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The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Funeral Train Route

Indianapolis, Indiana

April 30, 1865

Excerpts from newspapers and other

sources

From the files of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection

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reception of the remains at the Union Depot at 7 o'clock, A. M., by

litary escort and State authorities, will be under the direction of Maj.

Alvin P. Hovey, commanding district of Indiana. Line of march along

As street to Washington, thence to the Capitol, •where the remains 'will be

in state.

t 8 o'clock, A. M. the hall of the Capitol will be opened and the remains ed to view. The children of the Sabbath schools will be first admitted, adies and citizens generally, passing through from south to north.

THE F R O C E S S I O IN"

move promptly at 12 o'clock, M., before which time the various delega- ^, - ■ "' h<$ e.~~ ^oi^**, > ^Wc3' iii^rder on th<i gi":ran<3 assigned uo each iii tho following programme :

No. 1. Funeral eBcort in column of march, composed of all the military of the district. (Form on Washington street, west of Tennessee street.)

2. Commanding Officers of the Northern Department and District of In- diana. (Form immediately in rear of No. 1.)

3. Officers of the Army and Navy not connected with field service, in full uniform, mounted. (Form immediately in rear of No. 2.)

4. Chief Marshal and staff. (Headquarters at State Quarter Master General's office, corner of Market and Tennessee streets.)

5. Guard of Honor and attendants traveling with the remains by order of the War Department. (Form on east side of Mississippi street, north of Washington.)

6. Clergy in attendance. (Form immediately in rear of Guard of Honor.

T . PALL IB IK A Ti i; Xi S .

Hon. David Kilgore, Col. Wm. C. Kise, Hon. R. W. Thompson, Isaac Jenkinson, Esq., Hon. John H. Farquhar,

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IJLon. Jer. Sulb'van, Col. K. G. Shryock, Lewis Burk, Esq., Hon. Ralph Hill, Col. John. A. Mann.

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(Form in State House square.)

8. Relatives of the deceased. (Form in State House square.)

9. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor. (Form on west side of West street, north of Washington.)

10. The Governor's staff. (Form in rear of No. 0.)

11. Officers of State. (Form in rear of No. 10.)

12. Judges of the United States Courts, Supreme Court and Circuit and Common Pleas Courts of the State. (Form in rear of No. 11.)

13. Soldiers of tho war of 1812. (Form in rear of No. 12.)

11. Members of Congress. (Form on centre of West street, north of Washington.)

15. Members of the Senate and House of Representatives of Indiana. (Form in rear of No. 14.)

16. Officers of Sanitary and Christian Commission. (Form in rear of No. 15.)

17. All Masonic Orders of the State. (Form on east side of West street, north of Washington.)

18. All Odd Fellows of the State. (Form in rear of Masons.)

19. Druid and Hugari Associations. (Form in rear of No. 18.)

20. Corporate Authorities of the City of Indianapolis, with Authorities of other cities as their guests. (Form on west side of West street south of Washington.)

21. The various Orders, Associations and Societies of the city of Indiana- polis and Marion County, (not including Masons, Odd Fellows, Druids and Hugari.) Form under their own Mashals, Music, &c, on west side of West street in rear of No. 20.)

22. City and County Delegations, Orders and Associations, (except Masons, Odd Fellows, &c, above designated,) will form, on arrival at Union Depot, in one column of four (4) ranks, under their own Marshals, and take position as follows :

All delegations arriving on trains of the Indiana Central Road, will form on the center and east side of West street, south of Washington.

All arriving on the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Railroad will form on tho west side of Mississippi street, south of Washington.

All arriving on the trains of the Madison and Jeffersonville Roads, will form on East side of Mississippi street, south of Washington.

All arriving on trains of Terre Haute Road will form on west side of Tennessee street, south of Washington.

All arriving on Lafayette Road will form on West side of Tennessee street, north of Market street.

All arriving on Peru Road will form on east side of Tennessee street^ south of Washington.

All arriving on Bcllefontanine Road will form on ea.st side of Tennessee street, north of Market street. ' ' \

_ 23. The Reverend Clergy of the various denominations. (Form on~north" side of Washington street, east of Illinois.)

24. Delegations and distinguished strangers from other States. (Form on north side of Washington street, in rear of Clergy.)

25. Colored delegations, societies, and associations. (Form on north side of Washington street, immediately east of No. 24.)

20. Citizens generally in carriages. (Form on south side of Washington street, east of Illinois.

On arrival of each train at the Union Depot, Assistant Marshals will be in waiting to conduct each delegation to its assigned position. Should any be overlooked, by reporting the fact to the Chief Marshal at his Head- Quarters, Quarter Master General's office, near the State House, an Aid will be at once dispatched to give all necessary directions.

L. I JV IE OP MARCH.

East on Washington to Illinois; ' . North c^Illinc'- to .New Y.P".;

East on New York to Meridian, _ »

North on Meridian to Vermont;

East on Vermont to Pennsylvania;

South on Pennsylvania to Ohio;

East on Ohio to East street;

South on East street to Washington ;

West on Washington to State House square.

AT 15: O'CLOCK, MIDNIGHT,

The remains will be escorted by the civil and military authorities, under the command of Major General Hovey, to the funeral train en route for their final resting place.

The following Assistant Marshals and Aids are announced:

Brevet Brigadier General A. A. Stevens, Chief Assistant Marshal.

ASSISTANT B1ARSHALS.

Colonel James Blake, General W. J. Elliott, Colonel A. J. Warner, Colonel W. J. H. Robinson, Colonel William E. McLean, Colonel D. G. Rose ; Lieu- tenant Colonel Allan Rutherford ; Major C. S. Stevenson, Major C. M. Terrell; Fred P. Rusch, Esq., Eben W. Kimball, Esq ;

First District— Colonel W V.. Hollingsworth ;

Second Dis- , — General Ben, xl' 'ribmei ;'"*■ <

Third District — Colonel Kennedy Brown ; i

Fourth District — Colonel Ira G. Grover ;

Fifth District — Colonel Isaac P. Gray ;

Sixth District — Colonel James Burgess ;

Seventh District — Colonel Robert N. Hudson ;

Eighth District— Colonel W. C. L. Taylor ;

Ninth District — Colonel David M. Dunn ;

Tenth District — Colonel Charles W. Chapman ;

Eleventh District — Colonel Asbury Steele.

