Evening star., 1940-03-11
Describes Death Of
LincoIn's Grandson
Nomesuke of War President
Succumbed to Infection
Fifty Years Ago
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
This month marks the 50th ami
versary of the death Of an Abraham
of Americans probably never has heard.
He was the grandson and namesake of
the Presidents mere boy of 16 when
his life closed after long suffering, March
S, 1890.
Four other Abraham Lincolns are
listed in the annals of the family. They
were: Capt. Abraham Lincoln, grand
father of the savior of the Union, killed
by Indians in Kentucky in 1874; Abra-
ham Lincoln of Massachusetts, rich
ironmaster; Abraham Lincoln of Penn
sylvania, member of the State Conven-
ton Of 1887 and the State Constitutional
Convention of 1890, and Abraham Lin
coin of Hancock County, Ill.
The sixth young Abe" was the only
son of Robert Todd Lincoln lS43- 1926 =,
the Presidents sole surviving son. He
was born on August IA, 1873, the second
child of his mother, Mary, the daughter
OF Senator James Harlan of Iowa. Both
parents were we'll known in Washing
ton. The boys father had been Secre-
tary of War in the cabinets of Presidents
Garfield and Arthur. He was recalled
to public service by President Harrison,
who sent him to London as Minister to
Great Britain in. 1889.
Young Abe" however, probably was
III when he arrived in England. He
was enrolled at school at Versailles,
France, to prepare for admission to
Harvard University, but soon was re-
ported to have been stricken with blood
poisoning. supposed carbuncle under
one Of his arms was the center of in
lection. During II weeks he was at
tended by some of the most eminent
European physicians then in practice as
well as by Chicago medical man, DR..
H. Webster Jones, resident abroad
The lad-called Jack" by his inti-
mates-appeared to improve under
treatment at first, but by November 6
an. operation was considered imperative
French surgeon, Pean, was engaged
Tor the purpose. But Jack ran a fever
and was weak and emaciated." DR..
Jones crossed to Versailles early in Jan
uary and was shocked at the patients
condition. The boys French physician
DR.. Vlllon, consented to plan for his
removal to the family home at 2 Crom-
well Houses, South Kensington, London
On January II the journey was accom-
plished, Jack in noticeable pain travel
ing as an invalid carefully guarded
Ihree English medical men then were
summoned into consultation-a DR.
Maclagan, a Dr. Smith and the famous
Sir James Paget. All agreed that there
was still an even chance" of recovery
Ihat they were mistaken was shortly
apparent. Jack gradually lost strength
While the infection spread. On February
| II he underwent second operation-ir
vain. Prayers were offered in his behalf
IN churches on both sides of the At
lantic, but "the last hope of the Lin
coins" breathed his final breath at II 20,
am, March S, half century ago.
Jacks body was brought back to the
United States in the autumn and on
November II. 1890, was placed in the
tomb OF his martyred grandfather al
Springfield, Ill. There it remained until
May Is, 1880, when it was removed tc
Washington for burial beside his fathe,
IN Arlington National Cemetery.
The boys sister Mary became Mrs
Charles 1sham, who died in Washington
March 81. 1887. Jessie, younger sister
Is Mrs. Robert J. Randolph, now resident
here. NATIVE
! March 10.