A Note on My Harding Research

The information I posted during 2020 mostly covered Warren Harding's front-porch campaign from his home on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Marion, Ohio. The campaign officially started on July 31, 1920, and ended on September 25. The plan was to post daily on events that occurred exactly 100 years ago that day, but I shared other information as well. You'll have to read bottom-to-top if you want to follow the campaign from Day 1.

I used the open web for some of my research but also information accessible by using my library card or my subscription to www.newspapers.com. The most useful resource was the Marion Star, which was owned by the Hardings at the time of the campaign. I also browsed online copies of other newspapers like the New York Times, the Washington Star, and the Dayton Daily News, which, in 1920, was owned by Harding's Democratic opponent, Governor James M. Cox. I also posted information from other newspapers that covered Harding's trips away from Marion during the campaign.

Another great resource I used was Dale E. Cottrill's The Conciliator, a 1969 biography of the president that expanded an earlier bibliography of Harding's speeches. An online version is available at the Internet Archive, but I used a hard copy borrowed from the State Library of Ohio.

Readers should not construe anything posted here as a political statement on my part. I just like Harding as a historical topic.

9/27/2020

Monday, September 27, 1920 (PENNSYLVANIA)

The Hardings are on their way to Baltimore. Campaign staff announce that three additional speeches will be made in West Virginia on the return trip from Maryland for a total of six in that state.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Party Jolted: "Senator Harding's private car, 'Ideal,' was jolted considerably and the newspaper correspondents in the car directly in front of it were badly shaken up, but neither damage nor injuries resulted, when a slowly moving switch engine sideswiped the reporters' car as the Harding special pulled out of Pittsburgh early this morning. Some windows in the 'Sumter,' the reporters' car, were broken. All the occupants were asleep when the bump came."

Altoona, Pennsylvania

The Harding special arrives in Altoona at 7:15 this morning. Harding speaks "under difficulties of the engines on adjoining tracks making considerable noise":
I come from a railroad town, and it is a pleasure to me to meet some any of  many of you so early this morning... You have gladdened my heart by your appearance here so early this morning. I love old Pennsylvania. All the Hardings I ever knew came originally from Pennsylvania and I have, therefore, some claim among you. I like your state because you are a Republican state, but I also like it because it never fails to correct those things which are wrong...
Lewistown, Pennsylvania

The candidate is met by a small crowd and makes "a short address from the rear platform in which he advocated a change in administration and in the event of his going to Washington and their not being satisfied with the change they should make another one as speedily as possible, he also called attention to the fact that too little interest was taken in the government of the people by the people themselves." Harding greets the "'Wisto' King who presented [him] with a bottle of his great balm of life and what about the only one who did get a chance to shake him by the hand."

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

According to the Harrisburg Telegraph, "Harrisburg was honored today with a brief visit by the next President of the United States... He came in almost unheralded on his way from Marion to Baltimore, but the time he spent here was filled to the brim with enthusiastic greetings on the part of hundreds of admirers and deep interest in the city on the part of the candidate. Not even Colonel Roosevelt in the heyday of his career ever put in a more strenuous hour in the Capitol city."

Harding's train arrives in Pennsylvania's capital at 10:35 a.m. Repairs are needed after the morning jolt near Pittsburgh. As soon as the train stops, the senator descends into the crowd to shake hands. "Harding was quite patient in his handshaking and rather democratic, shaking hands with all who came within reach. When a photographer attempted to get his picture the Senator posed and when the photographer became somewhat flustered and spoiled a plate or two Harding remarked 'Better wind it up.'"


Harding and the lieutenant governor take a walk down Market Street, "stopping wherever a few people were congregated to allow the Senator to shake hands. Women received as much, if not more, attention than men."

Harding enters a store on that street to "purchase a cap. While he was making the purchase all other sales in the store ceased. Everyone was watching the Senator make a choice. He bought a gray cap for three dollars."

Harding then meets government employees at the Capitol and stops at a downtown hotel for the opening session of the state chamber of commerce convention: "Senator Harding spoke for but a few moments, emphasizing the need of business in politics and the intention of the G.O.P. to provide a business administration."

Harding returns to the station in time for the scheduled departure at 11:20 a.m.

York, Pennsylvania

The Harding special stops in York at 12:15 p.m. This stop is arranged by the mayor, who, upon learning this morning that the train will be in the town for water, sends a telegram to Harding staff in Harrisburg.

"After a few words of greeting to the Yorkers, in which he introduced his wife as 'his boss,' the senator addressed the cheering crowd. He said that the people want to return of representative popular government and that the only way to have such government is to put the Republican party in power":
In an industrial city such as yours, you who work for wage want to know the permanence of your employment and of the compensation which it brings to you. You can't have the present high level of wages unless you give high efficiency in return. Do that. It is your duty to your county... See that you elect, not only a Republican president, but a congressman from every district in Pennsylvania.

Harding is now behind schedule. 

Sources:

  • "Change Made in Itinerary." Marion Star. 27 September 1920.
  • "Crowd Greets Harding at Lewistown." Altoona Tribune. 28 September 1920.
  • "Harding Enthusiastically Greeted on Unheralded Visit to State's Capitol City." Harrisburg Telegraph. 27 September 1920.
  • "Harding Given a Big Ovation." Marion Star. 28 September 1920.
  • "Harding Here for 45 Minutes, Visits Capitol and Store." Harrisburg Evening News. 27 September 1920.
  • "Harding in City for 10 Minutes, Will Talk." Altoona Tribune. 27 September 1920.
  • "Harding Party Off for East." Marion Star. 27 September 1920.
  • "'My Boss,' Harding Introduces Spouse." York Dispatch. 27 September 1920.
  • "Party Jolted." Marion Star. 27 September 1920.
  • "Sen. Harding Is Platform Speaker Here." Altoona Tribune. 28 September 1920.

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