The Tale of George Atzerodt

[LincolnMan]

Do you think the comic book/graphic illustration format tends to lessen the violence aspect and take away some of the reality to the situation, and makes it more like just a story (as opposed to the news)

That's partly my concern Gene. We take the topic of presidential assassinations and put it in a comic book form- lessening the horror of what is really addressing.

[brtmchl]

Bill. I agree with you to a point. What is a correct level of exposure a child should have on a certain topic? Children watch, play, and read much more (explicit) violence outside of the classroom, yet our school systems shield them from actual historic topics. My wife is a teacher, and sometimes battles with how much detail she should go into on any given subject, only to find that her worries were for nothing. What she was afraid of teaching was considered tame to her students. She also tells me about the books and movies her kids are reading and can't understand why a parent would allow their child to watch such things.

I don't believe that children in 5th grade and up, can't handle the Hallocaust, Lincoln assassination, or the bombing of Hiroshima. I think actual real life subjects are important. Kids are too wrapped up in fantasy violence. It is so over the top, that a little real life might be good to understand there are consequences. I am not suggesting at this level to go into graphic detail. I have taught the Lincoln assassination in my wife's 5th grade classroom now for 3 years.

I can tell you that I have seen just about every emotion from the kids. I have seen immature students, who laugh and make jokes in the beginning sit quietly throughout the remainder, listening intently. I have seen children comment that they were afraid, especially of Powell, and I have seen children weep for Lincoln. But every one of those kids made comments later, that they never knew the actual story and that it was one of their favorite classes of the school year.

I also understand the politics involved, but are we concerned that the children can't handle it? Teachers also have to tread lightly on certain areas because of parents, often times one parent, and the administration. If it is laid out in the curriculum, teach it. But really teach it.

Whether they have the maturity to handle it is another question.

[RJNorton]

I taught 13/14 year-olds (8th grade). For the last several years of my teaching career I was required by Illinois state law to teach a unit on the Holocaust. The principal also assigned me the task of writing letters to the parents of all the students indicating a student could opt out of the unit (and go to the library rather than attend class). Each year I had a few students/parents who preferred this. But I also had a few students begin by staying in class but after a few days deciding to opt out. IMO there is a wide variance in student readiness; some are ready for certain topics at an earlier age than others.

[LincolnMan]

I appreciate the input that everyone is contributing on this. I probably should have asked if the book has a suggested age range of readership? It sounds like we are all agreeing that the subject matter is probably inappropriate for 9 years and younger?

[brtmchl]

Roger said: IMO there is a wide variance in student readiness; some are ready for certain topics at an earlier age than others.

You said it much better than I meant to. I couldn't agree more.

[DanielC]

Do you think the comic book/graphic illustration format tends to lessen the violence aspect and take away some of the reality to the situation, and makes it more like just a story (as opposed to the news)

That's partly my concern Gene. We take the topic of presidential assassinations and put it in a comic book form- lessening the horror of what is really addressing.

Amen Bill, in my opinion not quite as bad as the Lego book on assassinations. To each their own I suppose.

[BettyO]

I also wonder and believe that the "comic book/graphic novel" format appeals to youth and could possibly establish lifelong interest in study and research on a particular topic. I hope that the good out of these publications would truly influence young future historians.

[LincolnMan]

Of course that is a possibilty Betty. One never knows. My interest in Lincoln and the Civil War was sparked by my Marx Civil War Playset.

[BettyO]

Gosh, I remember those! The kid next door had a "Johnny Reb" Cannon which shot plastic cannon balls - and I loved that thing!

My interest in the CW was initiated by the stories my mom told about my great-great grandmother in Richmond the night it burned. I first heard them when I was about 4 years old. At age 5, I became a huge fan of John Singleton Mosby while watching the old "Gray Ghost" TV show back in the late 50's/early 60's...from then on,it was a total fixation and has remained so.

[SSlater]

This posting is off the current theme - but very related. I want to draw your attention to Atzerodt's little girl - Edith.
1870 Census; Port Tobacco, MD, Edith Wheeler, age 6. Mo. Elizabeth Wheeler 45 Dressmaker (Widow of Charles Wheeler). Her maiden name was Elizabeth Adams Boswell.
1880 Census: Edith Wheeler 16 Baltimore, born 1864
1900 Edith S, Cox. Baltimore. Born 1864, m Edward A. Cox in 1892
1910 Edward A. Cox 49 Baltimore
--0--
There is a family tree for George Atzerodt and Elizabeth Wheeler and Edith , In Family Tree Maker. The rest of the above is in the Census.
That poor child - an unwed mother and a conspirator father.

[Dave Taylor]

This posting is off the current theme - but very related. I want to draw your attention to Atzerodt's little girl - Edith.
1870 Census; Port Tobacco, MD, Edith Wheeler, age 6. Mo. Elizabeth Wheeler 45 Dressmaker (Widow of Charles Wheeler). Her maiden name was Elizabeth Adams Boswell.
1880 Census: Edith Wheeler 16 Baltimore, born 1864
1900 Edith S, Cox. Baltimore. Born 1864, m Edward A. Cox in 1892
1910 Edward A. Cox 49 Baltimore
--0--
There is a family tree for George Atzerodt and Elizabeth Wheeler and Edith , In Family Tree Maker. The rest of the above is in the Census.
That poor child - an unwed mother and a conspirator father.

John,

Unfortunately, the Edith Wheeler you found from the 1880 census onward is not Atzerodt's daughter, but a different Edith Wheeler entirely.

In the 1870 census, you can find two Edith Wheelers. One is Atzerodt's daughter living with her mother Elizabeth in Port Tobacco:


Also 1870, there is a unrelated Edith Wheeler living in Baltimore with her mother Susan:


Strangely both of these Ediths are about the same age and their mothers are both dressmakers.

The 16 year-old Edith Wheeler you found in the 1880 census living in Baltimore with her mother Susan is not "our" Edith, but the second unrelated girl. Everything after that (her marriage to Cox and residence in Baltimore) follows the life of this other Edith.

Though it's been awhile, I have not been able to find any trace of Mrs. Wheeler or Edith after the 1870 census. I traced some of Mrs. Wheeler's other children (daughters by her first two husbands) but never found mention of what happened to Mrs. Wheeler. I also have hit a dead end in locating the graves of Mrs. Wheeler's first two husbands, Charles Wheeler and Henry Rose. I feel like she would be buried next to one of them, but I don't know where they are.

The fates of Mrs. Wheeler and little Edith are still a mystery.

[BettyO]

Thank you, Dave!

[SSlater]

Thanks Dave - Quickly too. I don't want to be the one who tells the people in Family Tree Maker, that their trees are wrong. The fact that we cannot find the true Edith is no surprise. I wouldn't want that name . at that time. But I made my point - there was an Edith -who is rarely recognized. I think I'll dig some more. I will look in other places than the Census. The marriage license, for example. No one can hide forever. (Can they?)