Robert Todd Lincoln --The vitals

[Susan Higginbotham]

(12-17-2017 03:56 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-17-2017 06:06 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Mary was on the edge in the White House years, too

(12-17-2017 03:16 PM)kerry Wrote:  I agree that Mary was already pretty unstable in the White House

Eva, Kerry, everyone...I have a question.

Elizabeth Keckly wrote (after Willie's passing):

“In one of her paroxysms of grief the President kindly bent over his wife, took her by the arm, and gently led her to the window. With a stately, solemn gesture, he pointed to the lunatic asylum.

“‘Mother, do you see that large white building on the hill yonder? Try and control your grief, or it will drive you mad, and we may have to send you there.’"

Has it ever been determined if this statement could be true or is it something Elizabeth Keckly created or embellished? Was there REALLY a large lunatic asylum within sight from the White House in 1862?

I don't know if the asylum (the Government Hospital for the Insane, known as St. Elizabeth's) was visible from the White House, but it was perched on a hill and was certainly visible from other parts of the city. During the illumination of April 3, the Daily National Republican noted, "The Insane Asylum had a fine appearance from the city, every part of it being brilliantly illuminated."