Rixey, Presley Marion, 1852-1928

Stephen E. Siry provides a detailed account of the trolley car accident in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on September 3, 1902 that injured President Roosevelt and killed Secret Service agent William Craig. Siry covers Roosevelt’s travel in New England before the accident; describes the collision between a trolley car and the president’s horse drawn carriage; and details the aftermath of the incident, including Roosevelt’s desire to reassure the nation that he was safe. Siry also examines the treatment of the wound to Roosevelt’s leg and the subsequent travel plans that were altered and abandoned as his condition worsened. 

Four photographs supplement the article, including three from the day of the accident. 

Excerpts from the diaries of First Lady Edith Kermit Roosevelt edited by A. Richard Boera. The excerpts are taken from eight different years and most of the entries are short. Some of the most common topics include the various health issues of the Roosevelt family, lists of guests for lunch and dinner at the White House, and the riding excursions of Edith and Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt’s assuming the presidency after President William McKinley’s assassination, the final days of Roosevelt’s presidency, and the tour of Europe after Roosevelt’s African safari in 1910 are also covered. 

A photograph of Edith Roosevelt in 1901, a drawing of her by John Singer Sargent in 1921, and a family portrait of Edith and Theodore Roosevelt with all of their children at Sagamore Hill in 1903 supplement the text. A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association along with the members of its executive committee appears on the second page of the excerpts.  

Newspaper clipping of cartoon showing “Doctor Rixey” giving a turkey chloroform as Theodore Roosevelt cries in the background.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-1909

Robert C. Kimberly provides a detailed examination of the various afflictions and ailments that marked the life of Theodore Roosevelt from his childhood to his death in January 1919. He describes Roosevelt’s struggles with asthma and poor eyesight as a youth, his battle to control his weight, and details many of the injuries he suffered while living out the strenuous life. Kimberly delves into the serious leg injury Roosevelt suffered in a carriage accident in 1902, his decades long struggle with malaria, his near death experience on the River of Doubt expedition, and the treatment he received after the October 1912 assassination attempt. He notes the many doctors who treated Roosevelt as well as the implications his health problems had for his wife Edith.  

A listing of the officers of the Theodore Roosevelt Association is found on page three of the article and an advertisement for the Roosevelt Savings Bank is found at its conclusion. 

Rear Admiral Presley Marion Rixey looks on as President Roosevelt fires at two targets shaped like a lion and elephant with the names “Foraker” and “Tillman” respectively on them. Two rabbits–“Mellen” and “Paul Morton–as well as a wolf–“E. H. Gary” also watch. Beside them is “the spear that knows no brother.” Caption: Prepare targets similar to those shown above, lead the Faunal Naturalist to the rifle range and he will do the rest.

comments and context

Comments and Context

McKee Barclay’s drawing represents, in cartooning terms, a mixed metaphor, calling upon several thematic and political threads in one image. President Roosevelt appears to be readying himself for his upcoming African safari by target practice; yet he concentrates by labelling two of targets with the names of two of the most persistent of the president’s critics, Senators Joseph Benson Foraker and “Pitchfork” Benjamin R. Tillman.

George B. Cortelyou provides Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Joseph L. Bristow with the plans and schedule for President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-01

George B. Cortelyou provides Washington, D.C., Police Chief Richard Sylvester with the plans and schedule for President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-01

George B. Cortelyou outlines President Roosevelt’s upcoming travel plans for Secret Service Chief John E. Wilkie.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-11-01

President Roosevelt describes his trip to Pine Knot Cottage with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, including two days of failed turkey hunting expeditions that finally succeeded on the third day. He ends by saying Secretary of State Elihu Root’s speech went well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-04

President Roosevelt updates Archibald “Archie” B. Roosevelt on the activities of the family, in particular Quentin Roosevelt’s baseball playing and an Easter egg hunt. Roosevelt is glad that Quentin has taken up baseball because he is “altogether too soft.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-19

President Roosevelt describes a 62-mile horse ride to Cheyenne, Wyoming, he took with Presley Marion Rixey, Senator Francis E. Warren, and Mr. Van Tassel, the owner of the ranch at which Roosevelt’s party ate lunch. After the ride, Roosevelt led a procession into Cheyenne and made a 45-minute speech at the city’s Memorial Day services. Roosevelt adds a post-script describing a second, 30-mile, horse ride to Warren’s ranch.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-05-31

President Roosevelt leads a group on horseback, brandishing a whip and charging. Following him are several figures from history and legend including a Roman warrior, the drunken Tam O’Shanter, Paul Revere, Don Quixote, and Sancho Panza. Also following the charge, in silhouette, are Ichabod Crane from Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a member of the Pony Express, and Lady Godiva. All the riders except Roosevelt are weary or exhausted.

