Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-09

the historic houses OF the capital. The hrst
house to which the association gave atten-
ton was this one about which clings so
many tragic memories. Shortly the society
made arrangements with Mr.. Oldroyd of
Springfield, His, 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
u 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 well they might have
been, that they had added to the national
capital one Of its strongest. attractions to
those citizens who love their country and
its great men of the past,
A Worthy Memorial.
In 1860 Mr. Oldroyd was q news agent at
Mount Vernon, Q. Though only II lad. he
became an enthusiastic admircr Of Old Abe.
He was captain of Il company of wide
awakes. and now shows in his great collec-
ton the little faded badge which he wore
on that occasion and which formed the nu-
cleus around which all this array of Lincoln
souvenirs has been gathered. For many
years he continued his work o: collecting
relies Of Lincoln. and the treasure grew
with amazing rapidity in hantis so enthusi-
ast ic and skliful 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 mecca such as the Mount Yer
non mansion is ut the former home of
Washington.
Robert Lincoln co-operated by presenting
the house TO the state of Illinois, but polt-
ical or other consid eration interviewed to
prevent The Illinois legislature making n
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 be 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
small one, and Chief Justice Fuller. Ii
brarian Spofford and others who are inter-
ested 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 hours have been passed in an lnspec-
ton of this souvenir or that 1t IS only with
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-
allure of the room at that time. the bed
upon which Mr.. Lincoln died and other APP
pointments are not here, belonging to an
other collection, but in the spot which the
bed occupied now stands the chair IN when
Mr.. Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.
The red damask upholstering bears 10 inns
dav the stains of his blood. A piece was
cut from the upholstering years ago ana
submitted to chemical tests Tor learning
whether or not the stains were those OF nu-
man blood, and there is certincate Oh 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. Lincoln on the night OF
the assassination.
In tbis room, which is a long, low, dingy
apartment, with only one window ana
sianting ceiling. hang great collection OF
n;ctnres OF the deathbed scene. This col
lection is interesting not only as chronicle
Of events. but as instancing the TACT tnat
even 90 wears ago artists were given to tax
mo broad license. as they are at the present
aay OF all the pictures of the death scene.
or alleged pictures. only one, it is said, was
made after sketches taken on the spot. ms
me made by the special artist OF New
York illustrated journal, was drawn from
slstcbes made in the room but one day
sstsr he removal of Mr. Lincoln's remains
and while the furniture and pictures re,
nsined intact. 1t hangs upon the wall
, where the head of ths bed was. The others
srs wholly or partly fanciful. But few o.
,hsm show room at all resembling .ne
, ncor anartment il which the emancipa1or
p.sathed his last, and the most OF .n men
..r,rssrnt . sumptuous apartment, MN Naa
.;ah furniture and hangings, the artists
..;,c evidently assumed that " was 1M-