Harmonica

[RJNorton]

The only time I think I have seen mention of a harmonica is by our old friend, Emanuel Hertz, whose lack of reliability we have discussed previously on the forum:


During the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Lincoln decided to mock the brass band which accompanied Douglas. Lincoln took out a harmonica and played upon it.

"This is my brass band" he said.


SOURCE: page 151 of "Lincoln Talks: A Biography in Anecdote"
compiled, collated, and edited by Emanuel Hertz (Halcyon House, New York, 1941).

[LincolnMan]

Really! Wonder if he actually knew how to play it!

[Joe Di Cola]

I read somewhere that he played the Jews' Harp.

[RJNorton]

Hi Joe. Yes, I think Barry Cauchon has that story on his blog.

[Gene C]

Did Henry Fonda play one in his portrail of Lincoln?

[LincolnMan]

I think Fonda did-as I recall. I need to re-watch the movie.

[Rob Wick]

Yes, he did. He played in a couple of different scenes.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Here's one film in which I'll bet he didn't play any musical instuments.

[Gene C]

Love those authentic period costumes. (there's a short clip of the movie on you tube...and thanks Roger, now you've got me looking at old Dick Powell movie clips)

[LincolnMan]

Roger: I don't know that film. Does it have anything to do with Lincoln?

[RJNorton]

Bill, that is a great question! I never heard of it until a few years ago, and someone wrote and asked me about it. So I researched it. Turns out it's a 1951 movie about the Baltimore Plot of 1861. And Lincoln apparently appears only at the very end of the movie in a part so small the actor is uncredited! Maybe someone who has actually seen the film can comment more on it.

[LincolnMan]

Nice piece of trivia. Hope someone in the Forum can add more info.

[Donna McCreary]

According to IMDB, the actor who played Lincoln was Leslie Kimmell - who had a few small parts in a handful of movies. The review of the film states: "Certainly, the details presented in the movie may themselves be historically doubtful -- but not the plot itself." Top of my list of 'doubtful' and impossible facts include the attire and the name of Dick Powell's character -- John Kennedy.

[RJNorton]

I have not seen the movie, but the 'John Kennedy' name could be a reference to the New York City Police Commissioner. I believe Kennedy was also contacted by Stanton in the wee hours of April 15, 1865.

[Laurie Verge]

Roger, you are quite correct in referencing John A. Kennedy as the Superintendent of New York City Police, who sent three of his detectives to Baltimore to investigate the possibility of a plot against Lincoln as he came through that city en route to his inaugural. Ed Steers points out in his great Blood on the Moon that the detectives were to report secretly and directly to a Colonel Charles S. Stone, aide to Gen. Winfield Scott.

On the night of the murder, the first telegram that Stanton sent out was to Superintendent Kennedy at 1:10 am on 15th. That telegram and two others have been used to prove that the military telegraph worked throughout the night - despite Otto Eisenschiml's claim to the contrary and with thanks to research about forty years ago from Art Loux.

Kennedy also played a role in Lincoln's funeral procession through NYC by ensuring that at least some USCT units were allowed to march in the solemn line.

That said, I would love to see this movie to see how accurately the Baltimore Plot was portrayed. If you have not read Michael Kline's excellent book (2010?) on the Baltimore Plot, please do so.