April 23: In 1863, on this date, Spiritualism, which had been invigorated by the Fox family’s “Rochester Rappings” (and the subsequent promotion by Anne Leah Fox of seances with her sisters Kate and Margaret), achieved a new high when a seance was held in the White House with President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and several cabinet members
April 22: On this date in 1861, as the Civil War was beginning, Colonel Abraham Vosburgh led the 71st New York State Militia to Washington, D.C., to defend the nation’s capital against Confederate attack.
April 21: Dandy Johnny Dolan, convicted of the murder of brush manufacturer James Noe, was hung until dead for his crime on this date in 1875.
April 20: Henry Chadwick, “The Father Of Baseball” who created the scoring system that is still in use today (for example, 6-4-3 for a play from the shortstop to the second baseman to the first baseman) emerged from a coma on this date in 1908, asked if his beloved Dodgers had won, was told they had lost, and died.
April 19: On this date in 1966, Green-Wood’s entry arches were designated a New York City landmark.
Recently, I came across an online item for sale. Here’s what it looks like: Not very impressive on the outside. But, on the inside . . . It was described by the seller as follows: An original and very ornate one of a kind MEMORIAL book prepared by the BROOKLYN CITY GUARD, an early Militia … Read more
April 18: Green-Wood Cemetery was chartered by the State of New York on this date in 1838.
April 17: Green-Wood’s first historian, Nehemiah Cleaveland, died on this date in 1877.
April 16: On this date in 1957, Johnny Torrio, organized crime boss who taught Al Capone the business, died.
April 15: In 1912, on this date, the RMS Titanic, a magnificent passenger liner that was thought to be unsinkable, sank; just over 1500 people, including passengers William Augustus Spencer and Wycoff Vanderhoef, lost their lives.