Full Title

Sarah Gooll Putnam diary 7 excerpt, entries for 13-17 April 1865

Description

Sarah Gooll Putnam, a teenager (who was 14 years old in during the spring 1865 and lived primarily in Boston, Massachusetts), describes the shock and sadness of hearing about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Her diaries (started in 1860, when she was 9, and continued until close to the time of her death at age 61 in 1912) feature many illustrations. The entry for 15 April 1865 includes a minimalist sketch of a face with a shocked expression.

Transcription

31 April
Glee. The little dog was taken away by John
I read [?] [?], and check home
Lousia came in in the morning and so did
Mr. Greenrough and Mr. Baron.

13 Thurs. I packed up some of my things and
Stayed to alice Russels to drink tea, where I
Stayed awfully late

14 Frid. Packing went on at a great rate. Just
Think, we shall be out of this house Monday
Or Tuesday. I went to Aunt Lousia’s to tea
Grandma Upham came to our house for her’s.

15th Sat. Now guess my feelings when
Coming down to breakfast as Mother’s saying
“The President is killed!” I stood so for
A few minutes without speak -
Ing. I can not realize it yet-
Poor, dear, old, abe, [?] of
Will kill how his death came
On without any sentiment for that over
No good. Last night he went with Mrs.
Lincoln to see “Our American Cousin” [?]
([?] - Washington) During one of the acts
A justice shot was heard and a shriek
From Mrs. Lincoln and before people
Could collect their [?] a man flourishing

A knife strung from the boy by President
Lincoln, dashed onto the stage, said “[?] [?]
[?]” and rushed off. Now President
L is dead, dear old kind Abe. An attempts
Was made on Mr. Seward’s life too, who was
Sick in his bed. An assasin came into the room
Under pretense of somebody sent from a
doctor or something like that. He almost
Succeeding in assasinating both Mr. Seward
and his son who was in the same room
With his father. Everybody’s house almost
Is just in mourning for Abraham Lincoln
The houses are drafted with black and white
16th Sun. The sermon was almost entirely about
The [?] assassination.

17th Mon. Mother cleaned out the house, and
I went to Aunt Louisa’s to tea. Many and
[?] went to Grandma Upham’s.

18th Tues. There was an question at our house
It was rather mournful coming home from
School to see loads of furniture going from
Our house that we never shall sleep in
Again! Bridget, Hannah and many [?]
Walked round this house [?] the [?] with
Robin in Bridget’s [?] She bought the kitchen

[Transcription by: Megan Klein, Rachel Engl's class, Lehigh University]

Source

Massachusetts Historical Society, Ms. N-758

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

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Cite this Item

Putnam, Sarah Gooll. "Sarah Gooll Putnam diary 7 excerpt, entries for 13-17 April 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/285

Creator

Putnam, Sarah Gooll

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

"War Department, Washington, April 20, 1865. $100,000 Reward! The Murderer of Our Late Beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, Is Still at Large"

Description

Large broadside with a proclamation (signed in type) by Edwain M. Stanton, Secretary of War, describing the rewards offered for the capture of the assassins. The broadside also includes a description of the fugitives and notes that Booth might have shaved off his mustache.

Source

Massachusetts Historical Society, Bdses 1865 Apr. 20

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page

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Cite this Item

United States. War Department.. " "War Department, Washington, April 20, 1865. $100,000 Reward! The Murderer of Our Late Beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, Is Still at Large"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/284

Creator

United States. War Department.

Date

April 20, 1865

Material

61.3 cm x 32.7 cm

Full Title

Great mass meeting in Savannah

Description

This clipping describes a memorial service held for President Lincoln in Savannah, Georgia. The headline suggests this was the largest meeting ever held in the city with between 4,000-5,000 participants. The stage and decor in Johnson Square is described in detail, as well as the program which included addresses, resolutions, and music. Full text of remarks by General Littlefield, General Washburn, A.W. Stone, and Col. Stewart L. Woodford are included. With the exception of General Washburn, A.W. Stone, and Col. Woodford's remarks this article is a reprint from the day before (1865-04-23).

