American military officer (born 1865) who served as an influential aide to Presidents Roosevelt and Taft before perishing during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. ALS signed “Archibald W. Butt,” four pages on three sheets, 8.5 x 11, Aberdeen Commercial Club letterhead, no date, but circa 1909. Letter to White House Chief Usher Isaac ‘Ike’ Hoover giving him instructions as to what to pack for a trip south. In part; “I will want all my civilian clothes…I will want my tan shoes, also the cigars and books I have in my trunk…I have with me all the uniforms I will need at the Hot Springs…Five dollars a week is plenty to give the Filipino boys. They ought to do with less.” Intersecting folds, uniform toning, and a rusty paperclip mark to top of each page, otherwise fine condition. Had Butt survived, he may have been able to prevent the split of Theodore Roosevelt and William H. Taft, which enabled Woodrow Wilson to become president in 1912. Taft had previously served as Governor of the Philippines, and brought a number of Filipino servants with him when he became president. Ex. Brian Green Collection. RR Auction COA.
