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Corinne Roosevelt Robinson thanks John Campbell Greenway for the letter to her son, Theodore Douglas Robinson, about Monroe Douglas Robinson. She describes Monroe Douglas Robinson’s health struggles and the devotion of his wife. Robinson believes Greenway’s suggestion of Theodore being a forest ranger is a good one and she plans to help him find a position.
1924-01-27
Theodore Roosevelt writes to continue a discussion with Anna Roosevelt Cowles about the need for lively pursuits at home that he compares to the French art of savoir vivre. He gives examples that Oyster Bay ought to have: a park with a bandstand, a Y.M.C.A, and tennis courts; and explains that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt are trying to enlist some of the villagers to contribute to supplying some of these facilities. Roosevelt updates Cowles on his family’s activities. Edith’s fiftieth birthday was two days ago and she was delighted with her presents, which is not always the case. Roosevelt writes that sometimes she even shares his “own mother’s way of looking at a present of which she does not approve.” They ride and row together, and he plays tennis well.
1911-08-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles Jr.’s recent visit. Roosevelt explains that they have secured permission to build a new road on their property and describes the redevelopment to accommodate motor vehicles. Roosevelt is amused by the effect of their newfound mobility on Ethel Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt, and their friends; they visit friends who live farther away and these guests reciprocate by visiting the Roosevelts’ home too. Roosevelt explains that he is glad they did not have a car before this summer, because he would rather not socialize so much. He updates Anna on the academic interests and college plans of Archibald Roosevelt. Archie and Quentin Roosevelt have taken to playing tennis together, which makes Roosevelt happy, and Quentin also plays baseball with James the butler. Roosevelt speaks very highly of the staff and servants of the house and stable, who are black, and the gardeners and the chauffeur, who are “native Americans.” Roosevelt hopes Anna can visit in the fall or spring and is glad he was able to visit her the past spring. He tells her that the Emlen Roosevelts have had a difficult time because of Aunt Lizzie (Elizabeth Emlen Roosevelt), who is feeble and suffering from mental illness. However, Edith just spent time with Aunt Lizzie and enjoyed it.
1911-07-28
Chief Sylvester encloses a list and description of arrests from February 1903 to December 1905 that involved women with questionable mental states.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-19
Regarding the removal of Laura A. Hull Morris from the White House, the author argues that all individuals should be treated with respect, despite supposed mental states. In President Roosevelt’s White House, “traditions of dignity have been discarded.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-07
An article in the Springfield Daily News reports the ejection of Laura A. Hull Morris from the White House. The writer goes into great detail about Morris’s alleged respectability, her well-groomed and well-dressed appearance, and her reason for visiting the White House. The behavior of the White House staff and of Benjamin F. Barnes is highly criticized. The author also criticizes President Roosevelt, calling him “Czar Roosevelt” and claiming that anyone who disagrees with him is subject to this type of treatment. Furthermore the writer states that “such proceedings have no rival in any country but Russia.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-05
Theodore Roosevelt compliments John St. Loe Strachey on a recent editorial, but wishes to offer his own evaluation of John Flammang Schrank, the man who attempted to assassinate him. Schrank, Roosevelt says, was not a madman, but “was a man of the same disordered brain which most criminals, and a great many non criminals, have.” Roosevelt does not necessarily have any negative feeling towards Schrank, but instead focuses on the people who, “by their ceaseless and intemperate abuse, excited him to action, and against the mushy people who would excuse him and all other criminals once the crime has been committed.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-16
President Roosevelt does not understand why Chancellor Day and Lieutenant George S. Richards’s father did not insist that Richards resign, when both did not trust him with money because of his mental condition. Roosevelt thinks that Richards should not have been allowed to resume duty, and refuses now to restore him to the service.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-09
Carl T. Bauch explains that his son, Herbert W. Bauch, failed a makeup examination at the United States Naval Academy due to extenuating circumstances. He hopes Theodore Roosevelt will advocate for Herbert W. Bauch’s reinstatement in his class.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-07
Attorney General Bonaparte tells President Roosevelt that District Attorney Edwin Walter Sims has asked for a postponement in Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis’s case, perhaps due to Landis’s behavior. The press covering Secretary of State Elihu Root and Thomas Fortune Ryan has been sensationalized, and Bonaparte feels it is unfortunate that Root is taking the blame on the whiskey situation. Bonaparte will get an update from Department of Justice Agent Peyton Gordon about Agent Ormsby McHarg. As he will be traveling, Bonaparte sends his forwarding address. He encloses telegrams from Assistant Attorney General Marsden C. Burch regarding Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-04
Laura A. Hull Morris tries to explain her conduct at the White House when she called there on January 4, 1906, and begs for an appointment with President Roosevelt. She decries how he believed what her brother, Representative John A. T. Hull of Iowa, said about his sister.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07
Representative Parsons forwards several letters to William Loeb regarding Edward M. Morgan, postmaster of New York. Parsons agrees more with William G. Rull than what Elihu Root expressed in his Yale lectures. Parsons thanks Loeb for how he handled Max A. Mosle when he tried to visit Sagamore Hill recently and explains Mosle’s background.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-09
Frank Robertson warns William Loeb that Ida Marie von Claussen, who is trying to see either Loeb or President Roosevelt, was a patient in a sanatorium in 1900 and is suffering from a mental illness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-11
Secret Service Agent Flynn presents an extract from the report of Frederick M. Tate regarding the suicide of Lulu Grover. This includes testimony from several neighbors and possible relatives about Grover’s personal history and life in New York City.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-15
Dr. Weaver writes to Chief Sylvester regarding his medical opinion of Laura Hull Morris’s mental condition. Weaver believes her to be “unbalanced mentally,” a “‘crank,'” and “suffering from a mild form of insanity.” He has chosen to break doctor-patient confidentiality because he believes the affair causes “the whole nation…to be brought into disrepute” and to assist in President Roosevelt’s vindication.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-20
John H. Stokes, manager of the Portner, provides a statement regarding Mrs. Minor Morris who, with her husband, was his tenant during the winter of 1902-1903. Stokes found Mrs. Morris to be “a very difficult woman to deal with.” He released the Morrises from their lease before its term was up because “her conduct finally became so unbearable.” Based on his knowledge of her, Stokes is not surprised at her having had to be removed from the White House by security officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-18
William T. S. Rollins claims to know a physician who would testify regarding the mental health of Mrs. Minor Morris.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-17
W. Thompson Burch provides a statement regarding the removal of Mrs. Minor Morris from the White House. Burch mentions a poem Mrs. Morris wrote for President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-15
Doctor Wall provides a statement regarding his examination of Laura A. Hull Morris after her removal from the White House. Wall states that she contained a degree of “hysteria” that made him think she was not of “sound mind.” However, he concedes that her state may be due to her arrest. Wall also mentions that Morris was not upset with the guards who removed her but with Benjamin F. Barnes who ordered her removal. In Wall’s professional opinion, Morris is “eccentric.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-14
Private C. H. Murphy of the Metropolitan Police Force of Washington, D.C., provides a statement regarding the removal of Mrs. Minor Morris from the White House. He mentions that Morris kicked him in the shin.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-13