Tag: Q3 1928
Smith’s North Dakota Support: A Fishy Endorsement
September 27, 1928, was a day of high stakes politics in North Dakota as Governor Walter E. Maddock, the state’s chief executive and a key figure in the Democratic Party, boarded his special train in Bismarck. The local press corps was hot on his heels, eager to pin down his stance on the Democratic nominee,…
Speakeasy Showdown: Pugilist Proprietor Takes Down City Detective
September 27, 1928, New York City – In a brazen and bloody confrontation, a former boxer turned speakeasy owner, Gustave Hariegraeff, 32, took on a determined city detective, John F. McHugh, in a fight that would be remembered for years to come. The fateful encounter occurred in the early hours of the day at Hariegraeff’s…
Smith’s Secret Life Under Scrutiny: Will He Confront Whispers in Oklahoma City?
September 20, 1928, was a day of tumultuous welcome for Alfred E. Smith, the Democrat presidential nominee, as he arrived in Oklahoma City. Cheering throngs greeted him as he stepped off his special train at 10 a.m., clad in his signature brown derby. The long southward journey from Omaha had finally come to an end,…
West’s Westward Wander: A Trail of Deceit or Transparency?
As the sun set over the vast expanse of the American West, a tale of intrigue and bureaucratic maneuvering unfolded. In September 1928, Secretary of Interior Roy O. West embarked on a high-profile tour of the region, accompanied by a coterie of Congressmen, including Representative Cramton of Michigan and Representative Leavitt of Montana. The itinerary…
Backroom Brawl: Hoosier Politics Turn Ugly
August 25, 1928, was a day of bitter politicking in Indianapolis as the Republican party’s grip on power began to slip. Charles D. Hilles, a national committee man from New York, had been waging a behind-the-scenes battle against Herbert Hoover’s presidential ambitions. And now, it seemed, the gloves were off. Hilles’ handpicked candidate, H. Edmund…
Dry Law Divide: One Minister Questions Prohibition’s Success
In the midst of a heated debate over the effectiveness of Prohibition, a group of Protestant pastors in Indianapolis has spoken out in favor of enforcing the dry law. Led by E.S. Shumaker, superintendent of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League, a coalition of clergy has praised the health and economic benefits of a liquor-free America. Shumaker,…
Jury Acquits Former DC Photographer in Front Royal Murder Case
In a stunning verdict, the jury in the Robinson murder case acquitted former DC photographer, Robinson, in a Front Royal, Virginia courtroom on July 31, 1928. The dramatic acquittal left the packed courtroom in tears, with even the women present overcome with emotion. It was a moment of intense drama, as defense lawyer William C.…
Raskob’s Big Business Gambit: Presidential Politics Meets Wall Street
New York, July 19, 1928 – The big wheels of business are taking a spin in the world of politics. John J. Raskob, the mastermind behind making millions for General Motors executives, is now set to make a President out of Governor Alfred E. Smith. The Democratic national committee chairman has moved his campaign headquarters…
Mystery of the Missing Vacationers
It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime for over a dozen unsuspecting travelers. In July 1928, a special train chugged out of Whinton station, bound for Niagara Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Excursions were advertised as a bargain, with tickets good for 16 days, leaving on July…
