Historic Newspapers: Search Results

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, April 22, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
* In a pro-white publication 

A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provides a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
With this issue, all factious leanings and biased commentary is set aside to report the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The…

CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, April 20, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* From the origin of the American Civil War (rare)

 Keep in mind that Charleston fell to Union forces on February 18 and after that date was in Union control. So this is the volume 1, number 47 issue in the "new series" as noted.
Availability of paper must still have been a concern, for as can be seen in the photos the dimensions of the paper are larger than the print area,…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

This issue would rank among the most famous of all Lincoln assassination newspapers, as almost all issues found on the market today are one of the many reprint editions that have turned up for decades.
This is the genuine issue. And better yet it is the "3:00 a.m. Special Edition" as identified by the Library of Congress:
3:00 a.m. Special edition. 8 pages. The…

EVENING STAR, Washington, D.C., April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* It is BEST to have reports from the city where it occurred

Terrific to have this first report of Lincoln's assassination in a newspaper from the city where it happened. This is the first of this issue we have offered.
The top of the front page has a column with heads: "ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT" "Attempted Murder Of Secretary Seward And Sons". The report begins: "Last evening…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, May 9, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Black mourning borders
* William T. Sherman returns

All columns on all pages area black-bordered due to the Lincoln assassination. The front page has: "SHERMAN" "His Army Homeward Bound" "The Quickest March on Record" "Scenes Along the Route" "Enthusiasm of the Colored People" and "Events Subsequent To The Surrender".
Page 5 has: "The Assassination" "The Trial to Commence Today" "The President's Proclamation Gone South"…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 19, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* Loads of testimony in court

Among the front page first column heads are: "THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Full Report of the Proceedings & Evidence of Thurs." "A Plan for Destroying; Northern Ships & Towns Sent to Jeff. Davis"  & more.
This trial coverage carries over to the back page.
Eight pages, evenly toned throughout, slightly irregular at the blank spine from disbinding, good condition.

Backgrou…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 29, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins

Nearly two columns of the front page are taken up with: "THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Review of the Testimony by Special Judge-Advocate Bingham" "The Law of Evidences as to Conspiracies" "Parties Need Not by Present to be Implicated" "The Trial Concluded At Last" and more.
Items within include: "The Homeward March" on the soldiers returning from the fields of battle; "Out-Door Sports - Base…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 29, 1865

* The same issue (title and date) found in the time capsule under the (former) statue of Robert E. Lee on Dec. 28, 2021

The front page has a large and dramatic illustration of "J. Wilkes Booth" plus a lengthy article headed: 'The Murder Of The President' making this a nice display issue.
Inside articles are headed: "Abraham Lincoln" "President Johnson" "Mr. Seward" "Great Pan Is Dead" and "The Folly of Crime". A small illustration captioned: "Plan of the…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 25, 1865  

* Prelude to Abraham Lincoln's assassination ?
* Captain John Yates Beall execution - hanging
* Actor and assassin John Wilkes Booth's friend

Among the front page one column heads on the Civil War are: "The Fall of Wilmington" "Official Dispatches to the Navy Dept." "A Large Number of Prisoners Captured" "The Rebels Evacuate the City Tues. Night" "They Are Being Rapidly Pursued" "Late Rebel News" and more.
But perhaps the most intriguing article, which takes almost…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 17, 1865  

* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination
* Loads of testimony (questions/answers)

Among the front page column heads are: "THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Testimony Taken in Secret Session Last Week" "Revelations Concerning the Origin of the Murder Plot" "It was Decided Upon Just After the Rebel Defeat at Gettysburg" "Booth's Visit to Canada & Intercourse with Sanders" "How Booth Urged S.K. Chester to Join Him in the…

THE WORLD, New York, May 6, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination investigation

Among the front page column heads on the closing events of the Civil War are: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Another Letter from Beverly Tucker & Geo. Sanders" "Absolute Denial of any Knowledge of the Assassination" "Harold's Confession and the Other Testimony Sent to 
Europe" "The Preliminary Examination About Completed" "Another Strange Story About the Assassination" and more.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

NEW YORK TIMES, May 28, 1865

* Last of the Confederate forces surrender 
* Formal end of the American Civil War
* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination 
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins

Among the front page column heads are: "PEACE AT LAST" "Surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's entire force" "Final Official Act of Insurgent Authority" "The Great Rebellion Has Passed Away" "Their Land and Naval Forces Declared Disbanded" "The Stars & Stripes Again Dominant Over All the County" "All…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 6, 1865  This issue remains one of the most desired of the Civil War era, if not the 19th century, as much of it deals with the assassination and funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.
The entire front page is a print captioned: "President Lincoln At Home" showing him reading a book to his son. This very image was made into a postage stamp by the United States Post Office.
An inside page has a dramatic full page print captioned: "Scene at the Death Bed of President…

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 15th---9 A. M.  