A I D S.

Colonel John Coburn, W. O. Rockwood, Esq.,

Colonel Samuel A. Cramer, William Wallace, Esq.,

A. H. Conner, Esq., W. H. Riley, Esq.,

Major H. K. Thatcher, Captain George E. Wallace.

The Marshals will be designated by black crape sashes and rosettes trimmed with white silk ribbon, batons covered and trimmed with the same material, all which will be provided at Chief Marshal's Head-Quarters.

All Assistant Marshal's and Aids will report at Head-Quarters promptly at 8 o'clock, Sunday morning.

Pall Bearers will also report to the Chief Marshal at 10 o'clock} A* M. By Order:

IxmANArOLls, Saturday, April 29, 18C5.

THOMAS A* MORRIS,

Chief Marshal.

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braham Lincoln,

H I S

LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, DEATH

AND GREAT FUNERAL CORTEGE,

WITH A HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE

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National Lincoln Monument,

By JOHN CARROLL POWER.

MOHtTMEHTAI, EDITION.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.:

EDWIN A. WILSON & CO. 1875.

AND THE NATIONAL LINCOLN MONUMENT. 183

ing emblems and other demonstrations of sorrow were

everywhere visible. Indianapolis, seven

o'clock, a. m., Sunday, April

tik nil % / ^ °0rtege arrived att'his hour

With all that was mortal of Abraham Lincoln The

avenues eading to the depot were closely packed

with people. The military organizations we/e b line

from the depot to the State House. The corpse was

taken in charge by a local guard of soldiers "nT cln

veyed to a very large and magnificent hearse prepared

especially for the occasion. It was drawn by ItZ

white horses six of them having been attached^ tie

to WS -U TblClVhe PreSldent de0t rode' °» his way

to Washington, four years before. By the time the

ThTarir 7aV7V° m°Ve> ra,'n com-enced falling Xhe amval of the train was announced by the firing of artillery and tolling of bells throughout the f and h1S continued until the hearse arrived at the a£e House. The body was conveyed to the interior of the building, and soon after exposed to view thZTl S7?bbatVch<?01 children were first admitted, and t\ en ladies and citizens generally passed through the Capitol, and viewed the remains. At many of he streets intended to be crossed by the procession were triple arches, adorned with evergreen's and national Hags Great preparations had been made in drapine thccity ,„ mourning. It included public hvdldC! business houses and private residences of all classes' Ihe threatening rain deterred many from ornamenting their buildings who would otherwise have done so and the torrents of water sadly 'marred what had been done lhe ram prevented many of the organizations from turning out that had provided themselves with banned bearing appropriate inscriptions. The colored Masons m their appropriate clothing, and colored citizens gen- erally turned out in procession and visited the remains

riJ ♦? J-T At the 1,Cad °f tLeir Passion they car- ried the Emancipation Proclamation. At intervals

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THE GREAT FUNERAL CORTEGE,

banners were seen bearing, among others, the following inscriptions :

" Colored men always Loyal."

'Lincoln, Martyr of Liberty."

"He lives in our memories."

" Slavery is Dead ! "

The City Councils of Cincinnati, Louisville and Covington, with Governor Bramlette and many other distinguished personages from Kentucky, and from nearly all the towns and cities of- Indiana, were in In- dianapolis, to take part in a grand military and civic demonstration. It was expected that the procession would march early in the day, and that Governor Mor- ton would deliver a funeral oration at the Capitol in the afternoon. Every railroad train for the previous twenty-four hours brought in its thousands, but the incessant rain prevented the programme from being carried out. All that could be done was to pay their silent respects to the remains. A constant stream of spectators continued to file past the coffin until near midnight, when it was escorted back to the depot, and, like the star of empire, continued its westward course.

A time table was prepared, and rules and regulations adopted, at Indianapolis, for running the train from that city to Chicago. The paper was signed by an officer of each of the three roads over which the train was to pass — the Indianapolis & Lafayette, the Louis- ville, New Albany & Chicago, from Lafayette to Michi- gan City, and the Michigan Central from Michigan City to Chicago. As a sample of the way the train

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AND THE NATIONAL LINCOLN MONUMENT. 185

was run during the whole journey, I omit the time table, but insert here the

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RULES AND REGULATIONS.

1. The figures in Table represent the time upon which the Pi lot Engine is to be run, and the funeral train will follow, leavin° each station ten minutes behind the figures of this table.

2. The funeral train will pass stations at a speed not exceeding five miles an hour, the enginemaii tolling his bell as the train passes through the station and town.

3. Telegraph offices upon the entire route will be kept open during the passage of the funeral train, and as soon as the train has passed a station the operator will at once give notice to that ef- fect to the next telegraph station.

4 The pilot engine will pass no telegraph station without first getting information of funeral train having paseed the last pre- ceding telegraph station, coming to a full stop for that informa- tion, if necessary.

5. Upon the entire route a safety signal will be shown at each switch and bridge, and at entrance upon eacli curve, indicating that all is safe for the passage of pilot and train— each man in charge of a signal knowing personally such to be the case, so far as his foresight can provide for it. The signal from Indianapolis, until reaching broad daylight, to be a white light, and from that point to Chicago, a white flag, draped.

6. The engineman in charge of pilot engine will carry two red lights in the night, and an American flag, draped, during daylight, indicating that a train is following, and will also provide them- selves with red lights, flags and extra men, to give immediate notice to the funeral train, in case of meeting with auything on the route causing delay or detention.

7. The cnginemen in charge of the funeral train will keep a sharp lookout for the pilot engine and its signals.

8.^ The pilot and funeral train will have entire right to the line during its passage, and all engines and trains of every description will be kept out of the way.

