The Wandering Disciple

This little saloon in downtown Washington DC was the spot where one of the nations darkest moments began.  April 14, 1865 would start like any other day for Peter Taltavull as he worked at his Star Saloon next to one of DC's prominent theaters.  He served patrons including a famous actor but little did he know, the nation would change in just a few short hours.  After finishing his whiskey, John Wilkes Booth went next door to assassinate President Lincoln. Following the shooting, the saloon was the first choice to bring the ailing president but they chose the Peterson House across the street instead.  The saloon never recovered from the events surrounding the President's death and it closed.  Today it is part of the Ford's Theatere National Historic District.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Following the assassination of President Lincoln, the Petersen House across the street from Ford's Theatre became the heart of the nation.  The front parlor was the waiting room for Mary Todd Lincoln and family.  The front bedroom was the temporary seat of government where the county was run and the manhunt was overseen.  Then in the back bedroom was where Lincoln was being attended to and would eventually take his last breath.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Within the walls of this popular DC theater, the history of our nation would change forever following the assassination of President Lincoln at the hands of John Wilkes Booth.  The First Family was enjoying a night at the theater when Booth stormed the box, shooting Lincoln.  Today the theater and the nearby Peterson House are preserved in memory of the fallen leader.  (Photo: February 14, 2009)

This parlor at the Petersen House became the seat of the US government in the hours following the shooting of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre. It is from this room that Secretary of War Edward Stanton ran the country while Almarin Cooley Richards of the Metropolitan Police Department conducted the investigation of the shooting. All just steps away from where the dying president was being treated. (Photo: February 14, 2009)