A lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair is going under the hammer

A bushy lock of hair, belonging to former President of the United States Abraham Lincoln, is all set to go under the hammer at Boston-based RR Auction.

The 2 inch long lock of hair was wrapped in a telegram covered with a stain of blood and was received on the night of Lincoln's assassination in 1865.It is expected to fetch $75,000 or more.

As per the auction house it was removed during his postmortem after he was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. The lock was given to Dr. Lyman Beecher Todd, a postmaster and cousin of Lincoln's wife. Dr Todd was beside Lincoln in his final hours, even accompanying the body when it was examined.

The telegram, from the War department and dated the night of the assassin, was sent to Dr. Todd by his assistant on 14th April 1865. 

Historians say the telegram is significant because it disproved a conspiracy theory that Edwin Stanton, the then Secretary of War plotted to kill Lincoln.