9. Each road forming the route will run its train upon its own standard time.

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SOMBER SKIES LOOKED DOW WHEN, FIFTY YEARS

Indianjans Who Had Seen Abra- ham Lincoln Pass in Triumph Through Indianapolis in 1861, on His Way to Washington, Came Sorrowing to His Rest- ing Place on a Catafalque Under the Old Capitol Dome — The Body of the Martyred President Received Here on Sunday, April 30, 1865, After a Sad Journey From the East on Its Way to Springfield.

[Br W. M. Herschell]

*— »HJ3SE April days of fifty years Y | ""[ g.go were tearful ones for the i | I states north of the Ohio- river, j ][_ J and it can truthfully be said that. ^*=—J even in the venom of sectional bitterness, there was a touch of sympa- trfehcbalmln the south for a little widow In the White House at "Washington. The assassination of President Lincoln stirred ail stater.— north, south, east and west. In no city or town was the horror and the sadness of the tragedy more marked than in Indianapolis.

The writer, seeking for the story of the death of Lincoln and the long, sorrowful hours between his passing and the last rites at Springfield, found occasion to run through the April, 1S65. files of the Indi- anapolis Journal. Every page of that stury. old newspaper seemed printed in tears. In the days preceding- the assassi- nation of the President in Ford's theater, Washington, the Journal seemed tempered with a spirit of rejoicing. Reports of Union victories in the south were coming in and there were prophecies of an early end of the great conflict. President Lin- coln war quoted as saying that he believed the shadow of war was about to pass, and thi Stars, and Stripes again would float over a reunited country. Eut all this optimism was lost when the word reached Indianapolis on the morning of April 15, lSfiS, that President Lincoln had been shot and killed by an. assassin while he, with JMry. Lincoln .and some rrlends, sat watch- in.? a performance of "Our American Cousin."" " _-^

The news of the assassination of the President at .that, critical moment- made Indianapolis shudder and sigh sorrow- fully. Governor Morton had proclaimed April 20 as a day to be devoted to re- joicing over tiie outcome of the rebellion, but with the news of the death of Presi- dent Lincoln the proclamation was changed from one prophetic of rejoicing to a dirge of words calling on the people to set aside April 20 as a day of mourn- ing and prayer. Men, women and chil- dren flocked. into the streets :to talk of the tragedy at Washington. Partisans with views "opposite Uiose held by Mr,. Lincoln were compelled to seek seclusion, although there were- some bold enough to stand for their previous opinions. An expression of these views meant right an.d.ther^_were_reports of frequent politi- cal combats. The great majority of the northern people were loyalists and the death of. the- jiati.on'.* ohfefp eteejitiyg at the hands of a rebel sympathizer Btirred all Indianapolis and Indiana 10 battle moods.

According to the Journal a mass meeting of citizens was held at the Marion county courthouse on the night of April 18 at ■which Colonel James Blake, a prominent citizen, presided. There were speeches in eulogy of the, dead President. Com- mittees were appointed to enlist the va- rious societies and organizations^- of the city in draping buildings and to partici- pate In a great procession on April CO. The chairmen of these committees and the organizations they represented are interesting now as a part of the history of Indianapolis or fifty years ago.

Committees to Drape Buildings. Included in the list were the following: Fenian Brotherhood, Thomas Redmond; Brith Abraham, M. Solomon; Young Bachelors' Association, J. G. Joseph; mil- lers' association, John Carlisle; dyers' as- sociation, Joseph Harris; artillery. Colonel W. W. Frybarger; discharged soldiers of

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all wars, Colonel John Coburn and Wil- liam Hannaman; Burns Club, John Plan- ning; public and private dramatic so- cieties. W. H. Otis and W. H. Riley; Turners and Msennerchor, Charles Koehne and C. T. Kaunian; butchers' association (on horseback) Levi Davis; gardener', florists' and hucksters' associations, Cal- vin Fletcher, Jr., Jacob Traub and Mr. Weghorst; stonecutters' association, J. Bingham; stonemasons' association, John Stumph; Masons, W. H. Loomis;'Odcl Fel- lows, George ' Lowe; Sabbath schools, Chaplain Lozier, J. A. Grosvenor and Captain O. M. -"Wilson; Blacksmiths' and Machinists' Union, George Young; Hold- ers' Union, Major Gray; fire department, Charles Richmanrcarpenters' association, Daniel Behymer;- German associations, Joseph Staub; footboard association, W. O. Dnrf-ge: .Typographic^. tTyfon, Captain W. ,M. Meredith; Cabinetmakers' Union, Christ Spiegel; ' coopers' association, Tobias Murphy; bricklayers' association, Thomas Theodore; painters' association, J. B. Osgood; rolling, mill, Lewis Morso and James Blake, Jr.; tinners' association. J. W. Tutewiler; draymen, hackmen and expressmen's association, William Rafut; shoemakers' - association, James Davis; liverymen's association, Captain "John Foudry; plasterers' association, Joseph Sutton; bell ringing, Captain H. Craft; temperance association, Dr. Abbott; Chamber of Commerce, Dr. T. B. Elliott; military organizations, Major-General AI- vin P. Hovey, Colonel Warner, Colonel Stevens, Colonel Terrell and- Colonel Con- ner; judicial and municipal authorities, Colonel Rose, Mayor Caven and W, Wal- lace; flags and decorations. Major Lozier and Captain Craft; fireworks. Colonel Sturm, Colonel Robinson and Mr. Capins; bonfires, J. W. Davis, John Unversaw and Mr. Russell; salutes, Colonel Sturm.

