The Washington times., 1903-12-20
RELICS OF LINCOLN
FOR THE WORLDS FAIR
Movement to Have 0ldrOyd
Collection Go to st. Louis.
WOULD BE FAMOUS EXHIBIT
Members of Congress Said to Intend
Offering Bill to Purchase 1t
For Government.

When Governor Sayers of Texas was
a member of Congress he energetically
pushed bill through that body appro-
priating $4,000 for the purchase Of the
house in which Mr.. Lincoln died. He
was preparing to introduce a second
bill purchasing the Oldroyd collection of
Lincoln souvenirs for SOS, 900, when he
was elected governor Of Texas. Since
then several members of Congress have
taken the matter up, and three infiuen-
tial members are now interested in pur-
chasing the collection for some one of
the Government departments to event
ually form a nucleus Of a great Lincoln
memorial to be erected in this city
Mr.. Oldroyd has had several offers
from private parties offering him so. 900
for the collection. but he has refused
them. He thinks It far more appropri-
ate that the Government should own
these invaluable relics. sacred to the
memory of the martyred President Mr.
Oldroyd says the Southern people
patronize and appreciate his collection
as much, II not more. than visitors from
any part of the Union.
The late Alex. II. Stephens said a
short time before his death: I'VE all
know that Abraham Lincoln was one Of
/ the foremost men this country has pro-
/ duced. The ASA ssin's bullet that struck
/ him down killed the best friend the
/ Sorth had" Several members of Con-
gress agree that the Lincoln collection
would prove a notable addition TO the
/ exhibit Of the District of Columbia or
/ the Library of Congress or the histori-
cal department, of which Dr. MCGEE has
! charge at ST. Louis. Mr.. Oldroyd is
heartily III favor of it's being taken to
St. Louis under the auspices OF the
I United States Government, where it
naturally belongs.
Notable Features of Collection.
The more notable articles in the col
lection are: Fifteen books and miscel-
laneous articles once the property OF or
/ associated with Mr.. Lincoln, autograph
letters and documents, pictures illus
trating his early life and homes, scenes
in his life. Illustrating his Journey from
! Springfield to be inaugurated President
III ISL; pictures illustrating the assas-
sination and funeral of the President
Photographs Of Booth. his fight. cap
/ ture. death. and burial; the spur worn
by Booth which caught in the flag
| draped before the Presidents box; the
silk flag which caught Booths spur as
he leaped from the box to the stage:
| magazines. containing editorials upon
the death, and various articles upon his
Administration; newspapers. dating from
1S4S to 1866. containing his speeches. cleo
tions, war papers. death. and burial:
funeral sermons. addresses. and euIogies
delivered upon his death: original au-
tcgraphic tributes, "reminiscences, ETC.,
from prominent men unon his life and
character; photographs and illustrations
Of Ford's Theater, the conspirators,
their trial and execution; portraits. con-
sisting Of original photographs. steel en-
cravings. Autographs; engravings of the
Lincoln family. groups OF the President
! and Cabinet. aIlegorical pictures: United
States fractional currency issued during
the Lincoln Administration: busts. STAT
uettes. life masks. medallions; political
and memorial medals struck in honor Of
the President
Other Interesting Articles.
An original biack-locust rail split by
Abraham Lincoln I'm 1880. with an affida-
Wit by John Hanks. attested by Cover
nor Oglesby, dating back to 1850 five
years before the Presidents death.
The office chair used by him I'm hi:
, law office at Springfield when elected
President, in 1860, and in which he sal
WHICH, lf AOtAutu Ills III 81 0dDliAtAt Alll
, drafted his first inaugural address be
fore leaving for Washington.
An original reward bill. offering 500
900 for the capture of Booth, Herold
and Surratt.
Family Bible out of which his mothe
: read 10 him when he was a young boy
The Bible is 100 years old. and on tn
cover Of this Bible Lincoln wrote hi
name when not over nine years of age
The collection is now stored in tn
old house. SIG Tenth Street, opposite tn
the building that was Ford's Theater
! In a small room at the end of the hal
the dying President breathed his las
on the night of April II. 1865. Photo
graphic views OF the house and of thi
room in particular. could be added L
the collection before being taken to ST
= | Louis
These memorials of Mr.. Lincoln woul
] doubly interest the people of bot
hemisDheres. Next year st. Louis /
the place for them. and several Con
gressmen are exerting themselves L
3 get them there.