Engraved card extending a welcome by the San Francisco Women's Committee to First Lady Florence Harding "and Ladies of the Presidential Party," during the official state visit by President Warren Harding, 1923. Undated photo of President and Mrs. Harding with group of women included.
Harding was on a tour of the country, a "Voyage of Understanding," in the summer of 1923. On July 27, he suffered an "acute gastrointestinal attack" in Seattle, and canceled an appearance in Portland, instead proceeding to San Francisco on July 29. He appeared to be improving, but suffered a relapse, and was confined to bed. On August 2, his doctors felt optimistic for his recovery, and he was allowed to sit up in bed. That evening, as First Lady Florence Harding sat by his bedside reading the President a flattering article in the Saturday Evening Post, he gasped and collapsed back into bed. The First Lady called for doctors, but they could not revive him, and he was pronounced dead.
Although the cause of death was almost certainly a heart attack, rumors persist to this day that he was murdered by his wife due to his well documented infidelity. Mrs. Harding refused an autopsy, and died in 1931. We may never know.
A rare piece of memorabilia from Harding's fateful visit to San Francisco.
