An incident involved Robert Todd Lincoln ( son of American president Abraham Lincoln ) and a platform gap in Jersey City , New Jersey during the American Civil War . While waiting on a crowded train platform , Robert Lincoln was pushed against the train , and the train started to move , dropping his feet into the gap . He was saved from possible serious injury or death by the prompt actions of well-known actor Edwin Booth ( the brother of John Wilkes Booth , who a few months later would assassinate President Lincoln )
assassinate President Lincoln
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Platform gap