The stack of 10,000 Lincoln books found across the street from Ford’s
Theater. Far below Welty peers up at the photographer.
The Column begins:
“On a walk to the White House from our hotel we passed Ford’s Theater. We had hoped to
see a play there but Ford’s wasn’t showing summer productions. I’ve enjoyed watching
musicals there twice.
In 1971 I had no idea that the infamous site of Lincoln’s martyrdom was a functioning
theater. Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, intended to close it permanently. It was
confiscated, stripped bare and left a rotting shell. Thus, it remained for decades…”
You can read it all here: Fall of Lincoln
