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| For Immediate Release: October 24, 2007 |
Contact: David Blanchette (217) 558-0516 |
Trick or Read Murder mystery involving Abraham Lincoln to be discussed October 30 at Presidential Museum Springfield, IL — While the kids are trick or treating this year, why not dive into a good, old-fashioned murder mystery – involving Abraham Lincoln. Julie M. Fenster, author of The Case of Abraham Lincoln: A story of Adultery, Murder and the Making of a Great President will hold a book discussion followed by a book signing Tuesday, October 30 at 7 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Museum’s Union Theater. Reservations must be made by calling (217) 558-8934. Costumes are welcome, but not required. The book examines a May 1856 Springfield murder case. A respected Springfield blacksmith was found bludgeoned to death after being poisoned with strychnine. His wife and his nephew, suspected of a sexual affair, were charged with the murder. A Grand Jury indicted both them, and the District Attorney was given his choice of an “assistant” counsel in prosecuting the murder case. He offered the position to his friend Abraham Lincoln. Stunning the prosecutor and the community, Lincoln instead joined the defense team at the eleventh hour, and the defendants were acquitted. The mystery of who killed blacksmith George Anderson was never solved. But the trial’s star attorney began cutting back on his court appearances and delivering an average of two political speeches per week, and the Republicans went on to stunning success in the elections. In a book that draws a picture of Lincoln in court and at home during 1856, Fenster also offers a close-up look at Lincoln’s political work, much of it masterful, some of it adventurous, in building the party that would change his fate – and that of the nation. Julie Fenster is an award-winning author and historian, specializing in nineteenth-century life. She is the co-author (with Douglas Brinkley) of The New York Times bestseller Parish Priest. Her other books include Ether Day and Race of the Century. She was a regular contributor to American Heritage, and has also written for The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. ###
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