Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

Nope, not Lee.

[AussieMick]

Forrest ?

[RJNorton]

Nope, not Forrest.

I cannot think of any more clues that wouldn't just give it away. The name of the engine was "W Booth," and the railroad was ordered to take it out of service. But then it was discovered that the railroad had purchased the engine prior to the Civil War, and that it was named for a sheriff in Mississippi who had that particular name. In other words, it had nothing to do with John Wilkes Booth. When this information was discovered, the order to take the engine out of service was lifted.

SOURCE: E. Lawrence Abel's article in a past edition of the Surratt Courier.

[AussieMick]

Roger, sometimes we tiptoe around the obvious guess. I suggest that at least 90% of us who read the question thought, "no, too obvious."
Occam's Razor sort of thing.

[RJNorton]

No googling please.

Whom was Mary Lincoln referring to when she characterized her as having "much forwardness and unladylike persistence?"

[Gene C]

Kate Chase ?

[RJNorton]

Nope, not Kate Chase.

[Anita]

Mary was referring to Vinnie Ream in a letter she wrote to Alphonso Dunn dated March 18, 1867.
In recognition of Mary Lincoln's 206th birthday yesterday, I've been re-reading some of Mary's letters and biographies. The letter is in my copy of Mary Todd Lincoln, Her Life and Letters by Justin and Linda Turner.

[RJNorton]

Kudos, Anita! Yes, it was Vinnie Ream.

Here is the quote from the letter Anita referenced:

"Mrs. Welles writes to my son Robert in regard to the suit of clothes I gave you and which have been in possession of Mr. Wilson, the artist. She desires them for a Miss Vinnie Ream, an unknown person, who by much forwardness and unladylike persistence, has obtained from Congress permission to execute a statue of my husband, the late President. From her inexperience I judge she will be unable to do this, in a faithful manner. For your devoted attentions to President Lincoln, I gave you those clothes, and after the loan you have made of them without you see proper you need not let them go farther. Retain them always in memory of the best and noblest man that ever lived."

I believe Mary later changed her mind and allowed Dunn to let Vinnie Ream borrow the clothes.