Lincoln's Dog Fido

[RJNorton]

The article in Life is not footnoted. But at the beginning she mentions that she traveled with her father (Frederick Hill Meserve) to Lincoln Memorial University. There she met and talked to Isaac Diller, a playmate of the Lincoln children. She spent three days talking to Mr. Diller. Diller suggested she contact John Linden Roll. She did so. And then she writes, "In the end, after corresponding with these two men, delving into little-known documents and records, and visiting Springfield to walk in and out of the Lincoln house and along the streets and across lots to the Roll house, I was able to piece together this story of Fido."

Although, at this point, I still lean to 1861 over 1865, I may be influenced by my own daughter. When we took family vacations in the 1980's our daughter, Sarah, would take along photos of our cat, Muffy. She'd sit in the back seat looking at photos of the cat whenever she got the feeling of missing him. She loved him dearly. She was about Tad's age (in 1861) at that time. So I can relate to a child wanting a photo of a pet he or she is about to be parted from (even for a short time such as a few weeks). Thus, I can relate to Tad and Willie wanting a Fido photo based on what my own daughter did.

Dorothy Kunhardt writes that she first saw the photo of Fido when she was browsing through her father's collection. On the back it read "F.W. Ingmire, Photographer, Springfield, Ill." Thus, if it can be shown there is irrefutable evidence Ingmire was not working in Springfield in late 1860/early1861, then 1865 sure seems like the more logical date. Ingmire took several well-known photos in 1865 including "Old Bob" in a mourning blanket.

[Donna McCreary]

Dr. James Cornelius has written a blog about the Fido photos.

http://bit.ly/Lincoln-Fido

The short version is that in 1860-1861, F.W. Ingmire was working as a Baptist minister and a sewing machine agent. The first advertisement for his photography studio was ran in October 1864. The article is worth reading and includes suggested reading on the subject.
While not 100 percent conclusive, it does sound as if the mysterious tale has been solved.

[Gene C]

thanks for posting the article Donna

"beloved mutt", really now!
Dr. Cornelius is half right. I certainly was beloved. However, I prefer the term "hybrid" (sounds like high bred - I know it's confusing)

Anyway, I appreciate the attention, and look foreword to Mr Algeo's book. And remember, have you hugged your dog today?

Fido

[RJNorton]

Don't forget that it was the Lincolns' cat, Tabby, who ate off the gold fork, Fido.

[Gene C]

I remember, I wrote that down on the back of her picture.

(a little dog humor there)

[Eva Elisabeth]

Very interesting article and argumentation, Donna, thanks for posting.

[RJNorton]

(03-24-2014 01:33 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Anyway, I appreciate the attention, and look foreword to Mr Algeo's book. And remember, have you hugged your dog today?

The book can now be pre-ordered on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Abe-Fido-Lincolns-...1556522223

[HerbS]

What about the famous-Silver Spoon?

[Eva Elisabeth]

(12-17-2014 05:37 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(03-24-2014 01:33 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Anyway, I appreciate the attention, and look foreword to Mr Algeo's book. And remember, have you hugged your dog today?

The book can now be pre-ordered on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Abe-Fido-Lincolns-...1556522223

Wow, amazing! I didn't think there was enough info to dig out about Fido to fill 176 pages!! Nice alliteration in the title ("canine companion" Would add "cute"!)

[RJNorton]

(12-18-2014 08:14 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Wow, amazing! I didn't think there was enough info to dig out about Fido to fill 176 pages!! Nice alliteration in the title ("canine companion" Would add "cute"!)

I sure agree, Eva. Right now the most "in depth" information I have on Fido is Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt's article in the February 5, 1954, issue of Life Magazine. And it is all of 3 pages long.

[Gene C]

I imagine a significant part of the book is this;
"It also explores the everyday life of Springfield in the years leading up to the Civil War, as well as Lincoln's sometimes radical views on animal welfare, and how they shaped his life and his presidency."

I'm a bit tired after helping shape Mr. Lincoln's life and presidency. Now, back to my nap - Fido

[RJNorton]

Honest Abe's pooch may have helped popularize the name "Fido"

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/26/hon...-fido.html

[David Lockmiller]

(08-27-2017 09:23 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Honest Abe's pooch may have helped popularize the name "Fido"

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/26/hon...-fido.html

"The Lincolns were also said to be concerned that Fido might not appreciate the loud noises during the long train ride that awaited them, so they decided to leave Fido to be cared for by a local carpenter in their home state, John Eddy Roll, and his two sons, Frank and John."

As may be recalled regarding the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, it was common practice to fire off canons to announce the arrival of Senator Douglas in the debate town. No doubt, Mr. Lincoln anticipated that at many of the train stops along the way to Washington DC, part of the preparations would be the firing of a canon one or more times to announce the imminent arrival of the President-elect. If Fido was frightened by one, he would be frightened even more so by all that followed. And, travelling by train on such a long journey may have been an additional factor in not taking Fido.

There is also another factor that may have entered into the decision. Fido knew his home location well. It would have been a big loss of daily familiar surroundings to him as an older dog. His world as he knew it, would have been turned upside down.

In short, Lincoln would have made his decision in the best interests of the dog.

[Darrell]

(03-20-2013 12:11 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Some people would say I'm a mutt, I prefer the term "hybrid"

Fido, now that Mr. Algeo's book has been published, we have the opinion of forensic veterinarian Melinda Merck that you're primarily Labrador Retriever. I was just wondering if you've had any DNA testing done to either confirm or disprove this thesis.

At any rate, I agree you shouldn't be called a mutt. Your preferred term "hybrid" has a nice high-class ring to it. I also think that "Canine-American" would be an appropriate appellation - especially in view of your historic significance.

[Gene C]

No DNA. I'm not of the same opinion as Melinda Merck. My tail is a bit bushy for a lab, and my coloring is more mixed than you see in most Labrador's today.
But that's as good a guess as any.
Unfortunately, my photographer had not quite developed the fine art of canine portraiture, so it's hard to tell from the photographic evidence.

It's been mentioned before, but here is the link to the fine LIFE Magazine article by Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt
https://books.google.com/books?id=MkgEAA...og&f=false

Fido