Mary's Carriage Accident

[RJNorton]

This may be a stretch, but I thought I'd mention my thoughts about other possibilities that crossed my mind. From what I understand the Lincolns had continued "issues" with the stable personnel. These issues involved behaviors such as excess drinking and not carrying out requests. Noah Brooks recounts a story that Lincoln once asked one of the coachmen to get the morning paper. Although the coachman orally told Lincoln he'd do it, he didn't do it because he didn't think it was his job to run errands. Lincoln was not pleased. Coachman Patterson McGee was fired by Mary Lincoln on February 10, 1864. That night there was a suspicious fire in the White House stables that tragically killed several horses and ponies. McGee was arrested but released for lack of solid evidence. It seems likely there were ongoing issues between the stable personnel and Mary.

So who loosened the bolts on the driver's seat? Why was it done? Sure, it could have been some sort of assassination attempt. But maybe there are other possibilities. Perhaps the coachmen themselves had an argument, and one secretly tried to give another a "surprise jolt." Or perhaps the anger was actually directed at Mary, and this was a purposeful attempt to hurt her.

All I am saying is that the accident is suspicious, but I think there may be other possibilities in addition to the speculation it was an assassination attempt. Hope I am not stretching too far here.