Complete issue of Vermont's Rutland Daily Herald from April 17, 1865, four pages, 14.75 x 20.5, reporting on President Abraham Lincoln's assassination and death two days earlier. The first column is headed "Latest News by Telegraph from Washington," and contains information on the recovery of Secretary of State William Seward and his son (also attacked as part of the assassination conspiracy), the autopsy of President Lincoln, the reported arrest of assassin John Wilkes Booth, arrangements for the late president's funeral, and the rumored surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston to William Sherman. The columns on the right side contain extracts from Saturday's extra and postscript, featuring the dramatic headline: "Terrible National Calamity: Assassination of President Lincoln, He is Shot through the head and mortally wounded." Subheads note: "The President Died At 7.22 this Morning" and "J. Wilkes Booth the Assassin." The columns contain letters by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, providing information on the ongoing situation, and further dispatches from the War Department. While initial reports stated that Seward was also assassinated, later coverage provides good news of his recovery. In fine condition, with some scattered wrinkling.
The currently operating Rutland Herald is one of Vermont's original 18th century newspapers. Its Daily was established in 1861 specifically to meet a growing need for press following the outbreak of the Civil War. This issue captures well the drama coming by the telegraph during a three-day period by filling all columns with both initial and subsequent news about the conspiracy, which had attempted to mortally wound the top of the Union government just prior to what would be the defeat of the Confederacy. An example of the broad scope of the event, well-suited for framing and display.
