973. 7L63 Mathews , i James T. , • Jr. M3490 E5M42* Cop. 2 The Lincoln Museum, A Memorial to the Human Qualit ies of Abraham Lincoln Pratt Collection LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY presented by ^RATT COLLECTION •HISTORYOFTHE- LINCOLN ynusEun fflie&brd Theater and tfie Oldroyd Collection 3ames < F c Mathews, Tfr: Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/lincolnmuseummemOOmath w t/5 o U u H is - w r S I ss o Q o The LINCOLN * MUSEUM A MEMORIAL TO THE HUMAN QUALITIES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN COPYRIGHT, 1935, by NATIONAL ART SERVICE COMPANY, INC. WASHINGTON, D. C. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Grateful appreciation of the assistance and cooperation of Mr. Arno B. Cammerer, Director of The National Park Service, Mr. Gill and Miss Endres of the National Park Service and of Captain Clemons, Custodian of the Lincoln Museum and an authority upon its history and contents, is expressed hereby. pi THE LINCOLN MUSEUM EMORIALS have been established in many sections of the United States to commemo- rate the genius of statesmanship which en- abled President Abraham Lincoln to pre- serve the American Union. Onlyafew scat- tered monuments symbolize the greatness of character and kindly disposition which made our Sixteenth President beloved by his fellow men. An intimate picture of the personal life of Mr. Lincoln is presented by the Lincoln Museum in Washington, D. C. It was established by Congress for the benefit and inspira- tion of the American people and has two close associations with the life of the martyred leader. First, there is the museum building. Formerly the Ford Theater, it was here that John Wilkes Booth played the role of assassin in the greatest tragedy of American history. The second close association with the life of President Lin- coln lies in the relics contained in the museum. Compris- ing the famous Oldroyd Collection, these exhibits recall intimate episodes in the secular and political career of Lin- coln the man. They represent the life work of Osborn H. Oldroyd, who for more than sixty years was a collector of Lincoln relics. The Lincoln Memorial is a shrine to a great patriot; the Lincoln Museum is primarily a memorial to the human qualities of a beloved leader. As such it will endear Abra- ham Lincoln to thousands of Americans through its presen- tation of the simple dignity and beauty of character which won the affection of Lincoln's own generation. <~v n& LINCOLN The Museum Building N the year 1833 the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Washington de- cided upon the construction of a church upon the premises known as 509 10th Street, N. W. Funds for the project were raised and plans of the proposed edifice were drawn. With appropriate ceremony the cornerstone of the building was laid and the congre- gation awaited the completion of its new home in anticipa- tion of higher Christian service. The structure was finished before the end of the year. Reverend Obediah B. Brown preached the dedicatory serv- ice and for seventeen years thereafter served as pastor of the church. In 18 50 the ministry was taken over by Rev- erend Stephen D. Hill, who served as pastor for the dura- tion of the congregation's occupancy of the 10th Street building. A resolution to unite with another Baptist congregation in order to form a larger and stronger organization was placed before the members of the First Church in 18 59. After an exhaustive study of the merits of the plan, the resolution was adopted. The plan of the union called for the retention of the name of the First Baptist Church but for the abandonment of the First Baptist Church building. September, 18 59, was the last month in which religious services were conducted in the 10th Street building. The building was then offered for sale. It was purchased by Mr. David W. Heath. In 1861 Mr. Heath sold the building to Mr. John Ford. Mr. Ford was one of the foremost theatrical managers of the time. In addition to the 10th Street structure, he was the owner of theaters in Baltimore and Philadelphia. A MUSEUM "* "+* ^ few months after his acquisition of the property, Mr. Ford undertook its conversion into a theater. Extensive alterations and repairs were necessary but in November the theater was ready for use. On the nine- teenth and twenty-first days of November the Carlotta Patti Concert Troupe inaugurated the theatrical career of the former church. From the fifth of December, 1861, to the fifth of Janu- ary, 1862, George Christy's Minstrels conducted perform- ances in the theater which the famous Mr. Christy called "Christy's New Opera House." Christy's Minstrels moved to another building in January and Mr. Ford resumed management of the theater. Both the Carlotta Patti Concert Troupe and George Christy's Minstrels were musical organizations. Their per- formances did not necessitate the use of extensive scenery nor did they require a large stage. Mr. Ford desired to present dramatic rather than musical productions and dis- covered that additional renovations would be necessary. From January to the middle of March the theater was closed. During