![]() Lincoln was not present at his father’s assassination.Robert Lincoln was coincidentally either present or nearby when three presidential assassinations occurred. Upon turning to thank my rescuer I saw it was Edwin Booth, whose face was of course well known to me, and I expressed my gratitude to him, and in doing so, called him by name.Įdwin Booth was one of the most popular actors of his generation, and is still the most prolific Shakespearean actor of all time. In this situation the train began to move, and by the motion I was twisted off my feet, and had dropped somewhat, with feet downward, into the open space, and was personally helpless, when my coat collar was vigorously seized and I was quickly pulled up and out to a secure footing on the platform. There was some crowding, and I happened to be pressed by it against the car body while waiting my turn. The platform was about the height of the car floor, and there was of course a narrow space between the platform and the car body. The incident occurred while a group of passengers were late at night purchasing their sleeping car places from the conductor who stood on the station platform at the entrance of the car. Robert Lincoln recalled the incident in a 1909 letter to Richard Watson Gilder, editor of The Century Magazine: The exact date of the incident is uncertain, but it is believed to have taken place in late 1863 or early 1864, before John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of President Lincoln (April 14, 1865). The incident took place on a train platform in Jersey City, New Jersey. Robert was once saved from possible serious injury or death by Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of his father. Robert was the first Lincoln son and was the only one to live past the age of 18. Some historians believe Eddie’s death began Mary Todd’s journey to instability Mary was so distraught that Lincoln feared for her sanity.Įddie’s body was buried at Hutchinson’s Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln generated no official correspondence for four days. Willie’s younger brother, Tad, cried for nearly a month because he and Willie were very close. His father did not return to work for three weeks. It is hard, hard to have him die!”īoth parents were deeply affected. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so much. Finally, on Wednesday, February 20, 1862, at 5:00 p.m., Willie died. Gradually Willie weakened, and his parents spent much time at his bedside. The White House drew its water from the Potomac River, along which thousands of soldiers and horses were camped. The most likely cause of the illness was typhoid fever, which was usually contracted by consumption of fecally contaminated food/water. Although Tad recovered, Willie’s condition fluctuated from day to day. Willie and Tad (the youngest son) became ill in early 1862.
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