"WHILE READING 'HIS OLD BIBLE'"

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT MARSHALL DIES AT WILLARD HOTEL

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On the morning of June 1, 1925, former Vice President of the United States Thomas R. Marshall* passed away in his room at the Willard Hotel here in the Nation's Capital.

Mr. Marshall, who was 71 years old, died in his bed while reading "his old Bible."  The Evening Star reports that the former VP suffered a heart attack one week ago today.  Nevertheless, his condition had been steadily improving and death was not expected.

Final arrangements will be made in Indianapolis and burial will be in Marion, Indiana.

Secretary Frank Kellogg said of Thomas Marshall...

"He was a man of sterling ability and the highest character."

JFK+50 Note

Thomas R. Marshall resided on the fourth floor facing F Street at the Willard Hotel while on official duty in Washington.  He suffered the heart attack on the day he arrived back in the city.

*Thomas Riley Marshall (1854-1925) was born North Manchester, Indiana & graduated Wabash College in 1873.  TRM was admitted to the bar in 1875.  He served as governor of Indiana 1909-1913 & VPOTUS 1913-1921.  (At the time, he was the longest serving VPOTUS).

SOURCE

"T.R. Marshall Dies Of Heart Disease In Sudden Relapse," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 1, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Thomas R. Marshall

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"COOLIDGES, GARFIELDS, ROOSEVELTS, TAFTS & CLEVELAND"

TEN SONS OF FORMER PRESIDENTS ATTEND GRIDIRON BANQUET

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 9, 1923, The Evening Star reports that last night President Calvin Coolidge, members of the cabinet, Congress and the Supreme Court "gathered about the hospitable board of the Gridiron Club in the large ballroom of the New Willard (Hotel)" here in the Nation's Capital.

In attendance also were ten sons of former Presidents of the United States...John and Calvin Coolidge, Abram, Irwin, Henry, and James Garfield, Theodore Jr., Archibald and Kermit Roosevelt, Charles and Robert Taft and Richard Cleveland.

The evening opened with a welcoming speech by Arthur S. Henning* (Chicago Tribune) president of the Gridiron Club.

*Arthur S. Henning made the call on Nov 3, 1948 to go with the "premature" headline in The Chicago Tribune "Dewey Defeats Truman."  After having been declared the winner, President Truman with a big grin held up the newspaper for everyone to see.

SOURCE

"Gridiron Club Flashes Mirror Of Kindly Satire at Banquet," The Evening Star, December 9, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Dinner to the Gridiron Club

March 17 1906

New York Public Library

www.picryl.com/

"RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD"

PRESIDENT 'BRISKLY' WALKS 2 MILES IN STEADY DOWNPOUR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 17, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge took his customary stroll in a "steady downfall of rain."

The Evening Star reports the President departed the Willard Hotel "shortly after 6:30 o'clock and walked a distance of nearly two miles."

Mr. Coolidge walked briskly without benefit of an umbrella or overcoat.  The Star says he "seemed to enjoy himself despite the rain."

The President took a different route on his rain-soaked sojourn this morning walking out onto 14th Street to Thomas Circle*, turning on Mass Ave, south on 11th to New York Ave and then back on the Willard on Pennsylvania Ave.

Two secret service agents accompanied the Chief Executive.  One of the agents, who had protected Theodore Roosevelt, said that Mr. Coolidge's gait sometimes matched that of the old Rough Rider.

*Thomas Circle is a traffic circle located in Northwest Washington, D.C. at the intersection of Mass Ave NW, Vermont Ave NW, 14th St NW & M St NW.  TC is named for George H. Thomas, Union general in the Civil War.

SOURCE

"President Walks 2 Miles in Rain At Break of Day," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 17, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Thomas Circle

NW Washington DC

1922

"I NEEDED THE SLEEP!"

CONGRESSMAN UNDAUNTED BY HOTEL FIRE AS HE FINISHES HIS REST

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 24, 1922, the New York Tribune's Washington Bureau reports that on the previous evening at 10 o'clock Representative James W. Husted* (R-New York)  "finished his rest" long after a fire had started at the New Willard Hotel** here in the Nation's Capital.

By the time he turned over, the worst of the fire was done but water was dripping down the walls of his room and "running...on to one side of the bed."

The New York congressman said...

"I needed the sleep."

*James William Husted (1870-1925) was born in Peekskill, NY, graduated Yale University, 1892 & New York Law School, 1894.  JWH served 4 terms as U.S. Representative 1915-1923.

**Willard Hotel (1847-present) Henry Willard came to Washington in 1847 to run a hotel described as "a large row of small houses."  She would become known as "the residence of presidents." A. Lincoln stayed here before his 1861 inauguration. 

SOURCES

"Husted Slumbered On in New Willard Hotel Fire," The New York Tribune, April 25, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Willard Hotel," by Elizabeth Smith Brownstein, The White House Historical Association, www.whitehousehistory.org/ 

JFK+50 NOTE:

I stayed at the Willard Hotel on my trip to Washington in the summer of 1966.  I had just graduated high school & my Australian uncle who came to live in the USA accompanied me.  As I recall, the rooms were $12.  I have a few photos but they are of very poor quality (see below), but at least I dressed up for the occasion.

 

 

John White

Willard Hotel (1966)

Photo by James K. Green

 

 

 

The Willard Hotel

Washington, D.C. (1966)

Photo by John White

 

The Willard Hotel

Washington, D.C.

Photo by John White (2016)