The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-12-27
BURIAL OF LINCOLN.
Unknown Incident Of the Contro-
versv Over Place Of Interment.
Climax Reached while the Funeral
Cortege Was En- Route to the
TOnb-Attempt to steal the
BODY and Removal.

f
Canton during President Mckinleys
funeral ceremonies were couple OF
white-haired men from the capital OF
Illinois, and as they watched the
stately pageant winding to the tomo
they recalled the burial OF Lincoln,
and told strange tale of an incident
unknown to the present generation,
SAYS the Chicago Chronicle.
When President Lincoln was assas-
sinated, his brother-in-law, e. NJ
Smith, was in New York buying
goods, and he fastened to Washing
ton to confer with Mrs. Lincoln re-
garding the interment OF her hus-
bands body. Mr.. Smith Immediately
wired DR.. Henry Wohlgemuth. who
was president Of the Oakridge ceme-
terry, that Mrs. Lincoln desired tho
body taken to Springfield and laid In
n receiving vault until permanent ar
rangements could be made. DR..
Wohlgemuth suggested that six acres
in the cemetery be set apart for the
presidents last resting place, which
was acted upon and later the deed
made out to the Lincoln monument
association.
Mrs. Lincoln's desires were COM
municated to the city council OF
Springfield. which promptly deter
mined to ignore her wishes on the
ground that the president belonged
to the nation and that its claim was
paramount to any family right. Tho
council Immediately negotiated for
the land on which the state build
ing now stands. agreeing to pay $780,
900 for the property. They proceeded
to build temporary tomb on the
northeast corner, fronting on Second
street. Men worked on it day and
night to get it finished in time for
the funeral.
When Lincoln's body reached Chi
cngo. DR.. Wohlgemuth went to the
fremont house to lay the matter be.
fore Robert T. Lincoln, General
Hooker, Judge Davis, and the Rev
Mr.. Gourley. and learn definitely
whether the remains would be I'm
tered at the new tomb or at Oak
ridge. Naturally they were very
much stirred by the doctors infor
nation, and Gen. Hooker wired the
facts to Secretary of War Stanton
and in 30 minutes the answer cam,
that Mrs. Lincoln's wishes would b.
carried out and the body taken t.
Oakridge.
DIR. Wohlgemuth returned t.
Springfield with this message to tn
council. but the finishing of the new
tomb went on with all possible dis
patch. President Iincoln's remains
were taken to Springfield and lay il
state in the old statehouse, which i
now used as the courthouse.
On the day of the funeral thou
sands of people were in line. An i'm
mense crowd gathered at the neV
tomb to wait the procession. Will
comparatively few people had tn
courage to wait for the coming O
the body to Oakridge. The escor
started from the north entrance O
. the statehouse. facing Washingto
street. and moved west, with Ger
| Cook, assistant marshal, in com
mand. He favored the new toni
and. Notwithstanding the solemnit
of the hour, more than one hear
throbbed exultantly over the certai
r success of their private schemes.
, The cortege moved slowly as far a
| Fourth street, where it was expecte
. that the procession would file by LEI
: Wheel to go to the new tomb. A
! this juncture, Gen. Hooker assume
, command, and with nll the authorit
: of his Office gave the order:
Q Right wheel! to Oakridge Gem,
tery!"
1t was crushing humiliation t
the opposing faction, but an act {
justice, for the desire of the wife wa
paramount to that of the state. D
Wohlgemuth assisted in lowering tn
coffin. and afterward cut the rope il
to souvenirs for the eager thron,
/, President Lincoln's body lay thre
months in the tomb under militar
!. guard, when it was transferred to
, temporary tomb, where it RENAME
until the monument was completed
After an attempt to steal the bod
: it was moved at night and laid in
secret vault. The coffin has bee
I. opened three times for the purpo.
OF identification. the last time beir
!. few years ago. when a few perso
: al friends looked into the face
Abraham Lincoln and found it u
. changed save that the features we
!, trif1e shrunken, the hair remain,
the same, and the clothing was in {
: excellent state preservation.
e Ganjah Smoking.
A davrapd S hot do - T.