Scope and Contents Included is in this folder is correspondence of uncertain relevance to the St. Louis World's Fair materials. Cridler has retained a lengthy letter from Colonel William McKay, a long-time Washington DC congressional lobbyist and hotel owner whose involvement in a scandalous relationship with a young woman results in tense dealings with Cridler. There is also a memorandum, marked with a stamp 3rd Assistant Secretary of State, to an unknown recipient, regarding a "potential public scandal"...

Scope and Contents

Includes a notarized statement from A.C. Baker, a United States naval officer and Assistant Chief of Transportation Exhibits at the world's fair, regarding the continuing feud between Cridler and Colonel William McKay. Baker believes McKay is "going to write a letter to President Francis telling what his opinion was of Cridler and how unfit he was to perform his duties with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition." He is also convinced McKay "instituted the suit to put Cridler in a hole."

Scope and Contents Includes the first letter to Cridler from Carrie Jenkins Harris, a well-connected, politically active author and editor from North Carolina who often wrote under the pseudonym "Charles Edward Lloyd". There are a number of letters from Harris to Cridler found throughout the collection. A regularly appearing theme in her letters is her determination to be appointed as a representative of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition to the country of Greece. Cridler would later describe Harris as a...

Scope and Contents

Includes a retained copy of a letter Cridler wrote to Walter B. Stevens, Secretary of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Cridler explains his "rule" for correspondence whereby he "treats only one subject in each letter." He further adds that his correspondence is "arranged under countries." He implores Stevens to bear this in mind when writing to him, and to refrain from "lumping several subjects together" in single letters.

Scope and Contents Includes a series of letters between Cridler and Charlemagne Tower, United States Ambassador to Russia, regarding an incident in St. Petersburg involving Cridler, Tower, and John Hay, Secretary of State. Also includes correspondence with Richard Dorsey Mohun, a long-time United States commercial agent to the Belgian Congo and advisor to King Leopold II of Belgium. Mohun wants further information from Cridler about the partnership between James W.S. Langerman, vice-consul in Morocco, and the...

Scope and Contents Includes a lengthy letter from Carrie Jenkins Harris. Harris is investigating a "row" in the State Department between William L. Penfield, solicitor of the State Department, and a Dr. Scott over "collusion with certain parties in Mexico" and the seizure "of $40,000 of Scott's money in the Bank of Monterey." Her letter begins, "I think I see a chance to bring a man (Penfield) who treated you badly to his senses!" Harris is going to use her "pen" and her "newspaper influence to its utmost...

Scope and Contents Includes correspondence with Colin H. Livingstone, the first president of the Boy Scouts of America and secretary to Senator Stephen Elkins of West Virginia. Cridler and Livingstone have a close personal relationship and also share business ties. Cridler writes in great detail of his experience in Europe, discusses their children's education, and ponders what he will do after the Fair. He implores Livingston to "keep me in constant thought, and my interests in touch. I shall need the aid of...