Full Title

Alice Strickler Keyes diary entry

Description

Alice Strickler Keyes eyewitness account of the day that Lincoln’s funeral train stopped in Columbus, Ohio, on its way to Springfield, Illinois, where the remains of the president and those of his son Willie would be buried. This account is an excerpt from the Alice Strickler Keyes diary passage in the Altrurian Club of Columbus, Ohio President's Book.

Transcription

[Page 1]
25
These grounds, at the head of State street, it was so far from the town and in such a swampy and unimproved district, that it too was dubbed “Swayne’s Folly.” Noah Swayne became most widely known as Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

His home at the head of State street was later occupied by J. Ewing Miller. Its site is now that of the Carnegie Library.

Before the “Insane Asylum” burned, the terminus of all our walks eastward, was the great flat boulder, that still lies on the sidewalk in the east Broad street, east of Jefferson Avenue.

A little farther east the Asylum Grounds ended, and not far beyond, lay “Riley’s Woods,” and the open country.

In April, 1865, Columbus with the rest of The Nation was celebrating the “Fall of Fort Sumpter,” the surrender of General Lee, and the End of the “Civil War.” There was great rejoicing.

April 14th was appointed by Governor Brough as a day of thanksgiving. On that day there were services in the churches in the morning;—in the afternoon

[Page 2]
26
and evening everything was done that is possible on such occasions to express the joy of the citizens. The town was lavishly decorated.

The next morning, April 15th all this joy was turned to sorrow when the news of President Lincoln’s assassination reached the city. The emblems of Victory gave place to those of mourning for the fallen Chief.

It was learned a few days later, that the funeral train on its way to Springfield, Illinois, would stop in Columbus, and that the body of the President would lie in state for one day, in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

At school we were told that the city Fire Department would be in the procession to meet the train at the station, and that a number of young girls, dressed in deep mourning were wanted—one to stand beside each driver on the fire engines, and many others to ride on the large “Hook and Ladder” wagon, reconstructed for the occasion.

[Page 3]
27
This plan was carried out. Forty-two school girls of varying ages, of whom I was one, rode on this car, massed around one of our teachers (Miss Sarah Smith) who was heavily draped in black and represented “Columbia.”

After the coffin of President Lincoln was placed on the splendid funeral car, the procession started back on its route through the streets of the city.

At intervals the black robed girls on the float, led by their teacher, sang verses from dirge-like hymns.

When the procession stopped at the gate of the Capitol, these girls left their float and were led into the building, and past the coffin of the President. It is said over fifty thousand people viewed “the remains” that day.

The catalogue used to carry the body of President Lincoln had a canopy shaped like a pagoda. It was large, covered with black cloth, festooned, and trimmed with silver fringe. It was drawn by six white horses with large black plumes on their heads. The horses had a covering of black cloth edged with silver fringe, and each horse was led by a groom dressed in black.

[Page 4]
28
The silver fringe used to trim the funeral car of President Lincoln in Columbus, was afterward turned over to women of one of the church societies, to make into souvenirs to be sold, and I was able to secure a piece of it.

The historian of the “Altrurian Club” (Mrs. Cope) has asked for a small portion of the fringe to be attached to this record of my recollections, and I am happy to give this tiny, precious relic to “Altrurian Club,” of which I am a charter member, and through all the years of its existence, without a break, a constant and loyal member.
Alice S. Keyes
(Mrs. Elias A. Keyes.)
[piece of silver fringe attached]


[Transcription by McCaela Michas]

Source

Ohio History Connection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Collection . Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

Tags

Cite this Item

Keyes, Alice Strickler. "Alice Strickler Keyes diary entry". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/282

Creator

Keyes, Alice Strickler

Date

1907

Full Title

Letter of E. Rothesay Miller, "The Monastery," Princeton, to Free [Theodore Freeley Gale], May 4, 1865

Description

Regarding his education at Princeton and Abraham Lincoln's body passing through Philadelphia after the assassination. States, ". . . .I was at home for about a week's vacation at the time that our President's body was taken through Philadelphia. I went down Friday afternoon: there was to have been a grand illumination — procession on Monday. The first thing that I heard Saturday Morning before I was dressed was that Lincoln had been murdered. It could hardly be believed. I expected to go see the body Sunday afternoon but my brother — Mr. Hall. . . .started right after breakfast — after three hours hard work got as far as 6th — Chestnut (It was in the State House on Chestnut below 5th.) They were on the corner for an hour — then concluded that they might as well give up. The crowd was so dense that the crystal of my brother's watch was broken (a heavy hunting case). He said every once in a while some woman would faint — she would be passed out over the heads of the crowd. . . ."

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Miller, Edward Rothesay. "Letter of E. Rothesay Miller, "The Monastery," Princeton, to Free [Theodore Freeley Gale], May 4, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/311

Creator

Miller, Edward Rothesay

Date

May 4, 1865

Full Title

Partial letter of Nellie Blow, New York, to Dearest Mother [Minerva Blow], April 21, 1865

Description

Regarding the prevailing gloom and sadness in the city due to the death of President Lincoln. States that Miss Haines took her out riding on the day of the funeral train. End of letter missing.

