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.

10/15/2020

Friday, October 15, 1920 (INDIANA)

From the Marion Star: "Feeling confident that Kentucky can safely be counted in the Republican column this year, Senator Warren G. Harding crossed the river today and began the invasion of Indiana, another state claimed alike by Republicans and Democrats."

Jeffersonville, Indiana 

"A large crowd greeted the nominee at Jeffersonville, where, speaking from the rear platform of his car, he assailed the league of nations..." (Indianapolis News)

New Albany, Indiana 

"The New Albany meeting was in the open air, the senator speaking from a stand in Market street to from 8,000 to 10,000 persons." (Indianapolis News)

Speeds, Indiana

"The train stopped a few minutes at Speeds, where the cement factory closed to give its employees an opportunity to hear Senator Harding make a few remarks." (Indianapolis News)

Scottsburg, Indiana

"'I should first like to express my appreciation of your manifestation of interest in the campaign,' the nominee said at Scottsburg... When the Republican standard bearer said, 'You don't know it, probably, but we are still formally at war; we are at war because the President would not permit us to have peace except as he wanted it,' a voice in the crowd shouted, 'That's the truth. Amen."" (Indianapolis News)

Crothersville, Indiana 

Seymour, Indiana 

"After a brief stop at Crothersville, Seymour was next on the program. From 5,000 to 6,000 persons had gathered there to hear the nominee..." (Indianapolis News)

Columbus, Indiana

"At Columbus a crowd of about 10,000 persons were in the public park. The special rain backed up near the speaker's stand and a cheer went up when the senator appeared." (Indianapolis News)

Edinburg, Indiana 

Franklin, Indiana 

"Johnson county gave Senator Warren G. Harding a tumultuous welcome here this afternoon when he came to Franklin for a twenty minute address. Between seven and eight thousand people waited at the Pennsylvania station... The Harding Special arrived from Columbus at 1:55 o'clock, almost an hour late and with a crowd growing restless from the tedious wait." (Franklin Evening Star)

Indianapolis, Indiana 

"Warren G. Harding, greeted and acclaimed by thousands as if already President rather than a candidate who has yet to face the 'solemn referendum,' Nov. 2, received a great ovation...when he spoke first in Tomlinson hall and again at an open air meeting on Monument circle." (Indianapolis Star)

In Marion, this morning, Governor James M. Cox speaks.

Sources:

  • "Crowd Greets Harding Here." Franklin Evening Star. 15 October 1920.
  • "Harding in Indiana in Campaign Drive." Indianapolis News. 15 October 1920.
  • "Ohio Senator at Louisville." Marion Star. 15 October 1920.
  • "Thousands Cheer Harding Here." Indianapolis Star. 16 October 1920.

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)