Assassination
« Previous EntriesStudio Macbeth Brought Lincoln Back to Life
Monday, February 23rd, 2009I received a number of emails from readers over the weekend regarding the History Channel’s recent special, “Stealing Lincoln’s Body.” Indeed, there was a plot to steal Lincoln’s body in 1876. Though I was able to forget about those incompetent body snatchers, another aspect from the film still lingers in my mind.
What did you think about the [...]
History Channel: Stealing Lincoln’s Body
Monday, February 16th, 2009I spent the last several days talking at great length about the Lincoln legacy. Over the last 144 years, politicians and political parties, as well as special interest groups and advertising agencies, have used Lincoln for their own benefit. However, did you know that a group of desperate criminals turned to Lincoln for help in 1876?
Though [...]
Lincoln on Ebay: Un-Reconstructed Southerner
Friday, June 27th, 2008
This week’s edition of Lincoln on Ebay comes to us in the form of a letter, written some eight months after the assassination.
D. M. Wharton, a citizen of Huntsville, [...]
America’s Political Religion
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008So now it would appear as if we have two candidates for president: John McCain and Barack Obama. Notice I hesitate to say anything is settled just yet. Like many of you, I watched Hillary Clinton’s speech last night. I was waiting for her to congratulate her opponent for capturing the nomination, but it never [...]
“He is Gone”
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008April 15, 1865. The president dies.
They found a pulse. The president was unconscious, but still clinging to life. They wanted to move him so the doctors could properly examine him, but the White House was out of the question. Someone suggested Taltavul’s saloon next door, but the owner objected, saying it would not be [...]
Assassination Timeline
Monday, April 14th, 2008April 14, 1865, Good Friday. Assassination.
8 A.M. Breakfast.
Robert Todd Lincoln had been at Appomattox for Robert E. Lee’s surrender, but he arrived back at the White House in time to have breakfast with his father this morning. After four years of national suffering, it looked as if the Civil War was finally drawing to a [...]
Did Lincoln Have a Secretary Named Kennedy?
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008This semester I am assisting Professor John Y. Simon with the second half of his American history course. Today we talked about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
I admit that the assassination has not always been one of my favorite topics. However, I have recently become quite interested in it. If you aren’t familiar with the [...]
He Found it in the Trash
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008It was just an old book that someone threw away, but it caught the policeman’s eye. He plucked it out of the trash and flipped through the pages.
He was startled by what he read.
It was a 140 year old police logbook that contained handwritten entries from a Washington, D. C. police officer who was on [...]
National Archives: The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007Back in April I reported on the new Nicholas Cage film, National Treasure 2: The Book of Secrets. Though the film is a work of fiction set in modern-day America, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln does play a part in the plot. The film is set to be released on December 21, 2007.
Today, I am [...]
Stealing Lincoln’s Body
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007For the past few weeks we’ve been discussing some of the fine books and programs devoted to the Lincoln assassination, but a new book takes the story even further.
Thomas J. Craughwell’s latest offering, Stealing Lincoln’s Body, details an ill-conceived plot to steal Lincoln’s corpse and hold it for ransom.
It all started in 1876 in a [...]