Comments and Context

The context of this illustration of a poem in Puck Magazine was the famous horseback ride of President Roosevelt in the last months of his presidency. Convinced that the leadership ranks of the United States Army were too “soft,” he demonstrated the sort of mettle he considered a minimum requirement for men in uniform. On the night of January 13, 1909, the 50-year-old president and three aides — his Military Aide Captain Archibald Butt; Naval Surgeon General Presley M Rixey; and Dr. Cary Grayson, Naval Surgeon —  rode on horseback to and from Warrenton, Farquier County, Virgina. They made the trip in record time, through storms of sleet and ice, much of the ride in the dark. They stopped for 10-minute “rests” and change of horses, except in Warrenton where they stopped for a full meal. Roosevelt made his point — a Rough Ride, certainly — and arrived at the White House about 4:00 the next morning, alone, covered in ice, and ready for a full breakfast and a day of work.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft stand in the center of a gathering of Roosevelt’s “officers.” Most are dressed as colonial army officers, with Charles J. Bonaparte dressed as Napoleon and John Burroughs as a frontiersman. All but Roosevelt are crying. Caption: Repetition, one year hence, of a famous scene in Fraunce’s Tavern.

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Louis M. Glackens drew this prophetic cartoon in March of 1908, interesting for what it does not outright say, and significant for who it does and does not show, in the group gathered around President Roosevelt.

Glackens sets the scene in Fraunces’ Tavern in lower Manhattan, where General George Washington delivered his famous farewell address to his military compatriots. The comparison of Washington and Roosevelt is flattering.

Democrat & Chronicle, 69th Year. Rochester, N.Y., Saturday, September 7, 1901. Front page only:

Page 1: Banner headline: The President Shot! – Sub-headline 1: Appalling Crime at the Pan-American Sub-headline 2: Murderous Deed Committed by an Anarchist. – Sub-headline 3: Two Shots Fired, Both of Which Took Effect, by a Treacherous Scoundrel, Who Approached the President in a Friendly Manner — The Assassin Quickly Seized and Lodged in Prison. – Large illustration of McKinley. Caption: “The President was shot in the Temple of Music at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon while holding a reception. The assassin was a well dressed man, who held the revolver under a handkerchief in one hand while he extended the other. The assassin is a Pole named Leon Czolgosz. The place of his residence is not positively known. He is in jail and is very reticent.” – “The Assassin Confesses.” – Czolgosz cites teachings of Emma Goldman as impetus for assassination attempt. – “How the News Was Broken to Mrs. McKinley.” – report of Mrs. McKinley’s hearing of the assassination attempt and her conversation with Dr. Rixey regarding the President’s condition.

Page 2: “Appalling Crime at the Pan-American” (cont’d from p. 1) – “An Infuriated Crowd Was Anxious to Lynch the Prisoner” – “Cardinal Gibbons. The Catholic Prelate Filled With Sorrow and Consternation.” – “His Niagara Trip. The President Had Enjoyed a Ride on the Gorge Railway.” – “Great Fortitude. President’s Actions and Words at the Time of the Shooting.” – “Anarchists at Paterson. Express No Regret, but Deny that McKinley was a Marked Man.” – “Roosevelt in Vermont. The Vice-President Hears the News and Starts for Buffalo.” – “Wise’s Telegram. News of the Attempted Murder Forwarded to Washington.” – “New York Stunned. First Resolutions of Sympathy Passed By Democrats.” – “Excitement in London. Englishmen Who Heard the News Expressed Sympathy and Indignation.” – “Arrests in Chicago. Six Men Seized on the Strength of Information from Buffalo.” – “Question of Punishment. The Grand Jury of Erie County Seems to Have Jurisdiction.”

Buffalo Morning Express, Vol. LVI, No. 207, September 12, 1901, p. 1-12 (complete):

Page 1: Banner headline: Blood-County Show No Poisoning –/Out of Danger, Says Dr. McBurney – Five column article about President McKinley’s condition and medical treatment; also includes information about Mrs. McKinley – “Requisition Papers” – Police collecting evidence for a conspiracy charge and rumor that Emma Goldman would be extradited to Buffalo

Page 2: – “Held for Conspiracy” – Court appearance of Emma Goldman in Chicago – “Will Not Demand Her” – Justice Dept. will let Buffalo police deal with Goldman – “Says It is Treason” – Claim by Minneapolis lawyer that Czolgosz should face the death penalty – “Czolgosz is a Puzzle” – Report on Czolgosz’s behavior in prison – “Alarms at Rest” – Activities in and around the Milburn house