Governor Morton, after seeing arrange- ments for the memorial meeting com-

pleted, left for Washington to p.e in the funeral exercises there. 1 coin's first wish was that ]iei gulshed husband be laid to rest i capitol dome at Washington in 1 reserved for the body of Georg ington. Later her decision was body be taken to Springfield, III. home, for burial. This plan m slble the passing .of a funer through the large cities and caj lug between Washington and Sp the itinerary Including Indl Governor Morton then returned make preparations for the rece the funeral party when it arrl\

The memorial meeting, as orlgi raxged, was held on April 20 were services In all the churches cllape! taking the lead in point c palate ••'d-'Cuf&vioris: "fTiMcC ehui heavily draped in black and the of Washington, Lincoln, Grant, and other American worthies v played. Beneath Lincoln's plct the sentiment: "By the Help of. Will Defend It'

The great memorial prooessloi sentatlve of all classes, was fo noon. The newspapers of the da had suggested that the citizens 1 ner at 11 o'clock in order not to f formation of the procession! The formed about on time, starting statehouse and moving east In ~\ ton street to East street, theu to Ohio street, thence west to tl by way of Ohio, Market and streets. yThere was a great ctot described as the largest gather met in the history of the town. Hovey and Mansfield, Colonels Coburn and Warner; Mayor Ca Messrs. Lozier, Kimball, Burg* Seldenstlcker spoke, the latter In There was music by the city b

Men still living remember that eventful April 30, 1865, in Indian- apolis. Dr. William N. Wishard, Sr., though in his early teens, walked through the rain to pay his boy- ish tribute to a man he had been taught to revere. His family lived at Southport, but miles did not halt his rain-soaked way. Dr. Wishard recalls falling in line with thousands of other loyal Hoosiers, all come to say farewell to Hon- est Abe. Dr. Wishard has in his possession a copy of the procla- mation announcing funeral honors for Lincoln. That document is one of the prized possessions of the veteran Indianapolis physician and, with his permission, has been re- produced here through the process of photostatic copying.

A writer in The News, several years ago, describes his sad im- . sessions of the day. , — —-*

THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS,; SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1915. ^./^i /^^t^- ' /Ms^^i^

SOMBER SKIES LOOKED DOWN ON LEGIONS OR. UNHAPPY HOOSIER HEARTS :. \

WHEN, FIFTY YEARS AGO, THE LINCOLN FUNERAL CORTEGE" HALTED HEftf?

Morton and Many Other Notables, Joi Richmond to Meet the. Funeral Train and Escortit'to Indiana- polis— A Famine "in B!ac,k Cloth ' Resulted' From '-.Liberal Use of Somber Fabricin Drap- ing the City in Mourning — Memorial Addresses -and ■ Pro- is Marked the Period of w— Thousands . Come to r the Beloved Dead.

Men still living remember that eventful April 30, 1865, in Indian- apolis. Dr. William N. Wishard, Sr„ though in his early teens, walked through the rain to pay his boy- ish tribute to a man he had been taught to revere. His family lived at Southport, but miles did not halt his rain-soaked way. Dr. Wishard recalls falling in line with thousands of other loyal Hoosiers, all come to say farewell to Hon- est Abe. Dr. Wishard has in his possession a copy of the procla- mation announcing funeral honors for Lincoln. That document is one of the prized possessions of the veteran Indianapolis physician and, with his permission, has been re- produced here through the process of photostatic copying.

A writer in The News, several years ago, describes his sad im- .^ressions of the day._

Edison L.Wagner

rural Route Five

Terre Haute, Indiana

The Linsoln Life Insurance Company

xfor t Jayne, Indiana

.tie men:

It has been called to ray attent ion that you are interested in securing old articles that pertain to Abraham Lincoln.

I have in my possession a photograph taken of the old statehou.se in Indian apfolis on the day that Lincoln's body lay in state there, prior t) the trip back to Springfield.

This picture is about fourteen inches by seventeen ire lies in s ize .

I plan to be in lort Wayne on May 12 and 13, and if you are interested, I shall be glad to bring this picture up so that you may see it .

Very truly yours

Edison L. Wagner R. E. 5, Box 750 Terr e Ha ut e , 1 n d ja na

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May 2, 1939

Mr. Edison L. Wagner

R. R. No. 6 Box No. 760 Terra Haute, Indiana

My dear Mr. Wagner J

If it is convenient for you to bring the Indianapolis CowtB se picture along to Port Wayne when you come on May 12 or 13, we would be glad to see it and can then advise you whether or not we would care to accjui • "> it.

Very truly yours.

LAW: IB Director

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Septeidber 16, 1941

Mr. E&.ison L. Wagaer K. &. Sj Box 790 Torre Sautd, Indiana

Soae tine ago you told us that you had a Lincoln picture taken of the State Bouse at Jbdlanapolis at the tine Lincoln1 0 body lie in state there. We eve wondering if you still wish to dispose of the picture and if so, how much do you want for it?

Yery tru3y yours,

LAWdBST Director

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September 50, 19^1

Idieon L. Warner B.B. #>, Box 750 Tear* laute, Indiana

My door Madamt

The letter written to you with respect to the picture in your possession was one of a series vhloh ve sent out this past week following up on some of the various items which hare been offered to us*

As WS read over your correspondence we find that we have ae jsrice from you with respect to the picture and, of course, our policy here would not allow us to set a price on your picture,

I might say, however, ve are not keenly Interested in it 1 that is, interested enough to pay an unsual price* It would merely he another picture in our collection and inasmuch as Lincoln is not in It that would in some way rob us of our real objective*

If you care to tell us what you would like to have for it we will let you know whether or not we wish to acquire it*

Very truly yours,

IAVjVM Director

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As The Day Begins . . .

Eighty-three years ago today Abraham Lincoln paid his last visit to Indianapolis. He made no speech. He was dead and his body had been brought here for brief funeral services before being taken on to Springfield, 111., for 'burial.

It rained without cessation that Sunday of April 30, 1865. But the population of Indianap- olis was swollen by thousands from all over the state who had come to pay homage to the martyred President. More than 100,000 persons filed by the cas- ket during the day.

Indianapolis had made elabo- lale plans for the funeral train's one-day stop here. Gen. Thomas A. Morris had been named chief marshal of the reception and Maj. Gen. Alvin P. Hovey had been appointed to head the mili- tary escort. Many of the state's most distinguished citizens were, on the various committees.

The funeral train arrived at Union Station at 7 a.m. The re- mains were escorted to the old Capitol shortly thereafter and at 8 a.m. were exposed to view in the center aisle of the rotunda. Sunday school children were ad- mitted first, then the tens of thousands of other citizens.