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

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Cite this Item

Blow, Nellie. "Partial letter of Nellie Blow, New York, to Dearest Mother [Minerva Blow], April 21, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/308

Creator

Blow, Nellie

Date

April 21, 1865

Full Title

Contemporary copy of telegram of J. B. Montgomery, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., to Joseph Smith, Rear Admiral, Chief of Bureau Yards, Navy Department, April 15, 1865

Description

Inquires if the yard bell should be rung on Monday morning [for Abraham Lincoln's funeral service].

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

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Cite this Item

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-. "Contemporary copy of telegram of J. B. Montgomery, Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., to Joseph Smith, Rear Admiral, Chief of Bureau Yards, Navy Department, April 15, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/325

Creator

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

Senator Alexander Ramsey's Diary Entries, April 1865

Description

Senator Ramsey of Minnesota was in Washington D.C. when President Lincoln was assassinated. These are his diary entries from when it happened, including details as he heard them; being part of President Johnson inauguration; and his participation in the congressional escort on Lincoln's funeral train.

Transcription

April 14, 1865

At 10 ½ pm at Fords Theater the Presd. of U.S. was shot by J. Wilkes Booth of which he died. Booth escaped.

Mr. Secretary Seward and his son Frederick and the male servant of the Secretary were attacked (?) at the same time by an accomplice of B. with a knife – and is lingering with little hope of their recovery.

The President died at 7 ½ a.m.

Was present with Hon. Senators Foote of Vt. Gates of Ill. And Steward of Nevada at the inauguration of V. Pres. Johnson as Presd. about 10 in all witnessed the administration of the oath at 11 am by Chf. Justice Chase.

Cigar .30

Newspapers 5 & 16 .21

Boot(?) knife

Paid for use of above senators and myself for carriage 5.00

April 21, 1865

Left Washington as one of a congressional escort in conveying the body of Abm. Lincoln late Presid. of U.S. from Washington to Springfield. Left at 8 a.m. reached Baltimore at 10 and left at 5 PM and reached Harrisburg at 8 pm

(?) Trunk .50

at Baltimore .30

Source

Alexander Ramsey and Family Papers, Minnesota Historical Society

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as Alexander Ramsey and Family Papers, Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

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Alexander Ramsey. "Senator Alexander Ramsey's Diary Entries, April 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/292

Creator

Alexander Ramsey

Date

April 14, 1865

Full Title

General Orders, No. 69, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, April 17, 1865

Description

Gives notice of the closing of the War Department on the day of the funeral of the late President and the suspension of labor at all military posts and all public works under the direction of the War Department, and orders flags to be flown at half-staff.

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Nichols, W. A.. "General Orders, No. 69, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, April 17, 1865". United States. War Department. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/324

Creator

Nichols, W. A.

Publisher

United States. War Department

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

Account of Lincoln's Funeral in Washington, D.C.[Detail]

Description

Detail from Thursday April 20, 1865 Evening Star, describing the Lincoln funeral procession in Washington, D.C. Local establishments whose Pennsylvania Avenue storefronts are described in this detail of local reactions to the assassination include Philp & Solomons; Hudson Taylor; L.F. Clark's; and Sweetser & Co.

Source

Historical Society of Washington, D.C.

Rights

This item is in the public domain. Publication or use of the item must be accompanied with credit Courtesy the Kiplinger Washington Collection, Historical Society of Washington, D.C.

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Cite this Item

Evening star (Washington, D.C.). "Account of Lincoln's Funeral in Washington, D.C.[Detail]". Evening star (Washington, D.C.). Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/299

Creator

Evening star (Washington, D.C.)

Publisher

Evening star (Washington, D.C.)

Date

April 20, 1865

Full Title

Letter of A. M. Black, Springfield, to Sister [Jane Black], May 21, 1865

Description

Describes a wreath he obtained from Abraham Lincoln's funeral for her. States, ". . . .I have got the Lincoln Wreath for you. Josephine got it from her mother Mrs. Edwards. It was made and placed on the Coffin in Chicago by Miss Arnold of that place she is a daughter of Congressman Arnold. . . .Strangers are making great efforts to get relics. . . .Josephine is to have enough of Mr. Lincoln's hair to fill a small locket. . . ."

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Black, Alexander M.. "Letter of A. M. Black, Springfield, to Sister [Jane Black], May 21, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/312

Creator

Black, Alexander M.

Date

May 21, 1865

Full Title

Letter of Ellen Kean, New York, to Sol Smith, May 4, 1865

Description

Describes the funeral of Abraham Lincoln in detail.

Source

Missouri History Museum

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

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Cite this Item

Kean, Ellen, 1805-1880. "Letter of Ellen Kean, New York, to Sol Smith, May 4, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/315

Creator

Kean, Ellen, 1805-1880

Date

May 4, 1865

Full Title

Catafalque in Ohio Statehouse Rotunda

Description

Carte de visite of the catafalque (raised platform) on which Abraham Lincoln's casket was placed in the rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, on April 29, 1865. There is a 2-cent tax stamp on the back of the card. On Saturday, April 29, 1865, Lincoln's funeral train arrived in Columbus at 7:30 A.M. Lincoln's casket was taken to the Ohio Statehouse where he laid in state in the rotunda. The Statehouse was draped in black crepe for the occasion. Thousands of visitors came throughout the day to honor the fallen President.

Source

Ohio History Connection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Collection . Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page

Tags

Cite this Item

Witt, M. . "Catafalque in Ohio Statehouse Rotunda". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/271

Creator

Witt, M.

Date

April 29, 1865