Joel Fithian Abraham Lincoln Assassination Account, 1872

Summary

Creators:

Fithian, Joel

Extent:

.02 linear feet (1 folder)

Language:

English.

Background

Scope and content:

Handwritten thirteen-page account by Joel Fithian, entitled "Recollections of Stirring Times," dated April 5, 1872, in which he recounts what he witnessed in Washington at the time of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Fithian, a major in the U.S. Army, was staying at the National Hotel, where John Wilkes Booth also had been staying. Says he was a speaking acquaintance of Booth's, who always seemed to have plenty of money and was a favorite of the ladies of the hotel. According to Fithian, Booth was particularly fond of the two daughters of Senator Hale of New Hampshire and was to have dined with them at breakfast the morning following the assassination. Fithian notes that Booth was frequently absent from Washington, claiming to be looking after his oil speculations. Also talks about the crowds in the streets following the assassination, the capture of Booth, and stories about his secret burial.

Acquisition information:

Undetermined.

Physical location:

Vault

Indexed terms

Names:

Lincoln, Abraham,--1809-1865

Location of this collection:

UC Santa Barbara, Special Research Collections

UC Santa Barbara Library

Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US

Contact:

(805) 893-3062

special@library.ucsb.edu

Website