Abraham Lincoln’s Dog Was Assassinated Months After The President
The beloved pet of the 16th president met a similarly premature and gruesome end
The assassination of 16th U.S. president Abraham Lincoln at the hands of John Wilkes Booth remains one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the United States. Sadly, in a bizarre coincidence, the Great Emancipator’s former dog Fido suffered a similar grisly fate shortly following its owner’s death after being murdered by a man wielding a knife.
A yellow mixed-breed dog, Fido was born around 1851 and belonged to the Lincolns well before he assumed the presidency. The pup’s pleasant demeanor and ability to be trained made him an instant favorite, especially with Abe and his sons, Willie and Tad. Fido developed a reputation for waiting for Abe outside of the barber shop when he went to get his hair cut or to talk to neighbors about recent news, and was often seen carrying packages home in his mouth when returning home with one or more family members.
However, after the family moved to Washington D.C., Fido stayed behind in Springfield, Illinois. This was in large part because he was terrified of larger crowds and noises, which became apparent as he experienced the onslaught of voters and others wanting to meet and interact with the rising…
