Ohio History Today

What happened on this day in Ohio's history

September 15: Happy Birthday Will!

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On this day in 1857, William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati. I haven’t been able to find how much he weighed, but it is known that Will was a big boy. His mother Louisa Maria mentioned in a letter that at 7 weeks old her son Will couldn’t fit in any of the dresses made with belts because of his large waist and that he was “very large of his age.”

taft-1870
1870 class photograph. William Taft seated in the center

He grew up in Cincinnati, went to school at Yale where he became a heavyweight champion wrestler, and he was extremely fit throughout his adult life despite his size. He was 6 foot or so (sources vary between 6’0″ and 6’2″) and when he graduated from college he weighed a very muscular 243 pounds.

After graduating from Yale, Will returned to Cincinnati where he studied law. He also got involved in local politics. However, he always seemed to prefer law over politics. His goal was to become Chief Justice of the United States, but that didn’t fit with his wife’s idea of success.

Helen Herron, or Nellie as her friends called her, seemed to always have an eye on becoming the Chief Lady of the White House. When she was just 16 years old, she actually visited the White House when Lucy Hayes occupied the center of American power with her husband Rutherford. Lucy invited the daughter of her husband’s law partner to an afternoon social. After this engagement, Nellie wrote that she would much like to return to the White House someday… as First Lady!

Not long after the White House visit, Nellie met the young, but 4 year older, Will Taft, at a sledding party in Cincinnati. They hit it off in many different ways that eventually brought them together as husband and wife in 1886. While it is not certain what part she played behind the curtains, it is certain that she encouraged her husband to strive for higher achievements.

As young Will became an accomplished attorney, his life would increasingly be drawn to the political arena. After having been a state judge, Will became Solicitor General of the United States, a federal judge, he was appointed to oversee the American civil government in the Philippines, and later was appointed by President Teddy Roosevelt as his Secretary of War. Teddy would later in his term offer Will the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming Chief Justice of the United States.

Helen Taft
Helen Taft

He discussed this opportunity with Nellie who was adamantly opposed to the idea. Her idea was that since Teddy Roosevelt had already promised the nation he would not seek a second term, it would be wiser for her husband to seek the presidency. In her mind, you could always become a Chief Justice, but the odds of becoming President of the United States were extremely high.

So following his wife’s advice, the extremely large fellow from Cincinnati, William Howard Taft, was elected President of the United States, the largest man to ever sit behind the Oval Office desk. Having achieved her dream of becoming First Lady, it would take several more years before Taft achieved his dream of becoming Chief Justice.

It was during another Ohioans term in office that President Harding made him Chief Justice of the United States where he would remain for the rest of his life. Taft would later write after becoming Chief Justice “I don’t remember that I ever was President.”

taft-1905
William “Will” Howard Taft

Today is the birthday of the only man ever to serve as President of the United States and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Taft's boyhood home in Cincinnati is a museum today.
Taft’s boyhood home in Cincinnati is a museum today.

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May 9: Recognizing Ohio’s Iconic Symbol

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What’s red white and blue, sometimes it is hoisted up one or two of the flagpoles on the roof of Ohio’s statehouse, and oh yes, it’s not a flag?

On this day in 1902 the Ohio General Assembly enacted a bill authorizing the adoption of a new state flag. Till this day in Ohio history, Ohio did not have a state flag. Ohio had been a state for almost 100 years, but we had never taken the step of creating a state flag. But a year before this date, several historic events came together in such a way that the General Assembly felt compelled enough to adopt a new symbol for the Buckeye State – and those events happened in another state.

Ohio Building with the original flag flying overhead at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, NY.
Ohio Building with the original flag flying overhead at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, NY.

That state was New York where in 1901 the Pan-American Exposition was being held in Buffalo. The Exposition was a show place for countries from both North and South America. It also included exhibits from many states including Ohio. As part of the Ohio Exposition building, flew a new pennant designed by a Cleveland architect that he felt help draw attention to the building.

In 1900 Cleveland architect, John Eisemann, was the winning bidder for designing the Ohio Building for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. Realizing that Ohio did not have an official flag, Eisemann went about creating a special flag to fly over the Ohio Building. It’s not clear whether Eisemann intended his creation to become Ohio’s flag or not. What he did want was something unique to fly over his building design. He even patented the flag with the U.S. Patent Office on July 23, 1901.

