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A Bomb Scare For Abraham Lincoln
From:
Edward Segal -- 'Whistle-Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and the Reporters Who Covered Them' Edward Segal -- 'Whistle-Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and the Reporters Who Covered Them'
Washintgon DC, DC
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

 

Abraham Lincoln's whistle-stop train tour from Springfield, Illinois to his inauguration in Washington, DC in 1861 was marked by several threats to the president-elect's life.

For example, after his train left Cincinnati, Ohio, a bomb was discovered in a small carpet bag on a seat in the railroad car that was occupied by Lincoln and his family and friends. The bomb was found only because luggage was prohibited in the car.

The explosive device, which was timed to detonate in fifteen minutes, was quickly deactivated. It "would have exploded with a force sufficient to have demolished the car and destroyed the lives of all persons in it," according to a story by "The World" newspaper in 1861.

For more stories about whistle-stopping politicians, read Edward Segal's new bestselling book, Whistle--Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and the Reporters Who Covered Them, which is available wherever books are sold.

 

About Edward Segal

Edward Segal is the nation’s top expert on the history of campaign trains, and their impact of elections, politics, journalism, and culture. He is one of the few people who has planned a modern-day whistle-stop campaign train tour and served as a campaign manager, press secretary, and aide to Democratic and Republican presidential and congressional candidates. 
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Name: Edward Segal
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