Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, come on your story hours on.
Speaker 2: Welcome to your Story Hour.
Speaker 3: I'm Aunt Nicky and.
Speaker 4: I'm Uncle John, and we're here to bring you today's
Speaker 4: inspiring story.
Speaker 2: Hello there, and a great big welcome to everyone.
Speaker 4: Boys and girls, moms and.
Speaker 2: Dads, grandma's and grandpa's, aunts.
Speaker 4: And uncles, cousins, neighbors.
Speaker 2: My goodness, we really mean everybody.
Speaker 4: Okay, say Aunt Nicky. Yes, I happen to know that
Speaker 4: Aunt Carol has a story already for us, and that
Speaker 4: it involves someone quite famous, Abraham Lincoln.
Speaker 2: You're right, Uncle John, and more specifically, it involves Abraham
Speaker 2: Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.
Speaker 4: Oh I see, However.
Speaker 2: Today's story isn't directly about either of the Lincoln's, but
Speaker 2: about a very interesting lady who was Missus Lincoln's dressmaker.
Speaker 2: Her name was Elizabeth Keckley. And it might be hard
Speaker 2: to believe, but.
Speaker 4: What come on now, you have to tell us you've
Speaker 4: already started your sentence.
Speaker 2: Well, all right, Elizabeth, or Lizzie as she was known,
Speaker 2: started out life as a slave.
Speaker 4: Well, this should be fascinating. How did Elizabeth Keckley get
Speaker 4: all the way from slavery to the White House?
Speaker 2: That Uncle John is exactly what we're going to discover.
Speaker 2: Most of our presentation today is based on Elizabeth Keckley's
Speaker 2: own book on the topic, and we call it Missus
Speaker 2: Lincoln's Dressmaker.
Speaker 5: Elizabeth Keckley was born in eighteen eighteen of slave parents,
Speaker 5: automatically making little Lizzie a slave as well. Her mother,
Speaker 5: Agnes Hobbs, known as Aggie, was owned by Colonel Armistead
Speaker 5: Burwell of Virginia Planter. Aggie, one of fifty slaves owned
Speaker 5: by the Burwells, served in the main house, and when
Speaker 5: Lizzie was just four years old, she was assigned to
Speaker 5: care for the Burwell's new baby daughter.
Speaker 6: Now, Lizzie, yes, ma'am, you will be watching over baby Elizabeth.
Speaker 6: Keep the flies away.
Speaker 2: From her face.
Speaker 6: Yes, Lilah will you are to be Elizabeth's little maid.
Speaker 2: Here.
Speaker 6: I'm going to put her in her cradle there now,
Speaker 6: I want you to rock her. Lizzie, You're not to
Speaker 6: let her cry. I'm depending on you to do a
Speaker 6: good job, and I'm going to be checking on you
Speaker 6: to make sure you do.
Speaker 5: Little Lizzie took her job very seriously, a bit too seriously, perhaps,
Speaker 5: since she began to swing the cradle quite enthusiastically. Suddenly,
Speaker 5: ah oh.
Speaker 7: No, the baby said aloud.
Speaker 3: She's on the floor.
Speaker 8: Don't cry, baby, don't cry.
Speaker 3: Oh what am I gonna do?
Speaker 5: I know?
Speaker 7: Letby, I can stoop her up.
Speaker 3: It's Sally, Lizzie, what are you doing?
Speaker 1: I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 6: Cut that shuttle down and leave he alow this instant.
Speaker 9: Oh sh poo pooh.
Speaker 7: Baby.
Speaker 6: You shall be punished for this, you careless, heartless child,
Speaker 6: and I vow you shall not soon forget your lashing.
Speaker 5: Lizzie was indeed severely whipped for the accident, but in
Speaker 5: spite of this initial disaster, she continued as the child's maid.
Speaker 5: As time went by, she even helped lift a bit
Speaker 5: of her mother's heavy workload, which included making clothes not
Speaker 5: only for the Burwell family, but for all fifty slaves,
Speaker 5: as well as for Lizzie's father, George Hobbes. Since he
Speaker 5: was owned by another man, he was allowed to visit
Speaker 5: just twice a year, at Easter and Christmas. Eventually, mister
Speaker 5: Burwell arranged to let George live with Lizzie and her mother,
Speaker 5: an arrangement which was met with great happiness.
