Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Robert Todd Lincoln - Too Close to History

This is President William McKinley. It was this week in 1901 when Robert Todd Lincoln, son of the slain President, rushed from the train station in Buffalo to greet President McKinley at the Temple of Music. He did so in his capacity as President of the Pullman Cars Association to lend a hand in the political opportunites afforded by the Pan American Exposition which was being held in Buffalo that year. Robert Todd Lincoln was always late.

Just as he arrived Leon Czolgosz approached the President, his hand in a sling which concealed a revolver. He used this weapon to shoot the President within yards of the ever tardy Mr. Lincoln. The President was shot on the 6th and died of his wounds on the 14th of September. After this event, Mr. Lincoln would make no more public political appearances for the rest of his life. Some say this was a self imposed idea. Others say he fell out of favor as a guest for a very understandable, but unusual, reason.

You see, Robert Todd had a history of being late at the very times when Presidents were shot. He was late in 1881 when he was serving under President James Garfield, pictured here, as the Secretary of War. On this occasion he arrived, as he later did with McKinley, at the precise moment the fatal shots were fired by Charles Guiteau. Just as later, with McKinley, Robert Todd was only yards away. It has been written that both Garfield, and later McKinley, were having dreams portending their own deaths at the hands of an assassin. So much had been written about President Lincoln's premonitions, that both subsequent Presidents were eager to discuss this with his son Robert.

This is Robert Todd Lincoln as he appeared in the 1880's. The history of his presence at the assassinations began, of course, with the murder of his father, Abraham Lincoln, which occured on the very night that Captain Lincoln arrived back in Washington after having served as an aide to General Grant. He was too tired to attend the theater that night, electing to stay in the White House instead. But he was summoned about 11 PM that night after news of his fathers assassination had spread throughout the city like wildfire. Rushing to the President's side he was present when President Lincoln passed away at about 7:30 AM the following morning.

I have often thought about the burden that Robert Todd Lincoln carried with him for the rest of his life. He did write briefly about it, posing such questions as "What if I had been there?" and "Might it have gone differently?" No one will ever know. But every year when the anniversary of President McKinley's assassination rolls around, I think about poor Robert Todd Lincoln and the burden that he carried for over 6 decades until he passed away in 1926.

1 comment:

  1. Robert Todd Lincoln the 1st born son.As in all first born children they are coddled/spoiled? Robt grew up doing whatever he want to do -sometimes parents didn't even know where he was at times? Robt spent his time with his friends doing pranks not respect other people property? Finally Robt grows to adulthood sent to school where he makes friends does more pranks ?At the end of the war Robert Lincoln is allowed to enter Civil war he gets to see end result of signing Robert E Lee /U.Grant? April 14,1865 Abraham Lincoln & Mary Todd Lincoln ask numerous people to come with them to Ford theatre & They decline invitation? Rumored Lincolns invited james Harlan wife Ann Peck Harlan (daughter Mary)to outings but they weren't at ford theatre?Tom Thumb (mr mrs Stratton) Midgets were invited by Lincoln to come to white house? Mary Lincoln went upstairs to her son Robt room to ask him to attend the festivities.Robt told his mother:My notions of duty perhaps are somewhat different from yours?He didn't attend Ford theatre?Where was he that day? Some people rumor to say he was with Lucy Hale?Some people rumor to say he hung out pals (john Hay /John Nicolay)who were Robt friends?John Hay & John Nicolay enjoyed drinking alcohol(whiskey)so did Robt? Then have James -Ann -Mary Harlan stay at National Hotel (like most senators) inwhich they had parlor Hop party guest include Robert Lincoln,John Hay,John Nicolay etc? Since Lucy Hale daughter John Hale Senator (wife -daughters) New Hampshire stay at National Hotel?John Wilkes Booth stay at the National Hotel? Now Robert Lincoln enjoyed where-ever their was party with girls?Mary Harlan (b1946) was young blond flirtatious who was popular with beau's?Ulysses S Grant (1822-1885)wife Julia Grant admit see JWB april14,1865 and Julia didn't like Mary Lincoln so they decline invitation ford theatre with Lincolns?To think Ulysses Grant was good friends with Andrew Johnson /Edwin Stanton?The House voted impeach Johnson feb 1868?Johnson want get rid of Edwin Stanton secretary of war?John Manny(wife married employee Tinker)reaper case McCormick Reaper Co inwhich Abe Lincoln lawyer in case as well?Seward /Chase 1860 campaign for pres?Abraham Lincoln won presidency had secretly brought into the Capitol?Tad -Willie boys their pets (goats) slept with them in bed? Robt Lincoln exner -harvard -chicago college finally became lawyer was on the board George Pullman co that had given Lincoln carriage to bring abe to his resting place Springfield?For a time Mary-Tad-Robt stay at same place in Chicago? Robt Lincoln (wife Mary Harlan)in high society in Chicago?Robert Lincoln concerned that his mother Mary Todd Lincoln throw away his fathers estate (money) whereas he wouldn't have inheritance?Robt didn't approve of his mother's habits of shopping but Robt approved of his wife Mary Harlan Shopping and Mary Harlan didn't want her mother in law visit their home?Didn't son Robt case trial to commit mother in asylum He then allowed to take his mothers (father estate /money) money/property?Robt Lincoln ambassor to London,England his son Jack 1873-1890?Robt Lincoln connectto 3assassinations:James Garfield,William McKinley & father Abraham Lincoln?Robert Lincoln proved he enjoy money his mansion :3014 N street Georgetown,Hildene Mansion Vermont,Mansion 60 Shore Drive Chicago?George Pullman died then Robt Lincoln took over til he resign 1911 which he had nervous breakdown lose his job?Robert Lincoln /Frederick Dent almost nominated for pres/vp but never came to be?

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