Presidents--Health

Letter from Douglas Robinson to Theodore Roosevelt

Everyone is anxious about President McKinley’s health which appears to be in decline. Douglas Robinson and Roosevelt’s friends have absolute confidence in him but there is concern in financial circles. The markets are already responding to the general nervousness. If anything should happen to McKinley, Robinson recommends that Roosevelt make known his “conservative opinions and policy” and, at least initially, maintain McKinley’s Cabinet.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-13

Letter from James Gillespie Blaine to Theodore Roosevelt

James Gillespie Blaine thanks Vice President Roosevelt for his kindness in promptly telegraphing his mother. President McKinley’s health appears to be in decline and should it be necessary, Blaine believes that Roosevelt will “prove equal to the enormous responsibilities.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-13

Letter from Harrington Fitzgerald to Theodore Roosevelt

There are fears that President McKinley will not pull through and Harrington Fitzgerald offers his services.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-13

Letter from Owen Wister to Theodore Roosevelt

Owen Wister expresses his sympathy for Vice President Roosevelt as President McKinley’s health declines. Roosevelt has Wister’s continued confidence and faith.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-13

Letter from Leonard Wood to Theodore Roosevelt

General Wood was surprised to hear of President McKinley’s declining health as everything previously indicated a rapid recovery. A “deep current of sympathy” can be found throughout Cuba.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-13

Telegram from Arthur von Briesen to Ansley Wilcox

Arthur von Briesen requests that President Roosevelt be informed that he is at Roosevelt’s service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-14

Letter from Douglas Robinson to Theodore Roosevelt

Douglas Robinson encloses a $12 check to cover his sons’ expenses on the trip they took with Vice President Roosevelt. The boys enjoyed the trip and Robinson argues in favor of Roosevelt accepting the money. The attempted assassination of President McKinley was a “frightful shock.” The reports of McKinley’s health are encouraging and, should the worst happen, there is a strong man for the country to rely upon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-06

Telegram from James Gillespie Blaine to Theodore Roosevelt

James Gillespie Blaine’s mother is very concerned about President McKinley’s condition. Blaine asks that Vice President Roosevelt wire her directly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-07

Telegram to Theodore Roosevelt

An unknown individual requests the condition and prospects of President McKinley, who had been shot the previous day. Handwritten and typed copies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-07

Telegram from Nicholas Murray Butler to Theodore Roosevelt

Nicholas Murray Butler hopes for President McKinley’s recovery and is ready for Vice President Roosevelt’s “summons” if necessary.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-07

Letter from Fletcher D. Proctor to Theodore Roosevelt

Fletcher D. Proctor’s father, Senator Proctor, has lost his dark grey summer overcoat. He thought it might have been left in Mr. Clement’s car and Proctor requests its return if discovered. There has been good news about President McKinley’s condition and Proctor has faith that favorable reports will continue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-07

Telegram from Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt requests that her congratulations be given to Ida Saxton McKinley regarding the good report on President McKinley’s condition. She asks Vice President Roosevelt if she should travel to Buffalo, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-08

Letter to Theodore Roosevelt

The unknown writer encloses clippings for Vice President Roosevelt. After being approached by the press, the writer made a statement on how Roosevelt received the news of the attempted assassination of President McKinley. The statement was truthful and creditable to Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-09

Telegram from James G. Lowdon to Theodore Roosevelt

James G. Lowdon is pleased with the news about President McKinley’s condition and prays for a speedy recovery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-08

Letter from Henry H. Smith to Theodore Roosevelt

Henry H. Smith has researched and published on “presidential inability” and believes his expertise could be useful after the attempted assassination of President McKinley. He sends an article he wrote on the subject that was published in the North American Review.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-08

Letter from E. A. Sumner to Theodore Roosevelt

E. A. Sumner prays that God will guide Vice President Roosevelt and protect the life of President McKinley.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-08

Telegram from A. R. Whitney to Theodore Roosevelt

A. R. Whitney is praying that President McKinley’s life will be spared.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-08

Letter from Evert Jansen Wendell to Theodore Roosevelt

Evert Jansen Wendell accepts Vice President Roosevelt’s invitation to lunch at Oyster Bay, New York, on September 27. He asks Roosevelt to preside at a dinner for an English athletic team being held by Harvard and Yale. Wendell congratulates Roosevelt on the news of President McKinley’s recovery from an attempted assassination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-10

Letter from Albert Baird Cummins to Theodore Roosevelt

Albert Baird Cummins expresses his gratitude that President McKinley is progressing towards recovery. He has been appalled by the emergence of a movement to subvert the government and assassinate its officials. Cummins is pleased that Vice President Roosevelt has agreed to make two speeches in Iowa and suggests the meetings be held in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-10

Letter from William Greene Dows to Theodore Roosevelt

It is understood that Vice President Roosevelt has agreed to speak at two political meetings in Iowa and William Greene Dows would like one of the meetings to be in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Albert Baird Cummins has agreed to the Cedar Rapids location. Dows understands that the attempted assassination of President McKinley will stop campaigning until McKinley’s recovery is assured. However, as soon as the date for Roosevelt’s trip is fixed he would like to know in order to “arrange for the greatest political demonstration Iowa has ever witnessed.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-10