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President Roosevelt states that the bearer of this letter, Mrs. George E. Spencer, is to be given a position in one of the government offices in Boise, Ohio – that of the United States Marshal, the District Attorney, or the Land Office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-03
President Roosevelt asks Idaho Governor Gooding to arrange a meeting between him, Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte, and Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah’s lawyers on August 9.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-30
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on matters regarding United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick, the prosecution of the International Harvester Company, and affairs in Oklahoma. He is greatly concerned about reports of Secretary of State Elihu Root’s health. Territorial Governor of New Mexico George Curry intends to appoint David J. Leahy as assistant attorney general of the territory. Bonaparte feels obligated to inform Roosevelt of this appointment as Leahy is possibly “one of the persons about whom there has been complaint by the Interior Department.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-29
Idaho Governor Gooding laments to President Roosevelt that most people associated with the prosecution of the alleged murderers of Governor of Idaho Frank Steuenberg have been indicted and accused of connection with the alleged timber land frauds in the state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-15
Detective Pinkerton updates Governor Gooding on their investigation into the Western Federation of Miners (W.F.M.). Pinkerton learned that the W.F.M. is pursuing a strategy to implicate the late Governor in fraudulent timber sales. In doing this, Pinkerton believes the Western Federation of Miners hopes to “discredit him (Governor Steunenberg) in the eyes of the people in order to help the cause of the defendants,” Bill Haywood, Charles Moyer, and George Pettibone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-05
Detective Pinkerton updates Governor Gooding on Agent 21’s investigation into the assassination of former Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. He was called to Boise to receive his assignment. When he arrived in Boise, he was assigned to poll the entire county and could hire additional men to get the job done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-01
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the trial in Idaho related to the murder of former Governor Steunenberg. After consulting with Calvin Cobb, owner of the Idaho Statesman, Bonaparte has directed United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick not to investigate any allegations regarding Steunenberg’s possible involvement in timber fraud. Any such involvement would be under the statute of limitations, and investigation of such would only help the defense case for those accused of Steunenberg’s murder. Bonaparte notes that if any reasonable evidence arose that Ruick was helping the defense, he would recommend Ruick’s immediate dismissal. He asks that if Roosevelt would like to speak with him for any reason, he should let him know. Otherwise he will stay in Baltimore and do work that he brought with him relating to the whiskey controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
N. M. Ruick provides Attorney General Bonaparte information on a conspiracy to defraud the United States of timber lands in Idaho. Ruick mentions that Governor Steunenberg was involved in the conspiracy, and suggests the possibility that Steunenberg’s murder case is being used to check the investigation of the frauds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
President Roosevelt speaking to a crowd.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1903-05-28
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary responds to Julian W. Andrew’s letter to The Outlook, sending Andrew a copy of a speech by Roosevelt and an article from the Northwestern Agriculturalist. The speech and the article answer the questions Andrew wrote to The Outlook.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-18
President Roosevelt discusses with Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock why he is “rather puzzled” by the report and statements on the Register and Receiver of the Land Office at Boise, Idaho. Several men in the land office in Idaho may have acted against official conduct, and may be removed from office. Roosevelt asks if they should wait to discuss the issue with the land office upon returning to Washington D. C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
President Roosevelt encloses a letter from Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna and asks Secretary of the Treasury Shaw to look into the matter. Roosevelt would also like Shaw to investigate the charges against Wooley, who was recently appointed to the assay office at Boise, Idaho.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-12
Senator Borah encloses program details for Theodore Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Moscow, Idaho. Borah also requests that Roosevelt stop for a few of minutes in Rathdrum on his way to Sandpoint.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-13
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-04
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-04
Secretary of War Taft sends to President Roosevelt a copy of a memorandum from General Fred C. Ainsworth. Taft advises allowing the troops at Boise, Idaho, to stay, and to expend the money mentioned for temporary stabling.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-14
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
Secretary of War Taft asks William Loeb to arrange a meeting with President Roosevelt for a journalist from Idaho.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-16
Governor Gooding writes to William L. Jans in response to the resolution passed by the Central Labor Union of Evansville, Indiana, regarding the arrest of labor leaders for the assassination of former Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. Gooding explains the circumstances of the arrests and assures Jans that the men will receive a fair trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03
Freemason John Norwood and Albert W. Talkington testify that James F. Ailshie, a candidate for a judgeship in Idaho, killed A. D. Greene. Ailshie’s later application for membership in their lodge was rejected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-16