Hitchcock, Ethan Allen, 1835-1909

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte reports to President Roosevelt on conversations he has recently had with several people. Bonaparte has received a draft of a decree in the Standard Oil case and will submit it after reviewing it, but is not sure when negotiations will conclude. John Carter Rose is likely to decline, but is waiting to hear from his wife before he makes a final decision. Milton Dwight Purdy is anxious to receive his appointment in Minnesota soon. An investigation into electrical materials that Bonaparte has mentioned to Roosevelt before has become very interesting, and Bonaparte plans to write to Roosevelt later at greater length about the situation. Bonaparte also mentions some of his upcoming travel plans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-03

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt

Attorney General Bonaparte writes to President Roosevelt about several matters he did not have time to speak with him about today. First, he has “serious objections” to Senator William Edgar Borah’s suggestion of a temporary judicial appointment. Until Bonaparte knows more about the situation, he will have “grave misgivings” about Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich and Judge Edward Whitson. However, Bonaparte does believe that N. M. Ruick will not cause a scandal as long as he does not know or suspect that he will lose his position. Second, Bonaparte spoke with Alford Warriner Cooley about Roosevelt’s desire to appoint Samuel L. Williams, a black man, as district attorney in Chicago, per Booker T. Washington’s recommendation. Edwin Walter Sims, the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, reported favorably about Williams to Bonaparte, and he recommends the nomination. Finally, Timothy L. Woodruff spoke with Bonaparte about Wyoming Senator Frank W. Mondell’s draft of a bill that would amend the coal-land-laws. Bonaparte entertains “very grave doubts” about giving amnesty to large corporations that break the law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-27

Creator(s)

Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921

Report by the Civil Service Commission

An investigation by the Department of the Interior has yielded a list of some 200 individuals hired to the Technologic Branch of the United States Geological Survey without the certification of the Civil Service Commission. The Commission will comply with the Department of the Interior’s request that these irregularly appointed employees’ certifications be fast-tracked, but expresses several reasons for why such a decision may not be wise.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-14

Creator(s)

Black, John Charles, 1839-1915; Greene, Henry F. (Henry Fay), 1859-1915; McIlhenny, John Avery, 1867-1942

Letter from Herbert J. Hagerman to Theodore Roosevelt

Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman has refrained from addressing President Roosevelt’s statements in his letters concerning Hagerman’s forced resignation because he felt that on further reflection, Roosevelt would correct his false accusations. However, Hagerman now feels compelled to answer the accusations Roosevelt has made against him and set the record straight. Hagerman includes a detailed timeline and description of events and persons involved in his forced resignation due to accusations of land fraud. In conclusion, Hagerman says that the entire affair has hurt the standing of the Republican Party in New Mexico and asks Roosevelt to take this into consideration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-19

Creator(s)

Hagerman, Herbert J. (Herbert James), 1871-1935

Letter from William H. H. Llewellyn to Theodore Roosevelt

United States Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn reports to President Roosevelt that Special Assistant Attorney General Ormsby McHarg has begun his investigation in New Mexico by listening to men of bad character who are opponents of Roosevelt and his administration. Llewellyn does not object to the investigation, but urges that it be carried out in a fair and impartial manner.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-23

Creator(s)

Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927

Letter from Herbert J. Hagerman to Theodore Roosevelt

Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman responds to President Roosevelt’s letter accepting his resignation in language that “should not be considered less forceful because of the absence of harsh language.” Hagerman says that in 1898, Congress placed restrictions on land leases in New Mexico Territory which were inappropriate to the landscape and climate of the territory, and ever since, individuals and businesses have worked to skirt these restrictions. When Hagerman became governor, he tried to get guidance from the federal government regarding these restrictions and the seemingly illegal contracts granted by his predecessor, but received none. Hagerman was left to either break deals made by his predecessor, or fulfill them if no harm would come to the territory, and the Pennsylvania Land Company deal was one such deal. Hagerman holds that the action he took was neither illegal nor improper, and refutes several specific points from Roosevelt’s letter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-15

Creator(s)

Hagerman, Herbert J. (Herbert James), 1871-1935

Report on Max Pracht and W. Scott Smith

The writer asserts that Max Pracht and W. Scott Smith are “working together” and offers evidence. Pracht was suspended from the Land Office for insubordination and sought help from Senator John H. Mitchell; but when Mitchell was unable to help, Pracht turned to Smith and Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock to obtain his current post at the War Department. Events discussed since then by Pracht could only be known through a source close to the Secretary of the Interior such as Smith.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from William H. Moody to Theodore Roosevelt

William H. Moody responds to allegations made by Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock that in matters regarding certain land cases, Wyoming Attorney General Timothy F. Burke and other Department of Justice officials have acted inappropriately and therefore should be removed from office. Moody disputes this and says that the claims Hitchcock has made are too vague and broad, without naming specific people aside from Burke. While Moody acknowledges that it would be impossible to keep up to date with the details of every legal case in the country, he is certain that he would be aware if anything untoward was happening regarding land cases. He will have Burke’s case investigated, though he hopes that specific charges will be filed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-08

Creator(s)

Moody, William H. (William Henry), 1853-1917

Testimony of A. G. Elston about District “P” of the General Land Office

Arthur G. Elston testifies about unethical conduct occurring in Division “P” of the General Land Office. Elston describes being urged by his chief, George F. Pollock, to change a report recommending charges against the Schow Brothers and Lovell Irrigation Company for willful trespass in Montana. He believes Pollock was acting under pressure from Congressman Mondell and the Commissioner of the General Land Office. Elston also testifies to being aware of similar instances of improper behavior in regards to public lands in Wyoming and Colorado.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-15

Creator(s)

Elston, Arthur G.

