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

[ReignetteC]

I had the occasion to review some of Vinnie Ream's papers (currently housed at the Library of Congress). The following should be of interest:


The Sunday Star published its interview with Vinnie Ream Hoxie on February 9, 1913. At the time, she was 65. Here is an excerpt:

I came for half an hour every day. I was the merest slip of a child, weighing less than ninety pounds, and the contrast between the raw-boned man and me was indeed great. I sat demurely in my corner and begged Mr. Lincoln not to allow me to disturb him. It seemed that he used this half-hour as a time for relaxation, for he always left instructions that no one was to be admitted during that time.

In all the months that I had my daily half-hour with Lincoln the order that we were not to be interrupted was broken but twice, and in each of these interruptions the breach was strangely illustrative of the character of the man. The first person who intruded upon the rest hour was a woman of middle age. She was the mother of a boy who had worn the gray and who had been captured and was in the old Capitol prison. . . . The second woman was young and pretty, and she blushed when she started, falteringly, to state her mission. The president anticipated her request, and said that he knew by her blushes that she wanted to see a sweetheart, and granted her request in advance.

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Ream had a studio in the basement of the Capitol building c. 1866. On May 31, 1866, she wrote to John H. Rice, the chairman of the committee on public buildings.

Feeling assured that it would meet with the expectations, and approbations of the American [illegible] to have a marble life-sized figure of Abraham Lincoln placed by Congress in the National Capitol, I respectfully solicit the influence of your committee [illegible], and I submit my modest bust of Mr. Lincoln as a specimen of my work. Respectfully, Vinnie Ream

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On July 28, 1866, the 39th Congress jointly commissioned Vinnie Ream to “execute a life-size model and statue of the late President Abraham Lincoln" and appropriated $10,000 for the task. (The agreement included the payment of $5000 on her completion of the life-size model in plaster; the other $5000 upon delivery of the statue.)

Before the vote, Senator Charles Sumner vocally expressed his displeasure. She cannot do it!” he declared. “I am bound to express a confident opinion that this candidate is not competent.”

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James Rollins (at the time a former U.S. Congressman from Missouri) "introduced" Vinnie Ream to Mrs. Lincoln by letter dated August 22, 1866:

I take the liberty of introducing to you, Miss Vinnie Ream at present of this city, formerly of Missouri. She is a young lady of exquisite genius, and of rare and beautiful accomplishments. Congress recently extended her with the important commission of making a life-size statue of your illustrious and lamented husband, intended for the national Capitol. I must madam, if it is not asking too much of you, when I request of you to extend to her whatever aid you can as she prepares with her sacred work. Commending Miss Ream to your kindly offices, I have the honor to be, with high regard, your obedient servant James S. Rollins.