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Susan Higginbotham · 07-11-2017, 06:53 PM

(07-11-2017 02:35 PM)Donna Wrote: I ran across this photo that claims this photograph of a Daguerreotype depicts the actual gold-headed cane that Lincoln carried to his first inauguration. Any opinion as to veracity of that assertion?

I imagine there were many similar canes.

Eva Elisabeth · 07-11-2017, 07:30 PM

(07-10-2017 07:04 AM)JMadonna Wrote:
(07-09-2017 01:43 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: I wonder if he had possessed any before presidency (or election) and if Mary possibly thought he ought to carry one.

see post #4

Sorry, I should have worded more precisely - not later for safety and defense but when he was elected for appropriate appearance (from Mary's point of view):

RJNorton · 07-12-2017, 04:00 AM

Eva, I do not recall any mention of Lincoln and a cane during his Illinois years prior to 1857. The one presented to him in 1857 (in Susan's link) is the earliest I personally can recall Lincoln having a cane. Jerry mentioned that Mary wanted him to carry one for self protection, but I personally have not read that with regard to his Illinois years.

Donna, the cane in the photo you posted would not be the same cane Lincoln took to his inauguration as the couple pictured are (is) not Abraham and Mary Lincoln.

In truth, the most frequent connection between Abraham Lincoln and canes that I have read involves gifts of "Lincoln canes" to the Pueblos of New Mexico during the Civil War. Various reasons are given for the gift, but reading between the lines, it's my guess that the Union was trying to keep the Pueblos neutral during the war (or thanking them for their neutrality). Some sources imply Lincoln was responsible for the gift; other sources attribute it to the Superintendent of Indians for the Territory of New Mexico, Dr. Michael Steck. Lincoln's name was on each cane.

JMadonna · (This post was last modified: 07-12-2017 08:19 AM by JMadonna.)

(07-12-2017 04:00 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Eva, I do not recall any mention of Lincoln and a cane during his Illinois years prior to 1857. The one presented to him in 1857 (in Susan's link) is the earliest I personally can recall Lincoln having a cane. Jerry mentioned that Mary wanted him to carry one for self protection, but I personally have not read that with regard to his Illinois years.

Canes were often presented to people of stature as a thank-you for some service rendered. Similar to the way 'awards' are given today. They were seldom used, often being displayed somewhere in their house.

Lincoln's life was under constant threat since his election and its likely that's when Mary insisted he carry one. I believe he carried one when with her but otherwise he found them cumbersome and often 'forgot' them.

L Verge · 07-12-2017, 08:26 AM

(07-12-2017 08:07 AM)JMadonna Wrote:
(07-12-2017 04:00 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Eva, I do not recall any mention of Lincoln and a cane during his Illinois years prior to 1857. The one presented to him in 1857 (in Susan's link) is the earliest I personally can recall Lincoln having a cane. Jerry mentioned that Mary wanted him to carry one for self protection, but I personally have not read that with regard to his Illinois years.

Canes were often presented to people of stature as a thank-you for some service rendered. Similar to the way 'awards' are given today. They were seldom used, often being displayed somewhere in their house.

Lincoln's life was under constant threat since his election and its likely that's when Mary insisted he carry one. I believe he carried one when with her but otherwise he found them cumbersome and often 'forgot' them.

As an addendum, Mary was also a stickler for keeping up with fashions. She had a hard time with Lincoln's outfits looking perfect, but perhaps the walking stick was an accessory that made him appear more fashion conscious?

Susan Higginbotham · (This post was last modified: 07-13-2017 08:13 AM by Susan Higginbotham.)

In 1840, Lincoln made much of the "gold-headed cane" of Colonel ***** Taylor, who had derided the Whigs as aristocrats, contrasting Taylor's "fine carriage . . . kid gloves . . . [and] gold headed cane" with his own poor upbringing.

(Evidently the software for the bulletin board thinks that the Colonel's first name is an obscene word.)

RJNorton · 07-13-2017, 08:19 AM

(07-13-2017 08:12 AM)Susan Higginbotham Wrote: (Evidently the software for the bulletin board thinks that the Colonel's first name is an obscene word.)

Yes, we have run into this issue before. For the purposes of the forum he must remain Colonel Richard Taylor...

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 07-13-2017 11:00 AM by L Verge.)

You might enjoy this brief history on walking sticks:

http://www.literary-liaisons.com/article064.html OR this one - http://www.walking-canes.net/historyofwalkingcanes.aspx

Eva Elisabeth · 07-13-2017, 05:38 PM

...and this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wc77Vlb-yAE

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 07-13-2017 06:37 PM by L Verge.)

(07-13-2017 05:38 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: ...and this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wc77Vlb-yAE

Man, is that a pure American classic!

I was going to share the short info about the Lincoln walking stick at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, with my volunteers at Surratt House and stumbled upon this short video for kids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v99b_tgro0

Anyone know who "Mr. Lincoln" is in this video?

RJNorton · 07-14-2017, 04:03 AM

(07-13-2017 06:20 PM)L Verge Wrote: Anyone know who "Mr. Lincoln" is in this video?

Laurie, it might be Lincoln presenter Dennis Boggs.

David Lockmiller · 08-06-2017, 07:21 PM

(07-08-2017 05:05 PM)Donna Wrote: Hi All........what a fabulous and informative site for Lincoln enthusiasts! I am a lifelong fan of Abraham Lincoln and am curious as to why he was never photographed with a cane even though he owned many that were given to him by friends and dignitaries. Does anyone know if Abe ever actually used a cane for its intended purpose, or were these canes simply ceremonial gifts? I have read many biographies that touch on the subject but never really resolve it. I would be grateful for any definitive information on the subject.
Thank you.
Donna

A gentleman calling at the White House one evening carried a cane, which, in the course of conversation, attracted the President's attention. Taking it in his hand, he said: I always used a cane when I was a boy. It was a freak of mine. My favorite one was a knotted beech stick, and I carved the head myself. There's a mighty amount of character in sticks. Don't you think so? You have seen these fishing poles that fit into a cane? Well that was an old idea of mine. Dogwood clubs were favorite ones with the boys. I suppose they use them yet. Hickory is too heavy, unless you get it from a young sapling. Have you ever noticed how a stick in one's hand will change his appearance? Old women and witches wouldn't look so without sticks. Mega Merrilies understands that." (Six Months at the White House," F.B. Carpenter, 1879, page 256.)

Eva Elisabeth · 08-08-2017, 06:29 AM

Thanks David - I now remember this and that I found it a remarkable statement. A self-carved stick with hidden practical features would match a boy (of every age), and what an un-fashy fashion association -
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/4...-merrilies

Eva Elisabeth · (This post was last modified: 08-09-2017 08:05 AM by Eva Elisabeth.)

I just have to share this "cane-containing" photo I was kindly allowed to take of this nice couple I encountered at the supermarket. The lady designs and sews the fashion herself and they wear it just for pleasure.

L Verge · 08-09-2017, 09:12 AM

(08-09-2017 08:04 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: I just have to share this "cane-containing" photo I was kindly allowed to take of this nice couple I encountered at the supermarket. The lady designs and sews the fashion herself and they wear it just for pleasure.

Great photo! Too bad they can't commute to work at Surratt House...