this time new fixtures were installed, the building was redecorated, and the stage was enlarged. This work was done under the personal supervision of Mr. Ford, who aspired to bring the most popular productions and outstanding actors to the national capital. On March the 19th the building was re-opened under the name "Ford's Atheneum." Miss Lucille Western was the featured actress and the opening play was entitled "The French Spy." Miss Western gave a splendid performance, the initial production being an unqualified success, and "Ford's Atheneum" seemed a profitable investment for its owner. However, a dire calamity befell during an afternoon performance on December 30, 1 862. It was discovered that the theater was on fire. The fire apparatus was summoned I 1 u < u 2 H < o Q H LU CO u o z o u z « un CQ < Q O £ o J O MUSEUM n* ** **> but could not control the blaze. The flames made such rapid progress that all efforts to save the building were futile. "Ford's Atheneum" was soon reduced to smoking ruins. Undismayed by this catastrophe, Mr. Ford erected a new theater in 1863. Constructed of red brick and designed solely for theatrical productions, it was one of the finest theaters in the country. On the 10th Street side of the theater were three double doors leading into a lobby where the ticket seller's window was located. Other doors led into the theater proper from the lobby. The auditorium had a sloping floor which led to the east end of the building where the stage was located. Two balconies were con- structed against the west, or 10th Street, wall, and boxes were built along the north and south sides of the theater. Fixtures and decorations were of the latest type and every facility for rendering the finest dramatic productions was incorporated in the building's equipment. When the new theater was completed it became known as "Ford's Thea- ter," but was usually designated as "the Ford Theater." Mr. Ford was the proprietor and manager of the play- house; John B. Wright was the Stage Manager. Under their capable direction some of the finest productions of the time were presented to residents of Washington and many of the outstanding artists of the day were featured in the leading roles. Among the better known actors and actresses who ap- peared in Ford productions we find these names: Edwin Forrest, John McCullough, George Becks, B. Harrison, Miss Athena, James H. Hackett, Maggie Mitchell, C. W. Coul- dock, Caroline Rich, Peter Rechings, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Bishop, Stuart Robson, Jennie Gourlay, Harry Hawk, John Dyott, T. C. Gourlay and Laura Keene. "Our American Cousin," a play by Tom Taylor, was being presented the night of April 14, 1865, with Laura ryu mu mu LINCOLN Keene in the role of Florence Trenchard, a character she had enacted more than a thousand times. It was the last night for the production to be given in Washington and the actress was especially anxious to give a fine performance. Coupled with the fact that President Lincoln was in attendance was the knowledge that many friends of her husband, John Lutz, a Washingtonian, were in the theater. Miss Keene gave one of the finest performances of her career, playing upon the emotions of her audience and en- couraging finer performances by the supporting members of her company. J. E. Buckingham, Sr., the ticket taker at Ford's Theater, relates that during the enactment of the first two acts of "Our American Cousin" John Wilkes Booth attracted his attention on several occasions. In his reminiscences of the assassination Mr. Buckingham relates that Booth was rest- less, nervous, and had an air of suppressed excitement. Several times Booth approached Mr. Buckingham, making small talk, asking the time, and borrowing tobacco. Be- tween his conversations with the ticket taker, the actor entered the auditorium, watched portions of the drama, and observed the persons seated in the theater. Mr. Buck- ingham's story is verified by the ticket seller who also observed Booth. Then came the fatal third act. Accounts of the assassi- nation differ, but the salient facts were these: Entering the theater auditorium, Booth ascended the bal- cony steps which were on the north side of the theater. He made his way across the balcony to the south side of the theater to a passageway that provided access to the boxes. The assassin approached the President's box at a time when all the occupants were engrossed with the play. With astounding suddenness he fired the shot which caused Mr. Lincoln's death and crossed the box in order to jump to the stage and escape by the stage entrance. MUSEUM -* ~* *+* Major Rathbone grappled with Booth and in order to escape Booth inflicted a dagger wound upon the major. As he jumped from the box the assassin's spur caught in a flag used as a decoration. He stumbled against a picture of George Washington which hung between the boxes and fell, breaking a small bone in his left leg but not rendering the leg useless. During the awful moment after the firing of the gun, the audience was stunned. The actors were paralyzed, but Laura Keene and the orchestra leader recognized Booth as he fled across the stage. The audience recovered from its stupor; the theater became a pandemonium. Accounts differ as to how order was restored, some giving credit to Miss Keene, others to a former mayor of Wash- ington who was summoned from the street. Both may have had a part in quelling the uproar. President Lincoln was carried from the theater to the Peterson house across the street. There he was taken to the room of a young man named Clark, a roomer in the house. Every possible attention was accorded him, but physicians realized from the first that death was inevitable. Surrounded by the members of his cabinet, with the exception of Seward who was the victim of an attempt at assassination, the great Emancipator died. