Evening star., 1928-04-15
BY soHN cLAGETr PROCTOR.

IfpAk Ol tAlS 1GAANAA1NSGs NAAS
writer took up the matter III the
columns of The Star and fought for its
replacement, which was finally accom-
nliShed through bill introduced IN
CONGRESS by Representative Edward j.
kinS of Illinois While the bill was
rendinG letters were addressed TO the
s0svnrs and interested persons Of the
several cities and towns that sought to
secure the statue, which from every
equitable angle belonged to the people
Of the District OF Columbia,
All except one man agreed to notify
their Representatives III Congress TO
cease efforts in their behalf. The one
exception was a gentleman who said he
thought We had enough reminders OF
lincoln in Washington and could at
least spare the Flannery statue OF the
martyr President for his little city,
What struck me most forcibly was the
statement that We had enough statues
and reminders of Lincoln here. 1mag-
iNe. If you will, any town, city or State
having enough reminders OF Lincoln
impossible. OF all the homes he visited
while here: Of all the places associated
with his life while residing III the city
and Of all the things we have to remind
us Of him while he was here among us
in the flesh, there is not one thing con-
nected with him which We feel we could
spare or give away,
But who knows all the historic spots
around Washington connected with the
life Of Lincoln and who knows OF all the
souvenirs and relics Of him 10 be found
here? Perhaps on this, the anniversary
of his death. it would be appropriate to
sneak of some of the more important
ones at least. Especially might this be
well, since. at this particular season OF
the year, there are always SO many
visitors in town.
THERE is no intent at this time to
refer at length to the aSSaSSiNa-
ton which took place on Good Friday
night. April IA. 1865, followed by his
death the next morning at twenty-five
minutes past seven. OF course, always
OF much interest is the building. still
standing. in which the revolving crime
was committed. II is at 5ll Tenth
street northwest, and. at the time OF
the assassination, was Fords Theater.
The President and Mrs. Lincoln had
gone there TO witness a performance OF
"Our American Cousin" Accompany
ing them were Miss Clara H. Harris,
daughter Of United States Senator Ira
Harris of New York, and her fiance,
Maj. Henry r. Rathbone of the Army.
Mai Rathhone and Miss Harris were
later married and their son. Henry r.
Eathbone. has for some years past serv-
ed the State of Illinois in the lower
branch OF the National Legislature.
Upon the occasion when the marker
on the Ford Theater Building was
placed there. few years ago. by the
committee on historic sites, Mr.. Rath-
bone delivered the historical address. |
and, only year ago. il was through his
efforts that the Oldroyd Lincoln collec- |
ton. housed in the building where Lin |
coin died. at Sic Tenth street. was pur- |
chased by the Federal Government.
The FordS Theater Building is now |
and has been since shortly after the |
death of Lincoln-the property of the |
Government. Although John T. Ford !
the owner. was anxious and willing TO |
continue the tl1eater business here. yet /
he was practically forced to lease the |
property to the Government. by Secre-
tary Stanton. who wanted the building /
for War Department purposes. The |
lease provided that the Government |
might later purchase the property for |
Sio0, 600, the lease money 70 be deducted /
from the purchase price.
1t is said that Mr.. Stanton was so |
afraid the Government would not buy |
the property that he altered the interior |
70 such an extent that TO restore 1t TO |
its original condition, at the expiration
OF the lease, would cost almost as much
as the stipulated purchase price. The
Government bought the property.
On this site the First Baptist con-
gregation had erected about 1888 very
nice church for that period. Late in
1851 John r Ford and others secured
the property and changed the old edi-
fee into hteater. which was opened
August, 1863.
There are st1ll living few of the wit
nesses 70 that great tragedy. There has
always been difference Of opinion as 10 |
whether or not Booth used the words |
"Eic semper tyrannis" upon that oc-
casson. Booth said he did, and ma |
tority Of these making statements on |
the subject agree that he did.
A CROSS the street from the theater. |
a at SIS Tenth street. is the house |
IN which Lincoln died. II was then |
owned and occupied by william Peter |
sen, well-to-do tailor. Petersen sold
IL TO Louis Ecslade, lawyer and jour-
naiist. who published there for many
years the Washington Sentinel, trade
paper.
Strange as II may seem, Schade was
the attorney who defended Capt. Wirz.
later executed In the rear OF the old
OF prisoners at AndersonvilIe Prison
during the Civil War.
At an early date, Capt. Osborn II.
OIdrcyd rented the upper part Of the
building from EchAde and assembled
here what became later known as the
Lincoln Memorial Collection. The
building was erected in iS4S; In 1896
the Government purchased IL from
Mr Schade Tor $4,000. Meanwhile
Col. Oloroyd remained in the building
and continued 70 make additions TO the
collection. Upon several occasions he
refused 10 sell IT 10 private parties. feel
owned. A year ago hts wishes Ia the
matter were respected, and Congress
purchased the collection for $4,000.
Il was in the upstairs back roam that
Lincoln died. The bed ofIs which he
died ia some way was sent 10 Illinois,
sno is now owned by the Chicago His
torlcai Society.
A. one enters the old building Of the
National Museum. he will find innnledl-
steiy 10 tine right the Lincoln case,
containing his black broadcloth coat.
black ElIk cgaYat, black cloth walgtcoat.
black broaccl0th trousers, black silk
hat, and iron wedger marked "A L."
which he used when he was splitting
ra}lS al New Salem, Ill, the little model
invented BY him for lifting vessels over
shallow places and made with his own
hands. and patented for him by Zenas
&. Robbins " this city III lS45. as we'll
as plaster casts from his hands and
fare n4aae by Leonard w y0lk hi 1860.
In the period costume collection in
another hall ls z dress worn by Mrs
Lincoln during her husbands admins
ffatlon. T. description which seems "
IT thib dress Il quoted fToka the Daily
MoFuing ChE0n.ele Of February 10,
1854, by Allen &. Clark IN his work
Abraham Lincoln ia the Rational Cap
3ts4" The description reads
1t L. a general remark that MRS