Speaker 9: Ah Aggie, my love. I don't know which I like best,
Speaker 9: being home with you or with Lizzie. You're both so
Speaker 9: dear to my heart. Lizzie, look at you, how big
Speaker 9: you've grown. What a fine, fine girl you are.
Speaker 5: Sadly, this happy arrangement lasted but a short time, and
Speaker 5: the family was forever separated when George's master moved west,
Speaker 5: taking Lizzie's father with him. Ripping apart slave families in
Speaker 5: this way was very common and very wrong. Every member
Speaker 5: of the little family was broken hearted, but that was
Speaker 5: not at all appreciated by Missus Burwell, who coldly snapped
Speaker 5: at Lizzie's mother.
Speaker 6: Oh, just stop this nonsense, Aggie, moping around. You are
Speaker 6: not the only slave who has had to part with
Speaker 6: her husband.
Speaker 9: You know.
Speaker 6: If you want a husband so badly, stop crying and
Speaker 6: go find another one.
Speaker 5: When Lizzie was about fourteen years old, she was loaned
Speaker 5: out to live with Burwell's oldest son, Reverend Robert Burwell,
Speaker 5: and his rather severe wife. Lizzie worked very hard, but
Speaker 5: was distrusted and scolded repeatedly.
Speaker 1: I declare, Lizzie, you'll never amount to anything, and besides,
Speaker 1: you have a stubborn uppity pride that mark, my word
Speaker 1: shall be dealt with.
Speaker 5: Eventually, when Lizzie was eighteen, the Burwells engaged the schoolmaster,
Speaker 5: mister Bingham, to mercilessly flog her to cure her of
Speaker 5: what was regarded as her undue pride. After the fourth
Speaker 5: terrible beating, during which Lizzie, as usual refused to cry out,
Speaker 5: mister Bingham's horrible behavior and Lizzie's bruised, bleeding body finally
Speaker 5: brought the man to his knees.
Speaker 4: I cannot flog you anymore, Lizzie.
Speaker 10: I will never never strike a servant again.
Speaker 4: Please please forgive me.
Speaker 5: And as far as anyone knows, mister Bingham kept his word,
Speaker 5: But Lizzie's troubles were not over. Lizzie was forced into
Speaker 5: an unwonted relationship with a white man in the area
Speaker 5: and eventually gave birth to this terrible man's child.
Speaker 3: Don't you worry, little one. I love you with all
Speaker 3: my heart. In some way, somehow I'm going to see
Speaker 3: to it that you do not live your life as
Speaker 3: a slave.
Speaker 5: In eighteen forty seven, Lizzie and her mother were sent
Speaker 5: to live with another of the Burwell's children, their daughter
Speaker 5: Anne and her husband, Mister Garland, who lived in Saint Louis.
Speaker 5: Since the Garlands had deep money problems, Lizzie basically supported
Speaker 5: the entire household of seventeen people by using the sewing
Speaker 5: and dressmaking skills she had learned from her mother. Her
Speaker 5: high class clients were enthusiastic.
Speaker 11: Why where did you learn to sew like this, Lizzie?
Speaker 11: This dress is beautiful.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Missus le bronois.
Speaker 11: I shall be the finest lady at the ball, thanks
Speaker 11: to you and your needle.
Speaker 5: Finally, Lizzie approached mister Garland to ask if she could
Speaker 5: purchase her own freedom and that of her son, George.
Speaker 5: Her inquiry was met with a blunt No time passed
Speaker 5: during which she was married to an old friend from Virginia,
Speaker 5: James Keckley, but sadly the marriage didn't last long. Eventually,
Speaker 5: an arrangement was made for Lizzie to travel east to
Speaker 5: collect money from sympathetic friends to meet the cost of
Speaker 5: twelve hundred dollars, the price which mister Garland finally agreed
Speaker 5: to in order for Lizzie to purchase her freedom and George's.
