Mary Lincoln orders a headstone?

[Rob Wick]

I have a subscription to NewspaperArchive.com for six months as I'm trying to do some more research on Tarbell's non-Lincoln life. One reason I subscribed is because they have papers from Oil City and Pithole, towns where Ida and family either lived or worked. In looking over the Pithole City Daily Recorder I noticed the following:



It came from the November 30, 1865 edition of the paper. While I don't claim to have complete knowledge of Mary, I don't think I've ever heard of this stone before. Has anyone else? If she did order this, it's obvious that it never marked a grave of Lincoln, nor do I ever remember it being talked about after Mary's death.

Anyone have any ideas?

Best
Rob

[Steve]

Mary never ordered a gravestone. It was an erroneous rumor circulating in London (and maybe elsewhere in Europe). American newspaper reporters based in London picked up the story after they heard it without verifying if it was true or not.

[Rob Wick]

Thanks Steve. I figured as much.

Best
Rob