Poindexter, Miles, 1868-1946

Dwight B. Heard’s letter about the Republican National Convention was the best that Theodore Roosevelt received. Charles Evans Hughes has weaknesses as a presidential candidate, particularly a lack of experience in international relations, but he was the best Republican candidate available. The Progressive Party has failed in the South as it could not attract enough Democrats. The only Progressive success was in Louisiana and that was mostly due to the popularity of John Milliken Parker. The party has become a small, derelict political organization. Roosevelt regrets that the people are not “advanced” enough to follow the Progressive lead.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-07-03

Theodore Roosevelt wrote Miles Poindexter and Moses Clapp about going against the Shipping Bill. Roosevelt will also try to get any remaining Progressives to vote against the bill. In the next issue of the Metropolitan, Roosevelt focuses on Mexico and how the U.S. is unready for war.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-29

Theodore Roosevelt encourages William H. Hinebaugh to reach out to Charles McCarthy, once he does, Roosevelt with forward Hinebaugh and McCarthy’s thoughts to Senators Joseph L. Bristow, Miles Poindexter, and Joseph M. Dixon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12-23

Bela Tokaji, President of the National Progressive Republican League, received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter and will not quote him. However, he “will continue to loyally stand by” Roosevelt alongside the powerful and influential men who share his belief in Roosevelt. Bela asks if he has Roosevelt’s permission to bring his greetings to these men at their upcoming meeting. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-08

Ernest H. Liebel recently stopped at Theodore Roosevelt’s office to discuss the political situation in Arizona. Roosevelt’s secretary informed him that Roosevelt received letters on the matter and that there would not be any editorial comment on the issue until Taft reviewed it. However, the secretary suggested Liebel contact Roosevelt to share his knowledge of the “judicial rottenness of Arizona.” Liebel firmly believes that Arizona will not vote for statehood “at such a cost so disgraceful a sacrifice.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-20

E. W. Scripps wishes he could greatly help Frank H. Blighton in his current situation, but is only able to provide a moderate amount of financial support at present. He suggests reaching out to a number of prominent individuals for assistance.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-14

Lillian Shannon Caple welcomes Theodore Roosevelt to Spokane, Washington. She wishes she could have entertained him and hopes to meet him before his speech at the armory along with her family.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-07

Benjamin C. Holt tells Theodore Roosevelt to look for ranching equipment called “caterpillars” in Lind, Washington. He wants to hire Roosevelt as an equipment seller.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-06

Frederick S. Brueschweiler asks Theodore Roosevelt to highlight the importance of musical education and appreciation in a speech while in Spokane, Washington. He hopes Roosevelt’s endorsement will incite public financial support for a symphony orchestra and choral union.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-05

Frank W. Hibbs asks Theodore Roosevelt to help lend his weight to his petition to Senator Miles Poindexter to recommend his son, Louis E. Hibbs, for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Hibbs details both his son’s preparation for such a position, as well as his own previous naval service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-29

Lieutenant Commander Charles P. Nelson tells Theodore Roosevelt about his nephew, Louis E. Hibbs, who hopes to be able to attend West Point in 1912. Nelson asks if it would be possible for him to mention the matter to Senator Miles Poindexter, who has an appointment to make at that time. Nelson attests to the character of Hibbs, and is sure that he “has all the attributes of a fine officer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-26

Joseph E. Griffin introduces himself as being acquainted with many people from the Boston area whom he believes Roosevelt knows, and asks if he can beg his kindness to help arrange a meeting for him with Senator-elect Miles Poindexter while he is traveling through Spokane, Washington. Griffin hopes to obtain a government position as a statistician with the government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-24

