JFK’s memorable Dayton visits included a famous tuxedo reward

On this anniversary of his death, we look back at his visits to the Miami Valley and Dayton region.

>> PHOTOS: A look back at JFK’s visits to the Dayton area

Many here might remember him, as a presidential hopeful, making numerous visits to the Miami Valley.

One memorable stop occurred when Kennedy spoke at a Dayton Bar Association event at the Biltmore Hotel on Sept. 17, 1959.

>> The front page of the Dayton Daily News after President Kennedy’s assassination

The young senator, who was running for the Democratic Party nomination, did not realize the event was a black tie affair.

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Price Stores sent over a tailor who took the Senator’s measurements and dressed him for the evening. Several days later, an employee at the store found an envelope with a campaign donation in a pocket of the returned tuxedo.

Charles Fidler at Price Stores wrote a letter to Kennedy and returned the $105. Kennedy wrote back thanking the men for their honesty and included $25 as reward. A copy of Kennedy’s letter is hanging in Price Stores today.