Murder: True Crime Stories – Episode: SOLVED: Abraham Lincoln 1

Host: Carter Roy
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Description: Explore the depths of history’s most notorious murders with Crime House's original podcast, "Murder: True Crime Stories." In this first part of a two-episode series, host Carter Roy delves into the life and assassination of Abraham Lincoln, unraveling the complexities behind one of America's most pivotal moments.

1. Introduction: The Human Side of Legends

Timestamp: 00:06 – 02:00

Carter Roy opens the episode by humanizing Abraham Lincoln, portraying him not just as a legendary figure but as a real person facing immense challenges. He sets the stage for the series by emphasizing the importance of understanding the personal impacts of historical events.

Carter Roy (00:06): "Some historical figures loom so large they become legends it can be hard to remember they were real people like you and me."

2. Lincoln’s Early Life and Struggles

Timestamp: 02:01 – 12:45

The episode begins with Lincoln's humble beginnings in a modest log cabin in Kentucky. Roy details the Lincolns' financial struggles, the death of Lincoln's mother, Nancy, and the family's subsequent move to Indiana. These early hardships shaped Lincoln's character and work ethic.

Carter Roy (04:30): "At just 34 years old, Abe's mother, Nancy, died after drinking tainted milk. Nine-year-old Abe was devastated."

3. Path to Politics: From Farm to the State House

Timestamp: 12:46 – 24:50

Lincoln's transition from a farmer's son to a self-taught lawyer is chronicled, highlighting his move to New Salem, Illinois, and his initial foray into politics. Roy discusses Lincoln's time as a state representative, his early stances on slavery, and his reputation as "Honest Abe."

Carter Roy (18:20): "Abe’s moderate stance meant he didn’t lose any public support. In fact, it only made him more popular."

4. The Rise of a Leader: National Stage and Senate Debates

Timestamp: 24:51 – 37:30

The narrative progresses to Lincoln's national ambitions, his contentious relationship with Senator Stephen Douglas, and his pivotal debates that solidified his reputation. Roy emphasizes Lincoln's strategic political moves and his eventual nomination as the Republican candidate for president.

Carter Roy (35:15): "Abe Lincoln won the Republican party's nomination for president in 1860. Although Abe was clear he had no intention of interfering with slavery where it already existed, he still managed to win the majority of northern states."

5. The Presidency and the Civil War

Timestamp: 37:31 – 52:10

Upon his election, Lincoln inherits a nation on the brink of civil war. Roy explores Lincoln's initial focus on preserving the Union, his administration's challenges, and the personal toll of the war, including the death of his son Willie.

Carter Roy (45:50): "With so many parents around the nation facing the same grief, Abe desperately searched for a way to end the suffering."

6. Emancipation Proclamation: A Turning Point

Timestamp: 52:11 – 1:05:00

Roy delves into Lincoln's evolving stance on slavery, culminating in the Emancipation Proclamation. He explains the strategic and moral implications of the proclamation and its impact on the Civil War's trajectory.

Carter Roy (1:02:30): "On the first day of 1863, President Lincoln signed the official Emancipation Proclamation, effectively ending slavery in the United States forever."

7. Re-election and Strengthening the Union

Timestamp: 1:05:01 – 1:20:00

The episode covers Lincoln's successful re-election in 1864 amidst waning Southern morale and significant Union military victories. Roy highlights Lincoln's political acumen in selecting Andrew Johnson as his running mate to balance the ticket.

Carter Roy (1:10:45): "Having Johnson on his ticket was helpful, but it wasn’t what put Lincoln's campaign over the edge. It came thanks to the slew of military victories the Union racked up just before the November 1864 election."

8. The Assassination: The Night at Ford’s Theater

Timestamp: 1:20:01 – 1:40:00

Roy provides a detailed account of the tragic night of April 14, 1865. He narrates Lincoln's evening at Ford’s Theater, the arrival of John Wilkes Booth, and the chaotic aftermath of the assassination. The episode concludes with hints of a larger conspiracy behind the murder.

Carter Roy (1:38:15): "At around 10:15pm, the main character delivered the biggest punchline of the whole show. As expected, the theater filled with an uproar of laughter. At that exact moment, a man entered the President’s box."

Carter Roy (1:39:30): "As Booth fled into the night, Abe lay unconscious and bleeding. Mary wailed, pleading for someone to help them."

9. Teaser for Part Two: Unraveling the Conspiracy

Timestamp: 1:40:01 – End

The episode wraps up by hinting at the deeper conspiracy behind Lincoln's assassination, setting the stage for the second part where Roy promises to explore the search for Lincoln's killer and the shocking revelations that followed.

Carter Roy (1:39:55): "No one was more eager for that future than President Lincoln. ... But there was only so much that could be accomplished in one day. So Abe took a rare break... And that's when everything changed."

Notable Quotes and Insights

• Humanizing Lincoln:

  "People's lives are like stories with a beginning, a middle, and an end. But sometimes the final chapter comes far too soon." ([00:06])

• Lincoln’s Education:

  "Abe was almost entirely self-taught. Throughout his teenage years, he was known to carry a book with him wherever he went." ([07:30])

• Political Strategy:

  "Abe's moderate stance meant he didn't lose any public support. In fact, it only made him more popular." ([18:20])

• Personal Loss:

  "Abe and Mary Todd were devastated by Willie’s death. It motivated Abe to work even harder to end the war." ([45:50])

• Emancipation:

  "President Lincoln signed the official Emancipation Proclamation, effectively ending slavery in the United States forever." ([1:02:30])

• Assassination Moment:

  "Using a length of wood he'd taken from a music stand, he wedged the door closed. Then he pointed a single-shot derringer pistol at the back of Abraham Lincoln's head and pulled the trigger." ([1:38:15])

Conclusion

Carter Roy's first installment of "Murder: True Crime Stories" offers a comprehensive and intimate look into Abraham Lincoln's life, his rise to the presidency, the tumultuous Civil War, and the evening that ended his life. By weaving together historical facts with engaging storytelling, Roy provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of why Lincoln's assassination remains a pivotal moment in American history.

Stay Tuned:
Don’t miss the next episode, SOLVED: Abraham Lincoln 2, where Carter Roy will delve into the investigation of Lincoln's assassination, the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, and the conspiracies that threatened to reshape the nation.

Follow Crime House:
For more true crime narratives and historical deep dives, follow Crime House on Instagram @crimehouse and subscribe to "Murder: True Crime Stories" on your preferred podcast platform.

Credits:
This episode was produced by the Murder True Crime Stories team, including Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benedon, Natalie Pertzofsky, Laurie Marinelli, Sarah Camp, Megan Hannam, Beth Johnson, and Russell Nash.

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