The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-04-22

49,
The news of the terrible crime at Wash.
ingoon, by which the nation was bersA of its
Ehoacred and beloved chief magistrate, reach
4 ed Ottawa about 8 o'clock last Saturday
morning. The news was 30 stunning, that
for some time people refused to give it Gro
kdence. Soon however, there was coL6rma.
ton so strong that it was impossible longer
to doubt, and then, as if BY common impulse,
the merchants and business men began to close
their stores, Offices, &c, and mechanics their
shops. BY 10 O'Clock the city looked As
ksombre as on gloomy sabbath. Grape was
kgennerally exhibited on..the doors, flags were
suspended at half mast, all countenances
looked grave and fallen, and even the air
seemed laden with the sombrc, oppressive
feeling that immedisbly PROCEEDS or accom-
i panies some great and terrible calamity.
At the request Of the Mayor, meeting of
the citizens was called at tho Court House
at ii o'clock, to take measures looking to.
ward a general public expression Of the sor'
row Of our people. The meeting was largely
.attended, but beyond few short addresses
Emo action was taken except to commit the
ymatter to the hanfs Of q committee, with in
astructions to await the arrangements that
might be directed from Springfield or Wash.
Eington, and to act in accordance with them.
On Sunday, all the churches were draped
Elm mourning, and if no. the entire theme OF
THE discourse, in all cases the great crime OF
Sthe age was alluded to by the p stors in their
Ediscou rses, and fifty execrated.
On Sunday evening union meeting of all
the congregations was held ut Washington
HAL, the sole subject being still the theme
that lay hea7est upon all hearts. The mum.
fbers that went to the Hall, however, was so
great that half were unable to gain admis.
&sion to accommodate them Union Hall was
also opened. Appropriate religious exercises
and fitting addresses were dilivered at both
places by most Of our clergymen as we'll as
Others.
! Monday the proclamation of the Gov
8ernor was received, announcing Wednesday
as the day fixed for observance throughout
the nation, as day of mourning and sorrow
in view of the loss, by the hands of an assss.
sin, of or late President, and our city an,h.
critics directed their movements with refer.
renee to its due observance here.
The day "Wednesday opened appropriate
lily by the tolling of bells. Of course all
business places, offices, shops, Sc, were
closed. The Supreme Court in session here
i had adjourned over to Thursday. Services
were held in the Episcopal Roman Catholic,
! Plymouth in Union with the Baptist and at
the lst Congregational, lin union with the
Me,hodis) churches. At the last named
Church, after appropriate religious e1-
Eercise.. conducted by Rev. NJ. h. Whi,tlesey,
"a Eulogium on the deassd PreSden, was de-
livered BY Judge Lawrence of the Suprme
Bench. The house was filled to the utmost.
scapacity, and as proof that the address was
heard with profound interest, it may be
! mentioned tina. the audience unanimously
requested a copy for publication. This
4 church, like the others where services were
! held. was beautifully draped. the national
: emblems being con,picous.
As no event in our national history ever
before called for such profound public sorrow
so or no former occasion was its outward
manifestation in this community marked by
! such unmistable tokens Of its depth ard
Esinc.r!ty.