Speaker 5: When that plan fell through at the last moment, Missus
Speaker 5: le bourgeois came to the rescue.
Speaker 11: Lizzie, I've been thinking it would be a shame for
Speaker 11: you to have to go to beg for what we
Speaker 11: should give you. You have many friends here in Saint Louis,
Speaker 11: and I am going to raise the twelve hundred dollars
Speaker 11: you need among them.
Speaker 5: Happily, Missus la Bourgeois was successful in raising the needed funds.
Speaker 3: We're free, George free. Oh what a glorious ring that
Speaker 3: word has. Free.
Speaker 5: Before leaving Saint Louis in the spring of eighteen sixty,
Speaker 5: Lizzie worked hard to repay every cent that her lady
Speaker 5: patrons and friends had given her to buy her freedom
Speaker 5: and that of her son. She then went east to
Speaker 5: Baltimore and on to Washington, d c. Where she rented
Speaker 5: accommodations and began making fashionable dresses for some of the
Speaker 5: Capitol's finest ladies, including Missus Jefferson Davis.
Speaker 12: Oh, Lizzie, Christmas is almost here, and you've made so
Speaker 12: many beautiful things for my family.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Missus Davis. I'm still working on that soak
Speaker 3: dressing gown for your husband.
Speaker 12: Oh no, it's not finished yet.
Speaker 3: I've had to lay it aside for so many other
Speaker 3: projects that I just.
Speaker 12: But but tomorrow is Christmas.
Speaker 3: And don't trouble yourself, missus Davis. I'll stay tonight until
Speaker 3: I've finished it, I promise.
Speaker 5: Lizzie's needle flew as she labored over the robe for
Speaker 5: mister Davis, taking the very last stitches when the clock
Speaker 5: struck midnight on Christmas Eve. Over the next weeks, the
Speaker 5: war that was destined to break out between the North
Speaker 5: and the South was frequently discussed in the Davis household,
Speaker 5: often in Lizzie's presence. The sympathies of the Davises were,
Speaker 5: of course, with the South.
Speaker 12: Lizzie, you are so very handy that I should like
Speaker 12: to take you south with me. You know there's going to.
Speaker 3: Be a war, No, I hope not.
Speaker 12: Oh yes, the Southern people will not submit to the
Speaker 12: demands of the abolitionists to end slavery. They will fight
Speaker 12: and they will win. You'd better go south with me, Lizzie.
Speaker 12: I'll take good care of you. Besides, it will go
Speaker 12: badly for the colored people here in the North, are
Speaker 12: you sure?
Speaker 10: Yes?
Speaker 12: And when we come back, the Southern people will choose
Speaker 12: mister Davis for their president. So it won't be long
Speaker 12: until I shall live in the White House.
Speaker 5: Lizzie was almost tempted to go south with Missus Davis,
Speaker 5: but believing that the people of the North would fight
Speaker 5: for the flag that they held in such high regard,
Speaker 5: she chose to stay in the North. After the davis
Speaker 5: Is left, Lizzie was introduced to several prominent ladies, including
Speaker 5: the wife of General McLain, who was more than eager
Speaker 5: to have a dress made for a special occasion.
Speaker 13: I positively must have a new dress to dine at
Speaker 13: the Willard's next Sunday. Here's the material I just purchased,
Speaker 13: and you must start on it right away.
Speaker 3: But miss mclan, I've already too much work promised. I'm sorry,
Speaker 3: but it would be impossible for me to make this
Speaker 3: dress for you.
Speaker 13: Nothing is impossible, and I must have this dress. But
Speaker 13: now don't say no one more time.
Speaker 3: Besides, i've heard you.
Speaker 13: Say that you'd like to work for the ladies of
Speaker 13: the White House. I know Missus Lincoln very well, and
Speaker 13: her husband has now been elected president. If you finish
Speaker 13: this dress for me by Sunday, I'll introduce you.
Speaker 3: To Missus Lincoln. Yes, well, then, Miss mcclan you shall
Speaker 3: have your dress.
