The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-16
GEN. WILSON RELICS
WORTH ONLY $19.25
Bcqucst to Metropolitan Mu-
scum "Practically
valueless."
LINCOLN PHOTO 50 CENTS

Because Of doubt a. TO the authentic.
ity OF priced relics owned by the late
Gen. James Grant Wilson. civil war hero.
historian, editor and lecturer. and left
by him to the Metropolitan Museum OF
Art. to be known as the Wilson collec-
ton, these relics are appraised at only
3is.c5 In the transfer tax report on Gen.
Wilson's estate. filed yesterday.
Among the articles included in the
bequest to the museum. which we're to
be given to the New York Genealogical
and Biographical Society II the museum
declined them, were the following: Pair
Of sleeve link buttons. said 10 have be-
lonsed to George Washington appraised
at $2.50; gold ring. said to contain
hair OF Washington. Hamilton. Napo-
leon. Lincoln and Grant" $3.50: lock OF
hair In envelope. said to contain hood
stained hair OF Lincoln no value.
The appraisal OF these relics was made
by c. Fletcher 0xtell. whO declared that
they were not authentic. Gen. Wilson
entertained no doubt as TO the genuine
ness of the relics and often explained
how they came into his possession. He
said the Washington sleeve Inks were
given by Gen. Washington to Benedict
Arnold because the latter lost his In the
battle Of Saratoga. and Washington gave
them for Arnold's gallantry. When Ar
mold turned AGAINST Washington he gave
the links to Col. Tarlcton and the latter
presented them to Fitz-Grecne Hallcck.
who In turn presented them TO Gen.
Wilson. his ~biographer.
Gen. Wilson also told how he got tho
hair Of famou men for the ring, which
Is appraised at SO so. lie said he WAS
dining one night al the White House
with President Lincoln. whom he had
known before the war IN Illinois. and
asked for a lock OF his hair. Help your
self" replied the President and the lock
u'ss shipped RICH, there. He said zone
Uf Now Works milliouaires once aid To
me, ~ YOU will give me that ring !on
! can have just ~ much of my fortune AZ
| YOU want I said TO him. Mr.. Wander
hilt. you aren't rich enough TO buy that
r'ng.'"
Cen. Wilson also said that ten days
before President Lincoln WAS ~assaSs!-
| mated he presented 10 Gen. Wilson ~
photograph Of himself hv BRADY. and
phed IL with both names in full.
although n" usually signed himself "A
sr>oln.' This photograph, which p'ts ia
-..r collection lcf. 30 ~" Metropolitan
Museum. was apr issd ~ 80 cents. Two
letter books: Of Commodore Hull were
valued at :. and a number Of letters by
Lowell. Longfcllow and others and
manuscripts o! America ard The
Battle Hymn Of the Republic were
valued at IS cents for the collection. \
gold medal given him in 1903 by the city
u New York WAS appraised AZ 20 cents.
Two barrels q: historical and biosraphi-
Ct, manuscripts and a barrel Of pamphlets
Of d addresses were DECLARED worthless.
Gen. Wilson lef, a total estate Of only
$3.50. ~ which SS.a;% was IN securities.
He gave half the estate to his widow.
, Mary II. Wilson, VINO was his second
wife 6nd was the widow Of Rear .,dnira!
John ". 4. Nicholson. an intimate friend
Of Gen. Wilson and a member or Admiral
F~iarraRut's staN at the battle of New
Orleans Cen. Wilson married h-r IN
1901. Tho remainder OF the estate Went
10 Walter Sihbald Wilson. a brother, and
Margaret Wilson. sister.