Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[L Verge]

(06-01-2014 10:50 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  

(05-31-2014 02:31 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I found it unfair towards Mary that you, without giving any proof, made of a so far unproven "possibly more" "THE relationship of W.S.W. and M. L.":

(05-30-2014 08:48 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  I wanted to know if you are going to provide an analysis of the relationship of William S. Wood and Mary Lincoln, wife of the President of the United States, sometime soon.

IMO such is the way how rumors grow and people start to believe them without scrutinizing what they are believing.

HistorianJoan Chaconas' statement based on her research on W. Wood is for me sufficient to confirm what I personally believe: Mary sure had several "weaknesses", but I believe she had an attitude towards marriage and motherhood that regarding intimacy with other men outlawed anything beyond charming conversations.

In what posting that I made was there a claim made by me that there was an illicit relationship between William S. Wood and Mary Lincoln? Please provide the specific posting reference number.

Does this mean that Laurie Verge and you are not going to do the promised analysis of the POSSIBLE illicit sexual relationship between William S. Wood and Mary Lincoln?

Seriously, are you going to rely solely on the statement of a "Lincoln historian" that I have never heard of as the definitive answer to the question at hand? I believe that "historian Joan Chaconas" works on the staff of Laurie Verge. And, Laurie Verge refers to any criticism of Mary Todd, legitimate or otherwise, as "Mary Todd Lincoln bashing."

This is ridiculous!

Roger Norton has provided to you a reference to the scholarly work of Professor Michael Burlingame on this specific subject matter. The documenation contained therein might lead you to the work on the subject of other recognized Lincoln scholars in whom you might have greater faith and confidence, such as Ida Tarbell.

Remember: "If you don't look under any rocks, nothing is going to crawl out!" You wrote above: "people start to believe [], without scrutinizing what they are believing." I suggest that you start doing your own scrutinizing.

Excuse me, Mr. Lockmiller, but there are many very learned individuals in the Lincoln field who have done magnificent research without a PhD behind their names. I have been fortunate to know many of them - as well as the leading authors from the professional field.

I apologize for not knowing you other than through your one-time postings on the old, now-deceased, but wonderful Friends of Lincoln Mailbag on ALO and now here. However, I feel just as capable as you of having opinions as well as background sufficient to argue those opinions.

My very well-educated and common sense daughter advised me a long time ago, however, to choose my battles. That is what I intend to do right now. I am putting my opinions of Billy Herndon, Michael Burlingame, and you in a box and closing the lid.