Sold – Grover Cleveland, Celebrating his 69th Birthday in Florida, Writes His 10-Year-Old Daughter: “I want you to know how much I love you.”

Grover Cleveland was an avid lover of fishing.  He took several trips to Florida to this end, and loved the region so much that he purchased a plot of land in the town of Stuart, though he would die before construction would begin.  He went there not only to fish, but in his later years to recuperate as his health slowly deteriorated.  Perhaps his most famous expedition to Florida was in 1906, where he went to participate in a fishing tournament with close friends and celebrate there his 69th birthday. 

A contemporary newspaper account from Palm Beach relates Cleveland’s arrival.  “Former President of the United States Grover Cleveland now perhaps the most distinguished private citizen in the world has arrived at Stuart Florida on an annual fishing trip to this state.  He is a well known devotee to fishing and especially to the sport in this area and visits here each year.  It be remembered that the last trip made by the late Joseph Jefferson was in company with Mr Cleveland… Mr Cleveland still holds to the old rule made while fishing at Palm Beach with Mr Jefferson that when the anchor is once thrown out it is not to be pulled in for an hour.”

Cleveland was overwhelmed with the attention lavished on him in Florida and also with correspondence congratulating him on his 69th birthday.  But more important was writing his young daughter Marion (“Mimsie”) a beautiful and heartfelt letter, discussing his hobby and longing to be with her.

Autograph letter signed, Stuart, FL, March 19, 1906, the day after his birthday, to “Mimsie.”  “I was awfully glad to receive your letter yesterday with Esther’s and Richard’s. It made my birthday very pleasant to know that my dear children remembered it and took the trouble to write to me. I don’t believe you really know how much it means to me to hear often from home when I am away, and to know that my family are all right. The weather here is like Summer and I am writing now at nearly eleven o’clock at night in my bed room with no coat on and both of my windows open. Professor McClanahan and I went fishing today. The Doctor stayed at home because he had a bad cold and it blew pretty hard; but the Professor and I caught about 30 fish all the same. Some of them were sharpheads such as Mr. Jefferson used to send us and which we all liked so well when they were boiled. I don’t know whether you would like it here or not. There isn’t much to do except to fish and go in bathing. The fishing isn’t half so easy as it is at Gray Gables or Tamsworth, though some of the fish caught here are big heavy fellows. If I was sure that the weather in the North would continue cold long enough, I would send some fish to Westland, but I am afraid to try it. I suppose your Grandmother will be getting home pretty soon. She passed through here on her way to Ormond, Florida the day before I reached here, but I have not heard from her since. I am dreadfully tired and sleepy and I am afraid I have written all I can to-night. I don’t think you still care for what I have already written, but I want you to know how much I love you and how much you and all the dear ones at home are in my mind. Give a great deal of love to your mother and the other children and tell the ‘Mallican man’ that I shall answer his letter very soon. I hope you all will write to me again. Your affectionate Papa, Grover Cleveland.”