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+--- Thread: C. W. Young Presentation Cane whereabouts (/thread-4323.html)
C. W. Young Presentation Cane whereabouts - Tibackme - 04-23-2020 04:52 PM
Greetings,
Impressed by the knowledge viewed in everybody's postings, I came to the conclusion that this would be a great place to request some help in my quest to discover the location of a cane that has piqued my curiosity.
While doing some research pertaining to my County the following transcription of a news item in the February 12th 1861 edition of the Nevada Democrat caught my eye:
"CANE PRESENTATION-- A Springfield, Ill., correspondent, writing January 11th states that Lincoln was presented that day with an elegant gold-headed rosewood cane, valued at $250 by Jas. Churchman of Nevada, and Samuel Gamage of San Francisco, in the name of CW young of Nevada. It was a manzanita cane not Rosewood."
Whoa, I've never heard tell of this hereabouts before, and just to let you know, hereabouts equals Nevada County, California. James Churchman and C. W. Young were Pioneer citizens of this County, more precisely of Nevada City, California. Churchman had earlier on been a friend of Lincoln, back in his own days in Illinois. Charles William Young was found to have been the first person to establish a jewelry store in Nevada City.
Further research revealed other mentions of the cane, the date of presentation changing slightly, as well as how it is engraved. Following is a sample of one transcription from the book: Sixteenth President-in-Waiting: Abraham Lincoln and the Springfield Dispatches of Henry Villard, 1860 - 1861 ~ Edited by Michael Burlingame.
To ABRAHAM LINCOLN
First Republican President of the United States
From C. W. Young, Nevada City, Cal.
It was also discovered that this cane was handed down beyond Lincoln's death, to Ninian Wirt Edwards – from him it went to his son Charles - - and from Charles to his brother, Albert.
Albert Edwards was the custodian of the Lincoln Home in Springfield, and records indicate that he left items in his estate that were to go to the Lincoln Home. Beyond Albert's death, his daughters were custodians of the Lincoln Home. I would imagine that to some of you the Edwards information might already be known.
In an effort to see if the cane might possibly be at the Lincoln home, I sent an email there, but as you can no doubt guess, the current predicament we are in has erected a roadblock from learning anything via this route.
So, I'm hoping that someone might have knowledge of this cane and its present whereabouts, or a tip to where else I might obtain more clues to where the cane is now.
It is my belief that this story would be a fascinating read, to not only those in my local, but to people who have an interest in Abraham Lincoln everywhere. Thus, the present location from which I hope to obtain a picture of the cane, along with seeing precisely how it is engraved to accompany my story is the goal I have in mind.
Thanks to everyone in advance, and here's hoping this finds you well.
P.S. I should let you know that my postings might be somewhat delayed. I usually do my research from our local library, which of course is closed. The use of a touch screen tablet I am just learning to use is creating fits and ties. So, please bear with me. Thanks again.
RE: C. W. Young Presentation Cane whereabouts - RJNorton - 04-24-2020 07:09 AM
Donna, this is not a definitive answer for your search, but two canes are mentioned in the Historic Furnishings Report: Lincoln Home National Historic Site. (1983)
https://archive.org/details/historicfurnishi00menz/page/232/mode/1up
If that is difficult to read on your device, the canes are mentioned on p. 231 of the text version here:
https://archive.org/stream/historicfurnishi00menz/historicfurnishi00menz_djvu.txt
RE: C. W. Young Presentation Cane whereabouts - Tibackme - 04-24-2020 01:27 PM
Roger, thanks greatly for your response and your thoughtfulness in providing two lnks. I was able to read the first link. It is too bad that the description the document provides is extremely vague, especially since the item listed above it gives a more detailed description of that item (an umbrella).
While taking the virtual tour on the Lincoln home site, I did notice, what I refer to as a hall tree, in which I espied various Implements which are typically held in such a device. I tried to hone in on the hall tree, and finally succeeded in getting close enough to zoom in enough to see what appears to be a cane, but it appeared to have a black handle.
