Extra Credit Questions

[Anita]

You Eva and Roger you are both correct. And yes, he was President-elect. You each win a ticket to "The Apostate" the next time it's performed at the Gayety Theater in Albany.

On Feb. 18, 1861 he gave a speech at the Capitol building.
" Later that night, in a bizarre instance of foreshadowing, Lincoln was dining at the Executive Mansion with the then-Governor Morgan. At the same time, 23-year-old John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s would-be assassin, was on stage at Albany’s Gayety Theatre on Green Street performing as Duke Pescara in The Apostate. While performing a few nights before, Booth had landed on a prop dagger while falling as part of his role in the final scene. It is reported that he appeared with bandages on his shoulder two nights later, and performed the fencing scene with his left hand. The two men were mere blocks from each other that night, but their paths did not cross here in Albany."

This and other Lincoln and J.W.B. Albany connections can be found at http://albanycvb.blogspot.com/ It's the official blog of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Between boarding at the Globe tavern and moving into their own house, the Lincolns rented a cottage in 4th street. How much was the rent for a year?

[RJNorton]

$208.00?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Excellent guess, Roger, but it was not that much.

[RJNorton]

Maybe $100 a year?

[Eva Elisabeth]

You nailed it exactly! Brilliant!
According to this site: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ this would be $2465,61 in current $ terms.
You win one year free accomodation in the cottage.

[Eva Elisabeth]

According to one newspaper, Martha Todd, when returning south from Washington in 1864, brought with her "[???], worth at least $30,000".
The New York World commented on that: "...the contents of his wife's sister's trunks are giving aid and comfort to the enemy - not least is the shock which these facts will give to the loyal hearts whose hopes and prayers and labors sustain the cause which is thus betrayed in the very White House." Bad publicity, even if untrue, in an election year.

What [???] was it?

[RJNorton]

Possibly morphine?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Smart guess, Roger, but that was not what she allegedly took with her.

[J. Beckert]

Furniture and home furnishings?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Wonderful guess, Joe - forgive me, I imagined the scene that while Martha was passing the lines, a telltale clock sound came from inside her trunks...
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E9wWBjnaEck
I'm sorry, it was no furniture.

Hint #1: The item was basically something not unusual to be found in a trunk.
Hint #2: It is usually not that expensive.

[RJNorton]

I am guessing it was something that was possibly in short supply and could be needed by wounded soldiers. Bandages or gauze?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Another excellent guess, but I'm afraid, this was most likely not intended to aid. But "soldier" is a very good keyword, this item would sure be found in a soldier's trunk (not that valuable "edition" though).

[L Verge]

There is a story about her supposedly smuggling gold buttons in one of her trunks_

[Eva Elisabeth]

Brilliant, Laurie! The Richmond Enquirer reported she brought with her "a uniform with buttons made of pure gold, worth at least $30,000".

You win one of these beautiful "President-Lincoln"-lilacs: