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.

10/12/2020

Tuesday, October 12, 1920

From the Marion Star: "Senator Warren G. Harding late this afternoon left on a speaking trip which will take him to Chattanooga, Louisville, Indianapolis, and St. Louis [again]... Senator Harding will deliver the first set speech of his trip Wednesday night. Thursday night he will speak in Louisville, Friday night in Indianapolis, and Saturday in St. Louis. Enroute to Chattanooga the schedule calls for a short stop in Cincinnati and several short stops are scheduled throughout the trip."

Prior to his departure, Harding travels downtown to the Grand Theater to attend the first half of a concert by John Philip Sousa and his band. Harding misses the encore, "Stars and Stripes Forever."


Columbus, Ohio

"During a short lay-over...the candidate climbed down from his private car and chatted with a group of railroad employees about Cleveland's victory in the world series. He declared it was 'bully' to have the championship pennant remain in Ohio." (Washington Star)

Xenia, Ohio

Sources:

  • "Harding Takes Up Cudgel at Scene of Old Battles." Washington Star. 13 October 1920.
  • "Senator Harding Leaves for Another Tip Today." Marion Star. 12 October 1920.
  • "Sousa's Band Delights Here Tuesday Afternoon." Marion Star. 13 October 1920.

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