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Teofilo Petriella, Acting Secretary of the Western Federation of Miners, asks Sheriff Hoolihan to provide him the “protection of the law” in order to provide food and shelter for displaced union members and their families “put out on the streets” by Hoolihan’s deputies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-25
Chief of the United States Secret Service John E. Wilkie advises William Loeb that there does not seem to be “any danger to either the President or Secretary Taft from any of the anarchist societies.” The “radical branch” of the Western Federation of Miners must know that any attempt on the life of the president would harm the organization. Wilkie urges that the informant whose charges came to Loeb’s attention be more specific so that the charges can be investigated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-23
Charles R. Neumeister writes to President Roosevelt to offer his insights on an article by the Socialist journalist Joseph Wanhope that covers the 1906 Moyer-Haywood murder trial and the 1904 trial of miners accused of attempted train derailments in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Neumeister is a detective, who was hired by the Mine Owners Association, and he refutes Wanhope’s claim that railroad detectives tried to derail the train and blame miners. Neumeister believes Wanhope’s claims are “baseless” and the entire trial was a miscarriage of justice against the mine owners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-20
Attorney George K. French provides an excerpt from the May 9, 1907, issue of the Miners Magazine which he thinks will interest President Roosevelt. The item acknowledges funds subscribed to the Moyer-Haywood defense organization by a Jewish anarchist weekly in New York.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-12
Martin J. Hutchens notifies the president that the Chicago Journal has unearthed Charles H. Moyer’s criminal record and that the newspaper will give information to the Associated Press.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-10
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-08
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
English
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-29
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
English
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-29
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
English
Senator Borah expresses concern about his role in the prosecution of Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood, in light of the indictment that has been brought against him in Idaho regarding land fraud. Borah protests his innocence of the latter, but suggests that if the evidence of the case is sufficient to warrant indictment, he will withdraw from the Moyer-Haywood case and face action against him as early as possible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-24
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on his progress through Idaho, where he has been speaking on behalf of Republican candidates. The longer he is in Idaho, the more he believes that the Western Federation of Miners has been working to defeat Senator Frank Robert Gooding. He describes Gooding’s involvement related to the lawsuit against Charles Moyer and William Dudley “Big Bill” Haywood. Taft feels somewhat doubtful about Gooding’s election. Another issue of note in Idaho relates to the Mormons and their stance regarding polygamy. He also comments on elections in other areas of the country, and reiterates what he has previously said regarding the importance of Roosevelt’s influence in this election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-04
Secretary of War Taft informs President Roosevelt of the political situation in Idaho where he was sent to campaign for the reelection of Governor Gooding. Gooding is confident that he will win the gubernatorial race, but he faces significant opposition in response to the arrest of Charles Moyer and William Dudley Haywood and the efforts of the Western Federation of Miners to defeat him. Senator Dubois has been trying to make Mormonism another central issue in the campaign and to portray Taft in a negative light by associating him with the religious group. Taft concludes by stating his admiration for Secretary of State Root’s speech on William Randolph Hearst.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-04
Fred C. Ainsworth reviews a number of communications between Idaho Governor Frank Robert Gooding and Secretary of War Taft regarding a possible need for troops to maintain the peace during the trial of several members of the Western Federation of Miners for the murder of ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg. Troops had been sent to Boise, Idaho from Walla Walla, Washington as part of a practice march, and were thereafter directed to maintain their position there for the present. Ainsworth informs Taft that the Boise Barracks do not have accommodations for horses, and that an expenditure of $2880 will be necessary to obtain stables for an extended stay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-11
Governor Gooding writes to explain to President Roosevelt that his statements about Harry Orchard’s trial for the murder of Governor Steunenberg were misquoted in the Hearst newspapers. Gooding said that Orchard would receive a fair trial, but he regretted the radical resolutions passed by labor unions. Gooding also assures Roosevelt that the leaders of the Western Federation of Miners will receive fair trials and that mine owners will not be allowed to contribute money to the prosecution.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-03
Lyman Abbott, of The Outlook, expresses disappointment to President Roosevelt in not being able to publish the Attorney General’s report respecting the Moyer and Haywood case, but appreciates Roosevelt’s interest in the matter and he will instead publish the anonymous letter along with an editorial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-29
Lyman Abbott reviewed the documents from President Roosevelt and would like to publish the letter by Assistant Attorney General Charles Henry Robb in The Outlook. Abbott explains that The Outlook published an article by a representative of the Western Federation of Miners that expressed the miners’ position in order to present both sides of the issue. The Outlook’s staff also published an editorial expressing their opinion of the Western Federation of Miners, which closely aligns with Roosevelt’s views.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-20
Fred W. Carpenter returns papers to William Loeb concerning the indictment against Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood for the murder of former Governor Frank Steunenberg. He confirms that Secretary of War William H. Taft has read them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-23
Assistant Attorney General Robb updates Attorney General Bonaparte on the investigation of the assassination of former governor of Idaho Frank Steunenberg. Robb focuses on the confessions of arrested individuals and accusations of mistreatment of the suspects. Robb also discusses the depth of corruption in the Western Federation of Miners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-19
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-13
Governor Gooding writes to William L. Jans in response to the resolution passed by the Central Labor Union of Evansville, Indiana, regarding the arrest of labor leaders for the assassination of former Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. Gooding explains the circumstances of the arrests and assures Jans that the men will receive a fair trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03
New York Herald article announcing that former Rough Rider Sherman Bell is moving to Sonora, Mexico, in order to become a mining manager. The article mentions that Bell confided to a friend that he hopes to be in Mexico when a strip of Mexican territory is annexed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-09