The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-04

to their station. and often begged Mrs.
Lincoln TO allow her TO fit her dresses
in the seclusion of her own chamber, but
she would listen TO none OF II. and con-
tinued TO go to Keckly's rooms until
she made her mourning after the assas-
sination, which latter was made in the
White House.
A Message at Night.
The night Of the assassination Of Pres
ident Lincoln Mrs. Lincoln dispatched
messenger for Keckly. but by some
mismanagement attendant upon the
great excitement about the Executive
Mansion. Keckly- did not get the mes
sage until the following morning, at
which time she went to the house and
directly TO Mrs Lincoln's room.
The impression this gruesome visit
made upon the old woman will remain
with her for the rest Of her life. There
was Mrs. Lincoln in the half-darkened
room, sobbing and moaning, with the
two boys, Tad and Robert. clinging TO
her and begging her not 70 CRY.
All during the troubled days that fol-
lowed. when Mrs. Lincoln was shut
away from public gaze, Elizabeth Keck-
ly was with her, fashioning the mourn
ing which she was to wear when she
left the scenes Of her triumphs and hap
piness, as well as Of her awful sorrow.
She assisted Mrs. Lincoln in packing
dozens Of trunks which awakened such
.vOlleys OF criticism when they were taken
away from the White House. and 70
this day Elizabeth declares that they
contained nothing but the personal be-
longings Of the eccentric woman.
Gifts to Elizabeth.
To Elizabeth she gave the comb and
brush with which the negress had brushed
the Presidents hair while answering
questions as TO the status Of master and
slave. To the comb and brush was add
ed the shawl worn by the President on
his trips TO the Soldiers Home, State
Department. War Department-whither
he often went-and other such occasions
This shawl IS now owned by a DR.. Alb
bolt Of Canada. To these were added
a pair Of overshoes so often handled I'm
putting on and of by the President. The
gloves President Lincoln wore at the
hrst reception, following his second in
augural, stained and dirty nv tho
handclasps Of thousands Of people who
loved and admired him. was also Dra-
scented by Mrs. Lincoln to this friend
and companion. But the most ghsstlv
Of all was the blOod-stained cloak worn
in the box at FOrd's Theater the night
OF the assassination. along With the
Comet bearing the same gruesome re-
hinder OF the tragedy. Most Of which
things now form q part OF the Guntber
Lincoln Memorial Collection. in Chicago.
Mrs. Lincoln Angry.
While President Ljncoln's body Law in.
state In the White House, and flowers
and other gifts were arriving I'm pro-
fusion, there came through the mail
two pictures one Of the President and
the other Of Mrs Lincoln. Some Ger
man acmirer had put the photographs
INTO square paper cases, stitched about
in blue silk thread with the most child
ish care That of the President had a
round opening for the picture. and was
inscribed, at the top, "The Father OF
All Nation" and at the bottom and
just below the Presidents name
Crown Of Laurel"
Mrs. Lincoln's picture. put up with
the same childish care and precision.
was inscribed, The Mother Of All Ma
uon. Todd Lincoln. Wreath Of roses
and forget NE" The unintended ir-
reverent inscription angered Mrs. Lin
coin, and she petulantly threw them
both into Keckly's lap, and 20 this day
they form one Of Kecklys most treas
ured mementoes.
She also has a picture Of little Tad
and his father that was given TO her by
President Lincoln himself, with the
characteristic and jOcOse remark that
II was "a good picture for a good wo-
man" Another Of Tad Lincoln was
given 20 her by Tad himself. when he
declared with childish delight that il
looked Ike him KpcLrIv raarFr,,~ IT,
the face Of the poor little boy pictured
before her. declares that he was right
Lincoln Loved Pets.
IN speaking Of the almost childish
fondness Of the great and busy Presi-
dent for pets. Keckly recalls most vivid