May 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, May 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2012
Rutherford B. Hayes autograph letter signed, marked ''Private'' and dated 11 June 1885 to Edward Bok. Hayes defends himself in a liquor scandal brought on by ''Chicago Daily News'' columnist Eugene Field, who claimed that Hayes was part-owner of a saloon, after purportedly keeping a dry White House. Hayes writes Bok: ''My Dear Sir: Your letter of the 9th is before me. You are very thoughtful and kind. I do not deny or explain, as a rule, in any case of calumny. I sometimes furnish the names of persons who can give the facts in such cases, ask [?] my friends, and others to investigate for themselves. In this matter nothing at all will be found to my prejudice. Of course I never knowingly allowed property of mine to be used for the liquor traffic. But I can not permit you or anyone to deny or explain on my authority. The property I am interested in in Omaha belongs equally to myself and Gen. R.P. Buckland of this town. He is a gentleman of the highest character and is a decided and consistent temperance man. He has had the sole charge of the property. By applying to him you can get the exact truth, which will relieve me from all blame. If you think it worthwhile to follow this matter up and get the exact state of the case you can do so by writing to Gen. B[uckland] Sincerely / R.B. Hayes''. General Ralph P. Buckland had made a name for himself in the Civil War and was a longtime friend of President Hayes, unlike that of Field whose columns had been a perpetual thorn in Hayes' side. 2pp. letter on card style stationery measures 5.5'' x 8.5''. Very good condition.
Rutherford B. Hayes Defends Himself From Newspaper Scandal -- ''...I never knowingly allowed property of mine to be used for the liquor traffic...''
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