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, immediately ordered guards stationed at the Ford Theater and all dra- matic productions arranged for future dates were can- celled. Under the provisions of the Deficiency Appropria- tion Act of April 7, 1866, the building was purchased by the United States Government. It was used by various offices of the War Department. On June 9, 1893, the ill-fated building was the scene of another tragedy. Workers of the War Department were engaged in the discharge of their duties when three floors fell, carrying portions of the walls with them. Workers ■*te I *V V ;■ o z Q LU (—* a. a z S CO z w OS s t— I u O tu Q W W MUSEUM nt* ~<^ *** were imprisoned beneath the wreckage. Civilians joined official rescue workers in extricating the victims. The final toll of the disaster recorded twenty-two persons killed and sixty-eight injured. Under the Deficiency Acts of September 7, 1893, and March 12, 1894, a total of almost eighteen thousand dollars was appropriated for repairing the edifice. The work was completed on July 26, 1894, and the building was used by the Record and Pension Division of the War Department until June, 1928. The top floor of the building was occupied by the Army Medical Museum during a part of this period. All repairs were made by the Office of Public Buildings and Public Grounds, the work being conducted under the direction of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. During the summer of 1931, in accordance with an Act of Congress, the Office of Public Buildings and Public Grounds renovated the building and prepared the first floor for use as a museum. This work consisted of painting the building throughout, restoring the exterior to its original color, installing new doors, continuing the flooring over the space formerly occupied by an elevator, constructing new floors of Georgia Pine, replacing the granite door step, and generally overhauling the building. When the Oldroyd Collection of Lincoln Relics was moved from the Peterson house to the renovated building, the edifice was given the name "The Lincoln Museum." Responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the old Ford Theater after government ownership was assigned to the War Department. On July 1, 1928, this responsibility was transferred to the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations. The duties of the Office of National Parks, Buildings and Reservations were absorbed by the National Park Service by Executive order on June 10, 1933, the maintenance of the Lincoln Museum now coming under the supervision of the National Park Service. Office Chair Used by Lincoln in His Law Office, Springfield, Illinois MUSEUM ^ nt* n* The Qldroyd Collection URING the Lincoln Presidential Campaign of 1860, a copy of the Wigwam Edition of the Republican campaign handbook came into the hands of Osborn Oldroyd, an eighteen year old news dealer of Mount Vernon, Ohio. The "Life, Speeches and Public Services of 'Abram' Lincoln, to- gether with a Sketch of the Life of Hannibal Hamlin" was not a pretentious volume, yet the life of Lincoln made such an impression on young Oldroyd that Lincoln became his hero. He preserved the book and parted with it only when his Lincoln Collection was purchased by the United States Government. When war between. the states threatened the security of the Union and President Lincoln made an appeal for volunteers, it was natural for Osborn Oldroyd to answer his leader's call. He enlisted and served with the 20th Ohio Infantry in several important battles, notably at the Siege of Vicksburg. Throughout the conflict the soldier kept a diary which later became the foundation of his book, "A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg." Oldroyd was in the army when the assassination of Lin- coln was announced. The official notices of the crime and of the condition of the President during the lingering hours of his life were posted on the camp bulletin board. Young Oldroyd asked for and received these notices. After his honorable dismissal from the army, Mr. Old- royd returned to Ohio. He held several responsible posi- tions under state control and rendered valuable service in the management of public funds. In 1883 the Collector resigned a steward's position and moved to Springfield, Illinois. - -;■'■'■ Desk Used in Lincoln's Home at Springfield, Illinois MUSEUM n* ~** <■* Shortly after his removal to Springfield the