The Helena independent., 1893-12-21

the historic houses Of the capital. The first
house to which the association gave atten-
tion was this one about which clings so
many tragic memories. Shortly the society
made arrangements with Mr. Oldroyd OF
Springfield, Ills, for transfer to this house
from the Lincoln homestead at the Illinois
capital of the collection of Lincoln souve-
Mrs which Mr.. Oldroyd had been years in
gathering. At first the members of the So
ciety were somewhat dubious about the
propriety Of converting the old home into
a museum, but when they saw the marvel
GUS collection and noted the reverent hand
with which the work had been done they
were enthusiastic over their good fortune
and confident, as we'll they might have
been, that they had added to the national
capital one of it's strongest attractions to
those citizens who love their country and
its great men of the past.
A Worthy Memorial.
In 1860 Mr.. Oldroyd was news agent at
Mount Vernon, Q. Though only lad, he
became an enthusiastic admirer of Old Abe.
He was captain of a company of wide
awakes, and now shows in his great col!ec-
tion the little faded badge which he wore
on that occasion and which formed the nu-
cleus around which all this array of Lincoln
years he continued his work of collecting
relics of Lincoln, and the treasure grew
with amazing rapidity in hands so enthusi-
astic and skillful.s Ten years ago Mr.. Old
royd made arrangements for occupying the
Lincoln homestead at Springfield and In
stalled there his collection, adding to it
many valuable relics owned by the state Of
Illinois. His aim was to convert the home
stead into a mecca such as the Mount Yer
non mansion is at the former home of
Washington
Robert Lincoln co-operated by presenting
the house to the state of Illinois, but polit-
ical or other consideration interviewed to
prevent the Illinois legislature making a
suitable arrangement with Mr. Oldroyd for
preservation of his relics and that gentle
man decided to come here with his priceless
collection. Now congress is to he asked to
purchase the collection and the house in
which Lincoln died, and to preserve both
as a memorial of that great national char
acter The sum Of money required is a
small one, and Chief Justice Fuller, lii
brarian lSpotfcsd and others whoare inter
estea believe the appropriation will be made
by the present congress.
A prominent man who spent several
hours in this old house few days ago
made the remark that future generations
of Americans would know more of the
character and career OF Lincoln than the
present, and that this collection, with such
additions as it might receive from time to
time, would be among the most valuable
educators as to the life of that great man.
There is so much here Of interest that one
scarcely knows where first to look, and
after houk have been passed in an inspec-
<,f I hat to- J.
great reluctance that one tears himself
away.
The Death Scene.
Most interesting of all perhaps is the
room in which Mr.. Lincoln died. The fur
niture of the room at that time. the bed
upon which Mr.. Lincoln died aud other ap-
pointments are not here belonging to an
other collection, but in the spot which the
bed occupied now stands the chair in which
Mr.. Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.
The red damask upholstering bears to this
day the stains of his blood. A piece was
cut from the upholstering years ago and
submitted to chemical tests for learning
whether or not the stains were those Of hui
man blood, and there Is certificate of the
chemist of the Smithsonian institution to
that effect. This chair was in the private
box of Ford's theater, across the street, and
was used by Mr.. llncoln on the night of
the assassination.
In this room, which is long, low, dingy
apartment, with only one window and a
slanting ceiling, hing a great collection OF
pictures Of the deathbed scene. This col
lection is interesting not only AS chronicle
OF events, but as instancinR the fact that
even 30 years ago artists were given to tax
ing broad license, as they are at the present
day. or all the pictures Of the death scene,
or alleged pictures, only one, it is said, was
made after sketches taken on the spot. This
one, made by the special artist of u New
York illustrated journal, was drawn from
sketches made IN the room but one day
after the removal of Mr.. Lincoln's remains
and while the furniture and pictures re-
inained intact. 1t hangs upon the wall
where the head Of the bed was. The Others
are wholly or partly fanciful. But Il few of
them show room at all resembling the
poor apartment in which the emancipator
hreathed his last, and the most Of then,
represent sumptuous apartment, with
rich furniture and hangings, the artists