Police Blotter Listing the Assassination of President Lincoln
4/14/1865
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President Abraham Lincoln led the United States through its most terrible crisis. At the end of the war, he appealed to people's nobler instincts, speaking words of reconciliation and healing. Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, while attending a performance at Ford's Theater. This police blotter captures the reaction of the officer on duty the night of the assassination. The Washington Metropolitan Police Department was one of several civil and military police groups involved in the investigation. The first image is a detail of the blotter entry.
Transcript
[detail of the blotter entry]11 PM Report of the assassination of President Lincoln
At this hour the melancholy intelligence of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln President of the U.S. at Ford’s Theatre was brought to this office, and the information obtained from the following persons goes to show that the assassin is a man named J. Wilks Booth.
Secretary Seward & both his sons & servant were attacked at the same hour by a man supposed to be J. Surratt.
Assigned to the Force
Secretary Seward & both his sons & servant were attacked at the same hour by a man supposed to be J. Surratt.
Assigned to the Force
[left side of page]
Detective Corps Met. Police Friday, April 14th 1865
2 1/2 PM Threats of violence
J.R. Sitzen Threats of violence against Charles C. Brown [illegible] WS Clothier, S, yes, Security [illegible] the peace
Justice [illegible]
Officer Donaldson
2 1/2 PM Threats of violence
Israel Raff. threats of violence against Charles C. Brown [illegible] Ws. Clothier, S. yes. Security keep the peace,
Justice [illegible]
Officer Donaldson
2 1/2 PM Threats of violence
J.W. Martin Threats of violence against Charles C. Brown [illegible] Ws. ClK, S, yes, Security [illegible] the peace
Justice [illegible]
Officer Donaldson
4 PM Property recovered value $40-
One Stars arm Pistol [illegible] from M. K. Walshes [illegible] claimed by J. H. [illegible] delivered to, Property Clerk By Order of Supt. [illegible] Apl 17th [illegible]
[illegible] & [illegible]
11 AM Suspicious Character
A man named John McBride brought to Head Quarters for [illegible] by Sergeant Cronin of 7th Precinct examined and taken before Justice Miller who discharged him.
[right side of page]
Detective Corps Met. Police Friday, April 14th 1865
7 PM Roll Call
Barry Rigley, Clarvoe Donaldson, Kelly and McDevitt present.
Noonan in charge of office. Drill in charge of Department from 7 PM to 8AM.
7 to 12 PM Kelly 7 to 12 PM
12 to 8 AM Rigley 12 to 8 AM
[illegible] PM Assault & Threat
Margaret Grubber, assault and threats of bodily harm, arrested on a warrant issued by Justice Miller, 35, white German Prostitute S. yes [illegible] Geo Myers security to keep the peace.
Rigley & Kelly
[illegible] PM Assault
John Meade assault on Joseph Hill with a pistol 40 white U.S. Gambler Married yes. Bailed for a hearing at 3 o’clock April 15, dismissed by Justice Boswell
Clarvoe & McDevitt
7 1/2 PM [illegible 15th]
Sergeant Johnson of Precinct delivered this morning to Officer Drill a Saddle cover, halter and three fishing lines.
[illegible] PM Assault
John Meade assault on Joseph Hill with a pistol 40 white U.S. Gambler Married yes. Bailed for a hearing at 3 o’clock April 15, dismissed by Justice Boswell
Clarvoe & McDevitt
7 1/2 PM [illegible 15th]
Sergeant Johnson of Precinct delivered this morning to Officer Drill a Saddle cover, halter and three fishing lines.
11 PM Report of the assassination of President Lincoln
At this hour the melancholy intelligence of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln President of the U.S. at Ford’s Theatre was brought to this office, and the information obtained from the following persons goes to show that the assassin is a man named J. Wilks Booth.
Secretary Seward & both his sons & servant were attacked at the same hour by a man supposed to be J. Surratt.
Assigned to the Force
Secretary Seward & both his sons & servant were attacked at the same hour by a man supposed to be J. Surratt.
Assigned to the Force
This primary source comes from the Records of the Government of the District of Columbia.
National Archives Identifier: 301678
Full Citation: Police Blotter Listing the Assassination of President Lincoln; 4/14/1865; Blotters, 9/1862 - 5/31/1933; Records of the Government of the District of Columbia, Record Group 351; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/assassination-lincoln, March 20, 2023]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
