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Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Apr 22, 1865
Page
2
The nation reels after the assassination of President Lincoln. Citizens mourn in sorrow as business and daily life halt, flags droop, and tributes pour in. The fallen leader is lauded for his service, humanity, and role in guiding the country through perilous times.
The nation reacts to President Lincoln's death and Secretary of State's peril with shock yet resolve. Leaders insist the government advances with vigor, pledging allegiance to justice, right, and republican values as a new chapter begins under President Johnson.
Bernarde spoke in New York on Saturday before a large audience outside the post office. He condemned the loss and praised Governor Johnson as a man who can be relied upon and will mete out fair justice to the people.
The Nashville paper records the oath of Andrew Jackson, noting his public commitment as a key event. The item highlights Jackson’s rising political stature and ties to Tennessee leadership, reflecting the era’s civic milestones.
The piece extols Johnson as wise, faithful and energetic, vows he regrets past humiliations, praises Burnside’s testimony, and urges national rally behind his administration to restore peace. It lauds his Southern roots, Jacksonian education, and commitment to the Union against traitors. It calls for broad public support for his policies.
The forenoon of Saturday Ben Johnson was informed of Lincoln's death and that an early inauguration might be set. He asked for the ceremony at Kirkwood House at 10 AM with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase to administer the oath. A group including McCulloch Blair Foote Yates and others gathered to witness the oath.
The Richmond Ware prints the oath of allegiance and parole of honor for citizens renewing citizenship after the rebellion. It notes renewals at provost marshal offices in Richmond Virginia and includes the oath to support the Constitution and wartime acts, with humane aid to distressed enemies. Sworn before the Provost Marshal in 1865.
News notes the capture of Mobile and many prisoners as the Confederate effort collapses after Lee's defeat. Johnston seeks surrender terms via Sherman, while Jeff Davis may flee toward Mexico amid delayed preliminaries and public sentiment.
Lincoln and companions attended Our American Cousin when a shot rang out. John Wilkes Booth, a Baltimore actor, leaped to the stage and escaped. Lincoln died the next day as details of the attack and Booth's identity spread.
A report recounts the Lincoln era attack on Secretary Seward in his sick chamber. It details the assassin's stabbing spree against Seward and others, the struggle by the Chief Messenger and Major Seward, and the escape on horseback.
Local forces in Kentucky pursue guerrillas with renewed zeal causing business disruption and widespread disruption of daily activity as authorities press operations.
Railway service resumes with trains operating between Richmond and Petereburg improving regional transport north of the capital and linking key docks and markets for travelers and goods.
The town held its annual meeting at Town Hall this morning at 10. Citizens joined in a memorial procession from the State House to Honor Lincoln’s funeral at 12 noon with prayers, readings, and addresses by local clergymen.
Subscriptions for the OUS Christian Commission received totaling 278.50 include Babbitt 1200 painting sale proceeds Alfred Luther Miss Fanny Alden Geo B Monro and church collections. North Bristol notes a national tragedy mourning President's assassination with flags at half mast and church services. North District School exam praised with a gift of a photograph album from Miss Moore to Mr Bates as thanks.
The two Grand Concerts scheduled at Town Hall on the 19th and 20th were postponed to the following Wednesday and Thursday evenings the 26th and 27th.
A large assortment of new and splendid paper hangings borders curtains and more offered at low prices at the store of J N Barges.
An item notes three Bristol ladies who attended Washington funeral ceremonies with a private school led by Miss Levinia Cady. It mentions their white-draped procession, the school’s uncov ered heads, and that the three scholars with their teacher are living in Pomfret, Conn. The piece adds town school finances show a near five hundred dollar deficit and reports a railway depot accident. It also cites plans for a Young Men's Christian Association meeting and remarks about President Johnson's resemblance to Andrew Jackson.
General Orders from the Rhode Island Adjutant General announce no further recruiting or premiums after April 14 1865. Paymaster General will issue two more bounties for recruits enlisted on or after this date while the Quartermaster General provides no additional premiums. All recruiting officers must return Quartermaster property to Brig. General D. O. Remington.
The War Department offers fifty thousand dollars for Lincoln’s killer, with additional rewards for Booth’s accomplices G A Atzeret and David C Harold. A liberal reward is promised for other arrests or aiding concealment, with rebels facing military justice and possible death. Clarence Seward, nephew of William H Seward, was away from Washington during the event.
A Cairo dispatch reports Union forces occupied Mobile on April 9 and captured Spanish Fort with about three thousand prisoners and three hundred guns. Garrison retreated toward Chickasaw Bayou as Gen Wilson seized Rhody’s command.
Washington reports indicate General Sherman was in communication with General Johnston to arrange the surrender of Johnston's army. Sherman would offer terms similar to those given to Lee and Gran. It was believed at Sherman's headquarters that Johnston's army would surrender around the prior Friday.
Steamer Creole from Hilton Head arrived on April 16. Columbus Georgia was captured by Thomas's cavalry after a severe fight with Forrest's troopers with 400 to 500 of Forrest's men taken. Afonia and Montgomery Alabama reported captured. Steamer St Mary sunk at Cedar Creek Florida has been raised and will soon run. Plans are in place to exchange five thousand prisoners at Da Tien Georgia.
The Herald reports from Winchester on the 18th that Mosby surrendered to Gen. Chapman at Berryville on the 17th after terms with Gen. Hapecock similar to those given to Lee. Mosby’s force numbered about seven hundred. Many of Lee’s troops are arriving within our lines and Johnston’s men say those who can go home may do so.
The Common Council of Washington offers a reward of twenty thousand dollars for the arrest and conviction of the assassins, with ten thousand more added by Cal L C Baker, totaling thirty thousand. Reports claim Gen Grant aims to reduce military expenses by one million per day without reducing efficiency. The era features other items from protests to disasters and wartime tensions.
At a Washington gathering to celebrate recent victories General B F Butler spoke of punishments for traitors and rights for the black man under law. He urged loyalty, decrying desertion and warning against foreign war while praising U S power. He echoed Jacksons motto asking only what is right and submitting to nothing wrong.
Town Treasurer presents a report of all monies received and disbursed from April 1 1884 to April 1 1885 detailing receipts from ordinary taxes including bond taxes and interest notes the town of Besol owes to Bristol and other bond related totals.
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