Reckless remark over the death of President Lincoln leads to mob violence in Fall River, Massachusetts

Boston newspapers reported that as Fall River crowds were gathered around the morning bulletins with the grim news from Washington, a shopkeeper named Leonard Wood was heard to announce this the best news he had heard in years.  This foolhardy remark earned him a beating and when he ran to his store and locked himself in, police had to rescue him.  As it was, the angry mob smashed all the windows in his shop front.  (By John Osborne)