Speaker 5: Lizzie stayed up sewing every night, barely finishing Missus mclin's
Speaker 5: dress on time. Soon thereafter, when Missus McLain was visiting
Speaker 5: Mary Lincoln, she learned that Missus Lincoln was in urgent
Speaker 5: need of address herself, since the ones she had planned
Speaker 5: to wear to the inaugural reception had been spoiled by
Speaker 5: a spill cup of coffee. Missus Lincoln asked Missus McLain's
Speaker 5: advice on whom she might engage to make a new
Speaker 5: dress for her.
Speaker 13: I can recommend Lizzie Keckley with great confidence, Missus Lincoln.
Speaker 5: And so Lizzie appeared at the White House at the
Speaker 5: scheduled time, only to discover three other dressmakers were also
Speaker 5: awaiting an interview with Missus Lincoln. She was the last
Speaker 5: to be called into Missus Lincoln's presence.
Speaker 7: Ah, Missus Keckley, tell me who else have you worked
Speaker 7: for here in Washington, d C.
Speaker 3: Among others, Missus Lincoln, one of my best patrons has
Speaker 3: been Missus Senator Davis.
Speaker 7: Missus Davis, I see very good. Can you do my work?
Speaker 3: Yes, Missus Lincoln, I can. Will you have much work
Speaker 3: for me to do that?
Speaker 7: Missus Keckley will depend on your prices. We are just
Speaker 7: from the West, you know, and don't have much money.
Speaker 3: I'm sure we can come to an agreement, Missus Lincoln.
Speaker 7: Well, then we must get busy. The reception will be
Speaker 7: Tuesday night.
Speaker 4: Well well, Aunt Nikki, it certainly sounds like Elizabeth Keckley
Speaker 4: is well on her way to the White House.
Speaker 2: Yes, it does. Soon, Aunt Carol will finish our story.
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Speaker 2: And our address is PO Box eight Niles, Nil e s, Michigan,
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Speaker 4: Well, I see by the clock on the wall that
Speaker 4: we'd better get back to our story and see what
Speaker 4: happens next.
Speaker 2: Aunt Nikki, good thinking, Uncle John. So here now is
Speaker 2: the continuation of Missus Lincoln's dressmaker.
Speaker 5: Lizzie worked feverishly on Missus Lincoln's dress, and taking the
Speaker 5: last stitches. On the very afternoon of the reception, she
Speaker 5: bundled up the dress and headed for the White House.
Speaker 5: When she was ushered upstairs, she found Missus Grimsly, Mary
Speaker 5: Lincoln's cousin, in the room with Missus Lincoln, who was
Speaker 5: in a terrible state of upset.
Speaker 7: Missus Keckley, you have disappointed me. Why do you bring
Speaker 7: my dress at this late hour? I've just finished at
Speaker 7: Missus Lincoln. I thought it would be in time, but
Speaker 7: you are not in time. I have no time now
Speaker 7: to dress. In fact, I will not dress and go
Speaker 7: down with the other ladies.
Speaker 14: Come now, cousin, there's plenty of time for you to dress.
Speaker 14: Let Missus Keckley assist you, and she will soon have
Speaker 14: you ready. But and can you help her arrange her hair?
Speaker 14: Missus Keckley, certainly, you see Mary.
Speaker 2: All will be well?
Speaker 3: All right then, I suppose here now, just let me
Speaker 3: unbutton the dress, all right there, now, we'll just let
Speaker 3: you slip into it. Just so very good.
Speaker 7: Oh, it's it's really quite beautiful.
Speaker 10: Ah, Willie Tad, Let your old father just sink down
Speaker 10: here on the sofa.
Speaker 12: We want a story, father, please all right?
Speaker 8: Then?
Speaker 10: Hmmm, under a spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands
Speaker 10: the smith. A mighty man, is he with large and
Speaker 10: sinewy hands, and the muscles of his rawny arms are
Speaker 10: strong as iron bands.
Speaker 7: You seem to be in a poetical mood.
Speaker 10: Tonight, father, Yes, mother, these are poetical times. Why I
Speaker 10: do declare you look charming in that dress? You, Missus
Speaker 10: keckleyt Madame Elizabeth, you have met with great success my
Speaker 10: wife looks positively elegant.
