Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, the first lady of the South during her time, commemorated President Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Charlotte on October 19, 1905. Written with flowery prose, Mrs. Jackson's admiration of the President is clearly evident. She was most pleased with his mention of his belief in the authenticity of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (page 5). She also describes her pleasure in having the opportunity to host the President's wife in her own home (pages 3-4). Her first-hand account of this special occasion gives evidence to the impact the President's visit made on the town of Charlotte at the beginning of the twentieth-century.
President Roosevelt's visit to Charlotte was very brief (only about 45 minutes) as part of a longer rail journey through the South. He made his way to Vance Park to deliver a quick speech before re-boarding his train. Many Charlotteans turned out to hear the President and were happy to hear him voice his admiration of former Confederate Generals and his belief in the authenticity of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
