New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-17
OBITUARY..
MRS. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

MRS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
SPRINGFIELD, H., July 16.-Mrs Abraham LIN
coin died in this city at Sl5 o'clock tonight, at the
residence of her sister, Mrs. n. W. Edwards She
had been i'll for long time, ard few days ago her
health began TO grow worse. Last evening she SUI
fered from shock of paralysis, remaining III COM
atose condition until she died. Secretary Lincoln
will be here Oh Tuesday morning The funeral ar
rangements have not been made.
WASHINGTON, July 16.-Secrctary Lincoln left
here or Illinois tonight. He had not heard OF his
mothers death; but the dispatches regarding
her illness were OF so grave a character as
TO demand his presence at her side. Secretary
Chandler will perform the duties OF Secretary ol
War in Mr.. LlncOlns absence.
Mrs. Lincoln was born about 1915 in Lexington
Fayette County, Ky. She was the daughter Oh Dr
Robert :. Todd practising physician well known
and greatly resp cted III that region. Her family
was one of the earliest of those who settled in the
eastern part of Kentucky. and there are many MEM
bcrs OF ii still remaining there and many more who
have emirrated aud settled i'll Others OF the Western
States The family was a large one, and by It's
intcrnarriaCes is connected with many OF the
more pro ninent pioneer families in the west
One SISTER of Mrs Lincoln married Charles
Moulton Smith, of Illinois, merchant AID
6nancier OF considerable reputation; another mar
ried Dr. Wallace, who afterward became Paymas-
ter in the regular Army. and another the llOh
Ninian W. Edwards son of the first Governor OF
Illinois from whose house she was married, ana In
whose house she died They were all ladies OF un-
usually good education for that early day, and their
society was much sought by the young lawyers ana
professional men who composed the principal social
circles of the frontier villages of Kentucky and OF
Illinois
1t was while on a visit in Springfield, then small
village nesting on the skirt of a prairie IN san
CANON County, that Miss Mary Todd met the future
President. They soon became engaged, bus the en-
cagement was not at once followed by marriage
Certain marked peculianties of temperament and
disposition caused doubts in the minis of each OF
the parties as to the possible happiness of their
union and various pha SOS OF their lovers quarrels
were given in a remarkable correspondence which
took Mace between Mr.. Lincoln and his friend
Joshua Speed of Kentucky. They were finally mar
RED however. November 4, 1912, and lived to-
oetber in great affection and mutual devotion until
fine President was shot by the side of his wife and
fell into her arms
IT is the opinion Of many Of his friends that Mr.
Lincoln owed much of his public career to the ener-
pec and ambitious spirit of his vile. 1t Is sald by
so;nc of his intimate associates and counselors that
he would probably have accepted the NOMINATION
for the Presidency at Chicago If Mrs Lincoln
had NOT opposed it with all the power of her will it
was also said that during the Administration OF
President TAYLOR. when Mr.. Lincoln was offered a
Territorial appointment. he induced to decline
il through the persuasion Of his wife, who believed
that greater political future lay III continued
residence III lIIlnolS.
po,ltInn with intelligence and dignity There mas
nronaby never been an occupant OF the hlte
House so persisten'ly sandered and mahgnrd rs
MIS- Lincoln. The fact that she was a naive OF
Kentucky and a member OF ii family oil winch "a dlgc
number adhered 10 me Southern cause was the oc-
cason OF the most unjust suspicious and he most
bitter libes upon hcr lO{aiN. Inc hostnuy
of The Democratic papers and the semirebei society
of Washington was easy enough to understand; but
she was the subject OF attacks no less bitier anu 10
less unjust, on tnr pau oi earhcS, Requirements VINO
were much more loyal than tn" President or ANY oil
his fanny. They even went 50 fa as TO accuse her
of being rebel spy. The charge 1t Is unnece Saa!y
10 saw was absolutely without foundation elther III
her feelings hcr action. Sine dcNO.ed the greater
part her zine during the war 10 WISHING thI hos-
nitals and the camps of the soldiers about Washing
ton; but Owing to certain pecuilaIltles Ol manner
she never received the credit which was que 10 ncI
either for her loyalty o. her kindness OF heart.
Few women have ever been called 10 endure such
sOrrows and misOriunes. Her second son died III
cLllduood Her tnIrd son, William, died during the
first year OF Mir. LIDcOlns Presidency. lie was
lad Of singular and unusll pIecocitF, having laste
and talent Tor mathematics winch were eZtiaoT-
uiuary Her fourth son, Thomas iod,i, VINO was
the pet and paythng OF the Executive Mansion m
conc poIt wears ago after "A short and very laln-
nl illness llrr eldest and only surviving son Is
the present Secretary of War .
Alter The assassination OF the President, MIS- LIN
coin remained for several weeks III stale OF ner-
yOus prostratiou, winch 1t was Thought would END
fatally. Sue recovered her health however, Out lef
mind never thoroughly Tegalncd ITS balance. Hef
mental condition rapidly deteIOIatcd, until about
seven years ago symptoms of the most alarming
gravity superyened anu II became necessary LOT hcr
friends to lake legal measures to have her placed
under restraint. she renamed un CT inc charge OF
a competent ply ,icIan Tor some tlme and then, her
cODalIlOn having somewhat llhproNeu, sle was re-
lensrJ from restraint and Immediately sailed for
Europe. where che renamed unu the fail OF 1850
residing chiefly 1T i'au in the PyIences and other
ouiet nj aces IN the south of France. Last year Mis-
1Incoin spent some iIme III tins city, having cUIne
here Tor medical treatment.