Source

Georgia Historical Society newspaper collection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Georgia Historical Society Research Center at library@georgiahistory.com.

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Savannah Republican. "Great mass meeting in Savannah".

Savannah Republican

Creator

Savannah Republican

Publisher

Savannah Republican

Date

April 24, 1865

Full Title

Alice Strickler Keyes diary entry

Description

Alice Strickler Keyes eyewitness account of the day that Lincoln’s funeral train stopped in Columbus, Ohio, on its way to Springfield, Illinois, where the remains of the president and those of his son Willie would be buried. This account is an excerpt from the Alice Strickler Keyes diary passage in the Altrurian Club of Columbus, Ohio President's Book.

Transcription

[Page 1]
25
These grounds, at the head of State street, it was so far from the town and in such a swampy and unimproved district, that it too was dubbed “Swayne’s Folly.” Noah Swayne became most widely known as Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

His home at the head of State street was later occupied by J. Ewing Miller. Its site is now that of the Carnegie Library.

Before the “Insane Asylum” burned, the terminus of all our walks eastward, was the great flat boulder, that still lies on the sidewalk in the east Broad street, east of Jefferson Avenue.

A little farther east the Asylum Grounds ended, and not far beyond, lay “Riley’s Woods,” and the open country.

In April, 1865, Columbus with the rest of The Nation was celebrating the “Fall of Fort Sumpter,” the surrender of General Lee, and the End of the “Civil War.” There was great rejoicing.

April 14th was appointed by Governor Brough as a day of thanksgiving. On that day there were services in the churches in the morning;—in the afternoon

[Page 2]
26
and evening everything was done that is possible on such occasions to express the joy of the citizens. The town was lavishly decorated.

The next morning, April 15th all this joy was turned to sorrow when the news of President Lincoln’s assassination reached the city. The emblems of Victory gave place to those of mourning for the fallen Chief.

It was learned a few days later, that the funeral train on its way to Springfield, Illinois, would stop in Columbus, and that the body of the President would lie in state for one day, in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

At school we were told that the city Fire Department would be in the procession to meet the train at the station, and that a number of young girls, dressed in deep mourning were wanted—one to stand beside each driver on the fire engines, and many others to ride on the large “Hook and Ladder” wagon, reconstructed for the occasion.

[Page 3]
27
This plan was carried out. Forty-two school girls of varying ages, of whom I was one, rode on this car, massed around one of our teachers (Miss Sarah Smith) who was heavily draped in black and represented “Columbia.”

After the coffin of President Lincoln was placed on the splendid funeral car, the procession started back on its route through the streets of the city.

At intervals the black robed girls on the float, led by their teacher, sang verses from dirge-like hymns.

When the procession stopped at the gate of the Capitol, these girls left their float and were led into the building, and past the coffin of the President. It is said over fifty thousand people viewed “the remains” that day.

The catalogue used to carry the body of President Lincoln had a canopy shaped like a pagoda. It was large, covered with black cloth, festooned, and trimmed with silver fringe. It was drawn by six white horses with large black plumes on their heads. The horses had a covering of black cloth edged with silver fringe, and each horse was led by a groom dressed in black.

[Page 4]
28
The silver fringe used to trim the funeral car of President Lincoln in Columbus, was afterward turned over to women of one of the church societies, to make into souvenirs to be sold, and I was able to secure a piece of it.

The historian of the “Altrurian Club” (Mrs. Cope) has asked for a small portion of the fringe to be attached to this record of my recollections, and I am happy to give this tiny, precious relic to “Altrurian Club,” of which I am a charter member, and through all the years of its existence, without a break, a constant and loyal member.
Alice S. Keyes
(Mrs. Elias A. Keyes.)
[piece of silver fringe attached]


[Transcription by McCaela Michas]

Source

Ohio History Connection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Collection . Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

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Cite this Item

Keyes, Alice Strickler. "Alice Strickler Keyes diary entry". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/282

Creator

Keyes, Alice Strickler

Date

1907

Full Title

Later from the north; Booth positively arrested

Description

This clipping includes news of Booth's arrest by way of U.S. military telegraph from Hilton Head, South Carolina, and proceedings from a meeting of the Army and Navy held in Hilton Head regarding raising funds for a monument to President Lincoln to be erected in Springfield, Illinois. Also included is a letter to the editor suggesting a meeting should be held in Savannah, Georgia, for the same purpose of raising funds for the monument.

