LETTERS OF THOMAS E. SHERMAN, ONE OF THE LAST SURVIVING WITNESSES OF THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION, WITH COPY OF OBITUARY CONTAINING HIS FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT

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Item Code: 337-299

Small archives containing 14 pieces, dating from 1925-26, letters either ALS or TS, by Thos. Sherman, copies or letters sent to and from noted writer Henry L. Stoddard. The contents of most of them pertain to Sherman’s efforts to complete & publish a biography of Senator/Secretary of State/ Presidential Candidate James G. Blaine of Maine, to whom Sherman had been a long-time personal secretary [1870-1890].  This biography/autobiography—Twenty Years with James G. Blaine—was eventually published by in 1928. Though some letters are yellowed, all are entirely legible, and contained protective sleeves.

Born in 1842, Thomas Sherman was telegrapher detached from a Maine regiment to serve in government offices in war-time Washington. In this capacity he delivered telegrams to President Lincoln and was present in a balcony seat at Ford’s Theater on April 14, 1865.

Includes Sherman newspaper obituary [Aug. 13, 1939], which includes Sherman’s first-person account of the Lincoln assassination, as follows:

“The shot seemed like a trick of the play until smoke issued from the president’s box. Then a handsome young man of medium build, immaculately dressed in black, leaped from the stage. He seemed a veritable fiend as he rose to full height and brandished a dagger.

The only actor on the stage, Harry Hawk, backed away, his hands held high, as John Wilkes Booth, the assassin, made a dive at him. Then both disappeared through the red curtained e8ixt.

For a moment it was said the murderer had been caught and there were cries of ‘Kill him, Kill him!’

I ran onto the stage. At the height of the confusion Laura Keene, an actress, came on. She seemed the only cool person in the there. ‘For God’[s sake, gentlemen,’ she begged, ‘be quiet and keep cool.’ She sent a pitcher of water to the president.

Quiet was soon restored and the president, unconscious, was carried out by four men. Mrs. Lincoln followed, sobbing and wringing her hands.”

An interesting Lincoln assassination account from one of the last surviving witnesses, an author and prominent figure associated with James G. Blaine. Plus his letters concerning negotiations with noted publishing world figures Henry L. Stoddard and Frank A. Munsey. In yellow card folder.  [JP]

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