Robert Todd Lincoln --The vitals

[L Verge]

1) When Dr. Abbott, a black military surgeon, came to a reception and went for what I guess was the first interracial handshake with the president, Robert left his mother's side and came over to ask Lincoln what he was doing. Lincoln said "Why not?", shook his hand, and Robert walked away. In fairness, he simply may have been terrified that was inviting assassination.

Kerry - the February issue of the Surratt Courier will have a short article on this (Breaking the Color Barrier...), taken from the White House Historical Association's online histories.

Eva - I agree that I'm not sure that I would like Robert Lincoln, and I really wish I could delve into his wife's "stories" also. Just from the little bit that I have read on her, I have the suspicion that she might have been just as hard to get along with as her mother-in-law was/is accused of being. Spoiled society dame??