The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1914-12-17

always floats from n of the upper
windows. 1t is the building in which
Abraham Lincoln died.
When the great emancipation was
taken out of Folds Theatre his con
dition was so critical that 1t was net
deemed wise to take him to the White
House, though hat was only half a
dozen blocks away. Instead he was
hurried to the first house, Immediately
across the street, which served as a
lodging house. There apparently was
not even time to select the best room,
for at the end of the hall entrance
there opened a long and narrow bed
room. In this room Lincoln died nine
hours after ]. Wilkes Booth had COM
mitted one of the most dastardly
deeds recorded in history.
The government of the United
States purchased this building in 1897,
paying 10000 for the property. MI.
%. II. Oldroyd was induced to bring
his Lincoln collection from the Lin
coin home in Springfield, and install it
in the building, For about a year the
government paid him a salary, and
then for some peculiar inexplicable
the stipend was dropped from
the appropriation bill. MI. Oldroyd
was permitted to charge an admittance
to the building, but for many years it
was insufficient to keep up the ex-
'penses, but by mortgaging the price
less relics, and by hook or crook" he
kept the wolf from the door. He has
three thousand articles in his memoir
Iial collection pertaining to the mar,
Ityred president, and many of these
are almost priceless, but instead of
parting with any Of these when dark
clouds hung low, he has added to the
number x articles.
The Superintendent of Public Build
ings and Grounds keeps the old build
ing in repair, but nevertheless it is u
neglected, melancholy looking sort Of
place. MI. Oldroyd has for years urg-
led that the adjoining buildings be pur-
chased and torn down, and that the old
house be enclosed in a new freproof
structure. He offers to sell his own
priceless collection to the government
at It's own price. But there is no evil
dence that anyone Is paying any atten-
ltion. and while great politicians. in
lcluding the president and secretary Of
lstate. are worrying themselves about
the former home of Thomas Jefferson.
which has been splendidly preserved
under private ownership. they have
evidently overlooked the fact that
within q half dozen squares Of the
Executive Mansion q priceless relic
for such Is this house where Lincoln
died. IL kept up by q patriotic Lincoln
enthusiast. entirely on his " initia-
tive responsibility. To add insult to
Injury the local government Of the
District OF Columbia exacts q tax Of
$3.50 q year ON the Oldrod Lincoln
Memorial Collection collection val
liable because 1t contains 101 original
varieties Of photographs of Lincoln,
THE last piece Of handwriting by the
lmartyred president. . brief not hastily
|scribbled as Lincoln started for Ford's
Theatre that fatful night Of April IA,
Uses. There are books Lincoln used,
ARTICLES Of household furniture, carl
features Of his administration. 265
funeral sermons and addresses and
Ieulogies. A original black locust rail
|split ~ Lincoln n 1850 With amdavits
|attssting ~ -ssnuihenees. nj mothers
|nAmily .Dfble. and hundredu q other
|similar relics.