MCHenry House Window Pane

[jreagon]

I am presently reading the book written by Louis J. Weichmann entitled "A True History of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln", edited by Floyd E. Risvold. It's quite exhaustive in detail, and I am discovering some things which, if true, are new to me. On page 43 of the copy I have (published 1977), Weichmann goes into great detail about an inscription on a windowpane at McHenry House Hotel in Meadville, PA, where Booth had been staying in August of 1864, during a theatrical engagement. A hotel servant later found an inscription on the pane that said "Abe Lincoln departed this life August 13th, 1864, by the effects of poison". He goes on to say that the glass was removed and encased in a wooden frame, along with Booth's registration signature at the hotel. This was, according to Weichmann, presented to the War Department after the assassination by Miss Mary McHenry daughter of the proprietor of the McHenry House, and - to the date of Weichmann's writing, was still in the Government's possession. Supposedly, the handwriting was, at least in comparison to the eye, the same as Booth's.
Weichmann did not say whether the inscription was etched, or how it was put on the glass.
Having never read or heard about the windowpane until this reading, I am positive someone at this site has knowledge of this, along with the possible veracity of this artifact.
Is it still in captivity?
Is it genuine according to experts - or a hoax?

Thanks for any response.
JR Eagon
PS. If this has been discussed before, I apologize. Just let me know where I can access the prior discussion.

[J. Beckert]

Roger has a little bit about this on his other site. Scroll down to the picture of the three Booth brothers.

http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln72.html

[jreagon]

Thank you so much.
JRE

[Dave Taylor]

JR,

The pane is still in existance though it has suffered a crack sometime over the years. It is part of the NPS' Ford's Theatre collection (FOTH). The artifact is currently in storage and not on display. I took these pictures of it about a month ago (sign in to view/download):

   
   
   

Dave

[RJNorton]

Jerry, here is a paragraph from Roy Chamlee's book:

[jreagon]

(01-26-2013 08:48 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote:  JR,

The pane is still in existance though it has suffered a crack sometime over the years. It is part of the NPS' Ford's Theatre collection (FOTH). The artifact is currently in storage and not on display. I took these pictures of it about a month ago (sign in to view/download):





Dave

Thank you Dave. Great photos!

---

(01-27-2013 05:25 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Jerry, here is a paragraph from Roy Chamlee's book:

I knew information here would clear up the mystery for me.
Thank you Roger!

Jreagon

[Jim Garrett]

Hey Dave, the picture came out pretty darn good. It is very difficult to take a picture of glass and for some reason that piece is very difficult. It is in a period frame with black velvet backing. The provenance tag on the picture is very different from the Chamlee book. The tag says that it was presented to the Judge Advocate after Ms. McHenry had visited Washington and was allowed to see the relics then in the War Department's possession.

[LincolnMan]

Another strange item in the Lincoln Assassination story.