A third son, William Wallace, is born in December of the same year. Less than a month later, in January of 1851, Lincoln’s father dies. Since leaving the family home at the age of twenty-one, Lincoln has mostly heard from his father only when money is needed. His primary interaction has been to grudgingly provide it. Now he receives three letters in rapid succession informing him that death is imminent. He only responds to the third when chastised for his silence. He writes to his stepbrother: “Say to him that if we could meet now, it is doubtful whether it would not be more painful than pleasant.” He encourages his father to think of the joyful reunion he will soon have with those who’ve gone before.

He does not attend the funeral.

xiv

1851 is a busy year for the Booth family.

In January, in Boston, Father makes the papers again for one of his mad freaks and Edwin is helpless to prevent it. Father has awakened in an agitated state and by the time the evening show begins, Edwin is already exhausted. The play is, once again, Richard III, and Father performs with competence, but sometime during the final act he completely loses his wits. Exiting the stage, he finds his way blocked by a young woman named Hannah Crouse. Crouse is an extremely large girl, circus large, and makes a living exhibiting herself. She’s come to the theater to see the genius of Junius Booth.

Encountering her in the stairwell, Father believes she’s an apparition. He jabs her with Richard’s sword to confirm this. When she screams, he attacks, calling her a demon, shouting for her to defend herself. It takes two stagehands to restrain him, which happens, fortunately, before real damage can be done to the terrified girl. Edwin is sent the next day with an apology and an invitation to another show. Crouse accepts neither.

The papers love everything about this story. It’s reported locally and picked up nationally, Crouse’s Christian name inadvertently becoming Anna in the telling. Edwin thinks that Mother will be mortified, but Mother has her own problems. In Baltimore, the local papers have finally taken notice of Adelaide Booth.

—

In February, Adelaide files for divorce, accusing Junius of a twenty-nine-year habit of adulterous intercourse. To the disgraceful act of desertion, she writes, he added the insult of a large number of illegitimate children whom he persists in supporting.

Father is shocked when he learns she’s gone through with this. He’d thought the princely sum already paid her had settled things. He’s been largely able to ignore Adelaide. Few bring up his bigamy to his face. Edwin, too, has been traveling inside that courteous bubble, unaware that those at home have been less lucky.