Regrettably, my navigation skills and the size of my tablet's screen did not permit me to get close enough to enjoy a better view. No kidding, people would have been amused that while navigating I was rendered dizzy from what seemed like being on a Merry-Go-Round ride, with the ride at Full Tilt speed. Simply chalk that one up to a free ride. Whee! While trying to get my sea legs back, a memory occurred of a trip to Disneyland and taking in the theater in the round, and the man dressed as a sailor who ended up swaying unsteadily and grasping a rail for support. Thinking back on that, the man was probably part of the show, but we did find his action somewhat humorous. So, if he was a live stage prop, it certainly was effective. Also on that Disneyland excursion we saw the mechanical version of President Lincoln, which at the beginning was in a seated position, when he rose to speak and look around gesturing to the audience I was amazed. The perfection in detail was astonishing, and in the Mind's Eye of a child, I truly thought I was seeing the man himself. This has me wondering if that exhibit is still there. It was truly remarkable.
Back to this site, while navigating, and thankfully not becoming seasick, I came across a thread posted by Susan Higginbotham, entitled, "Life from February 9, 1959", in which she provided two links. While I am not sure if the following will work as a link, it will hopefully provide the path.
https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-3732.html
The second link Susan Higginbotham provided in her post is to an article in Life Magazine, entitled "An Old Lady's Lincoln Memories" by Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt. The "Old Lady" in reference is Mary Edwards Brown, the daughter of Albert Smith and Josephine Edwards. Albert Smith Edwards was the son of Ninan Wirt and Elizabeth Todd Edwards. Elizabeth Todd Edwards was, of course, the sister of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Albert Smith Edwards was the last person I've established as having possession of the C. W. Young presentation cane, and he was custodian of the Lincoln Home. Albert's daughter, Mary Edwards Brown took over the reins as custodian after her father's death.
Scrolling down to the final page of this article, which includes a photo of the Lincoln home draped in morning, the second paragraph begins announcing Mary Edwards Brown's memories including a quote which follows:
"In the late 1800s the Lincoln Home in Springfield was a major tourist attraction, and Mrs. Brown's parents were its custodians.
' " We let honeymoon couples sit on the Lincoln courting sofa. We took special visitors upstairs and showed the gold-headed cane that Stephen A Douglas held for Mr. Lincoln during the first inauguration."
Now, to let the cat completely out of the bag:
What my research has led me to, is that the C. W. Young presentation cane in question, is the cane that Abraham Lincoln carry to his first inauguration.
I know that another cane which was presented to Abraham Lincoln by J A. McClernand is presently thought to hold this honor, but since the McClernand cane was regifted to James Smith the pastor who had performed Eddie Lincoln's eulogy, I was left thinking a few things:
1. Why would Abraham Lincoln carry an old cane to his inauguration, while wearing a brand new silk stovepipe hat, when in January of 1861 he had just come into possession of a brand new gold-headed cane?
2. Why would the inaugural cane be given away when both Robert and Thomas "Tad" Lincoln were still living? My logic here is that the inaugural cane would not have been given away, but would instead have been passed down in the family. The McClernand cane was also given away before the incident that brought about a rift between Mary and her son Robert. Mary thereby had two worthy sons to pass the inaugural came down to when the McClernand cane went to James Smith, who at the time was living in Scotland.
My theory:
"Tad" Lincoln died, and the sad hardship between Mary and Robert would later cause severe discord, leaving Mary distrustful of Robert, while Robert was her only living child. From what I've read, Mary Lincoln sister and brother-in-law assisted with getting Mary out of the Asylum. Beyond which Mary lived in their home until she rejoined her husband at her passing.
Were I Mary, who would I have bestowed the inaugural came to? My sister and brother-in-law, which is what I truly believed happened. The C. W. Young presentation cane was not given away because it was a cane that would have been a greatly cherished item, for it was tied to the day that Abraham Lincoln first took the oath of office.
An earlier mention of the cane, while still in the possession of Charles Edwards, who possessed it between his father, Ninian Wirt, and brother, Albert, has also been detected, and that article provides a version of the engraving which included that it came from C. W. Young of Nevada, Col. The Col indicative of Colorado was in error in this publication, as Charles William Young was a jeweler in Nevada City, California, as was James Churchman who was one of the two men who visited Lincoln in Springfield with the purpose of presenting this came to Lincolln.
Thus my great desire to see the cane that was manufactured in the town which I was raised, and which I firmly believe ended up being connected with this great event in history. Wouldn't you also like to know its present whereabouts, and to see it too?
Sorry for the length of this post, but with every step I become more excited. Lincoln's first inaugural cane should be a National Treasure, but instead it is being mysteriously elusive.
Thank you ever so much for your assistance, and for also providing links to what you unearthed. I would provide the same but the keyboard on my tablet is seemingly devoid of a "Control" key, which leaves me without the ability to copy and paste.
Here's to you, and take care.