Letter from Benjamin Emden to Theodore Roosevelt
Benjamin Emden asks Theodore Roosevelt if he received the box of Texas watermelon seeds Emden sent.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1911-09-28
Your TR Source
Watermelons
Roosevelt—“Bill, I don’t think I will need any help eating this melon.”
President Roosevelt carves up the “presidential nomination” watermelon with his “self esteem” knife, discharging two slices to the side—”first term” and “second term.” He starts to carve up “third term 1908” as he says to William H. Taft who is standing somewhat hidden in brush, “Hello, Bill!” Behind Taft is his half-brother Charles P. Taft holding his “wife’s money.” William H. Taft says to Charles P. Taft, “Good heavens! Charlie, I thought Teddy didn’t care for that anymore.” Meanwhile, Uncle Sam watches on the other side, “I thought I understand that gap to say he was tired of that fruit.” Caption: Roosevelt—“Bill, I don’t think I will need any help eating this melon.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-06-22
“Yum, yum! But I does love watahmilyun!”
A caricatured, dark-skinned President Roosevelt takes several bites out of a “strenuous politics” watermelon outside of the United States Capitol building. There are a variety of phrases on the watermelon: “peace terms for Russia & Japan,” “no war taxes in times of peace,” “square deals,” “honesty in politics,” “uniting the North & South,” “ousting the political grafters,” and “anti-trust crusade.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1905-09-02
Creator(s)
A free feast for the congressional colored boys – they are all after a slice
Several legislators are slicing up a large watermelon labeled “River and Harbor Bill” in an effort to carry off a share for themselves, while Chester Alan Arthur sleeps in the shade of a tree in the background. George G. Vest carries off a slice labeled “Pistol-Pocket Harbor,” James D. Cameron has carved out a small chunk labeled “Washy Washy Creek,” Elbridge G. Lapham is eating a slice labeled “Gowanus Back-Water Gutter,” and a slice labeled “Blue-Grass Brook” is at the feet of James B. Beck. Beck and Warner Miller work at cutting slices labeled “Wood-Pulp Puddle” and “Skatchekoosis Stream-let,” while Lucius Q. C. Lamar and Joseph E. Brown approach from the background, with large knives.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1882-07-26
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Watkins
Theodore Roosevelt is sorry that Thomas Watkins did not accompany Dora Watkins on her visit. Roosevelt has been feeding three dogs and four cats every day. He enjoyed the watermelon and will send a basket of chestnuts when they are ready.
Collection
Creation Date
1868
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas Watkins
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Thomas Watkins for the watermelon, which will be eaten tomorrow, and wonders what Dora Watkins will do with his mouse when she leaves for Barrytown, New York. The Roosevelts are speaking French at the table and Roosevelt thinks it sounds funny. There are lots of animals, including three types of squirrels, and he has found six bird nests.
Collection
Creation Date
1867-07-07