Long knives in Yorba Linda Disputes over the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation have split the Nixon family:

It had been two years since Mr. Nixon’s death, and his daughters, Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, had not only publicly rebuked [library director John H.] Taylor in a letter published in The New York Times but also arranged to have him dismissed because of his efforts to take control of the library from the sisters and place it in the hands of the 24-member board of directors. Angry letters were exchanged as a showdown drew near.

Six months later, everything had changed. Not only had Mr. Taylor, a former Nixon aide, fought off the effort to oust him, but the library’s huge board had officially taken control away from the family. Also, Mrs. Eisenhower had suddenly reversed herself and supported the shift. As a result, family members and supporters say, the Nixon sisters stopped speaking, and have not to this day, dividing the old Nixon loyalists as well.

If you’re one of those connoisseurs of Nixonia who just can’t get enough newspaper stories full of names like “Rebozo” and “Abplanalp”, this is one for you. [12:29 PM]