{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"082-Stealing Abe Lincoln","description":"\r\nIn 1876, a gang of inept Chicago counterfeiters launched an absurd plot to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln and hold it for ransom. In today's episode of the Futility Closet podcast, we'll follow their comical attempts to carry out the bizarre scheme, and uncover the secret society that was formed afterward to protect Lincoln's corpse.\r\nWe'll also puzzle over an overlooked way to reduce the odds of dying of a heart attack.\r\nSources for our feature on Lincoln's bodysnatchers:\r\nThomas J. Craughwell, Stealing Lincoln's Body, 2007.\r\nBonnie Stahlman Speer, The Great Abraham Lincoln Hijack, 1997.\r\nJohn Carroll Power, History of an Attempt to Steal the Body of Abraham Lincoln, 1890.\r\nThomas J. Craughwell, &quot;A Plot to Steal Lincoln's Body,&quot; U.S. News, June 24, 2007.\r\nDavid B. Williams, &quot;The Odd Reburials of Abraham Lincoln,&quot; Seattle Times, April 13, 2007.\r\nRay Bendici, &quot;Thomas J. Craughwell Discusses the Odd Plot to Steal Lincoln's Body,&quot; Connecticut Magazine, Nov. 12, 2013.\r\nDon Babwin, &quot;Presidential Heist,&quot; Associated Press, May 13, 2007.\r\nThis week's lateral thinking puzzle is adapted from a puzzle in Edward J. Harshman's 1996 book Fantastic Lateral Thinking Puzzles.\r\nYou can listen using the player above, download this episode directly, or subscribe on iTunes or via the RSS feed at http:\/\/feedpress.me\/futilitycloset.\r\nPlease consider becoming a patron of Futility Closet -- on our Patreon page you can pledge any amount per episode, and all contributions are greatly appreciated. You can change or cancel your pledge at any time, and we've set up some rewards to help thank you for your support.\r\nYou can also make a one-time donation via the Donate button in the sidebar of the Futility Closet website.\r\nMany thanks to Doug Ross for the music in this episode.\r\nIf you have any questions or comments you can reach us at podcast@futilitycloset.com.&amp;nbsp;Thanks for listening!","author_name":"Futility Closet","author_url":"https:\/\/www.futilitycloset.com\/podcast\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/3970175\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/000000\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/3970175"}