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Lincoln Assassination

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Stock & Bond - Certificates Start Price:90.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 160.00 USD
Lincoln Assassination
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1880, Northern Pacific Railway Stock certificate for ten shares issued to and signed by Fred Seward, who was assistant secretary of state and was nearly fatally wounded by John Wilkes Booth’s coconspirators that infamous deadly night. Attractive certificate with ornate border, vignette of a train passing by telegraph lines in the countryside and a lower vignette of Fredrick Billings. Signed on the reverse: “Frederick W. Seward.” Punch hole cancellations well away from Seward’s signature, which is strong and clean. Stub is glue attached at left. From first newspaper reports of the assassination:[April 15] “It was Clarence A. Seward, instead of Wm. H. Seward, Jr., who was wounded. Fred Seward was also badly cut, as were also three nurses, who were in attendance upon the Secretary, showing that a desperate struggle took place there. The wounds of the whole party were dressed. [April 17.]... Secretary Seward and his son continue in a low condition, and Mr. Fred Seward's life is precarious.” The assailant hit Steward with his revolver so hard he fractured his skull in two places. FREDERICK SEWARD: (1830-1915) Assistant Secretary of State. An 1849 graduate of Union College. From 1849-1857 he served as secretary to his father, William H. Seward. From 1851-1861 he also held the position of associate editor of the Albany "Evening Journal". When his father was appointed U.S. Secretary of State under Lincoln, the younger Seward was appointed Assistant Secretary of State. On the night of April 14, 1865 he was slashed and his skull fractured protecting his father during the assassination attempt by Lewis Powell. Seward survived his injuries and again served as Assistant Secretary of State 1877-79 during the Hayes administration. He had also served in the New York State Assembly being elected in 1874.