Page 3: – “Cabinet Meets” – Five Cabinet members meet in Buffalo – “To Bar Out Anarchists” – Proposed immigration restrictions – “Secretary Cortelyou” – Biography of Cortelyou and speculation that he will be appointed to the Cabinet at the next opening – “First to Grab Czolgosz” – Controversy over who was the first to grab Czolgosz – “Suing Exposition” – Electrical supplier sues the Pan Am Expo Co. over unpaid bill – “Breaking the News” – How Dr. Rixey told Mrs. McKinley about the shooting – “Surgeons at the Fair” – Some of McKinley’s doctors visit the Pan Am

The Sun, Vol. LXIX, No. 20, September 20, 1901, p. 1-10 (complete):

Page 1: – “Death’s Effect on M’Laurin” – Possible effect of McKinley’s death on political situation in South Carolina – “Was Woman’s Handkerchief” – The cloth that Czolgosz used to cover his hand – “Mrs. Garfield Not Well” – After hearing of McKinley’s death – “Place for Dr. Rixey” – Roosevelt finalizes decision to make Dr. Rixey the Surgeon General of the Navy as well as other things that were all but official when McKinley left for Buffalo – “Sympathy of London Press” – Examples of comments – “National Memorial Service” – Plans for a memorial service at Chase’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. – “It Was Bred Abroad” – Statement by Felix Adler about anarchy – “The New President’s Plans” – Tasks ahead of Theodore Roosevelt – “Service for Mrs. M’Kinley” – Mrs. McKinley’s condition and her request for a private service in Canton – “Now at Rest” – Detailed article about the funeral in Canton and plans for a national monument (cont. on page 2)

Page 2: – “The Funeral Sermon” – Text of sermon by Rev. C. E. Manchester – “Draped Flag on High” – Flag flown attached to flags – “Criticism of Bryan” – People walk out on Bryan because of his past criticism of McKinley – “Mrs. Roosevelt Tired Out” – Edith Roosevelt spent day of funeral at Oyster Bay – “The Rev. Dr. Newton Overcome” – Memorial service at All Souls’ Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City

Page 3: – “New York Stood in Silence” – Detailed article on the various ways and places that stopped for five minutes at the time of the funeral – “Churches Mourn M’Kinley” – Excepts of addresses from various New York City churches – “Europe Shares Our Grief” – Reports about memorial services in various European cities

Buffalo Courier, Vol. LXVI, No. 265, September 22, 1901, p. 1-8 (complete):

Page 1: – Black and white photographs captioned: The Saddest Days in Buffalo’s History: Casket Containing Remains of President McKinley, Lying in State in the City and County Hall, Sunday, September 15th; Marines and Soldiers Carrying the Casket from the City Hall to the Hearse Which Took It to the Funeral Train…; The Funeral Cortege Passing St. Paul’s Cathedral on the Way to the Special Train Last Monday Morning; Crowds Waiting During the Storm of Last Sunday to Get a Glimpse of the Dead President as He Lay in State at the City Hall; Special Train Bearing the Dead President, His Successor, President Roosevelt, the Cabinet and Mrs. McKinley… – “Saddest Days in Buffalo’s History” – Short article setting the scene of the photographs

Page 3: – Black and white photographs captioned: Senator Chauncey M. Depew Arriving at the Milburn Home; Physicians and Surgeons in Front of the Milburn Home…; A View of the Milburn Home…; Mrs. Marcus A. Hanna and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hanna After a Call at the Milburn Home; Senator Hanna Leaving His Carriage in Front of the Milburn Home, to Make a Call on President McKinley – “Where Foul Anarchy Breeds on Free Soil” – Article about the anarchist movement and their headquarters in Patterson, NJ

Page 4: – Black and white photographs captioned: President Roosevelt, Senator Hanna, and Ansley Wilcox; The Now Historic Ansley Wilcox Home; Vice President Roosevelt and Senator Hanna, with Friends, Leaving the Milburn Home After a Call on the Stricken President; The President of the United States: Theodore Roosevelt…; Some Characteristic Poses of the New Chief Executive

Page 1: – Black and white photographs captioned as: The President Addressing the Throng at the Exposition on “President’s Day,” September 5th; The Latest Portrait of the President [McKinley driving to the Temple of Music on September 6]; President’s Day at the Exposition: The President (at Extreme Left) and a Part of His Audience in the Esplanade; The Military Review in the Stadium – “Souvenir Pictures of the President” – Article giving a context for the photos – “A Man of Good Cheer” – Stories about McKinley’s humor and good nature (cont. on page 8)

Page 2: – Black and white photographs captioned: Men Who Worked to Help the President Back to Health: Six of the Attending Physicians, and the President’s Private Secretary [portrait photos]; Mrs. McKinley Listening to the President; The Stricken President: Tents for Military Guard and Reporters, Opposite Milburn Residence; The President, Mrs. McKinley and Mr. Milburn Driving Through the Exposition Grounds, Sept. 5th; President McKinley’s Residence, Canton O.; View on President McKinley’s Farm – “To Guard Our Rulers” – Interview with Jacques Griscelli, guard of Napoleon III – “Esteem for McKinley” – Regard for McKinley in Washington, D.C.

