Unearthing the Secrets of Lincoln's Grave: A Journey with Steve Sheinkin's "Lincoln Grave Robbers"

Prologue: The Shadow of the Crime

In the tranquil stillness of a spring evening in 1876, a band of clandestine figures descended upon Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, their mission shrouded in nefarious intent. Their target: the hallowed remains of Abraham Lincoln, the beloved president who had been assassinated a decade earlier.

Steve Sheinkin's meticulously researched book, "Lincoln Grave Robbers," transports us to this pivotal moment in American history, where ambition and greed collided with the legacy of a nation's most revered figure. Through a captivating narrative, Sheinkin recounts the audacious plot that threatened to desecrate Lincoln's resting place and forever alter the course of his legend.

Lincoln's Grave Robbers

by Steve Sheinkin

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17014 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Chapter 1: The Dark Alliance

Central to the grave-robbing scheme were three men: Benjamin Boyd, a disgraced physician; Lewis Thornton Powell, a Confederate spy who had attempted to assassinate Secretary of State William Seward; and John Boyd, Benjamin's cousin and a shady character with a penchant for dubious ventures.

Driven by greed and a thirst for notoriety, this unholy alliance embarked on a meticulously planned heist. Their plan was to exhume Lincoln's body from its tomb, extort the government for a substantial sum in exchange for its return, and divide the spoils among themselves.

Chapter 2: Into the Darkness

Beneath the cloak of darkness, the grave robbers stealthily approached Lincoln's tomb, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Using tools smuggled into the cemetery, they forced open the heavy iron door and descended the spiral staircase into the depths of the vault.

There, amidst the crumbling stone and macabre silence, lay the sarcophagus containing the mortal remains of the martyred president. As they prepared to open it, a chilling sensation crept over them, as if the spirit of Lincoln himself watched their sacrilegious act.

Chapter 3: The Horrific Discovery

With trembling hands, the robbers lifted the lid of the sarcophagus, revealing a sight that would forever haunt their memories. Inside, instead of the preserved body they had anticipated, they found only bones, carefully arranged to resemble the departed president.

Panic and fear consumed them as they realized the magnitude of their crime. They had not stolen the body of Abraham Lincoln, but merely disturbed the resting place of his earthly remains.

Chapter 4: The Aftermath and Legacy

The discovery of the empty sarcophagus sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Public outcry and indignation erupted, demanding justice for the desecration of Lincoln's grave. A relentless manhunt ensued, and one by one, the grave robbers were apprehended and brought to trial.

Sheinkin vividly recreates the courtroom drama and the testimonies that unfolded, shedding light on the motivations and the flawed characters involved in this dark chapter in American history. The trial became a symbol of the nation's determination to protect its sacred symbols and the legacy of its fallen heroes.

Epilogue: The Enduring Enigma

While the grave robbers were ultimately punished for their crimes, the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Lincoln's body remains unsolved to this day. Rumors and speculation have persisted for generations, fueling countless theories on what truly happened to the president's remains.

Sheinkin's book concludes with a thought-provoking exploration of these theories, delving into the historical evidence and the unanswered questions that continue to captivate historians and the public alike.

"Lincoln Grave Robbers" by Steve Sheinkin is a gripping and meticulously researched account of a crime that shook the nation to its core. Through the lens of this audacious plot, Sheinkin offers a fascinating glimpse into the darker side of human nature, the fragility of our history, and the ongoing search for truth amidst the shadows of the past.

Whether you are a history buff, a crime enthusiast, or simply curious about one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in American history, this book is an essential read. Join Steve Sheinkin on a journey into the shadows of Lincoln's grave, where the lines between truth, fiction, and legend intertwine, leaving you questioning what you know and forever fascinated by the enduring legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln's Grave Robbers

by Steve Sheinkin

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17014 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE