In 1876, a bizarre and audacious plot was set in motion to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
The mastermind behind this extraordinary plan was Terrence Mullins, known for his involvement in a clandestine counterfeiting operation.
Following the arrest of Ben Boyd, a skilled engraver associated with counterfeit currency, Mullins found himself in dire financial straits along with his partner, Jack Hughes.
Desperate to reverse their fortunes, Mullins and Hughes devised a daring scheme to pilfer Lincoln’s remains and bury them in the sandy terrain near Indiana’s Lake Michigan.
Their intention was to conceal the coffin in the shifting sands, relying on natural markers to pinpoint its location for retrieval at a later time.
Mullins, assuming the role of a negotiator, aimed to demand a hefty ransom of $200,000 from the Governor of Illinois in exchange for returning Lincoln’s body and securing Boyd’s release.
Meanwhile, Patrick D. Tyrrell, Chief of the Secret Service in Chicago, had been monitoring Hughes due to his involvement in passing counterfeit money.
Tyrrell assigned an operative, Lewis Swegles, to closely surveil Hughes and gather intelligence on his activities.
Posing as a fellow criminal seeking quick earnings, Swegles gained Hughes’ trust and was eventually introduced to Mullins.
Upon meeting Mullins, Swegles expressed eagerness to partake in any lucrative venture.
Mullins disclosed his elaborate plan to Swegles, outlining their upcoming trip to Springfield to inspect Lincoln’s tomb and strategize the heist.
Astonished by the audacity of the scheme, Tyrrell instructed Swegles to feign compliance with Mullins while covertly communicating with him about the criminals’ movements.
As the fateful night of November 7, 1876 approached, Tyrrell and his team lay in wait within the tomb, anticipating the thieves’ arrival.
Mullins and Hughes, undeterred by the risks, proceeded with their plan to open the sarcophagus housing Lincoln’s coffin.
In an unforeseen turn of events, Swegles, intended to act as a lookout, found himself coerced into assisting Mullins under threat of suspicion.
Despite encountering obstacles during the break-in, Mullins and Hughes managed to partially extract Lincoln’s coffin.
Swegles, instructed to fetch the getaway carriage, attempted to signal Tyrrell’s team using a match but failed to do so effectively.
As confusion mounted, Mullins and Hughes swiftly retreated from the scene, believing Swegles might have been apprehended.
Returning to Chicago, Mullins and Hughes encountered Swegles unscathed, unaware of his double-cross.
Assured of their safety, the duo celebrated their narrow escape, unaware that Swegles had already informed Tyrrell of their involvement.
Subsequently, Tyrrell and the Chicago police apprehended Mullins and Hughes without resistance, bringing an end to their audacious plot.