In 1900 Cleveland architect, John Eisemann, was the winning bidder for designing the Ohio Building for the 1901 World’s Fair called the Pan-American Exposition. Realizing that Ohio did not have an official flag, Eisemann went about creating a special flag to fly over the Ohio Building. It’s not clear whether Eisemann intended his creation to become Ohio’s flag or not. What he did want was something unique to fly over his building design. He even patented the flag with the U.S. Patent Office on July 23, 1901.
In 1900 Cleveland architect, John Eisemann, was the winning bidder for designing the Ohio Building for the 1901 World’s Fair called the Pan-American Exposition. Realizing that Ohio did not have an official flag, Eisemann went about creating a special flag to fly over the Ohio Building. It’s not clear whether Eisemann intended his creation to become Ohio’s flag or not. What he did want was something unique to fly over his building design. He even patented the flag with the U.S. Patent Office on July 23, 1901.
mckinley-carnation
President William McKinley sitting in his rocker, wearing a Lamborn Rose in his lapel.

The Pan-American Exposition ran from May 1, 1901 to November 1, 1901. During those 6 months more than 8,000,000 visitors would pass through the gates each paying 25 cents for admission. Besides the debut of what would later become Ohio’s state flag, the fair also had a more tragic Ohio connection.

On September 6, 1901, former Ohio Governor, former Ohio Representative, and current 2nd term President of the United States, William McKinley, was assassinated at the Pan-American Exposition. He would die just 8 days later.
In the following months and years after McKinley’s death, Ohio pay tribute to the fallen leader in various ways. One of those was the adoption of a special scarlet carnation worn by McKinley throughout his political career. Known as the Lamborn Carnation, the carnation became known as the “scarlet carnation” and three years later it became the official state flower as a “token of love and reverence to the memory of William McKinley”.

Original flag that flew over the Ohio Building at the Pan American Exposition.
Original flag that flew over the Ohio Building at the Pan American Exposition.

The other was the adoption of the flag that was flying over the Ohio Building when the president was shot. Less than 8 months later, that flag would officially be adopted as Ohio’s flag which has been flying over public buildings since this day in 1902.

The Ohio state flag is the only “flag” of all the 50 state flags, that is not an actual flag. It’s really a swallow tail burgee, which means it is tapered like a pennant, but has the tip notched with a v-shaped cut out. The only other place the swallow tail burgee is commonly seen is on sailing ships, commonly seen on Lake Erie.

statehouse_columbus_001
Ohio Statehouse with William McKinley Statue. The flag was used as a “communication tool” long before telephones, email and mobile devices, the Ohio flag is raised over the Statehouse when the corresponding legislative chamber is in session – raised on the north flag pole during Ohio Senate sessions and on the south flag pole during Ohio House of Representatives sessions. In the above photograph, the House of Representatives would be in session.

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September 15: Happy Birthday Will!

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On this day in 1857, William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati. I haven’t been able to find how much he weighed, but it is known that Will was a big boy. His mother Louisa Maria mentioned in a letter that at 7 weeks old her son Will couldn’t fit in any of the dresses made with belts because of his large waist and that he was “very large of his age.”

taft-1870
1870 class photograph. William Taft seated in the center

He grew up in Cincinnati, went to school at Yale where he became a heavyweight champion wrestler, and he was extremely fit throughout his adult life despite his size. He was 6 foot or so (sources vary between 6’0″ and 6’2″) and when he graduated from college he weighed a very muscular 243 pounds.

After graduating from Yale, Will returned to Cincinnati where he studied law. He also got involved in local politics. However, he always seemed to prefer law over politics. His goal was to become Chief Justice of the United States, but that didn’t fit with his wife’s idea of success.

Helen Herron, or Nellie as her friends called her, seemed to always have an eye on becoming the Chief Lady of the White House. When she was just 16 years old, she actually visited the White House when Lucy Hayes occupied the center of American power with her husband Rutherford. Lucy invited the daughter of her husband’s law partner to an afternoon social. After this engagement, Nellie wrote that she would much like to return to the White House someday… as First Lady!

Not long after the White House visit, Nellie met the young, but 4 year older, Will Taft, at a sledding party in Cincinnati. They hit it off in many different ways that eventually brought them together as husband and wife in 1886. While it is not certain what part she played behind the curtains, it is certain that she encouraged her husband to strive for higher achievements.

