Wharton, Bell (b. 1843) to Joseph M. Maitland
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.179 Author/Creator: Wharton, Bell (b. 1843) Place Written: Kingston, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 15 April 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 19.9 x 24.8 cm. Order a Copy
Letter is addressed "My Dear Dearest-Joe." Letter probably written on 15 April 1865. Bell writes, "I don't know when I ever had anything to shock me so as when I heard of the assassination of the President [Abraham Lincoln] this morning...if we had a good Vice President to take his place I wouldn't feel so worried." Reports on a recent flood that "...took all the fences and most of the bridges in its way." Says damage is estimated at ten thousand dollars.
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on 14 April 1865 and died the following morning. His Vice President, Andrew Johnson, was sworn in after his death.
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