At noon a carefully-planned procession formed. It was led by the military escort. Then, in order, followed officers of the Army and Navy in uniform, the chief marshal and his staff, a guard of honor, the clergy, the funeral car and pallbearers and relatives of Mr. Lincoln. Behind these were thousand of other persons, marching in groups and as individuals. The parade fol- lowed a route throughout the downtown area, then back to the Capitol.

At midnight, after most of the crowd had melted away, the mili- tary escort returned the remains to the funeral train, which was waiting to take it to Chicago and then to Springfield.

Thus Abraham Lincoln spent his last day in Indianapolis, cap- ital of the state where he had lived in Ihe formative days of his boyhood. — J. G. A.

Page From History: Lincoln's Last Visit

Henn, Carl

The Indiana State House, surrounded by a white picket fence, was draped in mourning at Lin- coln's death. His body was carried through a pavilion on the Washington St. side (left).

President's Body Sent Throu Indianapolis on Way to Ohio

By CARL HENN

ON THIS Sunday in February, 1950, we celebrate the birthday anniversary of Abraham Lincoln, who twice visited Indianapolis.

Much has been written of the triumphal two days Lincoln spent here in February, 1861, as he passed through the city and spoke at the Bates House on his way to Washington and inauguration as President of the United States.

Comparatively little has been said of the rainy Sunday on Apr. 30, 1865, when his body was re- turned to Indianapolis on its way 'to burial in Springfield, O.

The recollections of our oldest residents hardly reach back to that day. But newspapers and photographs from the Indiana section of the State Library and bills and letters from the ar- chives section tell the story of Lincoln's return.

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INDIANAPOLIS, as the rest of the nation, was stunned on the morning of Apr. 15 when Indian- apolis Daily Journal and Daily State Sentinel newsboys cried "Lincoln is assassinated!"

There was little more than one column of news that day. But in succeeding days the details of John Wilkes Booth's crimes, his flight and death by a bullet, and the country's reaction to the loss of its leader filled the news col- umns of the two city dailies.

These were the sources of infor- mation in which people learned of the developments following Lin- coln's death. On Apr. 17 they were

told in two days a funeral train bearing his body would begin its solemn ride through principal cities of the United States.

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AS LINCOLN'S funeral train left Washington and moved through Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Columbus, O., the papers carried descriptions of the reception each city accord- ed the body of the Great Eman- cipator.

Indianapolis prepared to do him honor. Gov. Oliver P. Morton or- dered his aide, Adj. Gen. W. H. H. Terrell, to make all necessary preparations for draping the State House, where the body would lie.

Mayor John Craven, through the newspapers, appealed for help in taking care of the thousands of Hoosiers expected to visit the city to view their President's body on Sunday.

The mayor asked bakeries and eating houses to remain open. He requested all saloons to close their doors, not only the front en- trance but "the one generally found in the rear, made especially

for the accommodation of those who vehemently denounce the evil and yet love a social smile as well."

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HE ASKED "persons with ple- thoric pocketbooks to keep an eye to their portable property, or else it may imperceptibly slip from their keeping into the possession of an expert pickpocket."

A special train carrying Gov.

Morton, Mayor Craven, city and state officials and military per- sonnel met the funeral train at' Richmond, as it crossed the state I line. At no more than 20 miles an hour the two trains approached Indianapolis.

At 7 p.m. Lincoln's casket was; taken from the train in Union Depot. Muffled drums accompan- ied the solemn march in the rain up Illinois St. and west on Wash- ington St. to the State House. a a a

ENTERING through a black- draped pavilion, the coffin was borne to its resting spot under the State House dome. Around it the walls were draped in black velvet trimmed with silver fringes andj tassels. Candles and oil lamps provided dim light.

From south to north all through the day the citizenry of Indiana; filed past the casket, which had) been opened for one-third the length of the lid to display the: head and shoulders. And all through the day the rain fell, I forcing cancellation of a funeral parade at 11 a. m.

The city was silent. An estimat-i ed 50,000 persons moved quietly through the streets and under i mourning arches at downtown!', street intersections.

n tt a

AT 11 P. M. the casket was tak-| en up and placed in its elaborate! hearse. Back through the rain , Lincoln's body was drawn by black - plumed, horses to Union!; Depot and put aboard the train.'* Flares illuminated the faces of thousands who still braved the^ downpour to bid their dead leader farewell.

So ended Abraham Lincoln's r last visit to Indianapolis. r

R

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

w~7

WILLIAM BENBOW THOMPSON. M. D.

EQUITABLE BUILDING, HOLLYWOOD 28

March 7, 1957

Dr. R. Gerald McMurty

Lincoln National Life Foundation Library- Fort Wayne , Indiana

Dear Doctor McMurty:

I am sending to you a picture that I believe you do not have. This is of the hearse carrying Lincoln's body from the State House to the train, or in the reverse direction, I know not which, end taken during that procession at Indianapolis, the latter part of April l86£ . At the Ford Theatre Museum, some two and a half years ago, I noted in one of the cases that they had similar pictures in other cities but Indianapolis was repre- sented by a blank, We therefore had copied the old faded picture that had come down in my family and sent a copy to the Ford Museum and also to the State House at Indianapolis. If you wish it, it - is yours;.

The story of how I chanced on this is somewhat interesting. On the curb, at a level of the guard holding the swing team can.be seen a gentleman with a stovepipe hat. That is my grandfather for whom I was named, and undoubtedly he purchased the picture in commemoration of the event. My father's sister who survived him some fifteen years died in the little town of Monrovia, Indiana, where I vra.s born, and in cleaning out the house afterwards, the picture was found and rescued by one of my friends in the area. When I brought it home my mother instantly identified the event and my grandfather and I have treasured it ever since. Incident- ally, in the copying of the picture, the lead team was so faded so as to defy detection and the copy photograph does not show the full eight horse hitch.

A year or so ago, I noted in an advertisement of the Lincoln National Life an offer to give a copy of the por- trait of Lincoln, which is the company insigne, to those that wrote in. I fully intended so to do but neglected it. If there still are available copies of that magnificent head, I would very much appreciate having one. You may know to whom to refer this request.

erely,

BENBOW TKG

WBT:c

Enc .

