid also mentions that he will be sending a report on a conversation he had with Sir Edward Grey about a notice sent to Russia of England’s desire to have “a reduction of armaments made a subject for the next Hague Conference.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-27
Samuel W. Small informs President Roosevelt of the content of a long telegram sent by Joseph Pulitzer of the New York World to his managing editor. Pulitzer plans to launch a series of editorials attacking Roosevelt, accusing him of violating the United States Constitution. Small believes that Roosevelt is doing well in the South.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-17
William Allen White reports gossip that indicates President Francis owns certain stock and is interested in “other money making schemes about the Fair,” most likely referring to the 1904 World’s Fair. White does not have proof of these stories, and although he heard this gossip from reliable people, he emphasizes that he cannot believe the stories are true.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-18
Photograph showing Grover Cleveland, President Roosevelt, and David R. Francis posed on a building step.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-05-11
Photograph showing Grover Cleveland, President Roosevelt, and David R. Francis posing on a building step.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-05-11
Several men row or pull on a raft with a sail that reads “Lakes to the Gulf Deep waterway project” following a sign “To Congress,” including William Jennings Bryan, William H. Taft, Theodore P. Shonts, and David R. Francis. President Roosevelt rows with his “big stick.”
It was a rare occasion when Edward Joseph McBride, the hyper-partisan cartoonist of the Democratic St. Louis Republic, favorably depicted Republicans as well as Democrats, office-holders and candidates, in one political cartoon’s frame. The men he pictured indeed agreed on the issue at hand, and so did the city of St. Louis itself, writ large; the issue was to broaden, clean, and manage the mighty Mississippi River on whose shore it rested.
Secretary of State Hay advises President Roosevelt not to make an exception to his policy of not inviting royals or chiefs of state to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. David R. Francis, president of the exposition, had requested permission to invite President Porfirio Diaz of Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-26
Secretary of War Taft replies to a letter concerning his attendance at the St. Louis Exposition as a representative of the United States government. Taft states he will attend, but will represent the Philippine government. Taft is returning the telegram from David R. Francis and the letter from Secretary of State John Hay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-02
Black and white photograph of Grover Cleveland, President Roosevelt, and David R. Francis at the dedication of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Photo is mounted on dark gray cardboard.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
1903-04-30
President Francis speaks at Italian Day exercises at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1904