And John Wilkes Booth Was There
Booth: watches Lincoln pass before playing in The Apostate
On February 18, 1861 Abraham Lincoln traveled from Buffalo to Albany, New York on his way to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration on March 4th. The train stopped at many points on the route. The grind continued for Lincoln. The New York Times Archive has thorough details here and here.
Here’s a bit from the reception in Albany, New York State’s capital (The New-York Times February 19, 1861):
Mr. LINCOLN, who appeared pale and worn, replied, in a low but steady voice, as follows:
MR. MAYOR: I can hardly appropriate to myself the flattering terms in which you communicate the tender of this reception, as personal to myself. I most gratefully accept the hospitalities tendered to me, and will not detain you or the audience with any extended remarks at this time. I presume that in the two or three courses through which I shall have to go, I shall have to repeat somewhat, and I will therefore only repeat to you my thanks for this kind reception.
At the close of his brief remarks, the party proceeded at once to the carriages, which took their way down Broadway, and up State-street to the Capitol. The whole route was densely crowded with citizens, and the windows of the houses were filled with ladies, while carriages, crowded with ladies, lined each side of the road. Many residences displayed flags in profusion, and across Broadway was hung a strip of canvas, bearing the inscriptions: “Welcome to the Capital of the Empire State;” “No more Compromises.” From the windows of the Young Men’s Association building on State-street was displayed a banner with the words “We will pray for you, the defender of the Constitution as it is.”
Acting Family: JW (on left) with brothers
On the same night that Lincoln stayed in Albany John Wilkes Booth was playing Pescara in The Apostate at the Gayety Theater. Wilkes Booth was staying at Stanwix Hall three blocks from the Delavan House, where Lincoln and his entourage spent the night. I first became aware of this from O Albany! by William Kennedy. According to Kennedy (page 69), Wilkes Booth watched the President-elect pass Stanwix Hall. The actor was cautioned by others in the crowd, presumably, for making hostile remarks about Lincoln.
You can see an advertisement for John Wilkes Booth’s February 18th performance here. As an actor, Wilkes Booth sure does get around – he attended John Brown’s hanging.