Speaker 5: And in short order, Lizzie watched, almost as if in awe,
Speaker 5: Missus Lincoln, now serene, composed and smiling, took the President's
Speaker 5: offered arm as Together they grandly departed for the party
Speaker 5: in the rooms below. The reception was a success, and
Speaker 5: over the next few months, Lizzie, who had now become
Speaker 5: Missus Lincoln's official dressmaker and confidante, produced fifteen or sixteen
Speaker 5: beautiful dresses for the first Lady. Eventually she would produce
Speaker 5: many more dresses for special occasions, dresses which were the
Speaker 5: admiration of Washington's most elite society. However, that fall, when
Speaker 5: the war between the States was already well under way.
Speaker 5: Missus Lincoln, in the interest of economy, persuaded the President
Speaker 5: to throw only three receptions in place of the usual
Speaker 5: series of expensive state dinners. In preparation, Lizzie made frequent
Speaker 5: trips to the White House.
Speaker 7: I suppose, Elizabeth, when you came in, you saw Willie
Speaker 7: riding his pony on the lawn.
Speaker 3: Yes, Missus Lincoln, he seems quite fond of that pony.
Speaker 3: It was a gift, I believe.
Speaker 7: Yes, the boys are constantly receiving gifts from mister Lincoln's admirers.
Speaker 3: I see Willie riding his pony almost every day.
Speaker 7: Indeed, I'm quite beside myself though, to get him in
Speaker 7: out of the cold. It's been so chilly lately. He's
Speaker 7: such a sweet gentle child. Why you know, he spends
Speaker 7: much time here with me, reading, drawing on his sketch pad.
Speaker 3: Yes, I've often seen him here. He's a great favorite
Speaker 3: of mister Lincoln as well.
Speaker 7: But I fear for him out there in this awful weather.
Speaker 7: His health is delicate, and I just want to make
Speaker 7: sure that well. Never mind, Lissmith, we have a reception
Speaker 7: coming up, and we must plan ahead.
Speaker 5: Unfortunately, Missus Lincoln's fears about Willie were not unfounded. Soon
Speaker 5: he was in bed with a high fever. In spite
Speaker 5: of the very best of care, he grew worse instead
Speaker 5: of better, and as the date of the reception neared,
Speaker 5: Missus Lincoln thought the event should be postponed. A doctor
Speaker 5: was consulted, who seemed positive that Willie was beginning to
Speaker 5: turn a corner towards recovery. So preparations continued. But the
Speaker 5: very evening of the reception, Willie suddenly took a turn
Speaker 5: for the worse. Both the President and Missus Lincoln were
Speaker 5: by his side.
Speaker 7: Oh my dear, dear boy, how feverish you are.
Speaker 3: Your hand is so hot? Father, How can we leave
Speaker 3: him to go down?
Speaker 10: The guests are here, mother, so we must.
Speaker 7: Elizabeth, please, will you stay with Willie?
Speaker 3: Yes, of course. Let me fix your hair and help
Speaker 3: you dress. Then I'll stay by his side while you're
Speaker 3: downstairs entertaining.
Speaker 5: Throughout the evening, the Lincolns broke away from the festivities
Speaker 5: to visit Willie, who was in the big bed in
Speaker 5: the guest room. The night passed slowly, and Lizzie watched
Speaker 5: as Willie grew worse. Sadly, After lingering only a few
Speaker 5: more days, Willie passed away on February twentieth, eighteen sixty two,
Speaker 5: from what was probably typhoid fever. Lizzie helped prepare his
Speaker 5: body for the funeral. Everyone in the White House, servants
Speaker 5: and all were in mourning, and the Lincolns were beside
Speaker 5: themselves with grief. The President completely broke down.
Speaker 15: My poor boy, he was too good, too good for
Speaker 15: this earth. God has called him home.
