Madness of Mary Lincoln

[RJNorton]

If Clinton were correct in her statement...

Here goes with some real wild speculation on my part; some of it is known information, but most is just unsubstantiated guesswork:

1. Tad Lincoln was once given a pistol during the war; however, on June 9, 1863, Abraham sent Mary a message that said: "Think you better put Tad's pistol away. I had an ugly dream about him."

2. Abraham was carrying it on his person on April 14, 1865.

3. As he was being carried across the street to the Petersen House, it dropped out along with some papers.

4. The papers and pistol were picked up in the street by Captain Edwin E. Bedee.

5. Bedee took the stuff to Stanton; Stanton told Bedee to tell no one about Lincoln's gun.

6. Stanton quietly returned the gun to Mary Lincoln in the White House.

7. Mary packed it away in her trunks.

8. The gun resurfaces in the mid-1870's when Mary is said to be carrying a pistol in her pocket.

9. From there the pistol disappears...

If anyone would like to poke holes in my speculation...please post!