Beyond Mount Rushmore

In this episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we dive into the lesser-known aspects of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. We explore the intriguing story of Colonel Henry Rathbone, who was present in the presidential box during the tragic event.

We discuss how the assassination was initially intended to be a kidnapping, and how it evolved into a conspiracy involving multiple targets, including Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward. Rathbone, who was a Union Army officer, reacted heroically during the assassination attempt, attempting to apprehend John Wilkes Booth after he shot Lincoln. However, Rathbone was severely injured in the process.

As we unravel Rathbone's life post-assassination, we reveal the toll that the traumatic event took on his mental health, leading to paranoia and ultimately a tragic incident where he fatally harmed his wife, Clara. We touch on the complexities of his trial, where he was deemed insane, and his subsequent life in an asylum in Germany.

This episode not only sheds light on the assassination itself but also highlights the ripple effects it had on the lives of those involved, particularly Rathbone, whose story is often overshadowed by Lincoln's legacy. Join us next week as we tease an upcoming episode about Grover Cleveland and a bizarre mystery involving a "rubber face."

Thank you for tuning in to Beyond Mount Rushmore, where we uncover the history you never knew you needed!

In this upcoming episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we delve into a lesser-known aspect of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. While most people are aware that Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theater, few know about Colonel Henry Rathbone, who was present in the presidential box that fateful night. Rathbone not only witnessed the assassination but also bravely attempted to stop John Wilkes Booth, resulting in a struggle that left him wounded and traumatized. We explore the question of whether Booth could have been stopped and examine the fate of Rathbone, a man who ultimately faded into obscurity despite his courageous actions. Join us as we uncover this gripping historical narrative and reflect on the night the curtain fell. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, the complex legacy of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is examined. We discuss how Wilson, often rated highly in presidential surveys, was a deeply flawed individual with a troubling history, including his role in the segregation of the federal government and his blatant racism.

Stan expresses his disdain for Wilson, highlighting his deceptive political tactics, particularly regarding World War I, where he campaigned on keeping America neutral but ultimately led the nation into the conflict. We also explore Wilson's personal life, including the tragic death of his first wife, Ellen, and his quick remarriage to Edith Galt, who would later play a significant role in his presidency.

The episode takes a dramatic turn as we reveal how Edith effectively ran the country during Wilson's incapacitation following a series of strokes. For 17 months, she managed his correspondence and decision-making, keeping Congress and the public in the dark about her husband's condition. This raises questions about the constitutional implications of her actions and the lack of accountability in the government at that time.

As we wrap up, we tease our next episode, which will focus on the lesser-known tragedies that occurred during the Lincoln assassination night at Ford's Theater. Join us for another deep dive into history that you didn't know you needed! 

Beyond Mount Rushmore

Coming up on the next episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we dish up some Tea on Thomas Woodrow Wilson. "Thomas" was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A member of the Democratic Party, Wilson served as the president of Princeton University and as the governor of New Jersey before winning the 1912 presidential election.

Beyond Mount Rushmore

In this episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we dive into the intriguing life of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, and his wife, Rachel. We explore the controversies surrounding their marriage, including allegations of bigamy and the mudslinging tactics used against them during Jackson's presidential campaigns.

We discuss Jackson's rise to prominence as a champion of the common man and his opposition to the federal bank, as well as his tumultuous relationship with Congress. The episode highlights the dramatic events leading up to the 1828 election, where Jackson faced off against John Quincy Adams, who had previously defeated him in a contentious election.

The personal attacks on Rachel Jackson during the campaign were particularly vicious, with opponents questioning her character and marriage status. We recount how these attacks affected both Andrew and Rachel, culminating in her tragic death just weeks before Jackson's inauguration.

As we wrap up, we reflect on Jackson's legacy, including his complex relationship with Native Americans and his role in American history. We also tease our next episode, where we'll discuss the story of the first female president of the United States, a topic that promises to be just as fascinating.

Join us for this deep dive into history, where we uncover the lesser-known stories that shaped our nation!

In the upcoming episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we dive into the tumultuous life of Andrew Jackson, a figure known for his complex legacy as a war hero, duelist, and notorious grudge holder. We'll explore his controversial signing of the Indian Removal Act, his remarkable survival of an assassination attempt where both pistols misfired, and the deep-seated blame he placed on John Quincy Adams for his wife's death. Join us as we unpack the messy and outrageous details of Andrew Jackson's life, revealing the man behind the monument. Don't miss this episode dropping on May 26th, available wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we dive into the life and legacy of our 25th president, William McKinley. We start by discussing McKinley's unique place in history, including being the first president to have his inauguration filmed and one of the first to have his voice recorded.

We explore his obsession with cleanliness and his social nature, which made him a beloved figure during his presidency. McKinley was known for his effective handshaking technique, which allowed him to connect with as many people as possible during public events. However, this very trait may have contributed to his tragic assassination at the Pan American Expo in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz, a Polish anarchist.

We also touch on the aftermath of McKinley's assassination, including the swift execution of his assassin, Czolgosz, and the controversial role of Thomas Edison in the portrayal of the execution.

Join us next time for another episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore. 

Beyond Mount Rushmore dives into the stories your history teacher skipped. We explore forgotten presidents and their sketchy scandals, bizarre executive orders, and historic near-misses. Don't miss episode 3, Dressed to the Nines, Shot at the Expo. An episode all about the stylish rise and sudden fall of President William McKinley. Subscribe to the Beyond Mount Rushmore podcast everywhere. 

In this episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we dive into the intriguing life and presidency of Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States. Stan Nawalaniec, our self-proclaimed presidential historian, and I explore Arthur's unexpected rise from customs collector at the Port of New York to vice president, and ultimately to the presidency after the assassination of James Garfield.

There's corruption, his connections to the powerful New York political machine, and some controversy surrounding Arthur's birthplace. As for Arthur's personal life, he was a widower, and his sister was the First Lady. And, we reveal that Arthur ordered all his presidential papers to be burned on his deathbed, leaving behind a mysterious legacy with little documentation of his time in office.

Join us for our next episode, where we'll discuss William McKinley, the 25th president, and the secrets surrounding his assassination. Thank you for listening to Beyond Mount Rushmore, where we explore the history you didn't know you needed!

In the debut episode of Beyond Mount Rushmore, we delve into the life and legacy of James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. From his humble beginnings as a canal worker to his meteoric rise in politics, Garfield's story is one of resilience and reform. But his presidency was tragically cut short by an assassin's bullet.

We explore the motivations of Charles J. Guiteau, the delusional office seeker who believed he was destined to change history, and uncover the surprising role Robert Todd Lincoln—son of Abraham Lincoln—played in this fateful chapter of American history.

What led to Garfield's untimely death? And what eerie connection does Robert Todd Lincoln have to not just one, but multiple presidential tragedies? Tune in to uncover the shocking twists that history textbooks often overlook on Beyond Mount Rushmore.