Lynching

Letter from Frederic Speed to Theodore Roosevelt

Frederic Speed questions President Roosevelt on what he sees as inconsistencies between Roosevelt’s actions and his words regarding African Americans. Speed is primarily concerned with Roosevelt allowing Senator McLaurin and Governor Longino to control federal patronage in Mississippi because Speed believes them to be ardent racists with a history of allowing mob violence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-09

The South and the negroes

Norman Walker clarifies that Judge Charles Porter does not work out of New Orleans and explains why white southerners object to meeting African Americans socially.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-02

Southern justice

Newspaper article defending a statement from a southern judge that the race which denies social equality must demonstrate its superiority by upholding law and order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02

Letter from Silas McBee to Theodore Roosevelt

Silas McBee is working to spread President Roosevelt’s ideals in the South.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-05

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop congratulates President Roosevelt on his Arlington speech and believes it will put an end to agitation over atrocities in the Philippines. He also writes about a supposed plot to create political tension between Roosevelt and Governor Odell of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-31

Letter from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler offers his views on several issues. He believes Congress is unpopular for not supporting Roosevelt and Republicans should be stronger on the Philippines issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-31

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop praises a speech given by President Roosevelt and notes that any opposition to Roosevelt in the 1904 election is unpopular.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-02

Letter from Joseph Bucklin Bishop to Theodore Roosevelt

Joseph Bucklin Bishop sends an article he wrote about lynching that appeared in the Boston Transcript.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-06-04

Negroes denounce White

A meeting of African Americans from Elizabeth, New Jersey, denounced the murder of Helen S. Bishop by George F. White, an African American. White was lynched for his crime and the African American community does not want to be condemned for the acts of one man.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-27

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington suggests that if President Roosevelt deliver a message on the “lynching of Italians in Mississippi” that he expand his message to include praise for the southern states which have succeeded in reducing the number of lynchings. Washington has looked into the reputation of Mr. Cashin and finds that he is well respected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-01-05

Letter from Francesco Carignani di Novoli to John Hay

Francesco Carignani di Novoli complains about the judicial process surrounding the lynching of persons of Italian descent in Erwin, Mississippi.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-14

Letter from Thomas Lafayette Rosser to Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Lafayette Rosser believes that Mr. Braxton is perfect for the work they are planning and, since Braxton is a Democrat from a good family, he can reach the class of men they need. There must be an understanding that work will only be done if lynching stops in the South and African Americans are treated kindly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-20

Letter from John Lowndes McLaurin to Paul Dana

Senator McLaurin has doubts about the claims that George R. Koester participated in a lynching that took place in South Carolina eight years ago. The person making accusations against Koester is a personal enemy. McLaurin does not wish to become directly involved but is convinced that Koester has been wrongly accused.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-09

Letter from John Lowndes McLaurin to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator McLaurin supports the appointment of George R. Koester and believes the movement to tie Koester to a lynching is simply motivated by politics. He claims there is no ground to attack Koester or his appointment.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-12

Letter from George R. Koester to Theodore Roosevelt

George R. Koester provides a written statement about a series of lynchings he observed over eight years ago in Gaston, South Carolina. He asserts that false statements have been made about his role in the lynchings. If requested by President Roosevelt, Koester will resign from office.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-03

Letter from George R. Koester to Theodore Roosevelt

George R. Koester previously forwarded information about a lynching at Gaston, South Carolina, to President Roosevelt. He encloses an editorial on the Gaston affair written by Narciso Gener Gonzales of The State. Koester insists he did not take part in the lynching.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-04

Letter from John St. Loe Strachey to Theodore Roosevelt

John St. Loe Strachey thanks President Roosevelt for his invitation to be his guest if Strachey were to visit the United States. He apologizes for an article concerning the “Negro question” that he published in The Spectator which, unintentionally, reflected poorly on Roosevelt. Strachey explains that he merely wanted to express his strong feelings that African Americans must be protected from violence and have justice. He states that Roosevelt is undoubtedly better educated on the topic; however, he felt it necessary to explain his intentions concerning the article.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-06

Letter from Booker T. Washington to Theodore Roosevelt

Booker T. Washington is concerned about rumors that George R. Koester, the revenue collector of South Carolina, participated in or approved of a lynching. If true, Washington hopes President Roosevelt will dismiss Koester. This action would indicate that lynching will not be tolerated and would encourage the African American community. Washington also discusses several potential African American appointees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-06

Letter from Edmund H. Deas to Theodore Roosevelt

According to Chairman Edmund H. Deas, the opposition to George R. Koester’s appointment as collector of internal revenue in South Carolina is based on rumors that Koester led a lynching.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-29

Newspaper article on race and George R. Koester

President Roosevelt’s decision to host Booker T. Washington at the White House has caused race relations in the South to deteriorate. The writer also states Roosevelt’s “sporting blood” must have impacted his decision to appoint George R. Koester, who has a history of violence against African Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10