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.

10/16/2020

Saturday, October 16, 1920 (INDIANA, ILLINOIS, AND MISSOURI)

From the Marion Star: "Continuing his campaign in Indiana today, Senator Warren G. Harding left Indianapolis this morning for a final day's work through this territory. The senator's trip will be concluded tonight with a speech in St. Louis after which he will return to his Marion front porch."

Greencastle, Indiana

"Senator Warren G. Harding in his speech here just before noon today declared that France had sent a representative to him requesting that America lead the way in the formation of nations for the security of international peace and justice." (Brazil Daily Times)

Brazil, Indiana

"Senator Warren G. Harding...was greeted by a large and enthusiastic crowd of people when his special train pulled in at the Pennsylvania station at 12:25 o'clock this afternoon..." (Brazil Daily Times)

Terre Haute, Indiana 

The "candidate addressed a throng of about 15,000 persons packed in Ohio street from Sixth to Seventh streets..." (Indianapolis News)

Casey, Illinois

Greenup, Illinois

Effingham, Illinois

Vandalia, Illinois

Greenville, Illinois 

East St. Louis, Illinois

"The Republican candidate spoke from a platform against the north side of the city hall - the same platform from which Gov. Cox delivered an address last Monday night. The audience virtually filled City Hall Park and was estimated by the policy to number more than 5,000. They stood during the speech, which lasted 22 minutes... The Harding party...arrived at the Relay Depot at 6:30 o'clock and was taken immediately to the speaking platform... There were no interruptions from the audience with the exception of those from one man who occasionally shouted 'Amen' to the speaker's remarks." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

St. Louis, Missouri





"Many persons clambered on the platform to shake hands with the candidate. He withdrew after a few minutes of handshaking and went to Union Station, where he boarded his train for his home in Marion, O., departing at 11:30 p.m." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Sources:
  • "12,000 at Coliseum Cheer Harding 34 Minutes." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 17 October 1920.
  • "Harding Declares France Desires Different League." Brazil Daily Times. 16 October 1920.
  • "Harding Defends Esch-Cummins Bill at East St. Louis." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 17 October 1920.
  • "Harding Ends Plea to Hoosier Voters." Indianapolis News. 16 October 1920.
  • "Harding Given Big Reception." Brazil Daily Times. 16 October 1920.
  • "Harding in the Hoosier State." Marion Star. 16 October 1920.
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