1940 Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie addresses Pierce County Republican Club's Lincoln Day dinner at the Masonic Temple on February 11, 1944. Governor Arthur Langlie looks on. This was not Mr. Willkie's first trip to Tacoma; he made a brief stop here in 1940 while on a campaign swing through the Pacific Northwest. At that time he was only able to stay approximately an hour. (T .Times, 2-12-44, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors;

Wendell Willkie is flanked by Ralph Chaplin (L), editor of the Tacoma Labor Advocate, and Governor Arthur B. Langlie (R) on February 11, 1944, at the Masonic Temple. Mr. Willkie, the 1940 Republican presidential candidate, and his wife had motored down to Tacoma from Seattle to attend the Pierce County Republican Club's Lincoln Day dinner where he spoke to thousands in attendance. His main speech was broadcast nationally over the Columbia network and he also spoke informally for a short time; all speeches were heard simultaneously via the public address system to all locations in the Temple. Mr. Chapin served as master of ceremonies; Governor Langlie had the honor of introducing Mr. Wilkie. (T.Times, 2-10-44, p. 1, T. Times, 2-12-44, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Chaplin, Ralph; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors;

Portrait of Wendell Willkie, 1940 Republican Presidential nominee and titular head of the party, at the office of the Tacoma Times newspaper. Mr. Willkie was in Tacoma to address Pierce County Republican Club's 1944 Lincoln Day dinner at the Masonic Temple. The dinner itself was sold-out but his supporters were able to obtain tickets to listen to him give the main address. Mr. Willkie, an attorney and utilities executive, was originally from Indiana. Although he lost the 1940 election to Franklin D. Roosevelt by a wide margin in electoral votes, the difference in popular votes was quite slim, only five million separating the two. He once again sought the Republican nomination in 1944 but his more liberal views failed to win him the support of his party. He apparently did not endorse the eventual Republican nominee, Thomas Dewey. Wendell Willkie died later in 1944, on October 6, at the age of 52 of heart failure. (T.Times, 2-12-44, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944;

Mrs. Karl B. Kellogg and Mrs. Bertha Taylor present a box of candy to Edith (Mrs. Wendell) Willkie at Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mrs. Russell Harrod waits to present flowers. The women were members of Republican organizations: Mrs. Kellogg, the president of Pro-America, Mrs. Taylor, secretary of the Republican County Central Comm., and Mrs. Harrod, the vice-president of United Women's Republican Club. Paul Johns leans over to assist Mrs. Willkie. Wendell Willkie was the Republican candidate for president in 1940. He, and his "Willkie Special" train, made several stops in Oregon and Washington in his campaign against Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In his short one hour stay in Tacoma, he managed to make several speeches at Lincoln High School, his campaign headquarters and the Wheeler-Osgood plant. Mr. Willkie ultimately lost the election to incumbent Roosevelt; however, his popular vote was only 5 million less than what President Roosevelt had received. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T. Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Johns, Paul; Taylor, Bertha; Kellogg, Karl B.--Family; Harrod, Russell--Family;

Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie and wife Edith on the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" train. The Republican party had nominated attorney and utilities executive Wendell Willkie of Indiana to run against incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Mr. Willkie paid a short visit to Tacoma on September 23, 1940, via train before traveling onward to Seattle. He managed to squeeze in stops at Wheeler-Osgood Co., Lincoln High School and his own campaign headquarters. Traveling with him during his Washington journey were Arthur Langlie, current Mayor of Seattle and gubernatorial candidate, and Paul Preus, congressional candidate. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T. Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wendell Willkie waves hat to crowd from back of open automobile at Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mrs. Willkie, beside him, is hidden by flowers. It was the first time in 24 years that a Republican presidential candidate had visited Washington state. (T. Times)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Wendell Willkie at microphone on rear platform of Special train. Mrs. Willkie and Arthur Langlie, Republican candidate for Governor, are to Willkie's left. Although Mr. Willkie's presidential run was unsuccessful, Arthur Langlie did win the gubernatorial race succeeding Democrat Clarence Martin. (T. Times)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie at microphone on the rear platform of his special train. Mrs. Willkie and Arthur Langlie, Republican candidate for Governor, are to Willkie's left. The "Willkie Special" had traveled throughout Oregon and Washington as Mr. Willkie made several brief stops to promote his candidacy. Other Republicans also hitched a ride aboard including Paul Preus, candidate for Congress and Mr. Langlie, Mayor of Seattle. TPL-184 ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1))

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Edith; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966;

