President Taft Speaks to Crowd From Porch of Howard Hotel in Elkton

In the middle of a heated four-way presidential contest, a special train screeched to a stop at the Elkton station one Saturday in May 1912. On-board for a quick whistle-stop tour of Maryland was President William H. Taft.

When he arrived at 11:45 a.m., he was met at the station by a committee with automobiles and was quickly whisked to the Howard Hotel for a quarter-of-an-hour reception.  Promptly at 12:00 p.m., the Chief Executive was introduced by William T. Warburton and for three-quarters of an hour, he spoke about the issues of the day.  Houses, stores, and officers were decorated in his honor, and the Cecil County News reported that a crowd of about 2,000 listened to the speech.

President Taft was then hurried back to the station, returning to the President’s car for a brief rest, the special leaving for Aberdeen as soon as the tracks were clear.

President Taft Howard Hotel
President William Howard Taft spoke from the porch of the Howard Hotel in May 1912. (source: personal collection.)

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