Gooding, Frank Robert, 1859-1928 | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Moody

President Roosevelt calls Attorney General Moody’s attention to the situation in Idaho relating to the trial of Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood. Roosevelt emphasizes that justice must be done, and the men must be judged related to the particular facts of the case of the assassination of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg, regardless of the sort of labor agitation they were involved with elsewhere. Roosevelt also does not wish for there to be errors in their favor, however, and asks Moody to look into agitation on their behalf by labor unions, who are unwilling to consider the possible guilt of Moyer or Haywood. Roosevelt highlights some writings of Eugene V. Debs and Thomas W. Rowe which seem to amount “to an incitement to anarchy and chaos.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-26

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte submits a detailed analysis of the case against Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah to President Roosevelt. Bonaparte believes, ultimately, that a postponement in the case against Borah will be necessary. Bonaparte has received reports of charges against Florida judge William B. Sheppard. In North Carolina, Bonaparte believes the situation between the legislature, the railroad, and the Federal government has been resolved, but in future would prefer to let local authorities do their own negotiating.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-01

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte expresses his concern to President Roosevelt about how the Department of Justice gave the prosecution orders in the Moyer and Haywood case without his knowledge. He is trying to bring about order to the department, be he has been out with bronchitis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-23

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on his progress through Idaho, where he has been speaking on behalf of Republican candidates. The longer he is in Idaho, the more he believes that the Western Federation of Miners has been working to defeat Senator Frank Robert Gooding. He describes Gooding’s involvement related to the lawsuit against Charles Moyer and William Dudley “Big Bill” Haywood. Taft feels somewhat doubtful about Gooding’s election. Another issue of note in Idaho relates to the Mormons and their stance regarding polygamy. He also comments on elections in other areas of the country, and reiterates what he has previously said regarding the importance of Roosevelt’s influence in this election.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-04

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt of the political situation in Idaho where he was sent to campaign for the reelection of Governor Gooding. Gooding is confident that he will win the gubernatorial race, but he faces significant opposition in response to the arrest of Charles Moyer and William Dudley Haywood and the efforts of the Western Federation of Miners to defeat him. Senator Dubois has been trying to make Mormonism another central issue in the campaign and to portray Taft in a negative light by associating him with the religious group. Taft concludes by stating his admiration for Secretary of State Root’s speech on William Randolph Hearst.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-04

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of his trip across the United States, as he gives speeches to help candidates in the upcoming election. Nebraska is likely to go Republican, as the prosperity there under Roosevelt’s policies has hampered William Jennings Bryan’s campaign. The person nominated for the Senate, however, is someone who Taft and Roosevelt did not wish. Public sentiment is the same as in Illinois in calling for Roosevelt’s running for president again, as his policies have been very successful. The only place Bryan may have a foothold is in Ohio. Taft thinks that William Randolph Hearst’s strength in New York has been overstated. He also informs Roosevelt about several conversations he has had with people, and about a letter he received from Gifford Pinchot.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-01

Telegram from Frederick T. Dubois to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Dubois tells President Roosevelt that he has been misinformed if he thinks that law and order is an issue in Idaho. According to Dubois, the sole issue in Idaho is “the domination of the Mormon Church in our politics.” If Roosevelt sends Secretary of War William H. Taft to Idaho to speak in support of Governor Frank Robert Gooding, Dubois assures Roosevelt that this will be viewed as a statement in favor of Mormonism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-25

Memorandum from Fred C. Ainsworth for William H. Taft

Fred C. Ainsworth reviews a number of communications between Idaho Governor Frank Robert Gooding and Secretary of War Taft regarding a possible need for troops to maintain the peace during the trial of several members of the Western Federation of Miners for the murder of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg. Troops had been sent to Boise, Idaho from Walla Walla, Washington as part of a practice march, and were thereafter directed to maintain their position there for the present. Ainsworth informs Taft that the Boise Barracks do not have accommodations for horses, and that an expenditure of $2880 will be necessary to obtain stables for an extended stay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-11

Letter from James H. Hawley to Charles Henry Robb

James H. Hawley sends Charles Henry Robb court documents related to the trial of Charles H. Moyer, George A. Pettibone, and Big Bill Haywood, including copies of the extradition papers and a copy of the application for a writ of habeas corpus. Hawley provides Robb with a brief overview of the court proceedings in chronological order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-12

State of Idaho, plaintiff, vs. William D. Haywood, defendant

Prosecuting Attorney Van Duyn has prepared an arrest warrant for William D. Haywood charging him with the murder of Frank Steunenberg in Canyon County, Idaho. The State of Idaho requests Haywood’s requisition from Colorado where it is believed he has taken refuge.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-12

Borah for vice president

Bartlett Sinclair announces Republicans are united in their support of William E. Borah for vice-presidency with William H. Taft. Sinclair announces endorsements for candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, Supreme Court judge, and state auditor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-04

Undesirable

A letter to The Glass Worker accuses President Roosevelt of acting unfairly in the murder trial of Big Bill Haywood, Charles H. Moyer, and George A. Pettibone, who stand accused of assassinating Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Alice Roosevelt Longworth

President Roosevelt congratulates his daughter Alice on the campaign she and her husband Nicholas Longworth ran. Roosevelt is happy how well the Republicans did in the Congressional elections, riding “iron-shod over Gompers and the labor agitators” and says having Frank R. Gooding elected Governor of Idaho is a big victory over “those Western Federation of Miners scoundrels.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-11-07