Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Columbian Present At Lincoln's Assassination


From the Columbia Herald-Statesman of 17 May 1934, p. 1. On microfilm at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Thanks to Dotty Kasmann and Laura Crane for the suggestion.

REDMAN FUNERAL HELD
Final Rites Conducted For Woman Who Remembers Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in the church at Locust Grove, Midway, for Mrs. W. D. Redman of Columbia, who died Friday. She was 79 years old. Her death came unexpectedly as she had not been ill previously.

Mrs. Redman was in the cast at the Ford Theater the night Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Although she was only about 10 years old at the time she clearly remembered the excitement following the tragedy in Washington.

Surviving relatives are: One son, Charles Redman of Columbia, and three daughters, Mrs. Venita Edwards of Columbia; Mrs. Opal Ware, Rocheport; and Mrs. Elsa Pace, Cena, Neb., and a granddaughter, Mrs. Harry Hewett of Columbia.

Commentary:
From her online death certificate at the Missouri State Archives website, we know that Mrs. Redman was born Elizabeth Vines, daughter of William and Easter Furr Vines and that she was born 12 Dec 1854.  She was indeed 10 years old when President Lincoln was assassinated 14 April 1864. 

No comments:

Post a Comment