As young Will became an accomplished attorney, his life would increasingly be drawn to the political arena. After having been a state judge, Will became Solicitor General of the United States, a federal judge, he was appointed to oversee the American civil government in the Philippines, and later was appointed by President Teddy Roosevelt as his Secretary of War. Teddy would later in his term offer Will the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming Chief Justice of the United States.

Helen Taft
Helen Taft

He discussed this opportunity with Nellie who was adamantly opposed to the idea. Her idea was that since Teddy Roosevelt had already promised the nation he would not seek a second term, it would be wiser for her husband to seek the presidency. In her mind, you could always become a Chief Justice, but the odds of becoming President of the United States were extremely high.

So following his wife’s advice, the extremely large fellow from Cincinnati, William Howard Taft, was elected President of the United States, the largest man to ever sit behind the Oval Office desk. Having achieved her dream of becoming First Lady, it would take several more years before Taft achieved his dream of becoming Chief Justice.

It was during another Ohioans term in office that President Harding made him Chief Justice of the United States where he would remain for the rest of his life. Taft would later write after becoming Chief Justice “I don’t remember that I ever was President.”

taft-1905
William “Will” Howard Taft

Today is the birthday of the only man ever to serve as President of the United States and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Taft's boyhood home in Cincinnati is a museum today.
Taft’s boyhood home in Cincinnati is a museum today.

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SEPTEMBER 6, McKinley: The President is Shot

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This was going to be a good day for the president as he dressed himself in his bedroom at the Milburn house. The had not yet risen, but he could see the sky brightening to the east that it should be great day weather-wise. Ida was still taking her time rising, but she could see her beloved husband was already dressed. As he turned to her as he always had throughout their marriage, he brought his hand up to his lips and casually tossed her a good-bye kiss. “Be back soon,” he whispered.

The rest of the household including his security detail had not yet taken their positions. This was the time of day that William enjoyed the most. He could stroll down the walk and hardly see a soul. It was just him the beauty of the day wrapping itself around him.

The President and First Lady leaving Milburn house for their trip to Niagara.
The President and First Lady leaving Milburn house for their trip to Niagara.

Across town Leon Czolgosz was also finishing up dressing. He straightened his string tie, then slipped into his suit jacket. The room’s small mirror didn’t allow him to get a full length view of himself, but it was big enough for him to straighten his hair before tucking a white handkerchief neatly into the jacket’s pocket. He glanced over at the dresser at the new 32 caliber revolver lying there. He and that pistol had already come twice within a stone’s throw of the president.

After his walk around the upper-class neighborhood, McKinley returned to the Milburn house. Ida was up and cooking breakfast for the two. The smell of a fresh pot of coffee drifted through the house. Today they were just going to have a healthy portion of omelets dressed up with a little cheese and some fried potatoes. They were going to have a big luncheon at Niagara Falls later that morning.

Leon didn’t have breakfast this morning when he left the hotel. He did buy a new cigar. The paper had said the president would be leaving this morning sharply at 9:00 a.m. by train so he could see the new power plant at Niagara Falls, and of course the falls.

He and Ida walked down the Milburn sidewalk to their waiting carriage. There was already a large crowd gathered, a reporter snapped a photo of the couple. By the time their carriage reached to the waiting train it had already passed by Leon as he too made his way to the station. Leon followed the president to Niagara, but after spending a little time there, he decided he would never get close as close as he thought he needed to be. Leon returned to Buffalo. He would wait for the president to come to him.

The president at Goat Island, Niagara Falls
The president at Goat Island, Niagara Falls

The president viewed the American and Horseshoe Falls from the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, then visited Prospect Park and Goat Island. They then went to the International Hotel for a luncheon and then took a carriage drive to the power house for a complete tour of the electrical machinery and dynamos. It was all very exciting for the president and he immensely enjoyed every moment. By mid afternoon it was time to leave.

mckinley-temple-music
Temple of Music

The Pan American Exposition architectural theme was called the Free Renaissance style, which just meant that the architects designing the exhibits should make sure they incorporated elements from European buildings popular a few centuries ago. The Temple of Music was a spectacular building that served as the concert hall for the Pan American Exposition. It cost more than $85,000 which would almost $2 million in today’s dollars. The Temple of Music could be called the epitome of Free Renaissance style.

