Checks Rediscovered in Ohio Bank Vault From Washington, Twain, Dickens & Lincoln (Day Before Assassination!)
- Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:15am by
Christopher Santarelli
- Print »
- Email »
(AP) — A personal check that Abraham Lincoln wrote the day before he was assassinated is among those that were rediscovered by an Ohio bank.
The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports that 70 checks were found in a vault at Huntington Bank’s Columbus headquarters, including checks signed by George Washington, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Thomas Edison. Some are being displayed at branches throughout the state.
The Lincoln check had been made out to “self” for $800. According to bank spokesman Bill Eiler, the check was reportedly used to get cash to pay debts ran up by his wife, who was known to be a big spender. An $800 tab would be the equivalent of $11,260 today.
The checks had been stored in a vault since at least 1983, when Huntington took over another bank. An employee had begun looking through old boxes last year, which led to the discovery of the checks.
The Plain Dealer reports that a Cincinnati appraiser valued the entire collection of 70 checks at $75,000.
Also among the checks are one from author Ernest Hemingway, written in 1932, for $3.50 to Curtis Publishing Co.; one from civil rights leader Susan B. Anthony, written in 1897, for $5.63, to pay a woman for office supplies; and one from Thomas Jefferson, written in 1793, for $22.69, to Jacob Stine.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 695 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 504 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 350 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 339 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 328 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 328 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 339 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 252 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 328 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (83)
Rashomon
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:47amDid any of them bounce?
Report Post »LibsFIB
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 9:15pmWhy aren’t obama, Holder, Corzine, and Reid sitting in jail! Why aren’t there articles following up on this!?
Report Post »Romney is a creeping liberal, we’ll all find out soon. Now that he has the media toting along!
Hopefully he won’t get delusions of grandeur like the obama clan did!
babylonvi
Posted on January 17, 2012 at 4:28pm@LIBSFIB: Off Topic Sir.
Report Post »progressivehunter
Posted on January 17, 2012 at 9:34pmTo AmazingGrace8… your mom is probably dead because of her stubbornness and unwillingness to realize this isn’t the 18th century. Granted she was probably too old to be alive in the first place…. but what would she need to read her prescription for (to complain about it even more)? Sorry to any one that may think that I’m heartless…but I am just offended and resentful of old people that think they run the world with their preconceived notions (its bad enough I’m paying their social security instead of my own retirement). Someday I hope to run a nursing home…… there will be a high turnover rate and my shareholders will be impressed
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:43amA President paying his own bills…Who would have thunk???
If BHO did that he would be bankrupt like the Nation!!!
Report Post »valmak
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:40amYOU CAN READ THE SIGNATURE!!! So preferable to the ‘scrawl’ or ‘squiggle’ that people think is handwriting today!
Report Post »WeekendAtBernankes
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:34pmI just draw a line. Squiggle to much work.
Unless it’s the digital one with the stylus. Then I just draw a dot.
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:46pmAt a self check-out I tried signing for my credit card purchase with an X. It said invalid signature. But a squiggle worked just fine!
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:53pmHad a chuckle. My dear mom(she was about 82 at the time) and I were in a Dr.s Specialist office..the doctor very well known and highly respected and he did have “alittle arrogance” and after his specific medical knowledge, handed my dear sweet mom (she never said much, quiet dignity, strong-lady) she took one look at the prescription and looked directly at the RENOWN DOCTOR and said, “I can’t read this scribbling…do this over so I can read it” My dear sweet mom that rarely spoke-up, I just kinda turned my head and almost started laughing because I turned and looked at this RENOWN DOCTOR and his face was RED, not from being angry, but from being embarrased and he looked like alittle 3rd grader having to redo the assignment. He handed the new prescription to my mom and sheepishly asked if she could read it. My dear sweet mom said yes and then went on to explain very simply that when she went to school, she was taught penmanship. Before we left, the RENOWN DOCTOR looked alittle more human and probably alittle more humble. My mom had a quiet but firm wisdom about her…neat lady and still miss her after almost 7 years.
Report Post »Phoneguy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:13amLooks like Mrs Lincoln was as bad as Moochell on spending, but it was at least THEIRS, not OURS!
Report Post »912network
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:11pmThat would only have covered a pair of earrings for Mrs. Barack Hussein Obama.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:44amI think the “PEOPLE” should own these to share with future generations. JMO
Report Post »Revotelution
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:31amno way should the gov confiscate this stuff.
Report Post »ZaphodsPlanet
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:48amA statement like that makes you sound like you’re more apt to believe in “Social Justice”
It’s PRIVATE PROPERTY….. and I think it‘s great they’re sharing their PRIVATE PROPERTY with us.
Report Post »thekuligs
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 12:25pmDude, they display them so anyone who wants to can see them. It’s not like they are selling them off to the highest bidder. I say awesome, the government should stop taking things that don’t belong to it!
