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Lincoln Assassination Letter

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Lincoln Assassination Letter
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Historical 1898 four page letter written in pen from ''AC Richards'', Metropolitan Police Superintendent and witness to Lincoln's assassination at the Ford Theater. Addressed to Louis Weichmann whose controversial testimony was the key evidence in convicting Mary Surratt. Richards gives his first hand account of the assassination and opinion on conspiracy: ''…no grounds for assertion or suspicion that assassination for President Lincoln was conspired in any way whatever by the Catholic or Romish effort…Stewart drew largely from his imagination when he gave his testimony as to what transpired immediately after the shot was fired. When the fatal shot was fired I was sitting in the dress circle and near the center of the circle in company with Capt. Reid, then inspector of police. As soon as I realized that someone had been shot in the Presidential box I sprang from my seat, marched down the stalls, through the crowd in the orchestra circle and upon the stage, of course I had seen a man vault from the box and on to the stage. When I got upon the stage I found Stewart already there and no other person then in sight on the stage or among the curtains. I must have been on the stage within two minutes from the time the shot was heard. Stewart had had no time to make any explorations of the place when I reached him. I knew him and he knew me. Together we reached among the scenery and finally found the door from the stage leading into the ally. I found a man standing there and heard the rattling of a horses feet moving rapidly down the ally but not in sight…Stewart had not recognized Booth as the man who jumped from the box…he conceded that recognition from me…'' Each page measures 8'' x 10''. Minor separation at folds and toning, else very good.