It’s ornate style overwhelmed the eye; its symmetry screamed Renaissance and at night all of its architectural features were emphasized with electric light bulbs. Each afternoon 2,000 people would fill the great domed auditorium to listen to the largest pipe organ ever built in the United States. The sounds of that organ would vibrate clear through body (the organ is now in a Catholic church in Buffalo).

After returning from Niagara, the president went straight to the Temple of Music while Ida went back to Milburn house to rest. The reception at would be the crowning event where visitors to the exposition could actually shake hands with the most popular president in recent memory. Earlier that day in local papers there was a brief news item from Copenhagen that said Emperor Nicholas of Russia would have loved to visited Paris, but his security detail persuaded by “fears of an Anarchist outrage” convinced the Emperor not to make the trip.

In Buffalo there was no such warning announced in the paper, but President McKinley’s secretary, George Cortelyou had strongly suggested he not to do the Temple of Music reception. In fact the secretary had taken this event off the schedule twice, and both times McKinley personally put it back.

Anarchists as they were called, had decided that capitalism and the authority powered through capitalism could only be controlled through violence. Violence was the only way of giving the power to the people. In a few years, the Anarchists would be replaced after the overthrow of the Russian Emperor Nicholas by the Bolsheviks, a modified form of the Anarchists.

Leon Czolgosz was an Anarchist. He had studied in great detail previous assassinations and murders. He was well educated in the Anarchist methods and reasons, and he knew that on this day in September, he would join his brethren in making America a better place for the working man.

The line had beginning to form outside the Temple of Music since lunch. Among those at the head of the line was Fred Nieman. Later people standing in line with Fred said he had no interest in making small talk, or even complain about the extraordinary hot day they were experiencing.

Fred Nieman was the name Leon Czolgosz used when the hotel manager questioned him after he signed John Doe to the registry. Later that day when police began their questioning, he would use the name Fred Nieman. It wouldn’t be till later that his real name became known.

Very close to 4:00 p.m. word began spreading through the visitor line that someone had seen the president’s carriage. In fact, the president had arrived, and he was escorted in through another entrance where he quickly took his designated place. McKinley gave the go ahead for the procession to begin.

Leon Czolgosz was not first in line, but he was near the front, with maybe 10 or so in front of him. As they got closer, the security increased, but no one said anything about Leon’s right hand perpetually tucked in his coat pocket. Security was watching the man in line just in front of Leon. They would later say that he had the look of an Anarchist and when he wouldn’t let go of the president’s hand, security became even more alarmed and forced the man to move. It was a tense moment and all the security detail must have felt relief when the Italian looking immigrant moved on. No one seemed concerned about the small framed, neatly dressed man next in line.

Leon had gone through all the mutations of how to approach the president, how to cover his hand that was holding the pistol. How to ignore the handkerchief wrapped around his hand if it caught fire from the first gun shot. Squeeze the trigger once, twice and maybe three times and then run.

Leon got off two shots as he looked at the large man in front of him eye-to-eye before anyone understood what had just happened. The president stepped quickly stepped backward as a result of the gun flash and the loud retort.

A large black man standing behind Leon saw the muzzle flash and reacted almost instantly by striking Leon in the back of the neck with one hand and simultaneously grabbing his gun hand to prevent another shot from being fired.. Then a crowd of security and well-wishers descended upon Leon. In just moments Leon was being pummeled by fists.

Temple of Music, September 6, 1901
Temple of Music, September 6, 1901. “X” marks the spot where the president was standing.

The president had stepped back with his arm across his chest holding on to his waist coat and could see the melee in front of him. “Don’t let them hurt him,” he shouted loudly.
Along side the president was Secretary Cortelyou, John Milburn, and Detective Geary. Not yet realizing the full impact of what had just happened, they stood motionless. They urged the president to sit down, but he told them to just remain calm. No need to alarm the public any more than they already were. “But sir, you’re wounded,” Cortelyou said. “No, I think not,” said the president. “I’m not badly hurt…” Nevertheless they managed to get him seated. Only upon pulling back his outer layer of clothing did they see the spreading blood stain.

Seeing the look on their faces, McKinley calmly said to Secretary Cortelyou about telling Ida, “Be careful Cortelyou… how you tell her… oh, be careful.”

Leon was quickly ushered out of the hall and into a side room. From here he was taken to the Buffalo police station where he was questioned. Police were convinced Leon had help and they were determined to find those individuals as quickly as possible. They could not be certain how deep this plot went or who the next target would be. Security for Vice President Roosevelt were immediately wired to take extra precautions.