When Wendell Willkie, the 1940 Republican presidential nominee stopped in Tacoma, both Frank Fletcher (left), age 5, and his brother Walt, age 3, were at the Northern Pacific Shops train yard to hear him. His September 1940 visit to Tacoma was the first campaign stop by a Republican presidential candidate in Tacoma in 24 years. The Tacoma Times misidentified Walt as Robert Fletcher when they originally published this photograph in September of 1940. TPL-8374

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Fletcher, Frank; Fletcher, Walt;

On Monday afternoon, September 23, 1940, Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie addressed a crowd of 200 to 300 Tacomans from an open automobile in front of Lincoln High School. Mr. Willkie and his entourage on the train the "Willkie Special" had pulled into the Northern Pacific Railroad shops a short time before during a planned one-hour visit to Tacoma. Lincoln High School was one of just four planned stops Mr. Willkie made while in Tacoma; the tubas and horns of the Lincoln band greeted him as well as the Pacific Lutheran College chorus. South "G" Street is packed with supporters of Mr. Willkie and curious on-lookers. He was the first Republican candidate for President to visit Washington state in 24 years. ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1))

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

Wendell Willkie, the Republican candidate for President in 1940, stands at a microphone at the back of a Northern Pacific train car. The "Willkie Special" arrived in Tacoma on September 23, 1940, from Portland on a campaign swing through the west coast states. Although he only stayed in Tacoma for roughly an hour, Mr. Willkie made several stops including one at the Northern Pacific Shops in South Tacoma and a second at the Wheeler-Osgood plant on the tideflats. Wendell Willkie challenged Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Although he lost handily in the electoral voting, his popular vote was only slightly less than Mr. Roosevelt's. ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma;

A large crowd of approximately 1500, including several hundred railroad employees, blocks the track while listening to Wendell Willkie speak on September 23, 1940, from the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mr. Willkie, a lawyer and utilities executive, was the Republican candidate for president in 1940. He was the first Republican candidate for President to visit Washington state in 24 years. Mr. Willkie made four stops during his brief one hour stay in Tacoma which included short speeches at Lincoln High School, Willkie-McNary campaign headquarters, the Wheeler-Osgood plant and Union depot. He was enthusiastically greeted throughout the city before departing for Seattle's Sick's Stadium. Candidate Willkie was defeated by incumbent Franklin Delano Roosevelt but only lost the popular vote by 5 million. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political campaigns; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroads--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Crowd listening to Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie's address at Wheeler-Osgood Company. (T. Times)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 23, 1940, Wendell Willkie shook hands with another Republican candidate for office while on the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" train. The man to the right is believed to be Paul Preus, Congressional candidate. Mr. Preus was running to represent the people in Pierce and King counties, outside of Seattle. He was from Parkland and a financial agent for Pacific Lutheran College. Mr. Willkie was joined by Mr. Preus and several other notables including Arthur B. Langlie on his brief stopover in Tacoma. (T. Times, Election Guide 8-31-40, p. 7, T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

His vehicle engulfed by employees of the Wheeler-Osgood Company, Republican candidate for President Wendell Willkie addresses the teeming crowd on September 23, 1940. These working men have climbed on car tops, roofs, and stacks of lumber to view Mr. Willkie. He stands beside the open automobile with a microphone; Mrs. Willkie is in the back seat. Because his time was extremely limited in Tacoma, Mr. Willkie's only stop in the industrial area was the Wheeler-Osgood plant where he inspected the plant for ten minutes and spoke to 200 employees. Selected to run against incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940, Wendell Willkie was a lawyer and utilities executive as well as a former Democrat. He campaigned against Roosevelt's New Deal and the country's lack of military readiness. Although he was buried by Roosevelt in total electoral votes, he only lost the popular vote by 5 million. He went on to become a close ally of President Roosevelt and was appointed his personal representative in 1941 and 1942 to Britain, the Middle East, USSR and China. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p.1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Edith;

On November 1, 1940, Tacoma's Republicans held a rally at Jason Lee Junior High School auditorium in support of their state and national candidates, while Tacoma's Democrats met at Lincoln High School. As a band played, signs promoting Wendell Willkie for President, Arthur Langlie for Governor and (Paul) Preus for Congress were held aloft by their supporters. The main Republican speakers would be Langlie, Stephen Chadwick, candidate for US Senate, and Preus. Trucks with mounted loudspeakers and loaded with candidate information, had driven through Tacoma's residential streets and commercial districts. Both political parties were working hard to get out the vote for the upcoming November 5th election. Although it was a wet and windy night, both rallies were well attended with approximately 1,500 people. (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times, 11-2-40, p. 12)