Source

Georgia Historical Society newspaper collection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Georgia Historical Society Research Center at library@georgiahistory.com.

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Savannah Republican. "Later from the north; Booth positively arrested".

Savannah Republican

Creator

Savannah Republican

Publisher

Savannah Republican

Date

April 24, 1865

Full Title

Great mass meeting in Savannah

Description

This clipping describes a memorial service held for President Lincoln in Savannah, Georgia. The headline suggests this was the largest meeting ever held in the city with between 4,000-5,000 participants. The stage and decor in Johnson Square is described in detail, as well as the program which included addresses, resolutions, and music. Full text of address General Littlefield's address is included in this version of the article. This article was reprinted the following day (1865-04-24) and includes addresses of other participants. The erection of a monument to President Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois is also mentioned.

Source

Georgia Historical Society newspaper collection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Georgia Historical Society Research Center at library@georgiahistory.com.

Tags

Cite this Item

Savannah Republican. "Great mass meeting in Savannah". Savannah Republican. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/280

Creator

Savannah Republican

Publisher

Savannah Republican

Date

April 23, 1865

Full Title

Assassination of the president

Description

This clipping includes statements by "Major Rathbun" (Henry Reed Rathbone) and actress, Laura Keene. Rathbbone describes in detail the President's box at Ford's Theatre and Miss Keene's statement includes details about what she saw on the night of the assassination from stage area. Also included in this clipping are details about the autopsy of President Lincoln.

Source

Georgia Historical Society newspaper collection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Georgia Historical Society Research Center at library@georgiahistory.com.

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Cite this Item

Savannah Republican. "Assassination of the president". Savannah Republican. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/279

Creator

Savannah Republican

Publisher

Savannah Republican

Date

April 23, 1865

Full Title

Abraham Lincoln hair locket

Description

A small gold locket containing Lincoln's hair, cut on the evening of his assassination, 14 April 1865. It is a gold oval locket, engraved on both sides with foliate and scroll design, hinged to reveal braided hair under glass on one side of the inner compartment.

Source

Massachusetts Historical Society

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

Tags

Cite this Item

Unidentified goldsmith. "Abraham Lincoln hair locket". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/278

Creator

Unidentified goldsmith

Date

1865

Dimensions

2.3 cm x 1.5 cm; 2.5 cm (open)

Full Title

We Mourn Our Nation's Chief!

Description

Small printed item commemorating Abraham Lincoln. It includes a line engraving of Abraham Lincoln and a verse recognizing that he was killed by an assassin.

Source

Bdses-Sm 1865, Massachusetts Historical Society

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

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Cite this Item

[Unidentified author]. "We Mourn Our Nation's Chief!". [S.l.: s.n., 1865]. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/277

Creator

[Unidentified author]

Publisher

[S.l.: s.n., 1865]

Date

1865

Full Title

Abraham Lincoln Born, July 12 [sic], 1809--Died, April 15, 1865

Description

This broadside commemorates Abraham Lincoln and includes a quote from William Shakespeare. The broadside mistakenly states the month of Lincoln's birth as July (rather than February).

Source

Bdses 1865, Massachusetts Historical Society

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as: From the Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

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Cite this Item

Unknown. "Abraham Lincoln Born, July 12 [sic], 1809--Died, April 15, 1865". [Boston, Mass.]: Sold, to dealers, by B. B. Russell & Col, 55 Cornhill; Loring, 319 Washington St.; B. J. Remich, 515 Washington St., [1865]. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/276

Creator

Unknown

Publisher

[Boston, Mass.]: Sold, to dealers, by B. B. Russell & Col, 55 Cornhill; Loring, 319 Washington St.; B. J. Remich, 515 Washington St., [1865]

Date

1865

Material

35.8 cm x 28 cm