Presidents--Assassination

Where Justice will have to look for jurors who have not formed an opinion in the Guiteau case

Justice, holding a large sword and carrying a lantern, and with a cloth labeled “Justice” over her mouth, searches a cemetery, among tombstones labeled “Formed no opinion died 1660, Formed no opinion 1600, Haven’t read papers 1776, [and] No opinion died 1670,” for jurors who are uninformed of the assassination of President James A. Garfield. The image includes an insert showing a man hanging from a gibbet labeled “Verdict of 50,000,000 Illustrated.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1881-10-26

So honest it hurts

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, age 94, remains the capitol’s “grande dame.” After being introduced to a guest from Buffalo, New York, she was asked about her feelings upon hearing that William McKinley had been shot. She responded, “Sheer ecstasy.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1978

Articles from Harper’s Weekly

Selected Harper’s Weekly articles related to the death of William McKinley and President Roosevelt’s inauguration.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1901-09-21

How Theodore Roosevelt became President of the United States in Buffalo

Ansley Wilcox, with later revisions from Theodore Roosevelt, describes the events surrounding the Roosevelt’s succession to the presidency.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1919

Mail and Express special McKinley edition

Series of photographs from a special edition of Mail and Express about William McKinley’s death, his funeral, and President Roosevelt’s succession to the presidency.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1901-09-25

The Outlook magazine

Complete issue of The Outlook magazine containing articles including “The Death of President McKinley,” “The Accession of President Roosevelt,” “President McKinley’s Life and Political Career,” “As President,” “The New President,” “William McKinley,” “President Roosevelt,” “President McKinley / What the World Thought of Him,” and “The New President as a Literary Man.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1901-09-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Anna Roosevelt Cowles

Vice President Roosevelt assures his sister that President McKinley is recovering from an assassination attempt, and Roosevelt surely will be able to visit in four weeks as planned. He discusses what he perceives as a lack of severity in the potential punishment for the gunman, and the violation against the principles of freedom and good government worldwide.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1901-09-07

Letter from George B. Cortelyou to Edwin Brockholst Livingston

George B. Cortelyou thanks Edwin Brockholst Livingston on behalf of President Roosevelt for his letter of condolence and congratulations.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1901-09-25

By the President of the United States of America

A proclamation issued by President Roosevelt declaring September 19, 1901 a national day of mourning following the death of President McKinley. This proclamation was Roosevelt’s first act as President.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Creation Date

1901-09-14

A very serious matter

John Turner, a London anarchist who was listed as being a dangerous character, was arrested while giving a speech in the Murray Hill Lyceum. The warrant was issued by Secretary of Commerce and Labor George B. Cortelyou and the arrest was based on sections of the immigration law. Turner’s counsel contends that the law does not apply to anarchy because it would be denying freedom of religion and speech. The three presidents assassinated were mentioned but the counter argument was “we had better go slow in turning sane men into anarchists by attempting to repress free thought or free speech.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12

In the lion’s den

Charles Fletcher Lummis reflects on several topics in his column, “In the lion’s den.” Fletcher suggests that yellow journalism played a role in William McKinley’s assassination and praises the American people’s reaction to the assassination. Lummis is also thankful that President Roosevelt was there to lead the country after the tragedy. He concludes by suggesting American intervention in the South African War and thanking his readers for aiding the Mission Indians of Southern California.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10

Letter from James Roscoe Day to Theodore Roosevelt

Chancellor Day expresses disappointment with President Roosevelt for failing to be an “example of reverence” on the Sabbath. Last Sunday was the anniversary week of President McKinley’s assassination, and it followed President Roosevelt’s own near-death experience from an accident in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (September 3). These experiences called for greater reverence on the Sabbath than what the papers characterized as Roosevelt having a day of “sport and fun.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-12

Letter from Ellen Duane Gillespie Davis to Theodore Roosevelt

Ellen Duane Gillespie Davis forwards the pride and blessing of her mother, E. D. Gillespie, who recently passed away. Gillespie had known President Roosevelt when she was a guest of the Storer family, and she has followed Roosevelt’s career.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-08

Letter from J. D. Powers to John Robert Procter

J. D. Powers laments the condition of the political system in Kentucky. Many civil servants have trampled the rights of the people, ruined the Republican Party, and destroyed the chance to defeat the “political Buckaneers.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-09

Allison at Tama

Transcription of Senator William B. Allison’s speech at the Iowa Republican convention. Allison covers a variety of topics, including the upcoming state election, William McKinley’s assassination, economic conditions, and several foreign affairs issues.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-15

Letter from H. de H. Hay to Theodore Roosevelt

H. de H. Hay congratulates President Roosevelt on his succession to the presidency. He believes the anarchists are an active threat in Russia and England, although the various groups seem to be independent. Hay also discusses recent family events.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-31

Letter from Alfons Mumm to Theodore Roosevelt

Alfons Mumm regrets that his congratulations on President Roosevelt’s succession to such a high office come at the death of William McKinley. He believes Roosevelt would have become president in three years if McKinley had not been assassinated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-01

Letter from O. M. Campbell to Theodore Roosevelt

O. M. Campbell would like to send President Roosevelt a letter on the condition that it will only be read by Roosevelt. The letter is from a person who made accurate predictions of William McKinley’s reelection and premature death.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-26

Letter from Margaret White to Theodore Roosevelt

Margaret White has been thinking of President Roosevelt often and watching his actions with the deepest interest. She expresses sadness and sympathy at the passing of William McKinley and the tragedy that brought Roosevelt to the presidency. Nevertheless, she thanks God that Roosevelt was able to accept the position at a time when the nation desperately needed good leadership. White believes that he will be a “splendid” president. She also fondly recalls the times their families used to spend together and how their children used to be playmates.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-22

Letter from Frank B. Klepper to Theodore Roosevelt

As per the previous request of President Roosevelt, Representative Frank B. Klepper investigated the Roosevelt Club of Kansas City, Missouri. Due to William McKinley’s assassination, he has decided not to send the report as it seems improper at the present time. Roosevelt has Klepper’s support and the support of Missouri.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-17