The local connection to one of the nation's dark days

FLORIDA — Most Americans know that shortly after the end of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

But many may not be aware that at the same time his Secretary of State, William H. Seward, a native of Florida, N.Y., was also the subject of an assassination attempt.

Next Wednesday, April 15, will mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination and the attempt on Seward's life.

The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot planned by Booth and two other men: George Atzerodt and Lewis Powell.

The three had intended to assassinate not only Lincoln, but also Vice President Andrew Johnson and Seward.

Booth, as we know from American history classes and numerous films, shot the President while he was enjoying a play in Ford's Theater.

Another assassin, Lewis Powell, however, failed and only wounded Secretary Seward.

And the third assassin, George Atzerodt, fled Washington and never even made an attempt to kill the vice president.

At that time Seward had recently been in a bad carriage accident and he was in serious condition and confined to his bed at home.

Powell gained entry to the house by saying that he was bringing medicine but he had an unexpected confrontation with Seward's son Frederick at the top of the stairs.

Powell tried to shoot him but when his gun misfired, he then struck Frederick Seward several times with the pistol, fracturing his skull.

Seward's son remained in a coma for several days but survived the attack.

Powell then forced his way into the Secretary's room and stabbed William Seward in the face and neck. A soldier, who had been assigned as a guard, caused Powell to flee. And shortly afterwards he was captured and sentenced to death by a military tribunal.

William H. Seward was born in the Village of Florida in 1801.

Although a memorial to Secretary of State William Henry Seward sits at the entrance to S.S. Seward Institute, the school on Main Street, Seward Institute is actually named after Samuel S. Seward, father of the famous Secretary of State. His $20,000 contribution gave birth to the school in 1846.

His son William H. Seward had a distinguished career that included serving as a Senator and New York governor.

But he is most remembered for the purchase of Alaska when he was Secretary of State during the Andrew Johnson administration.

It may be hard to believe today but in 1867, the cost of that purchase from Russia of a territory twice the size of Texas, was $7.2 million (about $121 million in today's dollars) or about two cents per acre.

And, for many, it was considered a bad deal and named, "Seward's Foley" or "Seward's Ice Box."

Information sources for this article were contributed by Town of Warwick Deputy Historian Sue Gardner.