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. These five unidentified members of the Willkie and McNary Club of Pierce County were decked out in special semi-circular bonnets to welcome their favorite Presidential candidate to Tacoma in September of 1940. Each is also wearing a small campaign button on her dress. Presidential candidate Willkie made a whistle-stop tour of Tacoma on September 23, 1940, which included a stop at campaign headquarters. He took his campaign directly to the average voter during his one hour and 45 minute visit, greeting thousands of people along his route which stretched from South Tacoma to the business and industrial sections of the city. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Willkie and McNary Club of Pierce County. Five girls in head-dresses in front of Willkie - McNary campaign headquarters near South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue. Each girl is positioned carefully so that her semi-circular bonnet spells out the candidates' names and club in order. Wendell Willkie and his running mate, Arthur McNary, were the Republican candidates for President in 1940; they were ultimately defeated by incumbent President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950;

Republican candidates on stage at Jason Lee Jr. High School. Arthur Langlie, seated directly behind the speaker, awaits his turn at the podium during a large Republican rally held in the Jason Lee Auditorium. Several supporters cradle "Langlie for Governor" signs and there is one (Paul) "Preus for Congress" sign as well. "Uncle Sam", dressed in typical patriotic garb, has joined the group. A small band is seated below the stage, instruments at rest. The windy and rainy evening failed to keep away the party faithful as both Democrats and Republicans staged rallies at separate locations. This was the final drive for both parties before the November 5th election. ALBUM 2. (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times, 11-2-40, p.12)

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Signs (Notices);

In November of 1940, Pierce County Prosecutor Thor Tollefson, at far left, supervised the opening and counting of the absentee voters' ballots from the general election. A record number of absentee ballots, somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000, arrived from nearly every state in the union and Washington D.C. The ballots had to be sorted by precincts and districts and each ballot's signature on the outside had to be compared with applications on file. The 1940 election was especially tense because of the close gubernatorial race between Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie and Democrat C.C. Dill of Spokane. Absentee ballots cemented Langlie's lead, although Dill refused to concede for several days. From L to R are: Thor Tollefson, County Republican Chairman John F. Buchanan, Frank Perry, personal representative of Arthur Langlie, Auditor S. Clifford Davis, L. G. Higgins, official counter for the Democrats and Vic Johnson, watching for C.C. Dill. (T. Times, 11-12-40, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Ballots; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Buchanan, John F.; Berry, Frank; Davis, S. Clifford; Higgins, L.G.; Johnson, Vic;

On November 12th, 1940, Auditor S. Clifford Davis, right, and Deputy Auditor Arthur W. Schlegel examined the railroad car seal and padlock on the last of three ballot boxes filled with absentee ballots. These ballots were particularly important because the election of Washington's Governor was hanging in the balance. Guarded from the public by a rail fence but visible to all interested parties, Pierce County Election Board members counted the absentee votes. On November 14th, the last remaining gubernatorial contest in the nation was finally decided when the absentee ballots assured Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie's election as Governor. He defeated Democrat and former U.S. Senator C.C. Dill of Spokane. Langlie was the only Republican to win a major office in the state that year. The two candidates were separated by roughly 3,000 votes. It was several days before Dill conceded the election. (T. Times 11/12/1940, pg. 1; 11/14/1940, pg. 1-article)

Ballots; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis, S. Clifford; Schlegel, Arthur W.;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and wife smile at each other while on the platform during rally at Tacoma Armory. Governor Warren was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 5000 plus. Mrs. Warren was the former Nina Palmquist. Born in Sweden, she grew up in Oakland, California. Mother of six children, she outlived her husband Earl by nineteen years, dying at the age of 100 in 1993. She and Mr. Warren are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Nina; Governors; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

There is no doubt who is running on the Republican ticket for president in 1948. Large emblem-style portraits of Thomas Dewey and Earl Warren decorated the stage of Tacoma's State Armory on the occasion of California Governor Warren's brief visit on October 14, 1948. Governor Warren was photographed standing behind the decorated podium with his wife and children seated on an elevated portion of the stage directly behind him. An enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 warmly greeted Governor Warren, including hundreds of women who passed through a reception line earlier honoring the vice-presidential candidate and his family. Governor Warren's address touched principally on America's need for a merchant marine able to "make an honorable bid for its share of the world's commerce." (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Warren, Earl--Family; Public speaking--Tacoma; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, stands on the platform, below his name in heroic sized letters, during rally at Tacoma Armory. Congressman Thor Tollefson on the extreme right. As Election Day drew near, both parties were making concentrated efforts in an attempt to sway voters. Governor Warren had already visited 31 states during speaking engagements and he was to make quick stops in northwest cities of Everett, Seattle, Spokane, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, Portland and Eugene before finally heading home to the governor's mansion in Sacramento. (TNT 10-15-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Governors; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, and Mrs. Warren with former Governor and Mrs. Arthur Langlie during a campaign appearence in Tacoma. The Warrens were met by Mr. Langlie at the Idaho-Washington border en route to Spokane. He was scheduled to give an address at the State Armory on October 14, 1948. Mr. Langlie would be introducing Governor Warren to the expected large crowds. Sepia photograph taken on October 14, 1948. (TNT 10-14-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Warren, Nina; Governors;

