President Warren G. Harding: He Won’t "Overdo" It on What Would Be His Last Trip

June 11, 1923

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President Warren G. Harding: He Won’t "Overdo" It on What Would Be His Last Trip
Typed Letter Signed
1 page | SMC 1336

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      Background

      It was rumored Harding was poisoned; or that he killed himself, or his wife killed him; or he ate bad crabmeat, or had pneumonia, or suffered a fatal stroke. All good reasons, it seemed, to have an autopsy - which Mrs. Harding would not allow. It looked, to many, strange. Harding’s demise, however, like the man, was simple. He had high-blood pressure and as with so much that was unpleasant, he did his best to ignore it. By June of 1923, he desperately wanted ignore his presidency, too: the job he thought would be fun was anything but, and feeling overwhelmed and caged, worried and exhausted, he writes here of his sudden decision to make a 15,000 mile two-month trip around the country.

      Harding says he will try not to “overdo” on his trip across the Continent – the strain of which would kill him.

       

      Typed Letter Signed, as President, 1 page, oblong octavo, The White House, June 11, 1923. To Solicitor General James M. Beck
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      THE WHITE HOUSE
      WASHINGTON

      June 11, 1923.

      My dear Mr. Beck:

      I have your letter of June 7th, and appreciate it very much.  I shall try to remember not to overdo in crossing the continent.

      Very truly yours,

      WARREN G HARDING


      Hon. James M. Beck,
      The Solicitor General,
      Washington, D. C.