My uncle[mother's brother]was killed in WW2,and people have speculated that,perhaps,he could have saved her from doom!Family dynamics are different in every case.

"The Last Lincolns" by Charles Lachman is a great read. Lachman has a real gift for writing and after reading it, you get a real feeling for the family. He really did a terrific job of developing Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith and after reading about him you feel like you could have known him. Beckwith walks into his attorney's office bragging he's going to be a father. Well maybe his wife is going to be a mother, but..................

Thanks-Jim!

(12-24-2014 07:09 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  "The Last Lincolns" by Charles Lachman is a great read. Lachman has a real gift for writing and after reading it, you get a real feeling for the family. He really did a terrific job of developing Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith and after reading about him you feel like you could have known him. Beckwith walks into his attorney's office bragging he's going to be a father. Well maybe his wife is going to be a mother, but..................

Jim,
That was the only time in the life of Bob Beckwith that I felt genuine sadness and compassion for him.

Like his siblings he was simply not very likable, imo.

(12-24-2014 07:09 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  "The Last Lincolns" by Charles Lachman is a great read. Lachman has a real gift for writing and after reading it, you get a real feeling for the family. He really did a terrific job of developing Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith and after reading about him you feel like you could have known him. Beckwith walks into his attorney's office bragging he's going to be a father. Well maybe his wife is going to be a mother, but..................

I've been puzzled by Lachman's account of Beckwith's sterility ever since the book was published. The author gives no reference for the reported prostatectomy or which technique was used. Complete prostatectomy in 1962 guaranteed impotence--important nerves were destroyed during the surgery back then--and I doubt Robert Beckwith would have agreed to that. Plus, a vasectomy properly performed then would have been unnecessary with a complete prostatectomy. Only a fool surgeon would have neglected to emphasize to Beckwith that he would be sterile after a vasectomy. Nerve-sparing prostatectomy wasn't common until the 1970's. It's more likely he didn't have a prostatectomy but a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate--think "Roto-Rooter") which would have no effect on his virility and social antics. It's been the standard procedure for prostate obstruction since 1909. Plus a prostatectomy back then was generally reserved for cancer, unless of course, he had rather severe, recurrent urinary infections or sexually transmitted disease.

As usual, Blaine gives an amazing lesson. The symposium is indeed fortunate to have Blaine as an active member. Having faced prostate issues, I knew there were some significant hazards and only figured that the hazards would have been greater in the 1960's vs the 2000's.

I second you, Jim! Thank you, Blaine!

Timothy Lincoln Beckwith is an attorney in Florida. I have never seen a picture of him. Regarding his father, the Wikipedia article says "father is debated."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Lincoln_Beckwith

I agree 100% with Jim and Roger, that was fascinating info. Thanks Blaine!

In the early years of the Surratt Society, we were asked to give a presentation on Mary Surratt and the Lincoln assassination at a senior care facility in an exclusive section of Washington, D.C. We were told ahead of time that Robert Beckwith was one of the residents. In those days, Joan Chaconas and I were volunteers and the only ones well-versed enough in the history to take on such an assignment.

I think she may have drugged me, but the next thing I know, Joan was giving the presentation. About twenty minutes before the program was scheduled to begin, I got a phone call from Joan wanting to know where the cord was to the projector (it stored its own!). It went downhill from that point on because Mr. Beckwith decided to go for a walk that afternoon and was a no-show for the program.

Laurie, like quite a few of your comments this one gave me a good giggle...thanks!

(11-10-2014 05:19 PM)HerbS Wrote:  Andrew Johnson was a snake.

Today marks Andrew Johnson's birthday. There is an article titled "Is Andrew Johnson the worst president in American history?" here.

Thanks Roger.I am basing my feelings on Castel's book"The biography of Andrew Johnson".Castel was my mentor at WMU,and he just died at the ripe old age of 86!

William Crook, one of the guards at the White House, had a favorable opinion of President Johnson.
He spent a significant part of his book, "Through Five Administrations", on the time Johnson was president. Four chapters, and it's very interesting

https://archive.org/stream/throughfivead...7/mode/2up

His comments about Tad Lincoln (in chapter 4) are also interesting.

(12-29-2014 08:31 AM)Gene C Wrote:  William Crook, one of the guards at the White House, had a favorable opinion of President Johnson.

I agree with you, Gene. For example, Crook takes the view that Johnson never saw the recommendation for mercy for Mary Surratt, and he maintains that Johnson would have granted it had he seen it. Crook argues that Stanton was responsible for withholding the plea from Johnson's sight. Crook felt the criticism Johnson received for Mary's execution was unfair and unwarranted.

Thanks Gene and Roger,Everyone has thier own opinion of history!