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WILLIAM BENBOW THOMPSON. M. D.

EQUITABLE BUILDING, HOLLYWOOD 28

March 21, 1957

Dr. R. Gerald McMurty

Lincoln National Life Foundation Library

Fort wayne, Indiana

Dear Doctor McMurty:

Since the picture of the Lincoln funeral cort- ege in Indianapolis was new to you, I am happy that I was able to furnish it. You recall that I explained that the picture was pur- chased by my grandfather, one of the onlookers and that this was the grandfather for whom I was named, I did not explain that I have a son, and now a grandson, with the same name and consequently it will be at least two generations before the photograph will pass out of the family. However, if you vrould like to have the original photograph for copying, it is quite possible that you have available someone more skilled in that procedure than the one I found here in Los Angeles. If, under these circumstances, you would like me to forward it to you for copying and return, I will be glad to send it on.

Thank you so much for the Lincoln prints, I am particularly taken with the print of the etching and have already taken it for framing. Unfortunately, the mailing tube in which it was sent was of rather light construction and a number of wrinkles were suffered in transit. It just might be that on June 3 or li, I will pass through Fort Wayne on my way down from Detroit to Indian- apolis. If my schedule permits, I may drop in and beg an unwrinkled print from you.

Please let me know if you wish the photograph

forwarded.

Sincerely,

/

lh///'^<ju\j'c2u

VaLLIAM BENBOvv 3H0MPS0N, M. U.

TliiBT:c

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)AY, BELOVED ABRAHAM LINCOLN DIANAPOLIS, THIS TIME IN DEATH

SEVENTY-THREE YEARS AGO TOE PAID HIS LAST VISIT TO IN

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came on Sunday andX bo^ was esc^L^ ^I??!' llL In that >'e*r' AP^ 3° a sorrowing multitude * escorted to the Statehouse, there to be viewed by

By WILLIAM HEKSCHELL

Seventy-three years ago this day —it being April 30— all Indiana mingled its tears' with those from heaven. The occasion unquestion- ably was the saddest Hoosiers loyal to the Union had ever known. The day marked the arrival in Indian- apolis of the body of Abraham Lin- coln, martyred President, to lie in state at the old Capitol. Rain fell throughout the day, yet it was esti- mated that more than 100,000 citi- zens, heads bowed, marched by the catafalque.

In 1865 the calendar marked April

/ as falling on Sunday, so peihaps -omorrow would be the actual anni- versary. Although rain fell almost without cessation, every train into Indianapolis brought multitudes, come to pay final homage to a man they loved. Lincoln had belonged to Indiana, the formatives years of his youth having been spent in Spencer county. It was fitting, therefore, that at the close of his tumultous career, he should come back to the Hoosier state to say goodby.

When announcement came from Washington that Indianapolis was to be included in the itinerary of

the funeral train, a stop of one day here, all Indiana felt it an honor to the state and prepared to make Sunday, April 30. 1865, a day to be remembered. The railroads an-

nounced special trains into Indian- apolis. Home churches went neglect- ed for this eventful day and trains brought thousands into the city The deluge of rain was no deter- rent, they were going to pay tributi to their hero, assassinated by an enemy of emancipation and an un- divided Union.

Plans for the reception moved rapidly and men of note in Indiana proudly accepted places on com- mittees, positions of honor in re- ceiving Mr. Lincoln's body at the depot and in the parade. General ■t nomas A. Morris was named chief marshal and he surrounded him- self with a distinguished staff flames appeared on this official roster that are indelhbly written into the history of Indiana

The chief marshal, on Saturday April 29, issued a public proclama- tion outlinging the proceedings of vac following day. Major-General Alvin P. Hovey, afterward Gov- ernor of Indiana, was designated to Head the military escort and state authorities named to meet the fu- neral train when it arrived at the Union depoc at 7 o'clock Sunday morning. Its first Indiana point oi contact was Richmond.

General Hovey directed the for- mation of the procession to escort the body of Mr. Lincoln to the old state Capitol building, predecessor «t the present capital. The cortege moved norward in Illinois street,

thence west in Washington"stfeet

to the Statehouse. There the body was placed on a heavily draped dais. The building too was draped in black and the national colors, the latter so arranged to indicate mourning. An entrance arch had been erected on the Washington street side of the Capitol and was in deep black. Along the fence were festoonings of crepe. Through the city flags were at half mast and many business houses were coverc with symbols of sorrow.

Rain continued to fall incessantly but the program proceeded in spite of it. At 8 o'clock the rotunda of the Capitol was thrown open Mi- Lincoln s body rested in the center aisle. The first persons admitted to view the remains of the martyred President were children from the city's Sunday schools. This was done that the children might pay their respects, then return to their classes, for it was Sunday morn- ing.

Then came citizens, thousands of them, braving the ram to look for I the last time on the face of Abra- ham Lincoln. Many of them re- membered him in life, for they had seen him only a short period before when he spoke from a balcony of the old Bates house. This speech was made while Mr. Lincoln was en route to Washington to com- plete his battle for freedom of hu- manity.

i

May 3, 1961

Dr. William Benbov Thompson Equitable Building Hollywood 28, California

Dear Dr. Thompson:

I have prepared an article entitled BLincoln Highlights In Indiana History" which will be published next fall in the Indianapolis

Stay magassine.

Of course my article will deal with Lincoln's funeral in Indianapolis. In 1957 we had some correspondence concerning an original photograph in your possession showing the hearse in Indianapolis. lour grandfather appears in the photograph. lou kindly sent me an 8n x 10n glossy photograph which is a copy of your original.

My purpose in writing this letter is to inquire if I can use this photograph to illustrate my article.

Hoping to receive a favorable reply from you, I remain

Yours sincerely,

R. Gerald McMurtry RGMthw

WILLIAM BENBOW THOMPSON. M. D.

265 re.

EQUITABLE BUILDING, HOLLYWOOD 28 2 7

.. 5, 1961.