Testimony of Clement S. Ucker about District “P” of the General Land Office

Clement S. Ucker, clerk for Special Service Division “P” of the General Land Office, testifies regarding allegations of corruption in the handling of public lands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-21

Creator(s)

Ucker, Clement S., 1873-1930

Report from Max Pracht

Max Pracht reports on corruption in the land office that he witnessed while a special agent in Colorado. Pracht details the misuse of government funds by William A. Richards, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and his report of it to Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock and Hitchcock’s private secretary W. Scott Smith. The final two pages detail Pracht and Smith’s relationship.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-22

Creator(s)

Pracht, Max, 1846-1918

Letter from William H. Andrews to William Loeb

William H. Andrews confirms receipt of William Loeb’s letter. Major William Llewellyn plans to travel to Oyster Bay in order to report on matters in person. Andrews notes some opposition to joint statehood in New Mexico and Arizona due to Governor Joseph Kibbey’s “attitude,” but he is confident that they will retain majority support. Andrews brings up the fact that Governor Herbert Hagerman is stirring up trouble against members of the organization, and Llewellyn will tell Loeb all about it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-28

Creator(s)

Andrews, William H. (William Henry), 1842-1919

Letter from William H. H. Llewellyn to William Loeb

Luther R. Smith, private secretary to Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock, and William Spencer Sturgess met with ex-Governor Miguel Antonio Otero, ex-Attorney General George W. Prichard, and Republican Chairman of New Mexico Holm Olaf Bursum in El Paso, Texas. Smith and Sturgess tried to convince Bursum to go against joint statehood in New Mexico. Bursum declined, stating that he had told William H. Andrews and President Roosevelt that he and Solomon Luna would vote in favor of joint statehood. Smith and Sturgess then said that they are “getting up a job” on Andrews to get him arrested on some charges connected with the Enterprise National Bank. William H. H. Llewellyn is confident that joint statehood will get through unless the cause is hampered by “such fellows as Smith.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-05

Creator(s)

Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927

Letter from William H. H. Llewellyn to William Loeb

William H. H. Llewellyn is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, discussing Arizona statehood. He details some major figures against statehood for Arizona and the major strategies moving forward to support it. The possibility of joint statehood between Arizona and New Mexico is also discussed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-20

Creator(s)

Llewellyn, William H. H. (William Henry Harrison), 1851-1927

Letter from John Henry Burford to Theodore Roosevelt

John Henry Burford, Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, writes to President Roosevelt to tell him of growing unrest in Oklahoma. Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock has sent secret service agents, including William J. Burns, to investigate Governor Frank C. Frantz. Burford does not know the past private life of Frantz, but attests to his record as a soldier and his present character as governor, and asks that Roosevelt not let his confidence in Frantz be shaken by reports from the Department of the Interior.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-30

Creator(s)

Burford, John Henry, 1852-1922

Letter from Frank W. Higgins to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Higgins writes to President Roosevelt acknowledging receipt of letters from Roosevelt and Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock. Higgins repeats what Hitchcock wrote in his letter and expresses disappointment that Hitchcock referred to businessman Theodore N. Barnsdall as the political friend of Higgins. Higgins goes on to mention that local residents do not favor Hitchcock’s policies regarding oil development in the southwest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-27

Creator(s)

Higgins, Frank Wayland, 1856-1907

Letter from Frank Wayland Higgins to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Higgins writes to President Roosevelt that his friend, Theodore N. Barnsdall of the Kansas Natural Gas Company, would like to build a pipeline to St. Louis to supply its residents with natural gas. Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock has asked that Barnsdall install a meter on the wells so that a percentage of the receipts can be paid to the Cherokees, on whose land the wells are located. Higgins writes that this will be too expensive and a fixed rate should be paid instead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-10

Creator(s)

Higgins, Frank Wayland, 1856-1907

Settlers get extension

According to Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock, homesteaders who settle on the former Crow reservation in Montana should have an extension for establishing a residence on the lands. The extension is necessary because of climatic conditions and the scarcity of coal in the Northwest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-15

Creator(s)

Unknown

Report on land fraud case

President Roosevelt’s administration responds to charges that the investigation of several land fraud cases is not being pursued with vigor by the Department of the Interior. The report denies these claims and presents details of indictments and convictions already achieved. A large number of parties attempted to defraud the government of public lands, and some of the cases are still underway, requiring secrecy until conviction of the guilty parties is achieved.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904

Creator(s)

Unknown

Letter from W. S. Smith to Benjamin F. Barnes

W. S. Smith sends a United States Secret Service agent’s report on G. B. Hegardt, who was recommended by Senator Fulton as receiver of the land office at Roseburg.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-08-03

Creator(s)

Smith, W. S.