News From The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
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09-07-2012, 05:10 AM
Post: #8
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RE: The Emancipation Proclamation and Mary Lincoln's Jewelry On Display at the ALPLM
I am not sure if this is the same letter Joe D. mentioned above, but I came across this descrption of Stone's valiant effort to save the document:
"At this moment a terrible blast of wind, fire and smoke filled the entire Ontario Street in front. The entire casement of the front window was in a blaze, hanging like feathers on every inch of the window. I immediately hurried down into the reception room to get the record book and Lincoln Proclama- tion. Not finding the record book I attempted to break the frame containing the Proclamation to take from it the Procla- mation and fold it under my coat, it being in a stout frame. Not a moment more to stop. Abandoned the frame. At this moment again the wind and fire filled the whole heavens frightfully, dashing fire brands against the reception room windows. A chinking I heard seemed from above, probably from the upper window or roofing broke in. Believing a minute more to try to save the Proclamation would be too late for my escape, I next made for the basement door, stamped fire out of two bundles and canted back the trunk to escape. The strong suffocation from smoking bundles outside of basement door prevented. I then tore open the third bundle (smoking), snatched from it a shawl, covered my head and sprang out with [as] much speed as possible, leaving the door little open. I could not shut it." |
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