Speaker 5: Black crape was hung everywhere, and Mary Lincoln's grief utterly
Speaker 5: overcame her. She was even unable to attend Willie's funeral,
Speaker 5: and for the next two years her days were in
Speaker 5: the continual shadow of sadness. Meanwhile, adding to the presence burdens,
Speaker 5: constant bad news about the war made life extremely difficult. Finally,
Speaker 5: in eighteen sixty four, receptions that the White House were
Speaker 5: again resumed, and Missus Lincoln began to prepare for what
Speaker 5: she hoped would be a second term in office for
Speaker 5: her husband. Her worries, however, were not entirely about the
Speaker 5: needs of the country.
Speaker 7: Elizabeth, do you think mister Lincoln will be re elected?
Speaker 3: Yes, he has now proven himself faithful to the best
Speaker 3: interests of the country.
Speaker 7: Your confidence gives me hope, because Elizabeth more is at
Speaker 7: stake than he knows.
Speaker 3: What do you mean?
Speaker 7: The people of society here in the East continually look
Speaker 7: at my wardrobe with a critical eye, and I have
Speaker 7: run up considerable debts.
Speaker 3: How much debt, missus Lincoln?
Speaker 7: About twenty seven thousand dollars. It's just that mister Lincoln's
Speaker 7: salary is not sufficient, and he happily looks upon my
Speaker 7: rich dresses. But he has no idea.
Speaker 3: Mister Lincoln does not even suspect how much you owe.
Speaker 3: Oh no, I don't ever want him to know. And
Speaker 3: if he is re elected.
Speaker 7: I won't have to tell him. It's just that I
Speaker 7: value his happiness so much. But if he is defeated then,
Speaker 7: and what if his enemies learn of it? Well, many
Speaker 7: of his fellow Republicans are rich, and they can well
Speaker 7: afford to They cannot refuse to advance whatever money I require. Oh, Lizabeth,
Speaker 7: do you really think we shall remain in the White House?
Speaker 15: I do.
Speaker 3: In fact, I'm so confident of it that I'm tempted
Speaker 3: to ask a favor of you, A favor, Yes, I
Speaker 3: would like.
Speaker 9: What is it?
Speaker 7: What can I do for you. You have been such a
Speaker 7: friend to me.
Speaker 3: Would it be possible for you to make a present
Speaker 3: to me of the glove that the president wears at
Speaker 3: the first public reception after his second inaugural Of.
Speaker 7: Course, but you know it will be filthy from shaking
Speaker 7: so many hands, and I'll be tempted to take it
Speaker 7: with tongs and toss it into the fireplace.
Speaker 3: Never mind about that. I shall cherish it as a
Speaker 3: precious memento of the man who did so much for
Speaker 3: my race when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. He has
Speaker 3: been a savior to my people.
Speaker 7: Well, then you shall have the glove, if, as we
Speaker 7: both hope, mister Lincoln continues as president.
Speaker 5: In fact, Abraham Lincoln was reelected, and just before the
Speaker 5: President and Missus Lincoln left for the inaugural reception, Lizzie
Speaker 5: congratulated him. He grasped her outstretched hand.
Speaker 10: I thank you, Madame Elizabeth. I don't know whether I
Speaker 10: should feel thankful or not. However, the position brings with
Speaker 10: it many trials. We do not know what we are
Speaker 10: destined to pass through. But God will be with us all.
Speaker 10: I put my trust in God.
Speaker 5: Happily, Lizzie did receive the glove. But little did she
Speaker 5: or anyone know that within a few days, even as
Speaker 5: a Civil war came to an end, Abraham Lincoln would
Speaker 5: be viciously struck down by an assassin's bullet. When Lizzie
Speaker 5: heard the terrible news, she wanted to go to Missus
Speaker 5: Lincoln immediately, but didn't know exactly where she might be. Meanwhile,
Speaker 5: in the midst of her shock, Mary Lincoln was pleading
Speaker 5: send for Elizabeth Keckley.
Speaker 7: I want her just as soon as she can be
Speaker 7: brought here.
Speaker 5: Three messengers tried but failed to find Lizzie.
Speaker 7: Finally, however, Missus Keckley, I've been sent by Missus Lincoln.
Speaker 7: Come with me immediately to the White House.
