05/13/2026
On this day in Michigan history 113 years ago, Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Marquette for the libel trial of Ishpeming editor George Newett.
Newett, an editor at the small local newspaper The Iron Ore, wrote a scathing article in 1912 stating “Roosevelt lies, and curses in a most disgusting way, he gets drunk too, and that not infrequently, and all of his intimates know about it.” Roosevelt, who had been facing rumors about his drinking habits for years, took the opportunity to attempt to quash the rumor by filing a libel suit against Newett. After a short but relatively dramatic trial, Newett was unable to prove his claim against Roosevelt, who won the case and asked to be awarded the lowest sum possible for the suit. He left Marquette a whopping six cents richer!
Want to learn more about this trial? There will be a special breakout session at this year’s Upper Peninsula History Conference titled “Roosevelt v. Newett: The 1913 Marquette Libel Trial” with James McCommons. Get the full story when you join us at the conference at https://hsmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/hsmichigan/event.jsp?event=10&
