Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-09-04
LINCOLN'S OLD FUNERAL CAR.
The Present Dingy Appearance of the Car
that Originally Cost $1,000.

The Present Dingy Appearance of the Car
that Originally Cost $4,000.
Denver Tribune.
There is on the Marysville and Blue
Valley branch of the Union Pacific road
an old dilapidated car. Its exterior is
in sad need of the painters brush. Its
interior is rough and dirty. 1t is fitted
up with rough hunks, and is used to
transport section hands from point to
point. A close inspection, however, of
its present condition will reveal features
which would puzzle one who had seen it
years ago. Here and there will be dis
covered trace of gliding. The wood
work. if you scratch off the dirt and SCOT,
will be found to be solid mahogany and
black walnut.
In short, it is relic of faded gentili-
ty. Although it now stakes in lodgers,' -
like the traditional landlady, it has
''seen better days." This poor old shabby
genteel common carrier was once consid-
cred the finest Car ever built in the
United States. Mechanics from all parts
of the country, who were masterwork-
men, were secured to work in its con-
struction. It once shown respondent in
red velvet and gliding. 1t is, in short,
the famous car abraham Lincoln p
The car was built in Alexandria, Va,
in 1864. 1t was intended for directors
car, to run on the military railroads;
that is, the roads which ran into the
section Of the country where the heavy
fighting was going OF. These roads had
either been seized from the secessionists
or appropriated by the federals, as the
case might be, and this car was used by
the directors of the roads and by the mil
itsry officials.
It was at that time considered par ex-
cellenoe. It wore all the trappings be-
longing to wealth and rank. 1t shone
Respondent in scarlet and gol6. Soft
Turkey carpets covered its floor, velvet
touches and chairs adorned it's central
reception room. At one end were state
rooms for sleeping purposes. At the
other was dining-room and kitchen
over which presided chief of supreme
attainments in his profession.
Statesmen famous over the civilized
world reclined on it's upholstered touches
and dined at it's tables. The original
cost Of this car was something over $780,
600. When Lincoln was assassinated, to
this Cal, his namesake, was entailed the
duty of conveying his remains to Spring
field.
From the performance of this duty
the car attained q national reputation,
and spectators began at oncs to make
bids for it, with view to putting it on
exhibition in dime museums. To prevent
this the car was bought up by Mr.. Lin
coins old law partner, Mr.. Ward 81. La
mon, now a resident OF Denver. He
purchased it at government sale at
Alexandria in 1865. Shortly after, Mr..
Lamon bad bought it Secretary Stanton
wrote him letter begging that the car
be kept out of the hands of exhibitors.
This Mr.. Lamon assured him was his in
tention.
In 1866 the car was sold by Mr.. La
mon to Mr.. Henry s. McComb of Della
ware, one of the directors of the Union
Pacific, for that road.
It was then used to bring out from
New York Mr.. T. G. Durant and a party
who made trip to what was then the
western terminus of the road.
At that time the different tribes of In
dams along the line were throwing OBJ
structions in the way of the further pro-
gress of the road and in this car the
officials met representatives OF the vari-
GUS tribes to discuss the matter. On
the return of the car to Omaha it was
held there and was used as an officers
car up to 1869. It was then, on orders
from Sidney Dillon, changed to an emil
grant car and remained in that service
up to 1874.
It was then sold to the Colorado Gen.
trail for $4,000 and marked Colorado
Central, No. f." It was used by the
road as q chief engineers car.
In 1879 Mr.. Lsmon was making q
trip to Georgetown over the Colorado