Was Stanton a murder target?

[Linda Anderson]

This is from Fanny Seward's diary:

"Mr. Stanton came. I think it must have been he - but perhaps it was some one earlier, that answered Mother's inquiry as to whether any thing later had been heard from the President - 'Yes - He is dead.' He died at 7:15- & we heard of it within two hours. While Mr. Stanton was there by the bed Mother said very gently to Father, 'Henry - the President is gone.' He received the news calmly, but seemed to know the meaning of the words. He was not able to talk much of the time - and communicated, as he had done before the last injury - by means of a white slate & pencil - but - owing to his exhausted state, & to his broken arm, it was almost impossible for him to write so that it could be read. I remember that Mother said - in talking with the Secretary of War, 'Are you safe Mr. Stanton,' as if apprehensive of danger to him- 'Not any more than any one else' (or, the others,) he replied.