Elizabeth Waln Wistar Huey diary pages, April 1865

              [Page ]115

Such great and glorious occasi[o]ns. Dr. N. came to congratulate me upon the news. I had just taken my six flags in. [H]e thought it dreadful not to see my flags. [unidentified word] Copperhead and traitor as he was called. he had had no flags out ever since the news arrived. Lee's Army is almost destroyed so broken up and [unidentified word]. Then he concluded to Rent this house for the summer. [H]e just listed it in the paper on Friday and Saturday. I suppose he had at least 75 applicati[o]ns. [H]e rented it on Saturday morning, for $75 per month, and after it was rented he had my excellent offer. [H]ad he have known it he could have gotten five hundred for the summer - as the rent was considered very low, he sent very little of the furniture, no carpets, or china. Went to St. Stephen[']s Church this morning. Mr. Egon was there and said the service - quite a good sermon and most exquisite music - Willie Kimber to dinner and also aunt T - no o[t]her company.

Friday Night April 21/[18]65

This night one week ago on Good Friday April 14th one of the most atrocious, diabolical, and wicked acts was perpetrated, our noble, wise, good, patriotic, beloved President Lincoln was murdered whilst attending Ford[']s Theatre in Wa. [Washington, DC] The villin [sic] shot him from the back, the ball entering the back part of his head and lodging in the brain[;] he lived till 7½ am. on Saturday. We were all still in bed when the news arrived. I could not believe it, but when I found I must do so, I felt as if we had lost our [unidentified words] support, more especi[a]lly as if Penocks [Pennock Huey’s] life had also been attempted, as well as that of his son. I could only weep. It seems as if dea[t]h had entered [m]ine own home, so terrorisd [sic]