The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-28
Death Of William Lincoln, tho Son of
the President.

From Mr.. Willis's last letter to the
Home Journal we extract the following
feeling and delicate reference to
PIE FUNERAL OF WILLIE LINCOLN.
This little fellow had his acquaintance
among his fathers friends, and CHANGED to
be one of them. He never failed to seek
me out in the crowd, shake hands and make
some pleasant remark; aud this, in a boy of
but ten years Of age, was, to say the least,
endeariDg to stranger. But he had more
than mere affectionateness. His self pos
sessiOn-aplomb, as the French call twas
extraordinary. Was one day passing the
White House, when he was outside with
playfellOw CD the sidewalk. MIR. Seward
drove in with Prince Napoleon and two of
his suite in the carriage; and in mock he
roic way,--terms OF amusing intimacy evil
IDENTIFY existing between the boy and the
Secretary--the official gentleman took of
his hat and the Napoleon party did the
same, all making the young Prince Presi-
dent ceremonious salute. Not bit stag
gered with the homage, Willie drew him
self up to his full height, took of his little
cap with graceful selfpossess:on, and
bowed down formally to the ground, like
little ambassador. They drove past and be
went on unconcernedly with bis play; the
impromptu readiness and good judgment
being clearly part OF his nature. His ge-
NAL and open expression of countenance was
none the less ingenious and fearless for a
certain tincture of fun; and it. was in this
mingling of qualities that be so faithfully
resembled his father.
With all the splendor that was around
this little fellow in his new bone, he was so
bravely and beautifully himself-and that
only! A wild.fower transpIanted from the
prairie to hot house, be retained his
prairie habits, unalterably pure and simple,
till he died. His leading trait seemed to
be fearless and kindly frankness, willing
that everything should be as different as it
pleased, but resting unmoved in his own
conscious single heartedness. l found l
was studying him, irresistibly, as one of
those sweet problems of childhood that the
world is blest with, in rare places and the
news of his death II was absent from Wash
ingtpn, on visit to my own children, at
the time) came to me like kne heard un-
expectedly at a merry. making.
On the day OF the funeral, | went, before
the hour to take near farewell look at the
dear boy for they had embalmed him to
send home to the West-to sleep under the
sods of his own valley and the coffiu lid
was to be closed before the service. The
family bad just taken their leave of him, and
the servants and nurses were seeing him tor
the last time and, with tears and sobs
wholly unrestrained, for he was loved like
an idol by every one of them. He lay with
eyelids closed-his brown hair parted as
we had known it--pale in the slumber OF
death; but otherwise unchanged, for he was
dressed as for the evening, and held, 10 one
OF the hands crossed On his breast, bunch
of exquisite howers--a message coming
from his mother, while we were looking upon
him, praying that those flowers might be
preserved for her. She was lying sick in
her bed worn out with grief and overwatch.
ing.
The funeral was very touching. Of the
entertainments in the splendid East-room,
the boy bad been-tOr those now assembled,
more especlaly-a most life giving varia.
ton. With his bright face, and his apt
greetings and replies, he was remembered in
every part OF tn crimson curtaiued hall,
built only for pleasare-Of all the crowds,
each night, certainly the one least likely to
be Deaths first mark. He was bis fathers
favorite. They were intimates-oftenest
seen hand in hand. And there sat the man,
with burthen on his brain at which the
world marvels-bent now with the load at
both heart and brain-staggering under
blow like the taking from him of this child
His men of power sat around him-Mc.
Cellan with moist eye when be bowed to
the prayer, as ] could see from where 1
stood, and Chase and Seward with their
austere features at work, and Senators and
Ambassadors and soldiers, all struggling
with their tears-great hearts sorrowing
with the President as stricken man and
brother. That God may give him strength
for all his burthens, is, I am sure, at pres.
ent the prayer of nation.