* Terrific Abraham Lincoln assassination broadside
* First edition just after the announcement of death

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were…

WASHINGTON WEEKLY CHRONICLE, D.C., April 22, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
* From our nation's capital

Truly a terrific issue, for being a weekly newspaper this was the first report of this event in this title, and better yet it is from the city where the assassination happened. A notable--and very uncommon--graphic on the front page is the black-bordered cameo print of Abraham Lincoln, with all columns on all 8 pages…

NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 16, 1858 

* Theatrical connection to the Lincoln assassination
* Debut of the play "Our American Cousin"
* Three days until opening night

The play President Abraham Lincoln attended on the night he was shot was "Our American Cousin". Its "world" premiere was actually in New York City on October 18, 1858.
This issue contains on page 7 a very brief and discrete advertisement for the play, noting: "Laura Keene's New Theatre...Monday-Tom Taylor's new comedy, Our…

THE JOURNAL & COURIER, Little Falls, New York, April 20, 1865 

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

Being a weekly newspaper this issue has the first report of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. All columns on all pages have wide, black mourning rules.
The front page has: "The Great Calamity" which is an essay on Lincoln. Also on the front page: "The Nation's Grief" which is a sermon on Lincoln.
Page 2 has over 1 1/2 columns taken up…

ADVOCATE FAMILY GUARDIAN, New York, April 15, 1865  

* Printed the Day President Lincoln was Assassinated
* Slavery content

The front page has an article discussing slavery and how Christians should have risen to protest to be, "saved from participation in National guilt...".
Additionally, the front page has a poem which ironacally discusses the death of someone who will never be forgoten. What a beautiful, accidental tribute to the President who was about to be mourned and who did rise and stand…

NEW YORK TIMES, July 17, 1865  

* Post Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Owner of Ford's Theater letter signed

Page 5 has one-third of a column headed: "Ford's Theatre--Letter from the Proprietor to a Clergyman" which is a letter signed by John T. Ford concerning a minister's opinion on reopening the theater. It is very rare to find in newspapers letters signed by the proprietor of Ford's Theater, particuarly in his defense of attempting to reopen his theater after the assassination.
Page 5 also…

BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, April 26, 1865 

* Very rare Civil War era publication
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
* re Abraham Lincoln assassination

W. G. Brownlow, or  Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to the press to spread his harsh anti-Presbyterian, anti-Calvinist rhetoric, and to spread…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 4, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination - murder
* Pursuit of the conspirators - assassins

Among the front page first column heads are: "THE ASSASSINS" "Mr. Lincoln's Murder Planned by Leading Traitors" "Most of these Traitors Are Harbored in Canada" "Jefferson Davis is the Head of the Assassins" "One Hundred Thousand Dollars Reward for Davis" plus a front page "Proclamation" signed by President Andrew Johnson offering various rewards for those implicated in…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 1, 1865  The front page has 2 prints concerning the dedication of the Bull Run monuments, captioned: "Monument Erected on the Field of the First Battle of Bull Run" and: "Consecration of the Bull Run Monuments--Reading the Service". There is front page text on the dedication as well.
Inside has a full page of: "Sherman And His Generals" and another of: "The Military Commission Engaged in the Trial of the Conspirators at Washington". Other prints include: "Camp…

CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, Dec. 6, 1865 

* President Andrew Johnson
* State of the Union Address
* Civil War reconstruction

Most of the front page and page 2 are taken up with the: "President's Message", being the first state-of-the-union address of President Andrew Johnson. The focus of his speech is the end of the Civil War with comments on the Lincoln assassination: "...Our thoughts next revert to the death of the late President by an act of parricidal treason. The grief…

NEW YORK HERALD, April 21, 1865 

* Rare 1st-page mentions of Synagogue services
* Re: Abraham Lincoln's assassination & funeral
* Black mourning borders on all eight pages

Perhaps the most noteworthy coverage is the front-page details regarding various services being held at local synagogues - which includes the congregations at "B'nai Israel," "Bikur Cholim U-Kadisha Synagogue," and "Shaari [Shaare] Zedek" with each synagogue draped in mourning black.
It is quite unusual to find…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 31, 1865  A great issue as the entire front page & some of page 5 are taken up with the reports on the trial of the conspirators against Abraham Lincoln.
Among the front page column heads: "TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Remarkable Statement About Jeff. Davis' Knowledge" "A Speech Made by Him at Charlotte, North Carolina" "He Receives the News of Mr. Lincoln's Murder as a Matter of Course" "If it were to be done, it were better it were well done." "He Doubltess Expected A…

