Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
EASTER IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1865
Word of the Assassination of President Lincoln Was Received
Saturday-Old Newspaper Accounts Reveal the Effect
Produced on the People of This City.

LNASTER Sunday, so years ago. promised to
IL be day of rejoicing over the good news
that had come from AppomattoX. Rejoicing
there was, all through the preceding week
until Saturday. News of the assassination of
President Lincoln on Friday evening, at
Fords Theatre in Washington. was not gen.
orally known to the public until Saturday
morning. In the PUBLIC LEDGER of that date
the principal news article was headed "a
Crime without Name" The leading edi-
torial bore the same title.
Mondays issue of the PUBLIC LEDGER
there was no Sunday PUBLIC LEDGER then
described "The Nations Loss-How the News
Was Received in Philadelphia" The story
as it appears in the yellowed files, runs as fol-
lows:
Saturday Morning
After a week of rejoicing, bordering on
frenzy; after the hosannas of praise in be-
half of victorious armies, and while the
whole city was ablaze with excitement over
the approaching illumination to commemo-
rate the nations deliverance, came the sad
news of the nations loss The sad story was
known to but few Friday night
but with the break of day the newsboy's cry
awoke the people to a knowledge of the
tragedy. 1t with difficulty that men
could be made to believe the story. That
such event could occur at the capital of
the nation was hard to comprehend, and
men and women took counsel together at
early dawn, and with fearful eyes and sad
dened countenances prayed that there might
be some mistake. Soon the people found
their way to the heart of the city to learn
the full extent of the tragedy. Work was
suspended in workshop and factory; count
ing houses and brokers' offices were closed;
merchants closed their stores, and everybody
crowded to the newspaper offices to catch
the first announcement of a possible inn
provement in the Presidents condition.
"Past political differences were forgotten
in the universal sorrow, and men discussed
the event as a national humiliation and
shame, and not as the loss of an individual
or the representative of a political party,
Sadness was visible in every face and men
gathered in groups to talk with bated breath
and recount the noble qualities of Mr.. Lin
coin and express the hope that his life would
be spared to witness the final triumph of the
cause which 1t had fallen to his lot to guide.
But when the Official Gazette put at rest all
hopes by announcing the death of Mr.. Lin
coin, the grief of the people was manifest in
all directions. Strong and brave men wept
as they read the news and the CLEAN of rage
was seen to sparkle in the eyes of the more
excitable,
The Crowded Streets
1.-The crowd on Chestnut street grew larger
minute after minute, until by 10 o'clock the
thoroughfare was almost impossible. Two
gentlemen conversing together were sure to
attract notice and collect a crowd of listen
ers eager 10 learn the sentiments of the
speakers or perhaps to gather a crumb OF
comfort. Business was suspended every
where. Doors and windows were closed. and
within an hour after the announcement of
Mr.. Lincoln's death Chestnut street was
draped from every building. Many
of the stores although closed for business.
had the display windows opened and in them
were arranged portraits of Mr.. Lincoln, with
suitable surroundings and groupings of the
emblems of mourning.
Nor was this confined to the principal
buildings or to the main streets. Every
where the people endeavored to give some
outward token of their grief Dwellings were
draped in mourning, In some places the
black folds were hung from windows, over
doors or across the building. Balconies were
draped, shutters bowed and crapad. At a
number OF residences the portrait of Mr.. Lin
coin, heavily hung in black. was displayed at
parlor windows. Everywhere the dags
were at half-mast and l-notted with Grape.
To add to the general solemnity, the State
House bell commenced tolling. and In COM
plianee with a suggestion by the Chief Engl-
neer OF the Fire Department, the engine bells
also sounded the dlTge No description could
do justice to the sincerity of the grief of the
people, or httingly notice the outward mani
festations Of sorrow. IT was the saddest day
known In the history of Philadelphia
ut came TO be recognized as proper before
long. that the small medallion likeness Of Mr.
Lincoln, so well known during the political
campaign. should be worn as. token OF
mourning. Boys found ready sale for the
picture, and soon the familiar face OF the
late President was TO be seen upon the coats
OF thousands Of citizens.
IN the midst Of all the gloom there vas an
evident desire On fhe part q tae thoaehtless