Champ Clark letter to Bennett Champ Clark - May 7, 1918
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Speaker’s Rooms, Washington, D. C., U.S.A., May 7, 1918. Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett C. Clark, 140th U.S. Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces. My Dear Bennett: Uncle Joe’s 82nd birthday was briefly but duly celebrated in the House to-day-not as elaborately as it was 2 years ago when you were here, but sufficiently. Third I have put an end to Mason – the [ms illegible: 1 wd] row. Have been trying to get Judge Ewing Cordvell, son of Gen. F. M. into army – he has some plans which he wants to work out _ also Col. Joat. Davis of St. Louis [Missouri] wants to get into R.R. Saw Dept. This morning I went to War Dept. with [ms illegible: 1 wd] to have Sam Cook’s boys, who are now super - [ms illegible: 1 wd] Lieutenants definitely assigned to fighting regiments. They all come to me. Nevada wants a Cantonment at Camp Clark and Decker is much wrought up about it. Senator Yenophon P. Wilfley was sworn in to-day and called to see me. Your cousin Francis wrote your ma that she wanted a Commission for her hubby so he will not be drafted! So your Ma without consulting me wrote them to come right on to Washington – for a Commission which he has no Earthly Chance to get –
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[page 2] consequently they are here in the hotel – as our guests! We hunted hours unsuccessfully Sunday. Genevieve is afraid Champy will get whooping cough. So she cooked up a scheme to have your Ma and Tom and Winta take the baby to Summit Point while She hunted house. I supposed your ma was agreeable but it turned out She was not and she roasted me to-night for agreeing to what she called her “banishment.” What she said to Genevieve I do not know –something hot no doubt. Anyway when I reached out caravans any to-night I found that Genevieive, Champy, Tom and Winta had departed and did your Ma like the flag was still here! I think the trip for a week would have done your Mother good. Jere & Genevieve Swapped Old Cadillac for a new one. Bill Yupton married his Washington gal in New York last week. Clarence still in bed – 7 weeks now. Harry Turner lost his place. He claims Ovid Bell wrote a letter to Apt. which caused his dismissal. He wrote the letter but I don’t believe that that caused his dismissal.
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[page 3] I enclose you copy of letter from Maj. J.J. Dickinson which is pleasant reading to your papa - also some clips. Nearly every paper in America has had some favorable comment on my declination of Senatorship except St. Louis [Missouri] Slas which made some unfriendly insinuations & [Kansas City Star] very malignant. Tomm Bodine wrote five article about Stone – finest of all. Complimentary letters about my auto – Biography increasing. Had one from Sivernath. Do you remember him? From California? He changed his name to De Niver – hair. He says that that is his original and correct name. Both houses crowding sail to get away. House passed biggest naval app. Bill was – in one day; passed Military Academy Bill in 3 hours; passed District App. Bill in Two days – so you see we are gong home. All the members inquire affectionately about you. They considered you a son of the House – and the Dems. think you affect Gussie Gardner, La Gauardia, Heinz and Johnson. Deuepsey of New York Charged me to to tell you that his whole delegation are proud of you and sent their love. Gen. Clark’s father has just died aged 84, Bed time. Good Bye, With-love. C.C.
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[page 4] May 10. My Dear Hossie: I was delighted – So were we all-to get your Cablegram – also card. It lifts one heavy loan from our hearts and minds. Poor General Donnelly assigned Yesterday. Our sorry but I am glad I did all I could to save him. Sait night I addressed both the Kentucky and California societies. Five crowds. Much applause. To-morrow night I spend at Fort Wayne. Think I finally worked out a fairly good speech –moderate and dignified. Will send you letters to Speaker House Flemmons and ambassador to French. Have written Gen. Pershing. I paid the premiums on both your Life Insurance policies. Mann came in Thursday and made a nice short speech, announcing he was better but that his doctors advised him to spend the rest of his session outdoors. Dr. Monroe and Dr. W.E. Reily both dead. Dr. Mitchell has married a Colorado widow. Joe Adams moved your office outfit to the House. Weather warm here – in fact hot; in [Missouri] Cold. Oats and wheat prospect in [Missouri] best ever. I am feeling fine. Your Mother, Genevieve and Champie are well. The Chaplain says he prays for you. Everybody glad you are over safe and Send love. Your loving father. Champ Clark.
Details
Title | Champ Clark letter to Bennett Champ Clark - May 7, 1918 |
Creator | Clark, Champ |
Source | Clark, Champ. Letter to Bennett Champ Clark. 7 May 1918. Clark, Champ (1850-1921) and Bennett Champ (1890-1954), Papers, 1853-1973. C0666. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
Description | In this May 10, 1918 letter to his son Bennett, Champ Clark discussed news from home and war bills. Champ Clark, a long-time resident of Bowling Green, Missouri, was a politician in the Democratic Party. He served as a representative of Missouri from 1893 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1921. From 1911 to 1919 he served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Bennett Clark served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 140th Regiment, 35th Division and as Assistant Chief of Staff for the 88th Division during World War I, and was Missouri State Senator from 1933 to 1945. |
Subject LCSH | Clark, Champ, 1850-1921; Clark, Bennett Champ, 1890-1954; Fort Sam Houston (Tex.); World War, 1914-1918 |
Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
Site Accession Number | C0666 |
Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
Date Original | May 7, 1918 |
Language | English |