old home of Lincoln was vacated and Mr. Oldroyd rented the premises. He then devoted more time to the collection of Lincoln relics and exhibited his possessions in the old Lincoln home. Trips into rural sections of Illinois and surrounding states for the purpose of finding and purchasing genuine Lincoln relics were made. The Oldroyd Collection began to draw popular attention; the Lincoln House became a Mecca for Lincoln admirers. For ten years Mr. Oldroyd occupied the old Lincoln home. He urged Robert T. Lincoln, the son of the martyred President, to present the home to the state as a memorial. Mr. Lincoln said that he could not do so for fear of his action being interpreted as a political move, but that if the state should ask for the house, he would give it gladly. Through the enterprise of Mr. Oldroyd the State of Illinois made the formal request and Mr. Lincoln granted it. Captain Oldroyd, as he was known, became the Custodian of the memorial and lived in the house until 1893. A political change in Illinois brought a formal request to Captain Oldroyd to vacate the Lincoln home. Two weeks were allowed for his compliance and the Captain packed his relics with no fixed destination in mind. Then he re- ceived a telegram from the Washington Memorial Associa- tion inviting him to move his collection to the national seat of government. The proposal represented that such a move would be profitable financially and would give more Ameri- cans the opportunity of viewing the relics. The Peterson house, where President Lincoln died, was rented; Mr. Oldroyd moved his relics, and the public was invited to visit this private museum. A small admission fee was charged in order to defray expenses, but the income from this source was not sufficient to meet expenses. Rent on the Peterson house amounted to one hundred dollars a Rush Bottom Chair Used by Lincoln Family at Springfield, Illinois MUSEUM "* *+> *+* month; the income from admission fees was often less than one-fourth of that amount.- At the time of greatest financial stress, aid came from the United States Government. In 1897 Representative J. D. Sayers of Texas introduced a bill in Congress for the purchase of the Peterson house. The bill was passed and in the course of time the United States became the owner of the property. Rent was given free to Mr. Oldroyd and admissions were no longer necessary to take care of all ex- penses. Income and expenses assumed normal proportions and Mr. Oldroyd was able to resume his acquisition of relics. The Oldroyd Collection had grown until it contained several thousand relics. Visitors from all sections of the country saw the exhibition at the Peterson house and were impressed most favorably by the results of Mr. Oldroyd's work. Returning to their respective states, these visitors carried stories of the Oldroyd Collection that soon made it nationally famous. Advancing years prompted Mr. Oldroyd to think of the future fate of his prized possessions. Public spirit had been a strong motive for making the collection; no fate seemed as appropriate as the purchase by the government for the inspiration and benefit of posterity. This desire for govern- ment ownership of his private museum led Mr. Oldroyd to take steps for attaining his desire. A campaign was begun to secure government ownership of the Oldroyd Collection before the centennial of Lincoln's birth in 1909. Pamphlets were distributed, addresses were made before conventions of veterans, plans were drawn by Frederick D. Owen, a government architect, for an addi- tion to the Peterson house in order to make more room for the relics, and proposals were made in Congress for the purchase of the collection. The campaign did not produce h^sm^^i . Whatnot Sold by Lincoln on His Departure for Washington, D. C. MUSEUM "** *+* <-»*- the desired result but it did stimulate public interest in the enterprise. In 1911 Mr. Bartholdt of the Committee on Public Build- ings and Public Grounds favorably reported a bill which proposed the purchase of the houses adjoining the Peterson house and the purchase of the Oldroyd Collection. This bill was based upon Mr. Oldroyd's original plan. Houses adjoining the Peterson house were to be razed, a fire-proof wall constructed around the Peterson house, a two-story building erected at the rear of the three lots with a passage- way connecting with the Peterson house, and landscaping of the grounds to be undertaken. It was proposed to make the Peterson house the national memorial to Lincoln, there be- ing no Lincoln Memorial in Washington at the time. The plan had the approval of the War Department and a former Superintendent of Public Buildings and Public Grounds; it was endorsed by the leading advocates of a Lincoln Memo- rial, and had been approved by the Committee on Public Buildings and Public Grounds in the report of a previous bill of February 11, 1909. At the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Saratoga, New York, a resolution was passed approving the plan which said: ". . . that no monument could be erected that would appeal to the whole people with as much sentimental force as this proposed memorial." In spite