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.

10/06/2020

Wednesday, October 6, 1920 (OHIO, INDIANA, AND ILLINOIS)

The Hardings depart Marion at 10:42 a.m. for the third campaign trip outside Ohio. They will return on Monday.

Lima, Ohio

A crowd estimated between 1,000 and 1,500 people greats Harding's train as it passes through Lima:
I am glad of the opportunity to make this talk because I realize that this crowd has gathered here not to see me but to hear the standard bearer of one of the great parties... I want the help of you in the garb of the worker and the best way you can give that is by giving the best that is in you to whatever task you may perform.
The final words of Harding's ten-minute speech are drowned out by the crowd as the train pulls away from the platform.

Spencerville, Ohio

Decatur, Indiana

Harding delivers a three-minute speech at 1:15 p.m.: "In the few remarks that he was able to make in the short time he had, he criticized the present administration for trying to do what it could to gain for this country a leadership among other nations and did not try as it should have done to bring about a normal condition at home. He spoke flatteringly to the school children of the city who composed a very large part of his audience, and said he hoped they would soon enjoy the freedom of American policies and institutions as did their ancestors before them."

Huntington, Indiana

Harding stops again in Huntington, though this time his train is twenty minutes late, requiring the entire stay to be a focus on his speech, a few handshakes, and a gift presentation to Mrs. Harding:
I promise you that if the Republican party is returned to power, as I believe it will be, that the government will get down to real business methods. And I promise you that when we take the reins of government, we will think of America, first and always.

Crown Point, Indiana

"Senator Harding...spoke from the back platform of his Pullman to several hundred people at Crown Point on Wednesday. His talk was enthusiastically received and though here but a short time he hade a mighty good impression upon those present."

Hammond, Indiana

"Senator W. G. Harding was greeted by a throng of voters variously estimated from 3,000 to 5,000 when the train to which his car was attached halted for a few minutes at the Erie depot in Hammond last night. Republican leaders were astounded at the turnout considering that the meeting was announced only the evening before and that it came right at the supper hour.... Seeing that his crowd was composed of workingmen he spoke for their benefit..."

Chicago, Illinois

Harding stops here for four hours to rest at a downtown hotel and meet with party leaders. The Harding party leaves for Des Moines late tonight.

Sources: 

  • "Bulletin." Lake County Times. 7 October 1920.
  • "Crowds Greet Ohio Senator." Marion Star. 7 October 1920.
  • "Harding Here; Delivers Ten Minute Talk." Lima Republican-Gazette. 7 October 1920.
  • "Harding Promises That America Shall Be First." Huntington Herald. 6 October 1920.
  • "Harding Speaks from Train at Decatur." Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. 7 October 1920.
  • "Swing Through West Is Begun." Marion Star. 6 October 1920.

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