Page 3: – Black and white photographs captioned: Wm. McKinley as 2nd Lieutenant; Old Sparrow House, Poland, O., Where Mr. McKinley Enlisted; William McKinley’s Birthplace at Niles, O., Torn Down in 1895; Schoolhouse Near Poland, O., Where Mr. McKinley Taught; Seminary at Poland, O., Attended by McKinley: Now Torn Down – “In McKinley’s Youth” – McKinley’s early years in Ohio – “Stories of Celebrities” – Anecdotes about President Hayes and Admiral Dewey

Page 4; – Black and white photographs captioned: The President, the Best Portrait of Him Ever Made; Shaking Hands with the President [outside the Government Building on September 5]; The President and Party in the Govt. Building at the Exposition the Day Before He Was Shot; Where the President Was Shot Down in the Temple of Music [including numbers where McKinley and Czolgosz were standing]; The Wounded President Being Taken into the Exposition Hospital, Sept. 6th – “Shooting at Jackson” by Milton T. Adkins – Story of attempted assassination of Andrew Jackson in 1836

Page 1: – Large black and white portrait photograph of Theodore Roosevelt with caption: Our New President, Theodore Roosevelt – “The Funeral on Wednesday” – Funeral arrangements for McKinley’s funeral in Washington, D.C. – “Secy. Hay’s Note to Foreign Representatives” – Text of John Hay’s note about McKinley’s death – “Representative of King May Attend Funeral” – Reports from England – “The Post of Honor to the Grand Army Legion” – Arrangements being made at the Capitol and White House – “Acting Secretary Hackett’s Order” – Notice of McKinley’s death to the men in the navy and army by Acting Secretary of the Navy, F. W. Hackett – “Brief Funeral Services on Wednesday Morning” – Services to be held in Washington, D.C. – “President’s Proclamation” – Text of Theodore Roosevelt’s proclamation – “Pauncefote’s Telegram” – Text of telegram from Lord Pauncefote of England – “Archbishop of Canterbury” – Condolences on McKinley’s death – “All Business Suspended” – Response in Santiago de Cuba – “President’s Family” – Progress of Roosevelt’s family to Oyster Bay – “M’Kinley’s Home is Heavily Draped in Black” – From Canton, Ohio – “Mayor of Rochester, Eng. to Rochester, NY” – Message expressing condolences – “Governor Stone Sends Telegram to Roosevelt” – Message from the governor of Pennsylvania – “Governor’s Proclamation” – Text of proclamation by New York State Governor R. B. Odell Jr. – “Hon. David B. Hill’s High Tribute to the Dead” – Statement by former Senator from New York – “Late President’s Insurance” – Info on McKinley’s life insurance policies – “Business Will Cease” – In Niagara Falls, New York

Page 2: – Three black and white photographs – two of Theodore Roosevelt [captions: Theodore Roosevelt as Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Riders; Theodore Roosevelt as He Appeared When Police Commissioner of New York City] and one of “Miss Alice Roosevelt” – “Marine Circles Were Much Affected by Sad News” – Flags at half staff on shipping vessels – “Emma Goldman Threatened by a Chicago Mob” – “King Edward Sends Message of Sorrow to Choate” – “Governor Odell Voices an Expression” – Statement by New York State governor – “Secretary Gage’s Tribute” – “Tammany Leader’s Tribute to M’Kinley”

Page 3: – Editorials about Theodore Roosevelt as president, presidential security, and anarchism

Page 4: – Articles about the reaction to McKinley’s death in various Western New York communities including Silver Creek, Jamestown, and Dunkirk

President Roosevelt tells his son Kermit that there has been considerable grumbling over his order regarding physical exercise. In order to put a stop to it, Roosevelt decided to ride 90 miles in one day himself. He and three others rode from Washington, D.C., to Warrenton and back, a distance of 98 miles, beginning at 3:30 a.m. and returning at 8:30 p.m.

Congress feels they do not have to listen to the President since his term is nearly up and he expects fights over some veto messages he will send. He will start his libel suits against The World and the Indianapolis News. Roosevelt says he and Mother have enjoyed life at the White House but are ready to leave.

Collection

Harvard College Library