Report Post »TheThirdLittlePig.com
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:24pmCareful what you wish for…..
Report Post »Mtb2020
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 6:58pmYou, my dear fellow American, are a fool…This is personal property even if it belongs to a bank and there is no way “The People” should have claim to it…Start there and when do you stop? Is my collection of vintage of such-n-such to be considered a national treasure some day and be taken from me? You might want to go sit and occupy a park somewhere far away so we don’t have to see/listen to your silly comments…
Report Post »ssingh1515
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:26amIt is not only that the monetary value of the checks that is significant but more substantially the historical feature part of them.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:03amI noticed the REVENUE STAMP on the checks.
Report Post »(Had to google it to figure out what it was.)
Also, I noted some of the payees, such as Thomas Cook & Son – a quick google showed it was a travel agency. George Washington’s check is made out to William Thornton – (architect of the capital) who was also a physician and the first superintendant of the US Patent Office. The check Washington wrote to Thornton is dated 6 months before Washington died. Washington‘s will requested a new tomb be built on Mt Vernon’s grounds. Perhaps Thornton designed it? It wasn’t buit until much later after an attempt to rob the original grave, but, Washington did have it planned.
A better detective than I could have some fun piecing all the checks together with people, dates, and historic events.
To an amateur history buff, as myself, these checks are way cool stuff !
Bronco II
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:25amBOMUSTGO you get it thank you for Truth.studying GODS WORD is like reading tomorrows newspaper.GOD said I have fortold you all things HAVE YOU READ IT.I have and what is happening today in our country and around the world is prophesied and he said this generation will not fade away till all these things have come to past there is more to come but those who love him and obey have nothing to fear.It is the unknown they fear because they refuse to study and know what GODS plan is for us I pray they would it’s AWESOME.And GOD will have the Victory it is written so it shall be.AMEN
Report Post »FoundingFather
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 9:32amThis collection is a traveling exhibit that’s been around for a little while now. They had the collection at a museum in Youngstown, OH this summer and I had the opportunity to go down and see it on the last day.
If I recall, they also had checks by Madison, Jefferson, and Adams and lots of other founding fathers. I spent several hours just standing there staring at these things, in awe.
If you have the opportunity, go see the exhibit. Its well worth it.
Report Post »Born2Run
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 9:54amIt’s a small world! I’m a native of Youngstown.
Report Post »Macman1138
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:17amYes, it’s a small world.
Report Post »Lincoln is my cousin and he owed me $800 and I told him, “Abe, only cash this time, no checks.”
I’m still waiting for my 800 bucks.
AB5r
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 9:15amWon’t have this sort of thing in the future, everything today is electronic transfers which are nothing to look at and which can all be lost in an instant. Same thing goes for old letters and communications, now that is all facebook, twits, and e-mail.
Report Post »urfree2b4now
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 9:11amAre they sure it was to pay off debt?
Report Post »It’s dated April 15th.
TheRugger
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:38pmAlthough Lincoln did institute a Federal Income Tax to help fund the Civil War, the REAL Federal Income Tax we all pay today wasn’t really legal until the 16th Amendment was passed during the “Progressive Era” in 1913.
On a sidenote, did you ever notice that 3 of the 4 “Progressive Era” Amendments (16-19) really screwed up the country and we still suffer from 2 of the worst today (16 and 17)? One was the only amendment to be repealed, the 18th (Prohibition). The only one that is worth keeping was Women’s Sufferage (the 19th).
Report Post »ericarickykennedy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:58amThe price of theater tickets has always been a little high…
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:28amI am sure one day in the future someone will accidentally find legal papers Obama put together and signed for Tony Resko on sleazy real estate deals.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:25amI would think the checks from Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln alone would bring $75,000 apiece. This is quite a historical discovery.
Report Post »GeoffTN
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:23pmAgreed; $75,000 was a low number in my opinion.
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:23amwhat a hidden treasure. you would think a historical find would be worth more than a measly 75 thousand.
Report Post »ken486
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:56amthe check was reportedly used to get cash to pay debts “ran” up by his wife
Hopefully this was a typo. The grammar in the rest of the article is too good for this to have been intentional. But, what do you expect from AP?
Report Post »tersky
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:58amI signed in to post on the same thing. How many proof-readers do they need to make sure errors like this don’t make it to the public? If I ever want to remind myself of how well most professionals do online, I just go to Craigslist and see how many “dotson” dogs, “bedroom suits”, and “chester drawers” people are posting because they “must sale” them.
Report Post »Maidoff101
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:34amI f Mrs Lincoln was known as a big spender $11,260. What would you call M. Obama? Who drops more then that in a one night stay when on one of many Vaccay’s.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:52amAnswer…a thief.
