The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-11-04
WHERE LINCOLN DIED.
The Historic House in Washington Is Open
to the Public.

to the Public.
AS the result OF the patriotic Efforts of |
the Memorial Ass ociation of the DIstrlcS
of Columbia, an organization which has
already accomplished great deal in
designating with some permanent mark
many of the places of historic interest
in Washington the house where Lincoln
breathed his last has been opened to
the public. The formal opening took
place On Tuesday evening of last
week, in the presence OF q distinguished
company. Brief addresses were made by
several prominent men of Illinois, among
them theVice President, Senator Cullom,
Senator Palmer, and Representative
Springer.
AS is we'll known, the plain three
story house on 105h street across tbs way
from the old Ford's Theater building
has been used as a private residence
ever since the tragedy, nearly thirty
years ago. It has, however, undergone
no changes, and the long, narrow room
in the first story in the back building
where the great President died, is still
the same as it was nearly thirty years
| ago. The association has leased the
building, aud it now contains remark
able collection of relics and memorials of
Lincoln.
This collection was brought together
by the zeal and energy of Capt. o. II.
| Oldroyd. who began as far back as the
year 1860 to collect everything that
pertained to the name ard iam9 Of
Lincoln. Up to last spring this collect
ion was in the house in Springfield, III
which was the home of Lincoln when h e
was elected President. The property,
upon the death OF Mrs Lincoln, came
into the possession of Robert T. Lincoln
who, some years agb, gave it to the
state of Illinois. Mr.. Odroyd was made
custodian, and kept his collection in the
house, where for number of years past
it has been one of the points of interest
to visitors 10 the city OF Springfield.
Last spring, however, another Gus
todlan was appointed, who, it is said,
was in political keeping with Governor
Atgeld, and SO Mr.. O!droyd removed tie
collection, which was his personal prop
perty.
l. is hoped that the collection has now
found a permanent home. All told
there are about $500 articles i'll this
collection, comprising everything con
nected with tho life of Lincoln from his
earliest days down to his death There
are busts, pictures and medals almost in
bewldering variety. The pictures
taken from newspapers and photographs
and sketches give vivid representation
of many Of tie stirring scenes in the life
of the martyred President. There are
pictures of his early home, showing his
humble origin. There is rail which is
vouched for as having been cut by Lincoln
himself. The collection Oh the badges
and medals used III the political cam
paigns is something Interesting. The
furniture in the rooms was used by
Lincoln and includes bis office chairs
and the kitchen stove.
Mr.. L;ncoln's place in the cuTrer
literature of the country is shown by tt e
library of thousand volumes which
contain accounts of Lincoln and refer
ences to him in one capacity or apott er
Then there is a bookcase containing
eighty-six distinct biographies OF Lincoln
from the earliest down to the elaborate
volumes of the NcoIay. Hay history.
A rare collection is some $50 pamphlets
containing sermons delivered by minis
the death of Mr.. Lincoln. There is
hardly a phase in the entire career Of
Mr.. Lincoln that Is not illustrated i'll this
collection. As au illustration of the
impress which this man made upon his
times the collection is wonderful sac
cess.
Not the least interesting of the collect
ion is lot of manuscripts from distln-
guished aud well-known Il. OF the
! country, each giving the writer's views
of Lincoln from his standpoint. There are
over 200 Of these. They were all writ
ten at the personal request Of Oidroyd.
The list includes such men as Grant,
Sherman, Sheridan aud Hayes. Oae
paper is from Dennis Hanks and another
from tie Rev. Dir. Bagrows ca the reii-
| gious side of Lincoln's life. A photo
| graph Of the writer accompanies each
paper.