An Inside Look at How Warren Harding Got in Trouble Trusting Cronies

President Harding was elected in 1920 and he brought a few friends (known as the “Ohio Gang") with him to the White House. The Gang was led by Harry M. Daugherty (Harding's appointment as Attorney General) and included Albert B. Fall (Secretary of the Interior) and Charles R. Forbes (Veteran's Bureau). These men were corrupt, and after Harding's death scandal after scandal came to light, ruining his reputation in history.

After it was discovered that Secretary Fall had received several hundred thousand dollars from oilmen Harry Sinclair and Edward Doheny, to whom he had leased naval oil reserves in California and at Teapot Dome, Wyo., the name Teapot Dome was linked with Harding's as a symbol of corruption. Fall, finally convicted of bribery, went to jail, as did others. Daugherty, dismissed by Coolidge, barely escaped their fate.

As for Forbes, he figured out how to put taxpayer money, intended to build veteran’s hospitals, directly into his own pockets. When this was uncovered he fled to Europe to avoid prosecution, but eventually returned and was sent to prison. The following letter, written while Harding was serving as U.S. Senator from Ohio, is an eye-opening illustration of just how close the future president was with these men.

Warren Harding Autograph Letter Signed on his personal letterhead, two pages 8vo, Washington, December 30, 1918, to Mrs. Charles Forbes, wife of his convivial crony. “Mrs. Harding commands me to write and express the pleasure we had in receiving your card. We had not known before that Major Forbes had become a Lt. Colonel. Of course, we were delighted at the promotion and greatly pleased to hear from you. The writer is doing the secretarial work because Mrs. Harding is in bed and has been there for six weeks – hydro nephrosis. We all think she is doing well now, patient included. Dr. Sawyer was here yesterday and added to her progress by comforting assurances. He inquired concerning Colonel Forbes and yourself, and we could tell him little, except that the soldier had written just before the armistice and we had heard you were in Washington through a letter from Governor Pinkham. The governor is surely a great friend of the Forbes family. By the way, he sent us a package of Korea coffee with Christmas greetings. Mrs. Harding was greatly interested in your employment and thinks it fine that you can be engaged in engrossing work in the extended absence of your husband. How fine it is for you to be really well! Long may your good fortune continue. Marcia must be fast becoming a young lady. Time fairly flies. It is four years since we first greeted her and you in beautiful Honolulu. Most likely the Lt. Colonel will be returning soon. Very likely we will get to greet him before you do, unless you are coming east. If you will come here to greet him, we will make you both welcome. We are fond of the Forbes.”

No clearer example could be found of the psychology of the future president, as here he freely manifests the very attitude that drew him into the morass. The love and trust he showered on the Forbes family (and his other friends) was touching but sadly misplaced; it would be repaid with ingratitude and betrayal. A very important letter, more personal and revealing than any other we have seen. It is also an uncommon Autograph Letter Signed to the Forbes family, auction records indicating that no other such letter has been offered for sale over the past 30 years.

Florence Harding had a serious kidney ailment and almost died a number of times before she became first lady. This stay in bed was the result of one of those episodes. The Pinkham referred to was Lucius Pinkham, Governor of Hawaii Territory at the time. Dr. Sawyer was Charles E. Sawyer, Hardings' personal physician for years in their hometown of Marion, Ohio, who came to serve Harding in the White House.