John P. M. Richards is pleased to hear Theodore Roosevelt will soon be traveling west and staying in Spokane, Washington, for several days, and looks forward to seeing him again. Richards regrets not inviting Roosevelt for a hunt when they were both younger men and Roosevelt was more often in the west, but comments that he “didn’t really know what a good fellow you were and good hunter and hard rider.” While Roosevelt’s time in Spokane will be planned by Senator Miles Poindexter and Robert L. Rutter, Richards hopes to be able to join in if there is any horseback riding to be done, and promises to furnish Roosevelt a good horse. Richards recently was injured while riding, but expects to be well soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-23

Rufus Rockwell Wilson urges Theodore Roosevelt to accept the invitation to dine with the Seattle Commercial Club on the day he arrives in Seattle. The dinner has been planned to allow ample time for Roosevelt to carry out his planned speech before the Municipal League.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-10

Abram B. Reading requests Theodore Roosevelt read and publicly respond to the open letter he originally sent in 1909 and recently re-sent, along with the memorial and petition that he also mailed to Congress members. He wants to bring the issue of corporations forward, but members of Congress have yet to act. Reading feels a commentary from Roosevelt would accomplish this.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-25

William J. Kolodnicki praises Paul Russell Cutright and Michael J. Brodhead for their biography of Elliott Coues, an important figure in the history of American ornithology whose Key to North American Birds helped develop the birding skills of Theodore Roosevelt. John A. Gable reviews Howard W. Allen’s Poindexter of Washington: A Study in Progressive Politics about Miles Poindexter and his transformation from progressive to conservative in the first quarter of the twentieth century. David G. McCullough asserts that a photograph of a young Roosevelt that is usually captioned as Roosevelt preparing to box actually shows him dressed to row.

A full page photograph of Roosevelt dressed to row with McCullough’s explanatory caption makes up the third page of the “Book Notes” column.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Joseph Brognard Wright writes to announce a meeting for October 15, 1913, to prepare Progressive Party leaders who will speak throughout the state in the coming weeks. The letterhead is from the Office of the County Committee representing the Progressive Party of Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1913-10-11

Gifford Pinchot offers his opinions on the 1918 midterm elections, which are happening at the same time as negotiations to end World War I. President Wilson described the elections as a referendum on his leadership, and hopes that the American public will return a Democratic majority in both houses. Pinchot believes that Americans are calling for Germany’s unconditional surrender, not the “peace without victory” being pursued by Wilson, so he hopes that a Republican Congress will be elected and that the country will “stop talking peace and get on with war.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-10-25

On the left is Theodore Roosevelt, hand resting on a sledgehammer labeled “My Policies,” standing at the entrance to his shop “T. Roosevelt Horseshoer & Wheelwright” with “Dr. Abbott” at his side. A sign on the wall states, “Autos, Air-ships & Bicycles Repaired.” Road signs labeled “Republican Turnpike” are pointing into the background. At center and right is a jumble of ruined vehicles. A small wagon labeled “Direct Primaries” is being pulled in opposite directions by “Gov. Hughes” and “Wadsworth.” “Beveridge” gestures toward a wagon labeled “Indiana Campaign” that has lost a wheel. President Taft is driving a sulky labeled “Aldrich Tariff,” drawn by the Republican elephant, that has lost the rim to one wheel. A woman labeled “Woman’s Suffrage” is holding a bicycle with damaged tires. “La Follette” is pointing to the foot of a horse labeled “Wisconsin Campaign.” “Parsons” and “Woodruff” are in an automobile that has had an accident, while “Murdock” appears to be kicking one of the tires. An airplane labeled “Conservation,” with “Pinchot” and “Garfield” on board, has crashed into a tree labeled “Ballinger.” Also in the mix is a man labeled “Poindexter,” and in the background is “Penrose” walking away from an automobile accident labeled “Pennsylvania.” In the lower left corner is the shadow of the Democratic donkey.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1910-08-03

Theodore Roosevelt congratulates Mrs. Joseph Lannin on the founding of “The First Woman’s Roosevelt Club in the World” in response to her letter, which was given to him by Senator Miles Poindexter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-07-15