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James E. Depue sends Theodore Roosevelt a report and photographs related to a land grant opportunity in the territory of New Mexico. Depue gives details on why he believes this land grant is so valuable and invites Roosevelt to invest by November 15th.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-11
Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the trial in Idaho related to the murder of former Governor Steunenberg. After consulting with Calvin Cobb, owner of the Idaho Statesman, Bonaparte has directed United States District Attorney N. M. Ruick not to investigate any allegations regarding Steunenberg’s possible involvement in timber fraud. Any such involvement would be under the statute of limitations, and investigation of such would only help the defense case for those accused of Steunenberg’s murder. Bonaparte notes that if any reasonable evidence arose that Ruick was helping the defense, he would recommend Ruick’s immediate dismissal. He asks that if Roosevelt would like to speak with him for any reason, he should let him know. Otherwise he will stay in Baltimore and do work that he brought with him relating to the whiskey controversy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
N. M. Ruick provides Attorney General Bonaparte information on a conspiracy to defraud the United States of timber lands in Idaho. Ruick mentions that Governor Steunenberg was involved in the conspiracy, and suggests the possibility that Steunenberg’s murder case is being used to check the investigation of the frauds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-29
President Roosevelt expresses his concern about Senator William Edgar Borah’s alleged connections to timber stealing and the potential impact on the Haywood-Moyer murder trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-08
President Roosevelt recently received a book containing Philip J. MacMahon’s report on the timber in Queensland, Australia, and thanks MacMahon for the information.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-16
Gifford Pinchot reports that the Post Falls Lumber Company cut timber from government land and was instructed to pay $1000 for its release. He provides a list of men who should be interviewed on the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-1909
President Roosevelt amends a letter in which he remarks on the successful work undertaken since the passing of the Reclamation Act in 1902, but cautions of “dangers and difficulties” still ahead. Roosevelt heralds the success of the Forest Service, whose policy has been shaped by the will of the people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-24
George Morris Philips thinks Theodore Roosevelt will find the newly passed Pennsylvania school code of interest. The state legislature provided for a permanent school fund. This fund, which a non-partisan State Board of Education will manage, owns all public water powers and nearly all of the proceeds of its forest reservations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-06
J. W. Thorne describes a property for sale in South Carolina.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-03
Nathan E. Staples discusses two lumber business ventures and asks Theodore Roosevelt if he is interested in investing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-01-11
Senator Tillman informs Frank W. Reeder that his agent, William E. Lee, is traveling to meet with him regarding government land grants in Oregon. Tillman wants to acquire quarter acre parcels of the government land for himself, his private secretary, and seven family members who “are of age” in one contiguous tract, if possible. Tillman has instructed Lee to pay $21 for each application to Reeder & Watkins, and when the contracts are signed, one hundred dollars will be paid to the Southern Oregon Company for conveyance.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-20
Senator Tillman has heard that attorneys Frank W. Reeder and George Watkins represent a company selling timber lands in Coos County, Oregon, and would like to buy some if possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-05
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman responds to President Roosevelt’s letter accepting his resignation in language that “should not be considered less forceful because of the absence of harsh language.” Hagerman says that in 1898, Congress placed restrictions on land leases in New Mexico Territory which were inappropriate to the landscape and climate of the territory, and ever since, individuals and businesses have worked to skirt these restrictions. When Hagerman became governor, he tried to get guidance from the federal government regarding these restrictions and the seemingly illegal contracts granted by his predecessor, but received none. Hagerman was left to either break deals made by his predecessor, or fulfill them if no harm would come to the territory, and the Pennsylvania Land Company deal was one such deal. Hagerman holds that the action he took was neither illegal nor improper, and refutes several specific points from Roosevelt’s letter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-15
Assistant Attorney General Cooley writes President Roosevelt concerning an issue of political corruption in New Mexico. Governor Herbert J. Hagerman illegally sold New Mexican land to Willard S. Hopewell, which Hopewell then transferred to the Pennsylvania Land Development Company to build the Santa Fe Central Railroad. Cooley meticulously looks at a letter that Hagerman sent to Roosevelt and points out the fallacies of his logic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-23
The Naval Intelligence Office describes the Japanese Army’s landing at Chemulpo, including how many troops landed, what types of ships transported the troops, and how the troops silently fulfilled their duties. The Japanese forces headed toward Seoul, where they set up the base for military operations and then occupied Ping Yang. Transportation was challenging on Korean roads, being limited to coolies and carts with two wheels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-18
Arno B. Cammerer, Acting Director of the National Park Service, responds to Abby Rhoda Hills’ inquiry regarding the establishment of a national park on the Olympic Peninsula. While the area has been noted as a potential site, the government has not yet decided that it meets the criteria for designation as a National Park. He suggests that the best way to preserve timber on the specific parcel of land Hills inquired about would be to get in touch with State park authorities. Cammerer agrees that it would be good if the National Park Service could eventually furnish materials for teachers relative to national parks, but thus far this hasn’t been accomplished.
1932
This history of the Rio Grande National Forest focuses primarily on the timber industry within the Rio Grande National Forest. Prior to the area’s inclusion in the national forest system, it “suffered many abuses pertaining to the mismanagement of timber resources.” Additionally included in the report are lists of early sawmills and early timber sales associated with the Rio Grande National Forest.
Unknown
The Houston Chronicle comments on a pair of Texas-related items. The first of these, the involvement of Senator Joseph W. Bailey in keeping Senator William Lorimer in the Senate, notes Lorimer’s political alliance with Bailey in opposition to Canadian reciprocity, and mentions the political corruption and bribery Lorimer has been accused of which led to his election. The second looks at the creation of the Rice Institute, which was created using funds provided for in the will of William Marsh Rice. While construction of the institution is taking a long time, it is being built for the future, and will be a great place of learning.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-02
In the first section of the cartoon, the “Congress” cat is asleep as “graft” mice eat from the “public lands & timber” and “Post Office Dept” bags and the “National Treasury” barrel. One mouse says, “Why don’t you get a basket? You can carry more.” Caption: When you consider the conditions that existed for years in national affairs– In the second section, Roosevelt holds a “reform” big stick and tells the “Congress” cat to “Get busy!” Congress replies, “You are violating all precedents.” Many “graft” mice lie dead on the ground.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-13
This document, marked “Exhibit A,” advertises the purchasing of timber land in Western Oregon. The St. Paul and Pacific Timber Syndicate claims to have attracted the interest of Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, who will help lend weight to the lawsuit against the Southern Oregon Company, which it claims currently holds the land illegally. By sending the St. Paul and Pacific Timber Syndicate an application and $200, the syndicate promises that it will be able to secure a quarter section valued at at least $5000 for the applicant. A map showing the area of the land in question is also included.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-04