Your TR Source
In the upper left cartoon, President Roosevelt jumps off the “Brooklyn Bridge.” In the upper right, Roosevelt rides in a barrel at Niagara Falls. In the bottom left, Roosevelt drives a “1000 horsepower ‘smasher car'” in the “International Automobile Contest.” In the bottom right, Roosevelt rides in an “air ships” with a “gasoline tank.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09
The waterfalls at Niagara Falls are being diverted to provide power for the factories that have been built along the river ahead of the falls, leaving a cliff and a series of pipes where the water used to be. New tourist attractions, such as a barrel jump chute and a “Whirlpool” carousel, have been developed to take advantage of the dry riverbed.
Relatively forgotten in history (except in the environs of Niagara Falls) and in Theodore Roosevelt’s disputes and presidential victories, is the controversy over Niagara Falls that roiled in 1906. It is interesting, beyond its long-range significance, as an example of Roosevelt’s winning skills in such matters.
An old man labeled “Sabbatarian Bigot,” dressed as a Puritan, holds a book labeled “Blue Laws” and stands in front of “Niagara Falls.” A man walking with his wife and child suggests that the old man will be no more successful at stopping Niagara Falls, than he will be at preventing the Pan-American Exposition from opening on Sunday. A nearby sign states “Pan-American open on Sunday by order of Supreme Court.” In the background, hordes of people stream through the open gates to the Exposition.
Church groups and denominational spokesmen lobbied the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo to “respect the Sabbath” and close the fair on Sundays. This had been a controversy during the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, but the Sabbatarians had more success with the Buffalo fair. Operating between April and October 1901, the fair opened on Sundays at half-price admission for barely a month, due to heavy complaints from concessionaires. The courts, when the controversy resulted in litigation, decided in favor of the fair’s owners, closing gates on Sundays. The “opening” on the sign in Puck‘s cartoon was a short-lived victory. Ultimately, and in spite of popular plaudits and 8-million visitors, the Exposition was a financial disaster. Even with the Sunday closures, its major income was derived from concession fees. John G. Milburn was President of the Pan-American Exposition, and hosted President William McKinley at his house, where, after McKinley’s death at an assassin’s hand, Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office.
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary declines R. C. Eldredge’s invitation to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-20
President Roosevelt sends Ohio Representative Burton several letters on the topic of the preservation of Niagara Falls, and asks that he return them once he has read them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-20
President Roosevelt writes to Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, to introduce his friend F. V. Greene. Greene would would like to speak to Grey about the use of Niagara Falls.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-17
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of War Taft to review an enclosed petition to stop diversion of the waters of the Niagara River before the falls to determine whether it is legal and proper to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-04
President Roosevelt explains his recent actions to Senator Platt, saying that he understood that Platt wished for John A. Merritt to be made Collector of Customs at Niagara, and that he appointed Benjamin F. Barnes to succeed Merritt as Postmaster of Washington, D.C., on the recommendation of Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou. If he had known that Platt would take an interest in who would replace Merritt in this position, Roosevelt would have waited.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-01
President Roosevelt has received a letter from Thomas Welch recommending Peter Porter as postmaster of Niagara Falls, New York. Roosevelt favors the appointment of Porter but will take no action without Congressman Wadsworth’s consent.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-09
President Roosevelt congratulates the Niagara Frontier Historical Society on the dedication of the monument.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-24
Peter A. Porter wants to be appointed to the National Waterways Commission. He is knowledgeable on the questions likely to arise, especially regarding Niagara Falls. Porter asks Theodore Roosevelt to speak on his behalf.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-14
J. Horace McFarland contradicts a recent statement by Theodore Roosevelt, saying that he both does “have influence, and ought to have influence,” and cannot divest himself of it. McFarland spoke with Senator Elihu Root recently about a treaty concerning Niagara Falls, and has found that Root plans to stick to the text of the treaty regardless of is effect on the waterfall. McFarland expresses his concern about several other legislative topics, and feels that the American Civic Association may need Roosevelt’s help in the future.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-02
Senator Platt finds the appointment of General John A. Merritt as collector at Niagara Falls agreeable to him. However, Platt is not pleased with the appointment of Benjamin F. Barnes as postmaster at Washington, D.C. He believes that the appointment will be criticized.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-02
Chronology of the daily life of Theodore Roosevelt between January 1879 to December 1883. Notable events include Theodore Roosevelt’s engagement and marriage to Alice Hathaway Lee, his appointment to the New York State Legislature, and his first visit and buffalo hunt in North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
1985
In this chapter excerpt from his book John Muir and His Legacy: The American Conservation Movement, Stephen Fox examines efforts to expand Yosemite National Park, the battle between preservationists and conservationists over the use of forests, and provides portraits of John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, John Burroughs, and Theodore Roosevelt. He looks at the work undertaken by the conservation movement to preserve Niagara Falls, the redwood forests of California, and Mount Desert Island in Maine. Fox concludes the chapter with a look at the battle over the city of San Francisco’s desire to build a dam at the southern end of Hetch Hetchy valley in Yosemite National Park. In addition to looking at the life and work of Muir, the chapter provides information on many lesser known figures in the turn of the twentieth-century conservation movement.
A listing of the officers and the members of the executive, finance, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace committees of the Theodore Roosevelt Association is found on the second page of the excerpt.
Mary M. Tuttle describes scenes in a hotel in the Adirondack Mountains in detail. She includes a “discussion” between a New Yorker and an Ohioan about whose state is greater.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-29
President Roosevelt carries a Republican elephant on his shoulders as he walks across a tightrope at “Niagara of Disapproval.” There are many words on the tightrope: “uncertainty,” “Panama,” “Wood promotion scandal,” “race question,” and “Post Office scandal.” Caption: The elephant—This strenuous business may be picturesque, but here’s where I get a transfer punched for the overboard route.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-20
A postcard from Joseph to Alice Breitweiser of Plainfield, Illinois. The postcard features the Cracker Jack Bears at Niagara Falls. One bear rides over the falls in a Cracker Jack box while eating the treat. The other stands on a ladder attached to an airship holding a rope with a life saver attached. Number three in a series of sixteen cards that were sent for free to anyone who mailed in ten sides from Cracker Jack boxes or ten cents in “silver or stamps.”
1907
Kermit Roosevelt has accepted a position at the Hooker Electrochemical Company. He might be able to see the Fergusons soon if the United States intervenes in Mexico as he has Theodore Roosevelt’s approval to participate. Kermit is optimistic about his father’s chances of receiving the Republican presidential nomination.
1912-06-14