Borne by Loving Hands

[Dennis Urban]

This is a very curious and extraordinary account. His letter contains many specific details which seems to indicate he was in the Petersen house from the time Lincoln was brought over until after Lincoln's body was removed. If in fact he was in the Petersen house the entire time, he must have been a boarder there otherwise how could a stranger to the house remain on the scene the entire time. That would simply not make sense. I wonder if there is an accounting anywhere as to the names of the residents/boarders of the Petersen house in early to mid-April 1865? Some names are known and certainly the two Ulke brothers were residents. They took the two known images of the death bed shortly after Lincoln was removed from the house. Was he present at the autopsy? He does not specifically say he was but he mentions the round ball which killed Lincoln. I'd like to see more proof before I believe this account completely.