Morning journal and courier., 1886-07-20
A PICTURE WITH A HISTORY.
Curious Story Regarding 8 Portrait o1
 Lincoln.


 Lincoln.
 Many have noticed the full-length portrait of President Lincoln which hangs in the Riggs House. There is curious story re- garding it, says the Washington Ratchet. the ''martyr President" standing at table, holding the constitution in his hand Its fidelity to nature has been commended by many old friends of MT. Lincoln and posi- lively testified to by his son, the ex-Secretary of War. It is the work of young German artist named w. K. Travis and the circum- stances surrounding it's execution are quite romantic.
 In the early summer of 1862 bright eyed German of about twenty appeared at the capital. He was the son of 8 portrait paint CT of local repute in Frankfort on-the- Main. According to the son the father had served under Butcher during ''the hundred days" that culminated in the battle of Waterloo. Young Travis had had a military education in addition to an admirable course of in struction in the gymnasium of his native city. Like the Count de Paris and other foreigners of greater distinction than this poor artists son, Travis came to see some real war. He offered his services in New York before coming to Washington, had been taken to Governors Island, but had been re- jected on account of clearly marked pul1no- nary affection. When he reached here Ira wis was Respondent. He wandered about the city for several weeks, but made few ac- quaintances because of his limited knowl- edge of the English language. One day he visited the White House and saw the DOT traits of the ex-Presidents. An idea oc- cured to him. If he could not fight for the struggling nation he could at least paint a picture of it's President, who occupied IL .-kt. D,,A, realization of his fancy was not 80 easy. In vain he personally applied at the White House to arrange for ''sittfng" with MT. Lincoln He could not even get to see him. But he continued to go One day he met MT. Lincoln on the street. He approached and introduced himself in very broken Eng fish, He told how he, an alien, had tried to fight for this country, had been rejected, and what he desired to do to leave something as memento to the strange land he loved so we'll Though he probably did not under stand more than half the young artist said, the President was impressed with his manli- ness and his earnestness. He gave him an appointment for the following day and kept it to the exclusion of everything else. He sat for an hour and told the stranger several good stories-not twenty words of which Travis understood. A subsequent sitting was arranged but it was interrupted just af- ter it began and Travis never saw MT. Lin coin again. He went to New York and sailed for home.
 Now comes the really curious part of the story General Webster, relative of Ben jamin F. Butler, was one of President Grants first foreign appointments. He was made consul general at Frankfort. In the spring of 1866 tall, full bearded man en- tered the consulate, introduced himself and said that he had painted portrait of Presi- dent Lincoln and asked that he might bring it there for inspection and criticism by Americans. General Webster, supposing that it was a small portrait, gave the per- mission in spirit of friendliness to the peo- pie among whom he was residing. Imagine his surprise then as heavy truck backed up before the door and deposited this gigantic piece of canvas. It required dozen porters to place it the walls of the consulate. As those know who have seen the picture at the Riggs, the canvas is fully ten feet high by six feet broad The frame is nearly one foot in width.
 The picture attracted much attention Consul General Webster purchased it. Ten years later it was sent to the Centennial ex- hibition st Philadelphia At the close of were stored in the vaults of the Academy of Fine Arts in that city. There it narrowly escaped destruction by fire.
 About this time two grown children of Mr. Webster died; his wife soon followed and he passed to the grave in 1877. The existence of the picture was totally forgotten by his only immediate heir, MT. Bentice Webster of Lowell, Mass. It slumbered in the darkness of the cellar in Philadelphia until the win ter of 1882, when it was rediscovered. friend of the Webster family brought it to the attention of the only surviving heir. He placed it in the custody of that friend, who brought it to Washington last year, and by MT. Spofford's courtesy found it a place at the Riggs House. Surely a curious story, but true.