Theodore Roosevelt with Maine politicians - When, Where, & Why?
Left to Right: Bert (Albert) M. Fernald (Governor of Maine 1909-1911,
Maine U.S. Senator 1916-1926), Frederick Hale (Maine U.S. Senator
1917-1941, Hale served as US Senate Chairman of the Naval Committee),
Theodore Roosevelt, Charles B. Clarke (Mayor of Portland, ME 1918-1921),
Carl E. Milliken (Governor of Maine 1916-1921.
Many things are unknown concerning this image: What was the date that
this photo was taken? What was the event that brought these gentlemen
together to stage this photo? What was the location where this photo was
taken? Any details that a reader may have to help answer these questions
would be welcomed. Image courtesy of North Dakota Communications,
Dickinson, ND
New in 2022 - First Post for the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail June 16, 2022
First Look at Logo - "My Debt To Maine" - Logo - Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail 6-15-22
I have copies of a few newspaper clippings of info concerning TR's visits to Maine during his 1902, 1912, 1914, and 1916 visits to Maine. My research has been narrowed to the communities he visited and the transportation he used. I haven't focused any of my research on the political aspects of his visits. So, my personal archives helped to clarify some connections between TR and Mr. Hale, but not in answering any of the questions pertaining specifically to the image in question.
I was interested in helping Shanna, so, I visited and did research at the Brown Library at the Maine Historical Society on Congress Street in Portland, ME. With the help of one of the research librarians and Curator of Library Collections, Nicholas Noyes, I was able to see many documents and newspaper clippings concerning the gentlemen in the image. We could not find any specific clues that related directly to the image. One idea that was suggested, was looking into any archives that may be available through the Republican Party. I thoroughly enjoyed my four hours at Brown Library :)
Next, I sent an email to Wells State Representative, Robert Foley, with a request for help with the image, via any Republican Party or State archives. Bob is a family friend and has served Wells, with distinction, in the State House of Representatives. Bob was happy to forward the request to the State Historian. Here is the response from Earle Shettleworth, State Historian via Representative Foley:
Phil,
Please see the info below that we were able to get from the state's Historian. I hope it is helpful.
My Best,
Bob
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Shettleworth, Earle
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 10:24 AM
To: Knorr, David
Cc: Foley, Robert, Mohney, Kirk
Subject: RE: Theodore Roosevelt Photo
Dear David,
Kirk Mohney has asked me to respond to your inquiry about the Theodore Roosevelt photograph.
First, please let me say that I have never seen this photograph, and it is a wonderful image of the history of Maine politics.
I would interpret the picture to have been taken sometime between 1916 and 1919, the year of Roosevelt's death. I would suggest the political campaign of 1916 because Senators Fernald, Hale, and Governor Milliken were running for office that year. Hale and Milliken were not on a statewide ballot before 1916. Philip Morse's research indicates that Theodore Roosevelt was in Portland and Lewiston on August 31, 1916, a likely date for the photograph, considering that Maine's elections at the time were held in September. Checking the Portland and Lewiston newspapers for late August-early September 1916 may shed more light on the meeting of these five political figures. A case could also be made that the photograph was taken in 1918, because of the presence of Charles B. Clarke, who was mayor of Portland at the time, but this is less likely. Theodore Roosevelt did spend some time in Maine during the summer of 1918, but the purpose was personal. After the death of his son Quentin on July 14, 1918, in World War I, Roosevelt and his wife Edith sought privacy with relatives at the summer resort of Dark Harbor on Islesboro. At the end of their stay, the former president agreed to give a speech to the public on the island. I am not aware that he made any other appearances in Maine that year.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance in this manner.
Sincerely,
Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr.
Maine State Historian
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Shettleworth mentions that the photo could have been taken in 1918 due to the presence of Portland Mayor Charles B. Clarke. My research of Theodore Roosevelt did have a trip to Portland for political reasons on March 28, 1918. Maybe this is the date the photo was taken? I will continue my research and focus on the March 28, 1918, visit. I'll update via a blog post. In the meantime, I am asking all of the readers if you have any info on this image, please help me out with the details and send me a message through the blog or directly to me via my email: p.morse31@gmail.com
Thank you to all that have helped out so far :)
UPDATE: January 6, 2017 -
Today I traveled to the Portland Public Library to use the microfilm available in the Portland Room.
I zeroed in on Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Portland (ME) on Thursday, March 28, 1918. With assistance from a staff member, Tom, the first reel loaded into the reader was from the Argus newspaper. Sure enough, TR came to Portland on the 28th to attend and give a speech at the Republican State Convention. The center for the activities was the Falmouth Hotel in Portland. The picture in question (above) was not printed on the paper that day.
The second reel loaded into the reader was the Portland Express-Advertiser. One of the articles (see below) clearly states that all five gentlemen in the photo above dined together. The photo above was not in the paper. So, I'm feeling quite confident that the photo above was taken in Portland, ME at the Falmouth Hotel on March 28, 1918 :)
Falmouth Hotel in Portland was located at 212 Middle Street
and hosted many large functions.
PWM postcard
All five gentlemen in the photograph are listed above as having lunch
together at the Falmouth Hotel on March 28, 1918
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We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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