Tough Tarbell Trivia

[RJNorton]

Libel and/or slander?

[Rob Wick]

Close enough Roger.

Von Knappe was accused of libeling the memory of Lincoln in his book on the history of the Wabash Valley. While I haven't completed my research on this yet, neither Tarbell nor RTL ever testified, and Von Knappe was acquitted. It wouldn't be out of the question to suspect that being a German at the time of World War I likely played a role in it as well.

Best
Rob

Just a note of correction. I said Von Knappe was acquitted, but according to some information I forgot I had, just a few days before his trial was to begin, Von Knappe pled guilty to "printing and distributing obscene literature.” He was fined $25 and court costs, a total of $34.50.
RW

[Rob Wick]

In the mid 1920s Ida Tarbell was shocked to find that a very important piece of Lincolniana was missing. She later was aghast when she found out who had taken it. To get this right, you must answer two questions;

1. What was missing?
2. Who took it?

Best
Rob

[J. Beckert]

1. The kitchen stove from the Springfield home?
2. Osborne Oldroyd?

[Gene C]

Reminds me of the "wouldn't steal a red hot stove" story

[Rob Wick]

Sorry Joe. Good guess, but that's not it.

Think much smaller and less heavy.

Best
Rob

[J. Beckert]

1. The Lincoln boy's cradle.
2. Osborne Oldroyd.

[RJNorton]

1. The porch bench from the Lincoln home.
2. Osborn Oldroyd.

or

1. A black locust rail split by the railsplitter himself.
2. Osborn Oldroyd.

[Rob Wick]

Sorry guys, but neither is correct, and the culprit isn't Oldroyd.

Next clue:

Tarbell learned of its disappearance from Louis A. Warren.

Best
Rob

[Rob Wick]

Second clue:

Warren discovered the situation in Kentucky.

Best
Rob

[Rob Wick]

Third clue:

The culprit died in 1930, and it was shortly after that when the situation was discovered.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Was #2 William E. Barton?

[Rob Wick]

That is correct, Roger.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

1. Lucy Hanks' marriage certificate.

[Rob Wick]

Good job Roger! You've got it.

For two years Warren knew that the document was missing, but didn't tell anyone. After Warren's book came out, Tarbell wanted to see the original document at which time Warren informed her it was missing. Tarbell wanted to announce the news immediately, but Warren, fearful of the negative publicity it would cause (and fearful that his role might be misconstrued which would affect his new job with the Lincoln Foundation of Fort Wayne), wanted to keep it quiet.

After Barton died in 1930, in going through his papers, it was discovered that he had taken the document while in Kentucky. Tarbell was shocked to discover that Barton had, in effect, stolen the document.

Given his role in the Wilma Minor affair and this, his reputation wasn't the best for many years.

Your prize, Roger, is to go to the Barton Collection at the University of Chicago and take the document of your choice. Just tell them that Wilma Minor approved it.

Best
Rob