The president was taken by an electric ambulance to the the Exposition hospital. However, the only personnel on duty were some nurses and interns. They did begin advanced first aid on the president. Meanwhile word went out to find a qualified doctor.

 

McKinley had two wounds: one was a minor wound to his right chest caused by a ricocheting bullet. The other wound was to his abdomen. McKinley had found the ricocheting bullet in his clothing during the brief ambulance ride. The other bullet was still lodged inside. The examination room was not suited for surgery, but none the less the doctor and nurses tried to find and extract the second bullet. They first gave the president a morphine injection. Then an extensive exploration for the second bullet was conducted. They could not find that bullet and after determining there was no internal bleeding, they stitched up the president and the president was driven back to the Milburn house which now had armed guards protecting it.
The president would rest comfortably at Milburn house for the next several days. Doctors would come and examine him and ask how he felt. Occasionally, the president would receive additional morphine injections.

For the next week the president would gradually improve until the September 13, and then everything changed dramatically.

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August 27: Charles Gates Dawes is Born

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If you had a good history teacher at any time during your formative years, you know about the famous ride of Paul Revere. What would be the sign of a really good teacher is that you also know about William Dawes. He too spread the message among the colonials living between Boston and Concord, that the British were coming. William Dawes actually started his long ride before Revere ordered the signal lights be placed in the bell tower of Christ Church.

Early in the evening of April 18, 1775, it wasn’t clear yet to the colonials whether or not the British would be marching to Concord by first crossing the Charles River by ferry, or by taking the longer route up river where they could ford the river. Instead of waiting to know which route the British would take, it was felt that it would be better to make sure the warning got out as quickly as possible. That’s why Dawes left before Paul Revere had the lanterns hoisted in Boston.

The reason the British were planning their surprise incursion to Concord was two fold. On the way to Concord, they were hoped to capture colonial insurgents Sam Adams and John Hancock who were thought to be in Lexington. The British also suspected a large cache of arms were in Concord.

Before the exact route was determined, Dawes took off by horseback took the longer route the British would take and once Paul Revere learned the exact route, he took the shorter route, being ferried in a small rowboat across the mouth of the Charles River. And then together with Dr. Samuel Prescott, the two rode to Lexington and then planned on then going to Concord.

Revere and Prescott arrived in Lexington just before midnight and Dawes arrived less than an hour later. Having warned Adams and Hancock in Lexington, Revere, Dawes and Prescott rode on to Concord warning colonials along the way. The 3 men took turns stopping to relay the message farmers. While Dawes was stopped at one house to give his warning, Revere and Prescott rode ahead and ran into a British patrol. They were stopped, but Prescott escaped and went on. As Dawes caught up with the men he spotted the patrol and rode around them and on to Concord as did Prescott. Revere’s horse was confiscated by the British and he walked back to Lexington to join Adams and Hancock as they prepared to depart.

The following day, April 19, about 70 British troops marched into Lexington. Thanks to the warning of Paul Revere and Charles Dawes, 38 colonial militia from around the area had been warned and were ready, armed with muskets and squirrel guns on Lexington Commons. Eight colonial militia were killed during this confrontation before the militia could disperse when the firing started. After this brief encounter a smaller group of British regulars went on to Concord. Those that remained in Lexington began rounding up the militia and looking for Adams and Hancock.

When the British arrived in Concord, they were faced with an entirely different confrontation than they arrived in Lexington. Instead of a few militia facing them, they saw 500 militia. Gun fire erupted briefly at the North Bridge resulting in a number of casualties. The British regulars, greatly outnumbered, began a withdrawal. As the British troops retraced their steps back to Lexington, the Massachusetts militia dogged them with periodic engagements and caused many casualties among the British.

On this day in Marietta Ohio, in 1865, Charles Gates Dawes was born to Rufus and Mary Beman Gates Dawes becoming the great-great-grandson of William Dawes. As an adult, Charles Dawes  would later win the Nobel Peace Prize for working on reparations of Germany after World War I. Charles would later become an ambassador to Great Britain, after he first served as Vice President of the United States under Calvin Coolidge. Charles Dawes also had a younger brother names Beaman Dawes, the man who liked to collect trees from around the country and plant them on his property just south of Newark, Ohio. His little farm in Licking County would later become the world famous Dawes Arboretum.

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