TERRIBLE NEWS.
President Lincoln Assassi-
nated at Ford's Theatre.
A REBEL DESPERADO SHOOTS
HIM THROUGH THE HEAD AND ESCAPES
OUR GREAT AFFLICTION.
... The nation mourns. Its agony is great. Its grief is dumb. Never before have the American people been so stricken. The ball that pierced the President has pierced the hearts of all of us. Pale in death, murdered by the hellish spirit of slavery, which has already drunk the heart's blood of so many whom we loved, his body lies at the nation's capital - a new sacrifice upon our country's alter..
...A careful examination of the letters and documents left behind by the assassin Booth, establishes, beyond doubt, the fact that a deep laid plot existed for a long period ...The escape of the parricide Booth, and his confederates can only be for a few days or hours. Millions of eyes are in vigilant search of them, and soon they will be in the hands of justice...woe to him who attempts to screen them. No place on this side of perdition can shelter them...
...The most horrid crime ever committed on this globe, since the wicked Jews crucified the Savior of mankind, was perpetrated by rebel emissaries, in the assassination of the great, wise, and good Abraham Lincoln, and by a strange coincidence the murder was committed on the anniversary of Christ's death. On good Friday the Savior expiated the sins of the world by a death on the cross, and the same day the greatest and best of living men was assassinated...
THE RUSH FOR RELICS.
The avidity with which people sought to obtain mementos of the funeral was wonderful. It was necessary to set a strong guard around the car, arch and catafalque, to prevent them from being torn in pieces... Positive roughness had to be used in many cases to prevent the complete demolition of everything which had been used in the funeral obsequies...
An agent of Barnum's was [in Philadelphia] today, and offered $500 for the gown in which Jeff. Davis was captured, while two prominent Chicago gentlemen have been pleading for it as an addition to the Northwestern Fair.
The Feeling in Washington--An Impressive Incident--A Citizen Shot Dead for Rejoicing at Lincoln's Death.
[Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.]
WASHINGTON, April 15.
The city is consumed with excitement. The all pervading gloom of last night has given place this morning, in a great measure, to desperate resolves to visit in active measure to all rebel participants, the utmost retributive vengeance. The slightest expression of secession sentiments are sure to be wiped out in blood. A few moments since a rebel resident inquired of a guard in front of the State Department, if it were true the President was dead. The soldier replied that it was. Whereupon the citizen replied, "I am damned glad of it." He had scarcely concluded his utterance when the guard put a ball through his head, and he lies now a corpse, execrated by all. The incident fairly illustrates the intensity of popular feeling...
CINCINNATI, April 15.
Our city today has been overwhelmed with grief at the assassination tragedy in Washington. There is great excitement among the Germans, and the private residences of Dr. George Fries and Mr. Humbold were mobbed and gutted tonight. The residences of Aleck .Long and other prominent copperheads are threatened, but the Mayor and police, and a large force of military are patrolling the city.
...The people filled the streets all day, and threats were made by soldiers and citizens to any secessionists who might dare to show themselves. It was reported today that a rebel had been shot near Dodge's headquarters for commenting on the news, but it was unfounded...
...Three men were hung at Camp Burnside this morning for expressing gratification at the assassination of President Lincoln. One of them began dancing when he heard the news, and said he must have a "hoe down" on the strength of it. The others expressed their regret that it had not occurred four years ago. They were hung up by the neck so that their toes just touched the ground, and kept their till life was nearly extinct, when they were cut down...
...The authorities have thought it prudent to take precautions against popular tumults, resulting from expressions of joy by secessionists. Several treasonable brawlers were saved from lynching by the police. Dispatches from the interior show the inflamed condition of the public mind...
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THE GREAT
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Conspiracy
IN ALL ITS
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An Authentic and Full Report
- OF-
The plot to Plunder and Burn Chicago-Release of all Rebel Prisoners-Seisure of Arsenals-Raids from Canada-Plot to burn New York-Piracy on the Lakes.
Trial of Chicago Conspirators.
WITH A CHAPTER UPON
ASSASSINATION.
A Book for every Union Citizen in the land.
Send in your orders immediately, as the work will have an immense circulation.
A new song and Chorus, rather in the reciting than in the popular style, abut effective and impressive, for medium voices.
Music composed by
GEO. F. ROOT.
Price 30 cents.
Published by ROOT & CADY, CHICAGO
The news of Lincoln's assassination sent the country into an emotional tailspin of loss and retribution that was sensationalized by the press and exploited by commercial entrepreneurs.
Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune during the month following Lincoln's assassination reveal the nation's anguish, fears, and prejudices. Rumors of emboldened Confederate sympathizers and vigilante justice were telegraphed across the country; there was even a reported sighting of assassin John Wilkes Booth at Chicago's McVicker's Theatre. (TURNER 106) Lincoln, who had been vilified and cruelly caricatured, was reincarnated as an American and Christian martyr. Distributors hawked Lincoln books, pictures, music, and mourning memorabilia "batched" or "the trade supplied." Amidst this climate of national disorder and blatant commercialism, Americans joined the orgy of relic hunting with abandon.
Selected coverage from the Chicago Tribune, April 15 - May 17, 1865.
