Mary Todd Lincoln's Cell

[Susan Higginbotham]

Well, the bed and dresser don't look that bad:

http://i.dailyherald.com/stories/89/normal/89065.jpg

A reporter who visited Mrs. Lincoln in her rooms in July 1875 described them thusly: "She occupies a suite in front of the house on the second floor. The attendant sits in the small room, which contains a single bed. The larger room is Mrs. Lincoln's sitting and bedroom. It is very plainly furnished, the same as it was prior to her coming: an ordinary, three-ply carpet, of pleasant colors, harmoniously blended; a bureau, rocking chair, and lounge, and a plain bedstead, with a very fine bed, about which she is quite particular."

I enjoyed the Baker book, but I think her objectivity went off the rails when it came to Robert Lincoln, even to the point of accusing his wife of being an alcoholic with very little supporting evidence.