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Boston. With the aid of Franklin Sanborn, Greener was able to attend both Andover and Oberlin,
prior to Harvard. Greener spent the early part of his life in education and as a practicing attorney, but
began work actively for the Republican Party in the 1884 presidential campaign, touring and speak-
ing. In this letter, he makes it clear that he had infiltrated the Democratic Party’s meetings in Ohio,
and West Virginia, reporting on their activities “The importance of the canvass cannot be overesti-
mated. The Democratic Meeting last night was a decided success from their point of view. I heard
Bayard, Hendricks, [and] Carlisle and they all made temperate and able speeches. I have talked with
many Democrats during my sojourn the state, men who did not know of course who I was, and I have
learned that they are on a still hunt (slow and steady hunt) and confidently expect a victory. In my
humble judgment, Blaine is here just a week too soon, although his presence will gain us many votes.
Well informed Republicans tell me they expect he shall carry the state from 15,000 to 20,000.
Excuse haste, regard to Mr. Weeks (?), truly yours, Richard T. Greener.”
R
ICHARD
T. G
REENER
’
S
H
ARVARD DIPLOMA WAS RECENTLY DISCOVERED IN THE ATTIC OF A HOUSE SLATED FOR
DEMOLITION
. I
T WAS SOLD AT AUCTION FOR
$15,000.
441
L
OT
441,
continued