Did Vinnie Ream visit the White House daily for 5 months?

[RJNorton]

Good question, Lane. I think I am in a definite minority here in this thread; I just find it somewhat suspect that a 17-year-old girl was able to come in some sort of "side door" to sit with Abraham Lincoln in his office without Mary ever having a clue over the course of five months (and without mention by Hay, Nicolay, or any White House personnel at all).

I also wonder why there is no mention of Tad in her memories. Tad, I believe, was known to often interrupt his father whether he was alone or in meetings. It seems a little strange to me that Tad would not have seen her and told Mary that a pretty young girl was making a bust in Lincoln's office. Yet all Vinnie ever mentions is Willie and his death 2 1/2 to 3 years previous without mentioning Tad a single time.

Because of what others have posted I am more "convinced" (it happened) than I was when I began the thread, but I am afraid I still wonder if she couldn't have actually worked elsewhere using a photo. I agree with Eva that if Vinnie had a diary the story becomes more believable.

And, yes, the accounts I've seen use the term "daily." Here are a couple of her statements:

"When I knew him and spent half an hour daily with him while modeling my statue"

"I came for half an hour every day"

Those quotes came from here.