The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02
LINCoLNs PRIVATE LETTER.

One of the most valuable things in the
whole collection is private letter written
by Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, to Hon. Michael Hahn, the
first free-state Governor of Louisiana. This
letter is not only valuable for the reason
that it was penned by Lincoln, but the ma
ture of the missive, especially that part
suggesting that the colored race be given
representation in the state convention that
was to have been held in Louisiana, clearly
indicated Lincoln's policy in regard to the
rights and privileges of the coored race.
Lincoln, when he penned those lines, thirty
three years ago, never thought that eyes
other than those of the Governor of Louisi-
ana would ever gaze upon them. To-day
the letter is exposed to public view in Mr.
Reilly'S restaurant, and accompanying this
description IS an exact reproduction of the
letter, just as Lincoln wrote it. Just how
Mr.. Reilly got possession of the letter is
state secret with himself. 1t is generally
understood that the letter, by some means,
found it's way to Washington, and Mr..
Reilly secured possession of it in that city.
The wording of the letter is as follows:
Private.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, D. c., March IL. 1864.
''Hon. Michael Hahn-My Dear Sir L
congratulate you on having fixed your
name in history as the first free-state Gov
ernor of Louisiana Now, you are about to
have a convention, which, among other
things, will probably define the elective
vate consideration, whether some of the
colored people may not be let mas, for in
stance, the very intelligent. and especially
ranks. They would probably help in some
trying time to come to keep the jewel of
liberty within the family of freedom. But
49, 49, y "A. LINCOLN"
The collection Of curios in Mr.. Relly's
place is varied that it would take
keen observer fully day to examine all
the relics contained there and at the
same time. get a thorough conception and
literally covered with them, consisting of
pictures, playbflls, letters old newspapers,
copies of famous addresses. political bal
other relics that attracted the fancy of
their Cwner. But in all the collection the
out most prominently. Foremost among
these is the pewter cup from which the
elder Booth was wont TO quench his thirst
1t is hung in a prominent place in the
restaurant, and near 1t hangs an old watch
Not far from the old cup is large and
excellent photograph of Edwin Booth. 1t
is heavily draped in crepe. which was
placed around the picture when the great
actor died At the bottom potion Of the picture
grave, and the legend 1.-The Noblest Ro-
man of Them All. Gone, but Not Forgot
ten"
THE OTHER BOOTHS.
In a secluded corner hangs another pic
ture 1t is that of John Wilkes Booth
and under the glass is a lock of hair of
that misguided genius. On another part
of the wall hangs foreign bill of exchange
on Barring Bros, of London, England, made
to the favor of Junius Brutus Booth. to the
amount of $57.S3. Then there is an old play
bill. dated Sept. IA, 1S49. showing the first
public appearance of Edwin Booth as an
actor. The cast was presented at the old
Boston Museum, ard in it Edwin Booth
played Tressel to his fathers Richard.
Another DlaVbill shows where the elder
Booth presented Richard III at the old
Mud Theater in this city, which stood at
the corner of North and Saratoga streets
Mr.. Reilly says that the elder Booth, in
those days, was wont to drive into town
would produce Richard Ill at the old Mud
Theater He would get about $50 or $50 for
his efforts, and then drive back to his
There is another playful hanging close
by that mutely speaks a bit of sad history
It bears the printed casts of The Marble
Heart and Romeo and Juliet in which
John Wilkes Booth appeared the star.
The plays were given at the Holliday-street
ing woman. When the curtain fell on
those productions, on that night, John
Wilkes Booth had been seen for the last
time as a public actor
In addition to these things there are por-
traits of Junius Brutus Booth as Richard
III and Sir Giles Overreach and Edwin
Booth as Rolla. Near these are pictures of
Samuel Colville. as Tyke, in the comedy of
the Turnpike Gate. and John f. Owens.
as Scion Shingle, and the supper scene from
ssCricket on the Hearth
The other old-time stars of the stage have
not been overlooked by MIR. Reilly in getting
his collection together. On the walls in the
restaurant are excellent pictures of Mr..
Waliack. of the Theater Royal, Drury Lane,
London as Leon Delmar; Charlotte Cush
man Charles Matthews, Henry Wallack,
Joseph jefferson. James Wallack. jr.. Julia
Dean and c. Bishop, the comedian. who ar
forwards became a physician in San Fran
csseo on another wall are pictures of Henry
CLAY. Lawrence Barrett. Tyron Powers as
Paudreen OShaughnessy Jefferson as So
Ius; George Christie. the nTst negro MINIS
GiIbert. Maria Picolomini, Brignch, the
Italian tenor. and Adelina Patti.
CHARLES BURKE AS RIP.
A fine picture of Charles Burke, who.
nlaved a most successful engagement as
.Rip Van Wrinkle at Front Street, in lS4S,
hangs near the engraving OF the noted sing
ing comedian. John Collins Who played a at az