Published by The History Press
Charleston, SC 29403
www.historypress.net
Copyright 2014 by Sheryl Smart Hall
All rights reserved
Cover image courtesy of Ohio History Connection.
First published 2014
e-book edition 2014
ISBN 978.1.62584.942.7
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hall, Sheryl Smart.
Warren G. Harding and the Marion Daily Star : how newspapering shaped a president / Sheryl Smart Hall.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
print edition ISBN 978-1-62619-412-0
1. Harding, Warren G. (Warren Gamaliel), 1865-1923--Homes & haunts--Ohio--Marion. 2. Newspaper editors--Ohio--Biography. 3. Marion daily star. 4. Ohio--Politics and government--1865-1950. 5. Presidents--United States--Biography. I. Title.
E786.H225 2014
973.914092--dc23
[B]
2014021639
Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
To all of those Marion Star employees who worked with W.G., even in spirit,
and to Kevin, Brett and Tricia, for their love, encouragement and support.
And to the memory of Scott, who will forever be treasured.
Contents
Foreword
During the summer of 2010, the inaugural Warren G. Harding Symposium was held in Marion, Ohio, to explore the life and impact of President Warren G. Harding. This event brought experts together to examine Hardings presidency, life and the impacts he had on the United States, the world and history in general.
James Robenalt, author of The Harding Affair: Love & Espionage During the Great War, said during an interview in advance of the symposium, I really think it is the time right now to take another look at Warren Harding. My research led me to see pretty clearly that his reputation as a president was totally overwhelmed by scandals, innuendo and mythology that grew up after his presidency.
During his presidency, Warren G. Harding generally was well liked by Americans. After his death, however, wild charges of cronyism and corruption sent him to the bottom of the list of our nations favorite presidents. This is, of course, a debate that will rage forever.
One thing about President Harding that will never be open for debate is this: he was one of the best newspaper editors of his time and perhaps of all time. He was a true community journalist.
As author Sherry Hall pointed out during remarks from July 2013:
There is a long, well-worn skeleton key on Mr. Hardings desk in the Harding Home. Its no secret to my co-workers that the key is one of my favorite objects in the house.
That key unlocked the front door of the Marion Star office building on Center Street. Mr. Harding carried that old key in his pocket for almost forty years, including while he was president. The key says it all about President Harding.
Hardings tender love of this town was the same care he gave to the state of Ohio as a senator and lieutenant governor. His love for Ohio was a stepping-stone to the love of country.
During Hardings newspaper days, the Marion Star historically promoted all kinds of ideas, as well as politicians of both parties, as long as Marions well-being was the goal.
As Ms. Hall writes in the pages to come, Harding always said he boomed Marion, promoted it, stuck by it and loved it. To him, his newspapers responsibility was to find all of the good in the townsfolk.
Mr. Harding set the standard for what a true community journalist should be. He knew the newspaper was a powerful voiceone that could play a major role in moving a community forward and helping it grow. He used that voice wisely.
I had the pleasure of working with the author (she was Sherry Smart then) at the Marion Star. She has done an incredible job of describing Warren G. Hardings days as a newspaperman. The editor-turned-president found pure joy in serving his community.
As is noted in the pages ahead, Mr. Harding was a joiner. He was a member of nearly every fraternal organization in town. That involvement played a key role in his success as a community journalist.
I always considered it a real honor to have followed in Warren G. Hardings footsteps and serve as editor of the Marion Star. I was truly honored when Ms. Hall asked me to author the foreword for her work.
Harding was one of the best newspaper editors of his time. He was determined to safeguard the well-being of his beloved Marion, and that determination alone plays a key factor in how newspapering did, indeed, help shape a president.
EDWARD LOOMAN
FORMER MANAGING EDITOR, THE MARION STAR
Prologue
When Warren G. Harding placed his left hand on George Washingtons Bible and raised his right hand to repeat the presidential oath of office on that clear, chilly March 4, 1921, no one knew that he had a secret. The secret would not damage international relations, bring down his presidency or ignite a war. It was personal, and it was necessary.
Harding stood on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., looking distinguished and calm in his custom-made morning suit and beaver hat, but he carried a small item in his pocket of which the hundreds of newspapermen, dignitaries and members of the public were not aware. A small, well-worn metal printers rulemeasuring just a couple inches long and widewas in the presidents pocket, just as it had been for thirty-seven years.
The printers rule, a necessary tool for any newspaperman of Hardings day, was his personal good luck charm, he often said with a smile. But he knew it was more than that. Grasping the rule between his thumb and index finger felt natural, familiar, right. His newspaper, the Marion Daily Star in Marion, Ohio, had been his constant companion for all of his adult yearsalmost a living, breathing being in his eyes, a project that he had nursed from its infancy. It was the anchor that kept him grounded through his political career. It would do the same for him during his presidency.
Issues of the Star soon arrived in the White House mail, just a few days after each publications print date. He trained his lively Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, to bring the paper to him and eagerly scanned not only the news of his beloved hometown but also the inner workings of the publicationthe headline fonts, the type size, the page layouts, the quality of the photo reproductions. He received regular financial updates from managing editor George Van Fleet. He may not have been seated behind his cluttered, paper-strewn desk in his office at the Star building in person, but he certainly was there in spirit.
Now, two years later, in June 1923, President Harding was doing something he dreaded. He was preparing to sell the Star. The time was right, he knew, but it still felt oddlike deserting an old friend.
