Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09

who recently turned over to the Government
the fruits of his hero worship-his famous Lin
coin collection.
How did his young feet set out upon path
that led almost to the grave? What beacon
led him on and on through the long years,
causing him to tramp weary miles, make count
less sacrifices, lay aside thoughts of a career
and fortune? What is the story behind his
superb collection?
With these questions in mind the writer's
steps turned to the house on Tenth street. in
Washington, where Lincoln breathed his last
and which now houses the collection. The
gentle old collector extended cordial welcome
to the visitor and seemed happy to talk upon
the subject which has occupied his thoughts
for more than 10 years.
AS listens to recital covering those
years the $4,000 that the Government paid
for the collection appears paltry sum, indeed.
Yet one is impressed that Osborn Oldroyds
lifetime labor was fired by love alone upon
which no price can be set.
CHANGING at the walls and floor space, liter
ally covered with Lincolniana, the question
bursts forth: And you never knew Abra-
ham Lincoln?" Slowly the collector shook
his white head, while in his eyes famed the
Light of worship.
"YeS, knew him well; better perhaps than
many. but never saw him. Strange thing
how was cheated out of that desire of my
heart. When was serving in the Union Army
near the close of the war, my regiment was in
Washington and as we stood on Pennsylvania
avenue some one called out as a carriage APP
preached us: There he Is! That's Abe Lincoln!'
My heart beat fast. haze came over my eyes.
Now I was to see the man who had occupied
my thoughts for four years. AS the carriage
neared and raised my head to gaze upon my
Idol, a great truck passed between us and hid
him from view. We were ordered away the
next day. and it was while we were in Men,
phis celebrating the close of the war that the
news reached me that he was killed"
Did you start this collection then?' he was
asked.
THE old collector gazed out OF the window
and across the street at the dingy front Of
the old Ford Theater, where Lincoln was
killed. He did not answer Immediately, and
when he did it was as one who speaks from
the other end of long vista of time.
mo: my collection was started before Lincoln
was President; even before people generally
thought him a great man. It was started when
I first began to love him, back in 1856, when
was lad
AT that time my father had a little jewelry
shop in Mount Vernon, Ohio, our home, and in
one corner of the rooD he allowed me to run
little newsstand. 1t was my custom to
receive packages of newspapers, circulars and
books from Pittsburgh. One day, in one Of
the packages, there came little paper-backed
pamphlet containing some speeches of Abra-
ham Lincoln. I had heard bit of him and
opened the book out of curiosity"
Capt. OldroydS eyes sought frame above
his desk where. enshrined within, is a dingy
paper-covered pamphlet. "That was the trail
blazer for all of this" he said, with a sweeping
gesture of the hand. 81 could not put the
book down once I had started to read It.
There something in those simple sem
fences, ringing with honesty and high pur-
pose, that fired my young imagination. It
spread to my heart. When at length, after
peated calls to supper, laid down the book,
Abraham Lincoln was my friend. In my collec-
ton I leaving to young Americans the
proof of that enduring love-.
From that time began to save everything
I could get my hands on that pertained to
Lincoln. I wrote to the Pittsburgh dealer for
other speeches and notices, and later, when he
came more before the public eye, was able to
accumulate quite number Of newspaper clip
pings. Many jeered at him, some praised him
II saved them all.
when marched away to war I went up to
my little room and carefully laid away my box
of Lincolniana in the bureau drawer, All
through the exciting days that followed in camp
and on the battlefield the thought of my hum.s
BILE collection with me and the determine
ton to add to it when returned. was able
to pick up few items during those hectic days
of war. His assassination, of course only added
fuel to the flame of my worship"
Here the old collector paused to tell of his
marriage and to pay tribute of appreciation
to the woman whose sympathetic understand
ing made it possible for him to accumulate the
collection
Il felt that I wanted to live close to Lin
coins home" he continued, where I might
gain sense of intimacy with the man as well
as find many valuable relics, so I got q job
In Springfield, Ill., and we moved there Here,
In the midst of Lncoln's old stamping ground
came across relics pertaining to him on every
side. But it took money to buy them; mighty
little. It's true, for they weren't very valuable
then. but more than I could spare from nv
small salary and the growing demands OF a
family. However, many . ribbon was done