He Served in Place of Abraham Lincoln

[Gene C]

(01-20-2016 02:18 PM)maharba Wrote:  Had the crony actually arranged to have all records of Summerfield's service to be unfindable, just a year or two prior?

Since you asked the question, what possible purpose could Larner have in denying a poor civil war soldier his pension and having his records "unfindable", and was he in a position to have that done?
Any records on Summerfield's part that he served? He supposedly served on two separate occasions. Army medical records, letters home from the front. Affidavits from people he served with? His uniform?
If they couldn't find them then, maybe you could find them now.

If I had been denied my pension, I'd sure come up with some kind of proof. John Hay was a supposed witness of the event and still alive in 1886. He would certainly remember the event.
"Although not as formal, there was, then as now, a protocol in place for meeting the president of the United States. John Hay briefed father and son, and then escorted them into the small room where Lincoln stood. Hay made the introductions; first the president followed by Provost Marshall Fry and then Larner. A reporter stood by the window; he was not introduced. Lincoln shook hands with Summerfield and asked if he had been sworn. Larner replied that he had, absorbing a glare from Hay. The president reached in his pocket and handed young Staples $60, saying “I hope you will be one of the fortunate ones.” He extended his hand again and Summerfield shook Lincoln’s hand a second time. With that, the president glanced at Hay, and father and son were ushered out of Lincoln’s presence. " (from Monroe County Historical Assoc. - Oct 2014)

What I find a bit puzzling, there appears to be no mention of this important, symbolic act in the Hay & Nicolay, 10 Volume History of Lincoln, and no mention of Summerfield or Larner either.
It's like the whole thing never really happened.


By the way, I seem to have missed your answer to Rogers question in post #28.