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.

9/09/2020

Thursday, September 9, 1920 (GENERAL PERSHING)

Senator Harding is on his way home to Marion.

Janesville, Wisconsin

From the Janesville Daily Gazette: "Word that Harding's car was being pulled by the Chicago train did not reach the Gazette until 8:30 this morning when bulletins were immediately posted in the business district and prominent Janesville republicans notified... Despite the drizzly rain, about 600 cheering Janesville republicans crowded around the platform of the Harding car as the nominee, smiling and nodding, stepped out to greet the people...":

As I came into your beautiful little city, it reminded me of my own town, Marion, Ohio, and as I thought of its many similarities, I could not restrain myself from feeling that for the United States t o try to run Europe would be as utterly ridiculous as for Marion to try to tell you how to conduct your affairs in Janesville...

"The train began pulling out as the senator was talking, and he bowed his farewell." 

Chicago, Illinois

Harding stops at the Northwestern station in Chicago, where the special cars are attached to a regular passenger train. At the station, he is met by General John J. Pershing, in civilian clothing, who is on his way to Washington, D.C. Harding extends an invitation to Pershing to travel to Marion before he heads further east. The general accepts.



Huntington, Indiana

"Because his special car had to be detached from the train and a diner put between it and the remainder of the train, and because the train would be stopped in a place of the years dangerous for a crowd to gather, no attempt was made to get a crowd to greet him in this city."

Rochester, Indiana

From the Indianapolis Star: "Fifteen hundred people gave Senator Warren an ovation when he made a three-minute talk at the Erie railroad station here late this afternoon...":

There can be no short cut to attainment. Men talk new ideals, but time alone must be involved in order that those ideals may be realized. As I note in this agricultural district, the result of the path of the plow, I see that we still follow agriculture as in days gone by.

As the train pulled out of the station, Harding shouts: "We want you to help us get America back on the right track." 

Marion, Ohio

On the last leg of the trip, a steward clears the dining car so all of the passengers on the train can shakes hands with the Hardings and General Pershing. "Announcement had been made through the train that the reception would be held, travelers applauding the news and men and women filled the diner when the senator and his party went forward from their private car."

A crowd greets the party upon its return to Marion. The Hardings return to their home; Pershing is taken to the Marion club then to the Harding home where he will spend the night.

Sources:

  • "Cheer Harding at Rochester." Indianapolis Star. 10 September 1920.
  • "Harding Reads Victory Sign in Gopher Welcome." Chicago Tribune. 10 September 1920.
  • "Harding Returns to His Home at Marion." Huntington Herald. 10 September 1920.
  • "Sen. Harding Stops and Talks in Janesville." Janesville Daily Gazette. 9 September 1920.

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