Description:

TELEGRAM "EXTRA" ANNOUNCING THE SHOOTING AND DEATH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
A rare leaflet, an oblong 4to. sheet with black borders at top and bottom [New York?, Apr. 15, 1865] titled: "TELEGRAM EXTRA" announcing the "ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN". The obviously hasty edition is printed on the verso of a lined piece of letterhead, and misidentifies Booth as "J. WILKIE BOOTH THE ASSASSIN". Below the headlines appears a short note: "We are indebted to Mr. Smith, Telegraph Operator, who kindly furnished with the following particulars of the assassination of President Lincoln. Printer". The text of the dispatch reads, in small part: "Maj. Gen. Dix, This evening about 9.30 P.M. at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, and Maj. Rathburn [sic], was shot by an assassin who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President; the assassin then leaped upon the stage brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the Theatre. The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted and is now dying. About the same hour an assassin, whether the same or another, entered Mr. Seward's house and under pretense of having a prescription was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber...The assassin immediately rushed to the bed, inflicted two or three wounds in the neck and two in the face. It is hoped the wounds will may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal. Mr. Frederick Seward who was in an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father's room where he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds...General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre this evening, but he started to Burlington at 6 o'clock this evening. At a Cabinet Meeting at which General Grant was present to-day, the subject of the state of the country and the prospects of a speedy peace was discussed. The President was cheerful and hopeful, spoke very kindly of Gen. Lee and others in the Confederacy and the establishment of Government in Virginia....(Signed) Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War ". Following Stanton's message to Dix comes the one-line report: "President Lincoln died at 7.30, this A.M.". The final dispatch reports on Andrew Johnson's assuming the duties of President: "LATER -- 6 P.OM. A dispatch just received says the Vice President took Oath of Office as President today. He desires to retain the present Secretaries of Department, and wishes them to proceed with their duties as heretofore... The murderers have not yet been apprehended". Very rare. We have been able to source only one other extant edition at the Library of Congress. Light toning, very minor marginal wear, else very good condition.

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October 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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