![]() ![]() There is strong speculation that the assassin watched the coach arrive to verify the president was present. The play Our American Cousin had started. On the fateful night night, Lincoln’s party (Burke driving and Forbes seated beside him) arrived at Ford’s Theatre at around nine p.m. The fact that he did not live to carry out his plans haunts America even today. Read More: Lincoln and the Irish - the untold story When crowds in the hundreds of thousands turned up on the White House lawn after Lee’s surrender, Lincoln told the band to strike up “Dixie,” the Southern anthem. He had saved the Union, and was hell bent on reconciliation and forgiveness. I then returned to the carriage and went on to the box. How long did you remain taking that glass of ale?īURKE. At what time did you go in and take a glass of ale?īURKE. I left a man in charge of the carriage until I returned. I was all the time that night, with the exception that two of my friends whom I knew asked me to go in and take a glass of ale with them. Were you on the box most of the night?īURKE. At the trial of conspirator John Surratt in 1867, more than two years after the assassination, there was this exchange between Burke and Defense Attorney Richard Merrick: It seems that Forbes and Parker started the drinking session and got Burke to join them. The President of the United States was being solely guarded by a drunk buffoon, who on the night in question was sneaking off to the nearby bar for secret drinks.īurke, by his own admission, left the carriage and, in the company of “two of my friends,” went next door to Peter Taltavull’s Star Saloon for an ale. ![]() He was one of four Washington policeman assigned on a rotating basis to Lincoln, and fate would have it that he was on duty that night. He was once found in a whorehouse while supposedly on duty, and argued the madam had sent for him. Parker was a complete misfit, previously disciplined for drinking and insubordination. He was invited to the bar during intermission by the Irish footman Forbes and, unbelievably, John Parker, the police officer who was supposed to be guarding the president's box. Read More: Lincoln had an engraved Irish linen handkerchief in his pocket the night he diedīurke was described as a big burly Irish coachman who was known to have a fondness for booze, and it is highly unlikely he just had one scoop at the Star Saloon. The evidence is that Burke, as described, would drop off the presidential party and wait for them to come back at the conclusion of the play. The Special police officer and the footman of the president came up to him to take a drink with them which he did but he does not remember anyone else coming up to him in particular, those there were several who asked him questions. Lincoln, he drove him to the theater and stayed at the door until the tragedy occurred. It read: "Francis Burns, the driver of the president's coach, states that on the night of the murder of Mr. In 1865, Burke gave evidence of his actions on that fateful night. "Six hundred thousand Americans had died in the Civil War," James Swanson, who has written two books about Lincoln's death, told NPR. Burke learned his lesson.Īpril 14th, 1865 should have been a glorious night for Burke’s passenger. and bring one of Lincoln's sons to fetch the newspaper. The following morning, he ordered Burke to arrive at six a.m. Incensed, Lincoln himself went out on the street and bought one from a newsboy. For I accompanied him in the carriage, and was with him from the carriage to the theater.īurke had been in a spot of bother with Lincoln earlier in his administration, refusing a request from the president's staff to fetch Lincoln a newspaper, saying it was not his job. President, Tad gave me a photograph this afternoon and I wish you would put your name on it.” “Certainly, Charlie,” replied the president and picking up a pen he wrote his name on the photograph and that was the last writing he ever did. When the last visitor had departed and I had helped him on with his great coat, I remembered the picture and said. Tad (Lincoln’s son) had given me a picture that morning and I still had it in my pocket. In an 1892 affidavit, Forbes briefly described his last ever interaction with Lincoln at the White House: The weather had changed it was a foggy, misty night. Lincoln's coat was woolen, specially tailored for him by Brooks Brothers of New York. Mary Lincoln wore a black and white striped silk dress and a matching bonnet Lincoln himself wore a black overcoat and white kid gloves, and carried an Irish linen handkerchief in his pocket. Forbes would be the footman on the carriage that brought Lincoln to Ford’s Theatre on that fateful night of April 14, 1865. ![]()
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