Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-07-27
Tiny Drop of Lincoln's Blood.

An interesting and valuable relic,
which brings wildly to the mind the
historic scene in Ford's theater. Wash
ington, on the eve of April IA, 1865, is
owned by Col. James S. Chase, at one
time a resident of Philadelphia, bur
whose home is now in Brooklyn.
1t is only play bin, but upon it is a
Giscoloration made by a tiny drop Of
President Lincoln's blood. 1t was
picked up just after the tragedy By
John 7. Ford, the manager of the thea
tsr. He founl it on the floor Of tn,
box where it had fallen from the
Presidents hand when the bullet of
Assassin Booth pierced his head. 1t
lay beneath the chair in which the ci.i-
zen hero received his death wound.
There was tiny spot of blood, still
red and warm as it came from the
great heart Of Lincoln, en- the edge.
Mr. Ford, who was also manager of the
Holiday Street theater, Baltimore, and
the Academy Of Music in this city,
carried the precious paper home, and
only parted with it at the request of
the late A. X. Browne, Of Washington,
who was a warm personal friend of the
manager. 1t came into M. Brownies
possession while the nation was still
mourning for lis idol, AMI soon after
his assassin had met justly merited fate
az the hands OF Sergeant Boston Cor
bett. The play bin is somewhat vel
low from age, but is otherwise in an
excellent state CT preservation. The
blcodstain is now dark brown. The
program is "Our American Cousin"
which was being given fer the benefit
Of Laura Ke me. The h!oodstain is
nearly halfway down the program,
opposite the names of John Dyott and
Harry Hawk, Miss Keene's leading sup
port.
This relic came into Colonel Cases
possession nineteen years ago, it hav-
ing been bequeathed TO him by Mr..
Browne, who was his uncle and a WELL
known Washington lawyer. The bill
is preserved in large frame, which
also contains affidavits in support of
its genuineness and authenticity. One
made by Mr.. Ford at the solicitation
OF Mr.. Browne reads:
81, John T. Ford, on oath say that |
presented Mr.. A. X. Browne with a
program of the play. Our American
Cousin, which | picked up near Presi-
dent Lincoln's chair when he was as
sassinated, and | have every reason TO
believe that the one hereto attached is
the identical ore.
John T. Ford"
"Teste: D. w. Bliss, NJ. d.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 10Th day of November, 1879"
9Th. Harris Hodges,
Notary Public"
The other AFFIDAVIT is signed by Mr..
Browne and witnessed also by DR..
Bliss, who attended the late President
Garfield during his final illness, caused
by Assassin Guiteau's bullet.
Colonel Case prizes dearly this pre-
cious momento of Lincoln's death. He
has received many offers to part with
II, but his one answer has been that
1t shall be an heirloom of the Case
family.
There is an interesting story of late
years connected with this program. A
short time before the death of Edwin
Booth, an actors fair was given in New
York for the benefit of the actors fund
A stage friend of Colonel Case, who
knew of his possession, suggested TO
the committee having the fair in
charge that the program be secured for
exhibition with other rare programs.
Colonel Case consented, but the day be-
fore the fair opened Booth became
aware of the action of the committee
and made personal request that the
program be not exhibited. The mem
Der OF the committee TO whom Booth
made the request is authority for the
statement that this little incident, done
and without intention of
him sorrow, had the effect of
casting a gloom over those friends of
the great actor who knew of his aver
sion to even thought or consideration
Of the desperate and insane act of his
brother.
Pathetic Incident.