Booth's Farewell Speech (?)

[RJNorton]

Robert Lincoln issued a denial of the Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean story. Regarding Robert's feelings a story in the New Orleans Times said, "He (Robert) says that he never knew Miss Hale, and consequently could not have been her lover, and that he and Booth were never rivals. He also denies knowing Mrs. Temple, who is the author of the story." Mary Harlan Lincoln also denied the Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean story in 1926. However, when Robert claimed he never knew Miss Hale this was simply not true. Blaine Houmes wrote an article about this relationship which even includes information on the gifts Robert gave to Lucy. See "Lincoln & Booth: A Love Story." Manuscripts, Vol. 59, No. 1, Winter 2007, pp. 5-11.