PHILADELPHIA — One hundred and forty-four years ago today, Abraham Lincoln was watching a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington when John Wilkes Booth slipped into the president’s box and shot him.
Lincoln died the next morning, and now his blood and brain matter — on part of a pillowcase at a Philadelphia museum — are being sought for DNA testing that may definitely solve a medical mystery.
Was the 16th president dying of cancer at the time of the assassination? John Sotos, a cardiologist, an author and a consultant for the television series “House,” wants to test the artifact to confirm what eyewitness accounts and 130 period images already tell him: Lincoln had a rare genetic cancer syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B.
The directors of the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library will decide at a meeting likely to be held May 5 whether to solve a mystery and relish the spotlight or honor the wishes of Robert Todd Lincoln to leave his father in peace.
“This is the Shroud of Turin of Civil War history,” said Andy Waskie, a board member and Philadelphia historian. “We are guardians in trusteeship of this extraordinarily important artifact.
“On the basis of pure science, the testing is of interest. We have not eliminated it as an option . . . but we want more information.”