THE CIRCULAR, Oneida, New York, Feb. 28, 1861  Page 3 has a report: "Mr. Lincoln In Washington" noting in part: "Considerable surprise & excitement were occasioned through the country by the report...that Mr. Lincoln had arrived in Washington...and that his sudden departure from Harrisburg for Washington was made to avoid plots of assassination...a messenger...arrived at Harrisburg & communicated to Mr. Lincoln...of a plot against his life, and recommended him to take an earlier train & travel…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 20, 1865  The front page has an article: "The Assassination" and another "President Lincoln's Funeral" and also includes illustrations of: "Ruins of Garrett's Barn...Where Booth Was Shot: and "Garrett's House, Where Booth Died" and: "Harold's House, Near the Washington Navy-Yard".
Inside has a full page print: "President Lincoln's Funeral--Reception Of the Remains at Chicago, Illinois", and two half page prints: "President Lincoln's Funeral--Building Erected for…

NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 13, 1866 

* President Abraham Lincoln
* 1st birthday since assassination
* George Bancroft memorial oration

The top of the front page has column heads: "LINCOLN" "The Martyr President" "Oration By George Bancroft" "The Flags on the Public Buildings at Half Mast" and more, with very lengthy text. This was in honor of the first Lincoln birthday since his assassination.
Eight pages, a little irregular along the spine, generally nice.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 31, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - traitors

All of page 1 and most of page 2 are taken up with: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Trial Of The Accused" "Saturday's Proceedings Continued" with a great wealth of verbatim testimony.
Page 3 has various end-of-war reports.
Great to have this content in a newspaper from the nation's capital.
Four pages, large folio size, minor tears at the margins. Folder size noted is…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 26, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln Murder - Trial of the conspirators
* re. Jefferson Davis capture - Woman's clothes dispute

The entire front page and over half of the back page are taken up with very detailed and verbatim accounts of those called to give testimony in the trial of the Lincoln assassins.
The front page first column heads include: "TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Full Report of the Proceedings on Thursday" "Testimony to the Cruel Treatment of Our Prisoners in…

DAILY EVENING TRAVELLER, Boston, April 24, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination - funeral 
* Ending events of the American Civil War

From just 9 days after the death of Lincoln, there is much content relating to the event, the funeral, and follow-up investigations, as well as the closing moments of the Civil War.
Photos show much content, however, a few column heads include: "Bases of Peace Drawn up by Gens. Sherman and Johnston" "Funeral of President Lincoln" "Occupation of Mobile" "The…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 5, 1865  

* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - conspirators

Among the front page column heads on the trial of the Lincoln conspirators: "THE REBEL LEADERS" "Their Complicity in the Assassination" "Very Important Suppressed Testimony" "The Murder of Our Principal Men Arranged in Canada" "The Murderers to Receive Commissions from Richmond" 'Booth Specially Authorized" "A Scheme to Cut the Croton Dam" "Another to Poison our Reservoirs"…

NEW  YORK TIMES, May 16, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln Murder
* Trial of the Assassins
* Indictment of the assassins
* Confederate yellow fever plot

Among the front page column heads are: "TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "The Charges & Specifications Against the Prisoners" "Davis, Sanders, Tucker, Thompson, and Clay in the Indictment" "They are Charged with Conspiring to Kill Lincoln, Johnson, Seward and Grant" 'The Testimony Taken on the Second Day of the Trial".
This testimony on the trial of the assassins…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 21, 1865  

* Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Lying in State at the Capitol
* Hunt for the assassins continue

Although somewhat inconspicuous, perhaps the most notable item within this black bordered issue is the page 7 mention of the mourning services held at The Congregation Sherith Israel [Shearith Israel] on behalf of the late President.
Synagogues did not often receive the same coverage as other places of worship, and…

PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL, New York, May, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination w/ print

 Phrenology is a theory that the personality traits of a person can be derived from the shape of their skull. Although holding no validity today, it was a popular science in the mid-19th century and this periodical focused on it.
The feature of this issue is the page near the back which is devoted to Abraham Lincoln, including a nice portrait of him and a black-bordered article on his life.
Seven other pages has…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 13, 1865  

* "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
* Closing events of the American Civil War
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination 

Among the front page column heads on the ending events of the Civil War are: "THE HOMEWARD MARCH" "The Second & Fifth Corps Arrive Near Alexandria" "They Meet with the Kindest Treatment on the Way from Richmond" "Sherman's Veterans Will Begin to Arrive About Sunday" and more.
Page 4 has: "The Trial of the Assassins--Action of the Government". The back…

DAILY EVENING TRAVELLER, Boston, April 11, 1865  

* Pre assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Among the columns heads on the front page are: "The Press On the Surrender of General Lee" "Naval Operations On the James River" "The Blockade Rearmed" "By the President of the United States, A PROCLAMATION" signed in type: Abraham Lincoln, which relates to the blockaded Southern ports.
Inside includes: "The Siege of Mobile" "The Campaign In Virginia" "Events Prior to the Surrender" "The Fighting Near…

CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, May 19, 1865 

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins

Page 2 begins with a nice editorial: "The Death of President Lincoln in the English Parliament".
Other notable reports within: "The Trial of the Conspirators" "Important; Evidence" "Davis Implicated" "President's Proclamation" regarding amnesty to those in the South; "Union Meeting in Raleigh" "Trial of the Conspirators" "Forest Killed" "Jeff. Davis' Route" and…

CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, May 17, 1865 

* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination

Page 2 begins with a nice editorial: "The Conspiracy Trial" which was just beginning in Washington.
Page 3 also has a full column headed: "The Assassination Trial" "Condensed Summary of the Evidence" "The Testimony Against Spangler, O'Laughlin and Mudd" "The Secret Evidence Made Public". Also: "Conspirators Respited" "Gov. Vance Arrested" "The Pirate…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 26, 1865  

* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination

Part of page 1 and over half of page 2 are taken up with: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Trial Of The Accused" "The Proceedings On Yesterday" with a great wealth of verbatim testimony.
Also within: "Davis Reported To Be In Irons" "Davis's and Clay's Families Sent South" "Address of General Forrest - His Advice To His Soldiers" "Surrender of Guerrilla Chiefs…

THE DAILY PROGRESS, Raleigh, North Carolina, March 9, 1865   

* Very rare Confederate publication
* Rebel General Joseph E. Johnston 
* Final weeks of the American Civil War

Raleigh was one of the last major cities of the South to fall into the hands of Sherman, surrendering on April 13, 1865, just one day before Lincoln was assassinated. This rare Confederate title is from the latter days of the Civil War.
The front page is almost entirely taken up with: "Gen. Johnston's Official Report" as…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 14, 1865

* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination

The top of the front page has: "THE CONSPIRACY" "TRIAL OF THE ACCUSED" "Proceedings Of Monday, June 12". Three columns are taken up with verbatim questions and answers.
This very detailed & lengthy coverage continues to take almost all of page 2 as well.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, large folio size, minor wear at the margins, generally in good…

THE DAILY PROGRESS, Raleigh, North Carolina, Nov. 30, 1864  

* General William T. Sherman 
* March to the sea - Georgia
* In a rare Confederate title

Raleigh was one of the last major cities of the South to fall into the hands of Sherman, surrendering on April 13, 1865, just one day before Lincoln was assassinated. This rare Confederate title is from the latter months of the Civil War.
The front page has reports headed: "Legislative Proceedings" "Congressional" and also: "Northern…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 23, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - traitors

Taking half of page 3 is: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Trial of the Accused" "The Proceedings of Yesterday" with a wealth of verbatim reporting.
The front page includes: "From the Southwest' "Report Murder of Kirby Smith" "From Georgia" "100,000 Bales of Cotton Captured" "The Negro Troops Attempt to Avenge the Fort Pillow Massacre" & more.
Great to have this content…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 2, 1865  

* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Closing events of the Civil War
* Jefferson Davis on the run

Among the front page column heads on the ending events of the Civil War: "DAWN OF PEACE" "Breaking Up of Sherman's Veteran Army" "The Army of Tennessee & the Army of Georgia to Go To Richmond" "Johnston's Army Deliver Their Effects at Greensboro" "The Assassination" "Jeff. Davis Escapes" "The Burial Place of President Lincoln" and more.
Eight pages, an older…

NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 25, 1861 

* Plot to assassination Abraham Lincoln

The front page contains various one column heads which include: "The Plot Against Mr. Lincoln's Life" "Developments of a Detective Officer" "The Feeling Among the Republicans" and more (see). A portion of the report includes: "...some persons express their decided belief that the story of a conspiracy to assassinate the President elect is all gammon and moonshine..." with more (see).
Eight pages, small piece torn…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 30, 1865  

* Andrew Johnson - amnesty proclamation
* Abraham Lincoln's assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins

The front page features two notable Proclamations by President Johnson. The first grants amnesty to all persons who have directly or indirectly taken part in the rebellion, with the restoration of all rights of property except as to slaves, and except in cases where legal proceedings have been instituted for the confiscation of property.
The second is for…

CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, April 12, 1865 

* American Civil War is over speech
* Abraham Lincoln's last public speech
* Presidential proclamation 128
* Just 2 days before his assassination

This issue was printed just 2 days prior to Lincoln's assassination.
The top of page 2 has: "A Proclamation by the President" which is signed in type: Abraham Lincoln. This Proclamation is dated April 11, 1865, three days before his assassination, and was to be his last. The top of page…