Speaker 5: What a terrible wrenching scene met Lizzie's eyes. Mary Lincoln
Speaker 5: was prostrate with shock, and before long, Robert Lincoln's oldest
Speaker 5: son and Tad, Willie's younger brother, joined Lizzie in their
Speaker 5: mother's room. No one can really imagine that sad scene,
Speaker 5: nor could anyone imagine the numbing grief that would wrap
Speaker 5: its dark fingers around millions of morning Americans as news
Speaker 5: of the president's death reached across the nation. Even as
Speaker 5: the president's body was eventually sent west back to Springfield, Illinois.
Speaker 5: Lizzie and the Lincoln's two children were the only ones
Speaker 5: allowed entrance into Mary Lincoln's room, and finally, as Missus
Speaker 5: Lincoln prepared to leave the White House, it was Lizzie
Speaker 5: who helped her pack.
Speaker 8: Oh, Elizabeth, we must give away all my husband's things.
Speaker 8: I cannot bear to see them, I cannot bear to
Speaker 8: be reminded of the past.
Speaker 5: And so Lizzie helped give mister Lincoln's things away to
Speaker 5: his most faithful admirers. And then once the dozens of
Speaker 5: boxes were packed, Mary Lincoln, accompanied by Lizzie, left the
Speaker 5: White House, boarded a special train car and traveled to Chicago,
Speaker 5: where Missus Lincoln resided for some time. It was eventually
Speaker 5: learned that Missus Lincoln was in debt for far more
Speaker 5: than twenty seven thousand dollars, and she appealed to Congress
Speaker 5: for help.
Speaker 7: Elizabeth, you are my best and kindest friend. I wish
Speaker 7: it were in my power to make you comfortable for
Speaker 7: the balance of your days. If Congress provides for me,
Speaker 7: depend upon it, I will provide for you.
Speaker 5: But alas it was not to be, no money was
Speaker 5: ever provided by Congress. Mary Lincoln spent the rest of
Speaker 5: her days in various places, never really being relieved of
Speaker 5: the debt that hung over her head, even as she,
Speaker 5: with Lizzie's help, tried to sell her beautiful dresses for
Speaker 5: the money they might provide. Lizzie became a leader and
Speaker 5: champion among her own people for the charitable work which
Speaker 5: she carried on in their behalf. But sadly, in the
Speaker 5: end she died in poverty in one of the very
Speaker 5: homes that she had helped provide for the homeless. And
Speaker 5: yet her legacy of self sufficiency, exceptional talent, loyalty to
Speaker 5: the First Lady, and of her reverence for the President,
Speaker 5: whom she held in such high esteem, all speak of
Speaker 5: the amazing resourcefulness and noble character of Elizabeth Keckley, the
Speaker 5: woman who served as Missus Lincoln's dressmaker.
Speaker 4: Well, well, Aunt Nikki, what a story. Mary Lincoln certainly
Speaker 4: had much tragedy and sorrow in her life. I'm glad
Speaker 4: she had such a faithful friend as Elizabeth Keckley.
Speaker 2: Yes, However, when Elizabeth first published her book called Behind
Speaker 2: the Scenes in the Life Lincoln White House, Missus Lincoln
Speaker 2: was upset since Elizabeth quoted some of her private letters.
Speaker 4: I can understand that, after all, private is private.
Speaker 2: True, But Elizabeth actually tried to help people to see
Speaker 2: Missus Lincoln in a more favorable light. Mary Lincoln was
Speaker 2: much criticized after she left the White House, and Elizabeth,
Speaker 2: who was Missus Lincoln's friend, wanted people to understand her better. Fortunately,
Speaker 2: the friendship between the two women was eventually somewhat renewed.
Speaker 4: Well, that's good to know. And now I hate to
Speaker 4: say it, but our time is over for today. But
Speaker 4: remember you can contact us by going to our website
Speaker 4: at your story hour DORG. Or you can call us
Speaker 4: at eight hundred nine eight seven seven eight seven nine,
Speaker 4: or you can write to us at PO Box eight Niles,
Speaker 4: n I L E. S. Michigan four nine one two zero.
Speaker 2: We'll be looking forward to hearing from you, and in
Speaker 2: the meantime we send our love to you all.