Your TR Source
Albert W. Kolle believes that he was defrauded out of patent money for a bomb shell invention and requests Theodore Roosevelt’s help to resolve the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-18
Inspired by a recent article in the Wichita Daily Beacon, C. H. Isely writes to Theodore Roosevelt in the hope that he will act on an issue as former president Ulysses S. Grant did, rejecting an invitation to attend a Socialist concert on a Sunday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-22
Holmes E. Offley was impressed by Frank Harper during a previous exchange of letters and now wishes to “let it out.” Offley recounts his experiences working for another Frank Harper at the Bank of Commerce and working for the Navy Department during the Civil War. Offley has not asked for his military service to be recognized until his age has prevented his employment. Offley would appreciate Harper’s help in receiving a letter from Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-14
Frederick Dent Grant writes to Theodore Roosevelt to thank him for paying his respects to his late father and expresses gratitude for meeting during Decoration Day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-04
After attending Theodore Roosevelt’s speech at General Grant’s tomb, Lewel R. Reid expounds to Roosevelt on his thoughts on the themes of the address—”Duty” and “Self-denial”—alongside American figures who have displayed these virtues. Reid invites Roosevelt to embark on a venture to bring moral reform to the United States, and requests a meeting to discuss the topic further.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-30
James J. Finnegan is very sorry that Theodore Roosevelt was not able to attend the Oyster Bay Baseball Club’s opening game on Memorial Day. He admits that the speech Roosevelt gave at General Grant’s tomb instead “will do the people at large much more good.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-31
William C. Gill commends Theodore Roosevelt for his Memorial Day address at General Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb. He remarks on the ways in which various figures in American history have striven for peace, though that “theories are nicely and happily worked out in Dreamland but how different in practice in near-Utopias.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-31
Holmes E. Offley is being considered for inclusion on the list of retired naval lieutenants. The bill that would allow this has been pending for several years due to the Naval Committee and a report that incorrectly reported Offley’s service in the Civil War. Senator Thomas S. Martin has reintroduced the bill, and considering Theodore Roosevelt’s prior experience with the Navy, Offley asks him to provide his endorsement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-05
George W. Brush discusses timing and travel arrangements with Frank Harper for Theodore Roosevelt’s engagements on Memorial Day in Newark, New Jersey, and New York City, New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-28
Howard Simpson describes a rare Ulysses S. Grant “coin” (actually a presidential campaign medal) he has had for thirty-five years. Due to health challenges, he is selling it for funds and asks Theodore Roosevelt if he is interested in purchasing it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-24
Judge Speer is happy Theodore Roosevelt’s trip went well. He sends a copy of his published lectures.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-17
Robert Maitland Brereton writes Theodore Roosevelt and introduces himself. After explaining his personal history, Brereton expresses his concerns to Roosevelt about the fact that Oregon imports so much of its food when it has so much desirable farmland. Brereton states much of Oregon’s population lives in cities and towns rather than taking advantage of the large amount of farmland present in the state. He believes that the lack of good public roads is the main reason for this, and urges Roosevelt to look into the matter, suggesting several countries that could serve as examples to the United States.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-27
Herman Henry Kohlsaat tells Theodore Roosevelt of the planned celebrations in Galena, Illinois, for the anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant’s birthday and the deployment of the Jo Davis County guards to the front during the Civil War. The city plans to present medals to the company’s survivors, and is wondering if it would be possible for Roosevelt to attend the ceremonies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-15
Charles A. Wilson invites Theodore Roosevelt to deliver an address in Georgetown, Ohio, on the occasion of the dedication of a statue honoring General Thomas L. Hamer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-25
William A. Madaris is helping Rough Rider John M. Neal secure a pension. He describes how Neal’s legs were damaged in an accident at Montauk Point. The women of a nearby “field hospital” treated Neal. Madaris asks Theodore Roosevelt for information about these women so Neal can contact them. Regarding a personal matter, Madaris requests a picture of Roosevelt to replace the one damaged while on display during his local patriotic event.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-16
Harry H. Meyers asks Theodore Roosevelt to write a letter acknowledging Harry McDonald and Charles Cobb, the long-serving conductor, and engineer in charge of his train from Memphis, Tennessee.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-10
William Dudley Foulke discusses the political situation in Indiana before Theodore Roosevelt’s trip to the state. He commends Roosevelt’s speech at Osawatomie, Kansas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910-09-13
District Judge Jones’s grandchildren thought that they should send President Roosevelt a Christmas gift, which prompted Jones to write to Roosevelt. Jones reflects on his life and career to Roosevelt, and thanks him for the good he has done for the country while in office. He sends him a small token commemorating Stonewall Jackson, which he says has no value other than being a link to the past, and that Roosevelt can therefore accept it without being put under any obligation. Goode praises Roosevelt’s integrity in not running for a third presidential term.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-22
John Carter Rose was interested in a statement that President Roosevelt said to him recently, that he was “successful in a larger portion of what [he] set out to do than any of [his] predecessors.” Rose considers all the previous presidents, and ultimately draws the comparison down to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington, Rose writes, made the nation, Lincoln preserved it, and Roosevelt has caused it to adapt to twentieth century conditions. He praises the various policies that Roosevelt has instituted during his term in office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-14
Former Rough Rider Micah John Jenkins informs President Roosevelt that he has won his battle against alcohol, and has no desire to drink anymore. To mark the occasion, he sends Roosevelt a gallon of rye whiskey. He thanks Roosevelt for his example, which inspired him to stop drinking. Jenkins also sends a photograph from his young daughter, Ruth Darling Jenkins. He discusses the decorations for the room shown in the photograph, which includes engravings of Roosevelt, General Leonard Wood, and Napoleon I.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-16