Full Title

Idaho Statesman, April 25, 1865.

Description

This is an extra evening edition of the Idaho Statesmen published as soon as reports of the assassination reached the state. Reads, "The details, which we present to our readers in this extra, constitute a chapter of horrors that neither history nor fiction can parallel. The murder of Caesar by Brutus, the assassination of Henry the Fourth by Ravaignac, sink into insignificance when compared with the terrible daring and fearful coolness which characterizes the perpetration of these deeds."

Source

Idaho Historical Society

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.

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Idaho Statesman. "Idaho Statesman, April 25, 1865. ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/318

Creator

Idaho Statesman

Date

April 25, 1865

Full Title

Diary of William B. Napton, February 6, 1863-May 18, 1868

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

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Napton, William Barclay, 1808-1883. "Diary of William B. Napton, February 6, 1863-May 18, 1868". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/316

Creator

Napton, William Barclay, 1808-1883

Date

April 15, 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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Savannah Republican. "Assassination of the president". Savannah Republican. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/279

Creator

Savannah Republican

Publisher

Savannah Republican

Date

April 23, 1865

Full Title

Handwritten letter to Joseph Medill from Schuyler Colfax

Description

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Schuyler Colfax's response to Chicago Tribune newspaper editor and owner Joseph Medill's April 14, 1865 letter to Abraham Lincoln. Colfax describes the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's assassination.

Transcription

Page one

National Hotel, Wash.

April 17, 1865

My dear Medill:

Alas! Alas! Your letter was “too late”. I have scarcely any hart to write to anybody or about anything; but I asked Mr. Lincoln about Chicago, on the mourning of the day he died and he said he would go if he could. The whole policy of the Gov’t was settled at a unanimous cabinet meeting on that fatal day. If I can possibly get over to see you any day next week, from S. B. and spend a few hours (my time is very scarce) I will do so, and tell you many things. There will probably be no extra session. The inevitable resolutions about England, France & Portugal that would pass under

Page two

the P. I. and embarrass the Gov’t will prevent it. Besides the certain intestine controversies about Reconstruction. Johnson & Stanton were to have been murdered too. There were 6 conspirators in all. They supped together at 7 ½ p.m. at the Greenback restaurant near Fads bid each other good bye. Not for publication, if not published are ere you receive this. In room above Johnson’s, hdkf. with Booth’s name, sword and bowie knife between the beds were found. Asteroth was to kill Johnson. The N.Y. detective are exploring every clue. All private this.

The knife of Booth was doubtless intended for Grant. He has been hanging around the national all winter and is said to know me. Had I gone with the President to the theater I suppose I would have had it. But that is little compared to the President.

Page three

Much obliged for what you tell me about a young lady I think really a great deal of. But I ought not to know what you say. Mrs. M. may tell me of her opinion of me. The shadow of the past is over yet, when alone, more than ever; and I have no more idea and ought not to have as to matrimony than you have today. I should be very exacting as to affection & I ought not to think of changing my situation unless I feel that I could give as much as I should demand. I generally pass by these things as Mrs. M. knows, buy I have given you a glimpse into a heart that has ceased to sorrow for what God took from me forever.

With earnest regards to Mrs. M.

Yours ever

Schuyler Colfax

I yet expect to the plains in May.

Source

Robert R. McCormick Research Center, III-10 Joseph Medill Archives, 1840-1899

Rights

This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Cite this Item

Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885. "Handwritten letter to Joseph Medill from Schuyler Colfax". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/268

Creator

Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

Letter

Full Title

The president's death

Description

This clipping includes Special Orders No. 91 by Sammel B. Lawrence, A.A.G., detailing a lockdown of the city following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Also included is General Orders No. 25 by T. H. Harris, Assistant Adjutant General, giving details of the assassination.

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.

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Savannah Republican. "The president's death".

Savannah Republican

Creator

Savannah Republican

Publisher

Savannah Republican

Date

April 21, 1865

Full Title

The assassination

Description

This clipping includes news dispatches regarding the identification of John Wilkes Booth as one of the assassins and the official announcement of President Abraham Lincoln's death. Printed "from the Herald Extra, of Yesterday".

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. "The assassination". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/256

Creator

Savannah Republican

Date

April 20, 1865

Full Title

Detroit Tribune, Vol. XXIX, No. 234

Description

Front page of the Saturday, April 15, 1865 evening edition of the Detroit Tribune mounted to a linen backing. The page is dominated by the news of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the attempted assassination of Secretary of State William H. Seward, the latter of which it initially falsely reports as succeeding. The paper also includes a message from Detroit mayor Kirkland C. Barker, who requested that businesses be closed, all bells in the city be tolled for the hour between noon and one o'clock, and that the citizens gather for a meeting at City Hall at three o'clock.

Source

2014.002.500

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 Detroit Historical Society.

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Detroit Tribune. "Detroit Tribune, Vol. XXIX, No. 234". Detroit Tribune. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/252

Creator

Detroit Tribune

Publisher

Detroit Tribune

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

Newspaper

Full Title

"Further Particulars of the Washington Tragedy."

Description

Dispatches reporting events after the assassination of President Lincoln. They give details about the attacks on the presidents and Secretary of State Seward; Lincoln's death and Seward's recovery; the inauguration of President Johnson; the surrender of Confederate forces to General Sherman; and the capture of John Wilkes Booth. The reports were reprinted in the Montgomery Daily Mail on May 1, 1865.

Source

Excerpt from the Montgomery Daily Mail, book number ADVCOL39. Catalog record for this title is available here.

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 Alabama Department of Archives and History.

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Montgomery Daily Mail. ""Further Particulars of the Washington Tragedy."". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/210

Creator

Montgomery Daily Mail

Date

May 1, 1865

Full Title

"Late Northern News!"

Description

Reports from Memphis, Tennessee, giving details and updates about the death of President Lincoln (published in the Montgomery Daily Advertiser on April 22, 1865). They also state that Secretary of State Seward has been killed, but that assassination attempt was actually unsuccessful. Near the end of the piece is a note describing the reaction of some southerners to the event: "Several citizens were arrested in Memphis on Sunday for expressing joy at the above news."

Source

Excerpt from the Montgomery Daily Advertiser, book number ADVCOL40B. Catalog record for this title is available here.

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 Alabama Department of Archives and History.

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Montgomery Daily Advertiser. ""Late Northern News!"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/195

Creator

Montgomery Daily Advertiser

Date

April 22, 1865

Full Title

"Death of Lincoln. Great Tragedy in Washington."

Description

Dispatches originally published in the Atlanta Intelligencer on April 21 (shown here reprinted in the Alabama Beacon on May 12). These reports from Secretary of War Stanton, all dated April 15, give details and updates about the events surrounding President Lincoln's assassination. The following statement appears after the official accounts: "The investigation into the late conspiracy, shows that Mr. Lincoln's death had been attempted by poison."

Source

Excerpt from the Alabama Beacon, book number 33.0010. Catalog record for this title is available here.

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 Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Tags

Cite this Item

Alabama Beacon. ""Death of Lincoln. Great Tragedy in Washington."". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 24, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/193

Creator

Alabama Beacon

Date

May 12, 1865