In 2009 President Barack Obama granted a pardon to Courage, a 45-pound turkey. In 2008 Bush pardoned two turkeys named Pumpkin and Pecan. Clinton had spared a 60-pound turkey named Willis the day before Thanksgiving.ĭuring a 2001 turkey-pardoning ceremony, President George Bush related the story in which President Lincoln pardoned his son's turkey. President Bill Clinton told Jack's story to reporters on Wednesday, November 26, 1997. The little story about whether or not Jack would vote came from p. 111-112 of Tad Lincoln: Mischief-Maker in the White House by John D. 170 of Lincoln's Sons by Ruth Painter Randall and pp. Additional sources on the turkey pardon include p. The story of Jack is told in a footnote on page 225. Warren's Lincoln's Youth Indiana Years Seven to Twenty One 1816-1830. Sources: The story of Lincoln shooting the turkey is on pp. In Lincoln's own words, he never again "pulled the trigger on any larger game." Down deep Abraham was known to love animals generally. However, when the boy saw the beauty of the bird whose life was ended, he was very distraught. Nancy Hanks Lincoln gave permission, and Abraham shot and killed one of the turkeys. Thomas Lincoln, Abraham's dad, was not home so Abraham asked his mother if he might use his dad's gun. When young Abraham was about eight, a flock of wild turkeys approached the Lincolns' Indiana cabin. The "holiday turkey incident" may have revived youthful memories for the president. Seeing this, the president looked at Tad and asked whether Jack would vote. Jack the turkey actually strutted in front of some of the soldiers and broke in line.
A special polling place had been set up right on the grounds of the White House especially for soldiers who chose to vote.
On Tuesday, November 8, 1864, Abraham Lincoln was elected to a second term as president. Jack's life was to be spared, and Tad raced out of the Cabinet meeting to show the presidential order to the "executioner." He took out a card, and on it he wrote an order of reprieve. Tad said, "Jack must not be killed it is wicked." President Lincoln replied, "Jack was sent here to be killed and eaten.I can't help it." Tad, still sobbing, said, "He's a good turkey, and I don't want him killed." Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States of America, paused in the midst of the Cabinet meeting. Tad told his dad that Jack was about to be killed, and that he had obtained a temporary delay from the "executioner" so he could put Jack's case before the president. When the time neared to prepare the turkey for the Christmas meal, Tad burst into one of his father's Cabinet meetings. The turkey was named Jack, and Tad fed him as a pet. Tad taught the turkey to follow him as he walked around the White House grounds. Tad Lincoln, age 10, quickly befriended the bird. Late in 1863 a live turkey was sent to the White House for the Lincoln family to feast on during the holidays.
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