An October 15, 2011 article in the Baltimore Sun featured the “Back Story” on the assassination of President Garfield, a president who’s been the subject of two separate Nerd Trips (although the first trip to Garfield’s home was before concept of Nerd Trips was created).
President Garfield statue, Lakeview Cemetery, Cleveland
Writer Fred Rasmussen frequently writes these “Back Story” pieces, which look back at historical events (a nerdy newspaper column I enjoy). Rasmussen’s columns often look at the Baltimore connection to these events.
One of the most remarkable things I learned from this article was the amazing story of Robert Todd Lincoln – a witness to history, linked to three assassinated presidents.
Here is an excerpt from the Baltimore Sun article about the Garfield assassination:
“Standing in the room was Robert Todd Lincoln, son of the murdered president and Garfield’s secretary of war. He suggested that Dr. Willard Bliss, who had attended his father, be brought into the case. Lincoln, in addition to being present when his father died, was in the station that morning with Garfield and was also with President William McKinley when he was assassinated in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1901.”
Can you imagine one individual linked to the assassination of three presidents? I may try to see if I can find a biography of Robert Todd Lincoln. I would be curious if he had any reflections about his connection to these pivotal events in history or how they affected his life. Does anyone know anything more about Robert Todd Lincoln or his life?
And if you’re curious, here’s a link to Fred Rasmussen’s original article (Just FYI – sometimes the Sun moves articles into their archives and asks you pay for the article. Hopefully, you’ll still be able to find it).
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