Ohio Gang
Encyclopedia
The Ohio Gang was a group of politicians and industry leaders who came to be associated with Warren G. Harding
, the twenty-ninth President of the United States of America.
, Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall
, and Navy Secretary Edwin C. Denby
, were considered to have been responsible for acts of corruption and cronyism. There are a number of things they were accused of including, including keeping bootleg whisky in the White house.
The Ohio Gang was responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal
. The Teapot Dome was considered America’s biggest political scandal up until Watergate. The group met regularly at the infamous Little Green House on K Street
. Also associated with the secret hide out was Jess Smith
; who was said to have committed suicide because he faced scrutiny from Harding’s supporters about his involvement.
There is no information that proves that Harding knew of the scandals that were going on during his time in office. He may not have learned much of it until the eve of his death. Fall was mainly responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal and was eventually jailed for taking bribes. Later President Coolidge forced the resignation of Daugherty for the same crimes.
have challenged the term "The Ohio Gang" on the grounds that many of the individuals so designated came from outside the state.
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
, the twenty-ninth President of the United States of America.
Background
Warren G. Harding was elected President by promising to return the nation to "normalcy,” and opposing the idealism of his predecessor Woodrow Wilson. He captured 60% of American's votes and won by a landslide. After Harding had won the election he appointed many of his allies and campaign contributors to powerful political positions in control of vast amounts of government money and resources.Description
Attorney General Harry M. DaughertyHarry M. Daugherty
Harry Micajah Daugherty was an American politician. He is best known as a Republican Party boss, and member of the Ohio Gang, the name given to the group of advisors surrounding president Warren G...
, Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall
Albert B. Fall
Albert Bacon Fall was a United States Senator from New Mexico and the Secretary of the Interior under President Warren G. Harding, infamous for his involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal.-Early life and family:...
, and Navy Secretary Edwin C. Denby
Edwin C. Denby
Edwin Denby was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of the Navy in the administrations of Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge from 1921 to 1924. He also played a notable role in the infamous Teapot Dome scandal which took place during the Harding presidency. He was the son...
, were considered to have been responsible for acts of corruption and cronyism. There are a number of things they were accused of including, including keeping bootleg whisky in the White house.
The Ohio Gang was responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal
Teapot Dome scandal
The Teapot Dome Scandal was a bribery incident that took place in the United States in 1922–23, during the administration of President Warren G. Harding. Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall leased Navy petroleum reserves at Teapot Dome and two other locations to private oil companies at low...
. The Teapot Dome was considered America’s biggest political scandal up until Watergate. The group met regularly at the infamous Little Green House on K Street
Little Green House on K Street
The Little Green House on K Street was a residence at 1625 K Street, NW, in Washington, DC, USA, that served as the unofficial headquarters of the Ohio Gang during the Presidential Administration of Warren G. Harding. The name itself entered the American lexicon as a symbol of political corruption...
. Also associated with the secret hide out was Jess Smith
Jess Smith
Jesse W. Smith also known as Jess Smith, was a member of President Warren G. Harding's Ohio Gang. He was born and raised in Washington Court House, Ohio, where he became a friend of Harry M. Daugherty. There, Daugherty helped him to become the successful owner of a department store...
; who was said to have committed suicide because he faced scrutiny from Harding’s supporters about his involvement.
There is no information that proves that Harding knew of the scandals that were going on during his time in office. He may not have learned much of it until the eve of his death. Fall was mainly responsible for the Teapot Dome scandal and was eventually jailed for taking bribes. Later President Coolidge forced the resignation of Daugherty for the same crimes.
Resistance to definition from Ohio-based commentary
Some commentators from OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
have challenged the term "The Ohio Gang" on the grounds that many of the individuals so designated came from outside the state.
Members
- Warren G. HardingWarren G. HardingWarren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
- Harry M. DaughertyHarry M. DaughertyHarry Micajah Daugherty was an American politician. He is best known as a Republican Party boss, and member of the Ohio Gang, the name given to the group of advisors surrounding president Warren G...
- Albert B. FallAlbert B. FallAlbert Bacon Fall was a United States Senator from New Mexico and the Secretary of the Interior under President Warren G. Harding, infamous for his involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal.-Early life and family:...
(from New Mexico) - Edwin C. DenbyEdwin C. DenbyEdwin Denby was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of the Navy in the administrations of Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge from 1921 to 1924. He also played a notable role in the infamous Teapot Dome scandal which took place during the Harding presidency. He was the son...
(from Michigan) - Charles R. ForbesCharles R. ForbesCharles Robert Forbes was appointed the first Director of the Veterans' Bureau by President Warren G. Harding on August 9, 1921 and served until February 28, 1923. Caught for Army desertion in 1900, he went on to serve in the military and was a decorated World War I veteran. He first became active...
- Thomas W. MillerThomas W. MillerThomas Woodnutt Miller was an American businessman, lawyer and politician, from Wilmington, Delaware, and Reno, Nevada. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the Republican Party, who served as U. S. Representative from Delaware.-Early life and family:Miller was born in Wilmington,...
(from Delaware) - Jess SmithJess SmithJesse W. Smith also known as Jess Smith, was a member of President Warren G. Harding's Ohio Gang. He was born and raised in Washington Court House, Ohio, where he became a friend of Harry M. Daugherty. There, Daugherty helped him to become the successful owner of a department store...
- Gaston MeansGaston MeansGaston Bullock Means was an American private detective, salesman, bootlegger, forger, swindler, murder suspect, blackmailer, and con artist....