. Greralc uirector, Lincoln National Life Foundation lort Wayne, Indiana.

Dear & . [cMurtry:-

Of course you are free to use the picture of t Lincoln funeral procession, To trie best of my kno ;e, the only publication of this was in "Outd Indiana" of February, 1960. it might be tnat you could bor cut wnich measures 5 3/4 x 4 1 /4 inc.

for slicK paper whereas you mention publis in news- print .

nee my retirement a Le of years ago my personal files nave been weeded out rather completely, so that I do not know whetner I infer ave prints also

to the lord Tneatre museum and to the Indiana collect! houseu in tne State se at Indianapolis. It was tter that asKed permission to print in )or India . he original that I have has no information as to who tcoK: tne picture, and 1 suppose it was not copyrighted. The original measures 12-g- x 10^ inches, and the picture as you have was cropped some two incnes top and bottom and slightly over- two and a half incnes at the right, so that the lead tea does not show. I mention these details in case you shoul mention tnat the hearse was dr by six white horses, whereupon someone inevitably would insist tnat there were eight.

I would appreciate receivi which your article appears.

a copy of the er in

Sincerely,

r/t

■ '. !- .• 3n ,

Incidentally, I nave also a copy of one o: .umer- ous chromos of the time entitled "Death of Presidenl coin" which shows a number of people who were not there, This shows tne pictures oa the wall! it not the stri paper, i am sure it is of no cular value. I also have a board about 5 x 12 inches original Springfield

, given to Mrs. Thompson's er, trie late Dienop Charles Ldward Locke, on cne occasion of nis be ;he preacher at some Springfielc list Episcopal service in Springfield. Some one of my grandcnilclren will fall heir to these and my Limited Lincoln material.

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Under the dome of the old State House, showing platform where Lincoln's body lay in state.

P^^^v,^^^ ^^^., Z*f*.%t96 2- ^JU^n^a^^J^^

INDIANA AND THE CIVIL WAR 0

(Continued from fage 37)

Lincoln photographed in 1861 by C. S. German, Springfield, III.

United States, and to their posterity in all coming time." Evidently Lin- coln was thinking of his 52d birthday which he would celebrate the next day on the 12th of February. Lincoln con- tinued, "I appeal to you again to con- stantly bear in mind that with you, and not with politicians, not with pres- idents, not with office-seekers, but with you, is the question, shall the Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the latest gen- erations?"

Lincoln made two addresses at Indianapolis, one from the rear plat- form of his railway coach, and one from the balcony of the Bates House (Claypool Hotel). Spending the night at Indianapolis, Mr. Lincoln and his party continued on their journey to Cincinnati. Lawrenceburg, Ind., was the last town, in which Abraham Lin- coln spoke or visited in Indiana, and the press dispatches stated that he left, "amid salutes, music and tumultuous cheering." His parting words were.

". . . if you, the people, are hut true to yourselves and to the Constitution, there is but little harm I can do thank God."

AS PRESIDENT of the United States Lincoln did not forget Indiana and its important role in saving the Union. The truth of the matter is that Governor Morton would not let him forget. The year that Lincoln took the oath of office there was con- siderable fear that civil war might break out in Kentucky, that Union men would be defeated and that Ken- tucky would join the Confederacy. This would place Indiana on the border line of the war. Morton wrote Lincoln long and pleading letters that are to be found in the Lincoln National Life Foundation archives;

"Our state is more exposed to the dangers arising from civil war in Ken- tucky than any other. It will be a sad day to you and to the nation When Kentucky drifts into revolution. The misfortune at Bull Run would be a mere trifle compared with it, and it can best be averted in my humble judgment by thoroughly arming the militia of Southern Indiana and sta- tioning regular forces at proper points on the border."

We know the outcome. Kentucky was not lost to the Union and Indiana did not become a battleground.

Reversing the situation, in the election year of 1864 Lincoln called on Indiana for help. On Sept. 19, 1864, Lincoln wrote Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman a letter which is in the Foun- dation's archives, that:

"The state election of Indiana oc- curs on the 11th of October and the loss of it, to the friends of the gov- ernment, would go far toward losing the whole Union cause. The bad ef-

fect upon the November election, and especially the giving the state gov- ernment to those who will oppose the war in every .possible way, are too much to risk, if it can possibly be avoided. Indiana is the only important state, voting in October, whose soldiers cannot vote in the field. Anything you can safely do to let her soldiers, or any part of them, go home and vote at the state election will be greatly in point."

While Indiana had within its boundaries a strong Copperhead move- ment, it never let the President down at the polls at election time.

Indiana poured troops into Union armies, furnished three members of Lincoln's Cabinet (not all at the same time), provided generals to lead Union armies, sent strong leaders to Congress and backed up Lincoln's philosophy of Union and democratic government "that we shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth." Lincoln, Indiana and the Union prevailed, although it has been said that the Civil War was the most tragic breakdown of democratic processes in history.

The Lincoln National Life Founda- tion files abound with Lincoln's refer- ences to Indiana men. On Dec. 4, 1862, Lincoln wrote, on a petition signed by 10 Indiana politicians recommending the appointment of John T. Morrison of Indiana for the position of quarter- master with the rank of captain that the "recommendation being by nearly all of the Indiana delegation, I wish the appointment made if can consist- ently be done." Another endorsement is found in a letter written by John S. Tarkington, father of the celebrated novelist, Booth Tarkington. John Tark- ington wanted his uncle transferred to the regular Army with the rank of

captain. -Lincoln's recommendation dated May 13, 1862, "Respectfully sub- mitted (the letter) to the Secretary of War."

THE TEAR 1865 witnessed the colossal tragedy of our history— the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Springfield, HI., was decided upon by the Lincoln family as the city where the President's remains were to be entombed. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, immediately began working on a schedule and itinerary for the numerous railroads that would be re- quired to convey the body back to the Illinois capital. Many people were of the opinion that the funeral cortege would follow the route of 1861 when President-elect Lincoln journeyed from Springfield to Washington. Wild ru- mors, completely unfounded, had the funeral train visiting practically every village and town in the Midwest. Even Federal and state officials were often confused by conflicting orders and misleading information.

