ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JAMES F. BYRNES - TYPED NOTE SIGNED - HFSID 85497

JAMES F. BYRNES
Byrnes signed this typed letter saying that he doesn't remember where he was when he heard of the assassination of President William McKinley. This was probably typed in 1967, as he writes in this note that the 1901 assassination happened "66 years ago".
Typed note signed "James F Byrnes", ¼p, 6x5. No place, no date, but circa 1967. In full: "Dear Sir,I greatly regret that I do not remember where I was or what I was doing when I learned of the assassination of President McKinley 66 years ago. Sincerely,". William McKinley, the 25th U.S. President, died on September 14, 1901, eight days after being shot while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Byrnes, whose year of birth is sometimes listed as 1879, was actually born on May 2, 1882, so he would have been 19 years old at the time of McKinley's assassination. Democrat Byrnes (1882-1972) was a U.S. Congressman (1911-1925) and U.S. Senator (1931-1941) from South Carolina before serving as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1941-1942). As Secretary of State (1945-1947) under President Harry S Truman, Byrnes attended meetings regarding the establishment of the United Nations in both London and Lake Success, New York. Byrnes, who was Governor of South Carolina from 1951-1955, died in 1972. Lightly toned, stained and soiled. Top edge is slightly irregular. Folded once and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.