Recently Discovered Photos Reveal Truth!

Archivists recently discovered a previously unknown photograph in some unprocessed Civil War-era state government records. The records concerned President Abraham Lincoln’s April 1865 visit to Richmond, and they expose heretofore-undocumented information. The photo, likely taken by famed photographer Andrew J. Russell, shows clearly that Lincoln used an e-scooter to traverse the hilly downtown streets and riverfront of the former Confederate capital.

This startling discovery challenges the long-held characterization of Lincoln as a “big fan of walking.” This contention was reinforced by contemporaries and by countless biographers of Lincoln. This fascinating archival discovery can finally put to rest the notion that America’s 16^th president enjoyed exercising. There is currently no documentary evidence to support the contention of some historians that, when he was finished with the e-scooter, Lincoln threw it in the canal. To be fair, that could have been Tad.

On a more serious note, if you enjoyed this little April Fool’s Day prank, check out some real April 1^st front pages from student newspapers in Virginia Chronicle.