Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-09-07
aincoGi,'. Funeral Gar.

IhSiS - vi tHe ~1EI SSFIlle u Dlue alley
branch Of the Union Pacific road an old
dilapidated car. its exterior is sadly in
need Of the painters brush It's interior is
rough and dirty. Il i; fitted up with rough
hunks and Is used 10 transport section hands
from point to point. 4 close inspection
however, OF its present condition will reveal
features which would puzzle one who had
seen it years ago. Here aud there will be
discovered trace of gliding. Tho wood
work, if you scratch OF the SCOT and Dirt,
will De found 10 be Of solid mahogany and
blac!; walnut.
In short, It is g relic OF faded sentility.
Although it now takes in dodgers, )" like the
traditional landlady, ii has seen better
days" This poor, old, shabby. genteel com =.
mon-carrier was once considered the finest
car ever built in the United States. Me-
cbanics from all parts Of the country, who
were master Workmen, were secured to
work in its construction. 1t once shone
resplendent in red velvet and gliding 1t il,
iii short, the famous car, abraham Lin
coln.'
This car was built ia Alexandria, Va, IN
iSpi' II Hao latCElcl ~. u NitEElGTS cGT,
to run on the military railroads that is the
roads which ran into the section Of the
country where the heavy lighting was going
on. These roads had either been seized
from the eces;ionista or appropriated by
the fedcraIs, as the case might be, and this
car was used by the directors Of the roads
and by the military officials.
1t was at tho time considered par excel
lpncn II Sti .?ar,pinrs hnlo,r;,,o,
10 wealth and rank. il shore resp!endant il
scarlet and gold Soft Turkey carpets COW
cred liz floor, velvet couches and chairs
adorned its central rccepiion-room. At one
end were state rooms for sleeping purposes.
At the other was dining room and kitchen,
over which presided chief Of supreme at.
tanmens in his profession.
statesmen, famous over the civilized
world recllned on its upholstered couches
and dined at its tables. The original cost of
this car was something over $50, 600 When
Lincoln was asSassi1ated TO this car, his
na!nesako, was entaIed the duty o.. convey.
ing his remains to Springfield.
FROM the performances OF This duty the
car attained 4 netioun! reputation, and
spectators st once began to make bids for
1t, with view to putting il on exhibition in
dime museums. 70 prevent This the car
was bought up by Mr. Lincoln's old law
partner. Mr.. Ward IL. Lamon, now resi-
dent oi Denver. he purchased it al a GOV.
ernmGnt sale, 81 Alexandria, in 1863. Short.
ly after Mr.. Lamon mad bought it, Secretary
stanton wrote MIN q letter begging that the
car be kept out Of the hands OF exhibitors.
Ih!S, Mr. Lamon assured ili;G, vas his iD-
teniion.
In 1866 the car was sold by Mr.. Lurnon 10
Mr.. Henry S. McGomb, Ct Delaware, one of
the directors Of the Eniou Pacific, ior that
road. It then was used 10 bring out from
New York Mr.. L. c. Durant and Il party
who made ii tip 10 what was then the west
ern terminus o! the road. At the time the
different tribes of indians along the line
were throwing Instructions il the wav of
the further progress Of the road, ami in this
car the officials !uet representatives of the
various tribes to discuss the matter. On
the return Of the car to Omaha it was held
there, and was used "a an officers car up TO
1863. 1t Was then, on orders from sydney
Dillon, changed to an emigrant car, and re-
malned IN that service up to 1874. 1t was
then sold to the Colorado Central for 50, ,0OO
and marked, Colorado Central. No. t." 1t
was used by the road as n chief engineers
car.
Tbs old car has been Knocked around
from place to place, at every move descend
ing lower and lower from lis exalted height,
until now, in lis battered old age, it trans.
fers the section hands from point to point
over the road.-Dcarcr Tribune. Republican.