White House photo during Lincoln mourning

[RJNorton]

The Lincolns seemed to have continual issues with the coachmen and stable personnel. On February 10, 1864, the White House stable caught fire. John Nicolay wrote to John Hay, "Put crepe on your hat. Tonight, at about 8:30, while Cooper was gone to his supper, the stables took fire and burned down. The carriages and coupe alone were saved - everything else went - six horses, including the President's, ours, and Tad's two ponies..."

There was a strong suspicion that Patterson McGee, a coachman who had been fired by Mary Lincoln on the day of the fire, was responsible for the blaze. However, despite being arrested, the evidence against McGee was insufficient, and he was released.