Borne by Loving Hands

[Houmes]

(04-17-2015 02:05 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(04-17-2015 01:50 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Laurie, I often see those names mentioned in books. Despite the claims, Ed Steers writes in his encyclopedia, "...there are no records that definitively confirm who carried Lincoln's body from the theater into the Petersen House."

In the many years following the assassination 20+ men claimed (or were given credit) to have helped carry the stricken President across the street from Ford's Theatre to the Petersen House. The names include Dr. Charles Leale, Dr. Charles Taft, Dr. Albert King, Albert Daggett, Augustus Clark, Capt. Obadiah Jackson Downing, Capt. Edwin Bedee, Major Isaac Walker McClay, W.H. Flood, Frederick Johnstone, Jacob J. Soles, John Corey, Jacob Griffiths, William Sample, William McPeck, John Weaver, Joseph Hazelton, Capt. Owen, Capt. John Sears, Capt. John Busby, Capt. Oliver C. Gatch, George A. Clark, Thomas Gourlay, John Veach, Major White, William Greer, William A. Stone, and William Hall.

The names I've seen most often in books are Jacob Soles, John Corey, Jacob Griffiths, and William Sample.

Tim Good, in his book, agrees with Ed Steers saying the actual bearers cannot be determined with absolute certainty.

Thanks. I should have mentioned that Carl Sandburg interviewed Mr. Soles.

Iowa Governor William Milo Stone claimed he was present at Ford's Theater. He rushed to the president's box and remained at his bedside until Lincoln died. He served as a pallbearer at the funeral and rode on the train that carried Lincoln's body back to Illinois. He also claimed to have helped carry Lincoln's body across the street.

I suspect some of this is true, probably the part of being at Ford's Theatre.