President Lincoln was under tremendous pressure and his best friend and confidant, Ward Hill Lamon, observed how Lincoln practised, medicinal humor, to relieve the constant stress that the Chief Executive endured daily. In previous administrations the President and his offices were nearly unapproachable, an atmosphere of royal aloofness precluded any business or political audience requiring a Presidential blessing. This was not the protocol of the Lincoln White House. An open door policy existed and often President Lincoln himself, handled the public’s petitions. Every day, lines of powerful business and political elite lounged in the hallways hoping for an audience with Lincoln. Included in these throngs were many common folk, who carried personal appeals or petitions praying for executive dispensation. Ward Hill Lamon, who was always at hand, observed Lincoln’s ability to calmly address, not only the trivial, but also the sensitive pleadings of the public at large. The President referred some appeals to his no-nonsense Cabinet Secretary Stanton or other staffers who would arbitrarily deny most requests. Transferring this responsibility, was a stealthy source of humor, to both Lincoln and Lamon, who knew that Stanton would become unhinged, at the President’s shifting the onus to the omnipotent Secretary of War.
Early in 1865, Missouri was in a state of turmoil. The Civil War was nearing its conclusion and the civil strife, within the state, had not subsided. Criminals, ex-Confederates and border ruffians plagued the citizens and any law and order was almost non-existent. A committee from Missouri was granted an audience with Lincoln and proceeded to expound on the dire state of affairs. One the more distinguished orators and leader of the committee, was an ex-governor, he pleaded the urgency of replacing the military authority, General Fisk , with General John B. McPherson, a more suitable and political disciplinarian. The ex-governor addressed several other state calamities and finally the plight of a Betsy Ann Dougherty. Lincoln and Lamon, slyly smiled at each other, realizing that the therapy of medicinal humor was about to descend on the solemn meeting.
The ex-governor explained that Betsy, a good and pious woman, lived in a neighboring county and had done the official’s laundry for a long time. Her husband had run off and joined the Confederate Army and he was pleading to the President to afford her protection. Lincoln asked the Missourian if Betsy Ann was a good washerwoman and the ex-governor explained that she was, the best he had ever had. The President asked if she was an obliging woman and Lincoln was informed that Betsy Ann was kind to a fault. Lincoln asked if she had other talents, other than being a washerwoman and again it was related how kind she was. Ward Hill Lamon, who could barely hide his laughter, was amazed at Lincoln’s dignified inquiry. The President asked where Betsy Ann was living now and was informed that she resides in New York, but wants to move back to Missouri, but is afraid of reprisal on her return. The Missouri official asked the President for a paper of protection for Betsy Ann Doherty and Lincoln wrote a note on a card, that read,
“Let Betsy Ann Dougherty alone as long as she behaves herself.”
Tell Betsy Ann to hang this card on a string around her neck and when officers see this they will leave your Betsy Ann alone.
Lincoln dismissed his visitors and he and Lamon smiled at each other and the President stated,
“This case of our old friend, the governor, and his Betsy Ann, is a fair sample of the trifles I am constantly asked to give my attention to. I wish I had no more serious questions to deal with. If there were more Betsy Anns and fewer fellows like her husband, we should be better off. She seems to have laundered the governor to his full satisfaction, but I am sorry she didn’t keep her husband washed cleaner.”
Ward Hill Lamon related a perfect example of medicinal humor, being Lincoln’s best therapy.
Bummer
A new film about the 16th President and his close friend Ward Hill Lamon, Saving Lincoln, will be in theaters next month. The film is unique in that it uses virtual sets made out of vintage Civil War photographs. Learn more at SavingLincoln.com