The citizens of Fort Wayne were even surprised to read a Gazette Extra handbill dated Thursday, April 20. 1865, announcing that "President Lincoln's remains were to stop at Fort Wayne as the funeral train would pro- ceed to Springfield by way of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad." This rumor proved false. Even though Lincoln had been hanged in effigy on Oct. 2, 1860, within Fort Wayne's city limits, the residents were now eager to mourn the passing of the martyred President.

Stanton altered Lincoln's funeral itinerary by omitting Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and by detouring by way of Chicago, instead of going direct to Springfield from Indianapolis. Lin- coln's remains reached Indianapolis (Continued on Page 40)

w m

This rare photograph is a scene at the Indiana Statehouse on April 30 1865 when President Lincoln's body lay in state, en route to burial at Springfield!

Sunday— The Indianapolis Star Magazine

An eight-horse team (only six show in photo) drew Tiearse carrying Lincoln's body from the train to the Indiana Statehouse and back again to the train.

SCPTEMBCR 9, J962

INDIANA AND THE CIVIL WAR

Continued from Pago 38)

__ -*SP\CoPYR\C«T...rE s

The Lincoln funeral car. It was built at the government railway shops, Alexandria, Va and when it was designed, it was intended to be used as the President's private coach.'

Siraday-rke Indianapoli, Sto, Magailm

D charge D BBC 25c service chcrae In Morion Co.)

from Columbus, O., by way of the Co- lumbus & Indianapolis Central Rail- way which is now a part of the Penn- sylvania road. The first Indiana city to be reached en route to Indianapolis was Richmond. All day Sunday, April 30, the body was in Indianapolis on public view in the Indiana State- house. About midnight the coffin was closed for the next journey by way of a "Special" train en route to Chicago. The "Special" en route to Chicago was made up at Indianapolis and con- sisted of five cars of the Michigan Railway Company, and two cars that had come through over the entire route. All the cars were appropriately and lavishly draped. Of the two cars named, one was the superb railway "carriage" built at the government railway shops in Alexandria, Va.. and intended as the President's coach. It was in this car that the President's remains were placed. Throughout the entire trip the funeral train was pre- ceded by a pilot engine. At every vil- lage and town along the Indiana route the grieving people gathered to watch the train go by. In many in- stances houses and depots were draped in black, salvos of artillery were fired, circulars of a memorial nature were distributed, choirs chanted, torches were lighted, evergreen arches were constructed, logs were burned, flags were draped and mourning badges were worn to exrpress the grief of the country and townspeople who knew in advance that in most cases the train would not stop at their station.

The Indiana cities, towns and vil- lages along the funeral route were: Richmond. Centerville. Cambridge City, Dublin, Lewisville. Coffin's Sta- tion, Ogdens, Raysville, Knightstown. Charlottsville, Greenfield, Cumberland, Indianapolis. Zionsville, Wbitestown, Lebanon. Thorntown, Clark's Hill, Stockwell, Lafayette, Battleground, Reynolds, Franc isville. Medaryville, Lucerne, San Pierre, La Crosse, Michi- gan City, Lake, and Gibbons.

To quote Bishop Matthew Simp- son, "Never was there in the history

of man such mourning as that which accompanied the funeral procession of Abraham Lincoln."

Indiana not only visibly displayed her grief at Lincoln's funeral but she went on record as viewing the death of Lincoln as a great national calam- ity. The Supreme Court of the State of Indiana on the morning of June 20, 1865. adopted a preamble and resolu- tions that were to be spread upon the records of the court. The first resolu- tion follows:

"That the death of Abraham Lin- coln, President of the United States, is a great national calamity, which nearly and profoundly touches the whole people; that his patient labor and ability, his gentleness and mercy, his unsectional patriotism, and his catholic humanity, are qualities which the country could at any time ill af- ford to lose; and which, in times like the present it will be difficult to re- place."

These resolutions along with the remarks of Justice J. Frazer are to be found in Volume 24 of the Indiana Re- ports for 1866. This is perhaps tiie only time in Indiana's history that an Indiana court has memorialized the passing of a president of the United States.

Ihe JUDGES of the Indiana Su- preme Court on June 20, 1865, re- ferred to the trying "times like the present." Perhaps, like the people of Lincoln's generation, this generation, too, faces trying "times like the pres- ent" but we hear the voice of Lincoln ringing down to us today. What Lin- coln said in a message to Congress on Dec. 1, 1862, is our challenge in this testing time:

r,We cannot escape history. We . . . will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or an- other of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest gen- eration. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best, hope of earth." *****

SEPTEMBER 9, 196'a

The Indianapolis News

LOWELL mJSSBAUM

The Things I Hear!

A GRAPHIC description of the scene as the body of Abraham Lincoln lay in state in the Indiana Statehouse en route to Spring- field for burial, is contained in a letter pos- sessed by Mrs. Waid Gill- ^., man, 4925 East 65th.

The letter was written to her father, Seth Smith Griffith, then a 20-year-old student at Earlham College. Young Griffith, a Quaker, tells how he rode to Indi- anapolis a few days earlier on a jam-packed 17-car special train. Depots along the way were draped in mourning.

It was raining and the marched through deep mud to

pilgrimage the State-

the remains of the Great Liberator and we now turned our faces homeward."

house and fell in line four abreast.

THE LETTER continues: "Columns in the building were draped in evergreens and black and white bands. Around the coffin stood the guard of honor. Overhead hung a canopy in pagoda form. On the walls were hung portraits of distinguished Americans.

"With slow and steady tread we passed through the long line of soldiers and soon were in the presence of the dead. The fea- tures were contracted very much, yet there was no expression of pain, almost a smile lingering upon the lips seemed to belie the story of his violent death.

"We could not linger to gaze upon that countenance for the steady advance of the crowd behind obliged us to pass on. All day long that column had been moving, for a nation mourned and each citizen felt as if a near and dear friend had been stricken down.

"The silence was broken only by the steady tread of the advancing crowd and the whispered orders of the officers. Our purpose was accomplished. We had seen