Utah

Letter from Harry O. Williard to Francis E. Leupp

Captain Williard writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Leupp about an issue that came to his attention recently. Father Anselm Weber notified him that the Indian Rights Association was protesting about Leupp and Superintendent William T. Shelton about their actions against Navajos that resulted in several being killed. Williard explains that he has become involved because he believes that he is responsible for the matter, and he defends the choices he made that resulted in the deaths.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-29

Testimony of Clement S. Ucker about District “P” of the General Land Office

Clement S. Ucker, clerk for Special Service Division “P” of the General Land Office, testifies regarding allegations of corruption in the handling of public lands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-21

Testimony of A. G. Elston about District “P” of the General Land Office

Arthur G. Elston testifies about unethical conduct occurring in Division “P” of the General Land Office. Elston describes being urged by his chief, George F. Pollock, to change a report recommending charges against the Schow Brothers and Lovell Irrigation Company for willful trespass in Montana. He believes Pollock was acting under pressure from Congressman Mondell and the Commissioner of the General Land Office. Elston also testifies to being aware of similar instances of improper behavior in regards to public lands in Wyoming and Colorado.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-15

Letter from Frederick T. Dubois to William H. Taft

Senator Dubois feels that Secretary of War Taft has been “grossly deceived” in regard to conditions in Idaho and Utah and suggests that Taft talk to his cousin, Albert Thorpe Ryan, for more details about the existing conditions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-30

Letter from William H. Andrews to William Loeb

William H. Andrews encloses newspaper clippings related to the meeting of the Democratic and Republican Territorial Committees on joint statehood of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as two letters from O. D. M. Gaddis. He notes that Charles Henry Akers, publisher of the Phoenix Gazette, is anxious to provide his support for joint statehood but is also indebted to his paper. Andrews reports that he has heard nothing from Senator Boies Penrose regarding the matter of President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers of America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-07

Letter from James H. Hawley to Charles Henry Robb

James H. Hawley sends Assistant Attorney General Robb a summary of the confessions given by Harry Orchard and Stephen W. Adams in relation to the murder of Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. Hawley also provides a background history of the Western Federation of Miners, claiming that its leadership has been responsible for numerous acts of violence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-13

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to Theodore Roosevelt

James Sullivan Clarkson writes to President Roosevelt to send him a report he wrote on the history of the relationship between the Republican Party and the Mormon Church, particularly efforts to persuade the Mormons to give up polygamy in exchange for citizenship rights in the United States. Clarkson expresses his hope that the information will help with Roosevelt’s visit with Judge George W. Bartch and asks Roosevelt to keep the information private since he is writing a book on Mormon history.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-23

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to William Loeb

General James Sullivan Clarkson, surveyor of the Port of New York, reports to William Loeb on the progress of the Republican political campaign in the Western states. In his meetings with prominent figures in Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, and Indiana, he found Republicans to be very enthusiastic about President Roosevelt and the efforts of Republican Chairman George B. Cortelyou. He has heard many reports of Democratic voters who will vote for the Republican national ticket and he believes that through the influence of a few prominent Republicans the success of the campaign will be ensured. Clarkson ranks Roosevelt’s letter of acceptance among the finest political writings of all time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-15

Letter from Reed Smoot to Theodore Roosevelt

Senator Smoot denies saying that President Roosevelt cannot carry New York in the presidential election. Newspapers are incorrectly attributing this statement to Smoot. He actually said that Roosevelt might not win the state due to opposition from the “trusts and great money interests.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-27

Mr. Roosevelt’s letter

Theodore Roosevelt’s letter to I. K. Russell completely refutes the “ludicrous” charge that Roosevelt bargained with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the organization would receive certain considerations in exchange for delivering votes. Roosevelt advises the “Mormon[s]” that any attempt to reintroduce polygamy would mean the Church’s destruction, advice that aligns with Church leaders’ views.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-18

Letter from I. K. Russell to Theodore Roosevelt

I. K. Russell writes to Theodore Roosevelt to ask if he would be willing to write a letter commenting on the charges that, while president, he was part of a “corrupt alliance” with the Mormon church in Utah. Russell hopes to publicize Roosevelt’s response to show once and for all that there was no such alliance, as well as to help improve the public perception of the Mormon church, which has been slandered by a number of sources.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-14

“The Outlook” and Senator Lorimer

The writer of the article decries The Outlook for repeatedly calling for Senator William Lorimer to be ousted from the Senate following allegations that he purchased his seat. Theodore Roosevelt is accused of striking a deal to secure Utah’s electoral votes in exchange for allowing Senator Reed Smoot to be re-seated. The writer argues that the allegations against Lorimer are not as bad as those against Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-04

75th anniversary – Natural Bridges National Monument

Deputy Regional Director James B. Thompson commemorates the seventy-five year history of Natural Bridges National Monument. In 1908, Natural Bridges became the first national park area in Utah. Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House, “at that time the youngest man ever to occupy the presidency.” At that time, possibly only about a hundred people had seen Natural Bridges. In 1982, 8.5 million out-of-state visitors came to Utah. Thompson hopes sites like Natural Bridges will always be a source of “wonder and inspiration” for visitors.

Collection

Natural Bridges National Monument

Creation Date

1983-04-16

Remarks of President Roosevelt at Echo, Utah, May 29, 1903

Theodore Roosevelt extends a special greeting to the men and women with babies in their arms. He also praises their hard work, thrift, and intelligence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-29

Index, book three, President’s speeches, tour to the Pacific Coast-April 1 to June 5, 1903

Index of President Roosevelt’s speeches from May 14 to June 1, 1903, during his tour to the Pacific Coast. Includes speeches in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-14

Newspaper article on Utah senators

Newspaper article contrasting the stances of Utah’s senators towards American military policy in the Philippines. Senator Rawlins is portrayed as attacking the United States Army in the Philippines and Senator Kearns is shown to be supportive of the military and Roosevelt administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-05-12

Letter from Charles F. Scott to Theodore Roosevelt

Representative Scott encloses letter from former U.S. Representative from Utah George Sutherland concerning the political situation in that state.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-11

Letter from George Sutherland to Charles F. Scott

George Sutherland discusses support for President Roosevelt in Utah and a possible challenge for nomination by Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-06

Statement regarding election of a Mormon apostle to the United States Senate

President Roosevelt has discussed with “a number of gentlemen” his views on electing a Mormon apostle in Utah to the Senate. He is understood not to find it advisable because of the effect it might have in Utah on people’s willingness to accept the Constitutional prohibition against polygamy. The president would have no such objection to any member of the Mormon church who fully accepted the United States government’s policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-01-10

Letter from Marcus Alonzo Hanna to Thomas Kearns

Senator Hanna advises against making Reed O. Smoot a Senator because Smoot is a Mormon apostle and will face opposition due to his religious beliefs and high position in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hanna does not make the argument that no member of the Mormon church should be a member, just not one that is holds so high a position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-17