Henry A. Wallace, center, the candidate for President of the United States in 1948 from the Progressive Party spoke on October 9th, 1948 at the Tacoma Armory. In his speech he attacked the Taft-Hartley Act and the "hot war" being waged against labor unions. While in Tacoma, he met with a group of local Progressive Party candidates including: (l to r) John Green Jr., Vera Keating, Russell H. Fluent, Henry Wallace, Rodney Peterson, Ernest T. Olson, Thomas C. Rabbit. (T.Times, 10/11/1948, p.9)

Wallace, Henry A.; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green, John; Keating, Vera; Fluent, Russell H.; Peterson, Rodney; Olson, Ernest T.; Rabbitt, Thomas C.;

Thomas E. Dewey, Republican Presidential candidate, Mrs. Dewey and former Governor Arthur Langlie on "Victory Special." Governor Dewey remarked that his father had briefly worked on the old Tacoma Globe fifty years ago and that his uncle, Harry B. Dewey, was a Tacoma educator and later state superintendent of common schools in the early 1900's. As he did when 1940 Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie campaigned in Washington, Mr. Langlie accompanied the Republican nominee on the "special" trains. Congressman Thor Tollefson also was on board the 17-car Dewey Victory Special. (T. Times, 9-27-48, p. 1, T. Times, 9-28-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Whistle-stop campaigning--Tacoma; Dewey, Thomas E., 1902-1971; Dewey, Frances; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors;

Thomas E. Dewey, Republican Presidential candidate, Mrs. Dewey and former Governor Arthur Langlie on rear platform of "Victory Special" during 15 minute stop at Tacoma Union Station. Mr. Langlie, Republican candidate for governor, was on hand to introduce Governor Dewey to his supporters jamming the depot. New York Governor Dewey was on a two-week campaign tour of the west coast. He was the 1944 and 1948 Republican nominee for the presidential elections. In the 1948 elections he held a wide margin over President Harry S. Truman in the public opinion polls; however, Mr. Truman's vigorous attacks on the Republican-controlled Congress and energetic campaigning led to an unexpected defeat for Governor Dewey. Thomas Dewey retained his role of governor of New York and in 1950, was elected to his third term. Sepia photograph taken on September 27, 1948. (T. Times, 9-27-48, p. 1, T. Times, 9-28-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2. TPL-9639

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Whistle-stop campaigning--Tacoma; Dewey, Thomas E., 1902-1971; Dewey, Frances; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors;

In September of 1948, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey (center), Republican Presidential candidate, stood with Mrs. Dewey on the platform of the chartered train, the "Victory Special", at Union Station and smilingly received a gift from Robert E. Hunt, college classmate and head of Tacoma's "Dewey-for President-Club." Robert Hunt and Governor Dewey were classmates at the University of Michigan where both had ambitions as singers. This was Governor Dewey's second attempt at the presidency; he was defeated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944 and by Harry S. Truman in 1948. (T. Times, 9-27-48, p. 1, T. Times 9-28-48, p. 1, TNT 9-28-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Whistle-stop campaigning--Tacoma; Dewey, Thomas E., 1902-1971; Dewey, Frances; Hunt, Robert E.;

Large crowd greets New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Republican Presidential candidate, appearing with Mrs. Dewey on platform of "Victory Special" during a 15 minute stop at Union Station. This was the governor's first visit to Tacoma. 46-year-old Dewey had secured a national reputation for racket-busting as New York county district attorney when he successfully prosecuted the crime syndicate, Murder, Inc. Thomas Dewey had lost the 1944 presidential election to Franklin Delano Roosevelt; he would suffer an unexpected defeat in the 1948 elections by Roosevelt's successor, Harry S. Truman. (T. Times, 9-27-48, p. 1, T. Times, 9-28-48, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Whistle-stop campaigning--Tacoma; Dewey, Thomas E., 1902-1971; Dewey, Frances;