Report Post »rdietz7
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:43pmCrimes against humanity
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:31amOnly $75,000.00? gee wiz, that seems cheap.
Report Post »Moozmom
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 6:53amPeople die and may not leave anyone to check on their safe deposit boxes. Sometimes these boxes may not have been opened for 100 years. In the meantime, suppose a box not opened for 80 years holds the above checks collected by a person who has died and left no one to open the safe deposit box. That’s how the stash happened. A “collector” puchased the checks from estates and put them in the safe deposit box and left no one to ever, ever open the box that was forgotten about. People get messy.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:34amThe owner will go to Vegas and sell them to be on “Pawn Stars.”
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:20amThats the best one liner yet. Rick will claim to have knowledge of the checks call in his expert and than try and steal a deal..lol
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:31amGlenn will be very disappointed — no James K. Polk.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:46amOOps…Comment did not come out..That was funny…No one but GB listeners would even know who James K Polk is…
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:05amIt’s not only a name, it’s a household phrase: “James K. Polk Tuesdays”, with an imaginary jingle with female vocals.
Report Post »PatrioticSuperMom
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 12:06pmPolk probably did his payments and receipts covertly… he WAS the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. (Think Charlie Rangel!)
Perhaps the Mexicans who are screaming for the “return” of California to Mexico should look up James K. Polk and their “heroes” in the fabulous Democratic Party… for nothing says “peace and love” like Manifest Destiny! But if that were to happen, would Mexico then return the land to Spain? and would they then return it to the NATIVE AMERICANS? Gimme a break. So much people don’t know…
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:53amI don’t think the lincoln check would be 11K today, but much much more – the dollar has be abandoned and re-issued several times since then. His 800 dollar tab probably would have been in gold-backed dollars at a time when 20 dollar gold pieces (1 ounce) were more the norm. So it was more like 40 ounces of gold, or 60 grand.
Either way, it looks like the wrong Lincoln was shot.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:40amNo he told Boothe to shoot him to get him out of his misery…
Report Post »ericarickykennedy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:56amThe price for good theater tickets has always been a little high…
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 2:46amSounds like the present first lady is very much like Licolns wife.{the check was reportedly used to get cash to pay debts ran up by his wife, who was known to be a big spender. An $800 tab would be the equivalent of $11,260 today.}
Report Post »DELTAJOHN
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 6:12amYeah, but unlike in Lincoln’s day, (HE paid her debts) WE TAXPAYERS pay Michelle’s debts.
Report Post »Hopefully, not much longer!
youshuthehellup
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:47amdoes anyone have something positive to say about the gov’t right now?
Report Post »maybe it will help me sleep better tonight
BOMUSTGO
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 2:52amDaniel chapter two tells of a time in the future where the governments of man will be broken (Jesus is the stone made without hands in his vision)’He will set up his kingdom.
Report Post »Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
oceanbnd
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:07amYOUSHUTTHEHELLUP,We are fortunate to have a candidate actually trying to FIX OUR GOVERNMENT, it hasn’t been done in years. If Ron Paul somehow gets elected you will probably see all sorts of chaos for a while. The “welfare state” as we know it will be coming to an end. There will probably be daily attempts to assassinate Paul, because of the amount of people who are living on we taxpayers. They don’t want that to end anytime soon.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:23amThey have’nt thrown us all in barbed wire FEMA camps yet … Thats positive , kinda….
Report Post »Skrewedretiree
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:59amIn a word: No.
Report Post »Cat Ballou
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:40amI find it strange that a bank would have checks from all these famous people from different eras. Call me a cynic…….!!!
Report Post »StrongWesternbabeluvinherWesternMAN
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:55amYes Cat, I agree. Some checks stored in ONE bank with all these historical influential characters listed as the signers of bank drafts sounds a bit ‘fishy’.
Report Post »Rocky_biskit
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:46amYea, my thoughts as well!!!
Report Post »Return2Freedom
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:47amNot so unusual considering people have all kinds of collections. The owner either sold them as a group or they were put in a safe deposit box. Or used to pay a debt. The owner died. who knows?
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:49amWhat makes it even fishier is that they have checks from Mrs. Pauls, the Gordon’s Fisherman, and Charlie Starkist.
Report Post »SirDuff
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 1:40amAbraham Lincoln writes a check for $800…Jefferson endorses one for $22…and then there’s the one Barack Hussein Obama wrote for $5,000,000,000,000.00
Report Post »SlippedThroughAWormHole
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 2:51amAnd still counting. I‘ll Take Mary Lincoln’s spending habits anyday compared to Obummer.
Report Post »Return2Freedom
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:49amBarrak forgot to write a personal check to pay for Moochells expenses.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 4:44amI wonder if Lincoln was making a payment on his Tiffany account like Newt?
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 8:57amSeriously Freedom. Consider how much fabric it takes to make just one dress to cover her behind!
Report Post »