of popular sentiment the Oldroyd Collection re- mained the property of Captain Oldroyd. Mr. Oldroyd gladly would have presented his relics to the people with- out remuneration had he been financially qualified to do so. The necessity of providing for his remaining years of life made it imperative for him to receive a compensation for his life work. Offers were made by private individuals to purchase the relics, but Mr. Oldroyd steadfastly clung to his dream of government ownership. Range Used in Summer Home of Lincoln Family, Soldiers Home Park, Washington, D. C. MUSEUM <+< ^ *" On May 14, 1924, Mr. Luce of the Committee on the Library, in favorably reporting another bill for the pur- chase of the collection made these remarks: "This bill has the approval of the Joint Committee on the Library, which, in recommending to the Senate its passage without amend- ment, said— "This Lincoln Collection is the greatest in num- ber and most important in value of any single collection in existence. It possesses some rare individual pieces for which large sums have been offered. "At least one public-spirited individual has offered for the entire collection the amount carried in this bill. The sale to an individual would most likely remove the collec- tion from the capital. It was thought by the committee that this collection should not only be retained here, but that it should be housed within the walls where Lincoln passed away and should be owned by the government.' ' On April 7, 1926, Mr. Bacon of the Committee on the Li- brary, submitted the following report: "The Committee on the Library to which was referred the bill of the Senate (S. 957) for the purchase of the Oldroyd Collection of Lincoln Relics, having had the same under consideration, favorably reports the same to the House without amend- ment and with the recommendation that the bill do pass. "This bill authorizes a commission composed of the Secre- tary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney Gen- eral to purchase the Oldroyd Collection of Lincoln Relics for a sum not to exceed fifty thousand dollars. "This collection is now loaned to the U. S. Government by the owner, Mr. Osborn H. Oldroyd. It is on exhibition in the house in which President Lincoln died, at 516 10th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. This house is now the property of the U. S. Government, having been purchased by it as a memorial twenty-seven years ago. Should the -*" LINCOLN Government purchase this collection it will continue to be housed at 516 10th Street, N. W. "Over a year ago a private individual offered Mr. Old- royd fifty thousand dollars for the collection, but he patri- otically declined, believing that it would be appropriate to keep it in Washington. Recently other individuals have offered fifty-five thousand dollars. Last year the Legislature of the State of Illinois appropriated fifty thousand dollars for the purchase of the collection and its removal to Spring- field, Illinois. Again Mr. Oldroyd deferred action. "Your committee is given to understand that if the United States Government does not at this session of Con- gress provide for the purchase of the collection, Mr. Old- royd will probably accept another offer. "No. 516 10th Street, N. W., is visited yearly by thou- sands and thousands of Americans from every state of the Union to pay their respects to the memory of President Lincoln. Their visit at the house is made doubly interest- ing by the presence of the Oldroyd Collection, which serves to recall to those who visit this shrine the incidents in the life of President Lincoln. "Unless Congress acts at this session this collection will go elsewhere, and No. 516 10th Street, N. W., will seem a dreary and empty place to those who visit it in the future. "Your committee has unanimously approved of this bill." The bill was passed, received the signature of President Calvin Coolidge, and became an Act. The official purchase of the Oldroyd Collection was made August 30, 1926. Mr. Oldroyd's years of effort in the interest of the Ameri- can people had at last been crowned with success. Accord- ing to the wish of the distinguished collector, the Oldroyd Collection had become an heirloom of the American people, providing historical interest for future generations while MUSEUM *** ~^ '"*■' perpetuating the human qualities of President Abraham Lincoln. The story is related that when the Government agent called to present Mr. Oldroyd with a check that he offered the Collector the custodianship of the museum. Captain Oldroyd declined on the basis that his eighty-four years would hinder his proper discharge of the duties of the office. The agent then presented the Captain with a key to the Peterson house, telling him that he could occupy the prem- ises as long as he desired, come and go as he pleased, and ease his sense of deprivation by frequent contact with his former possessions. Whether fact or fancy, the generous gesture was no more than the due of that grand old Lincoln devotee, staunch patriot, and constant public servant, Captain Osborn H. Oldroyd. After the Government became the owner of the collec- tion the number of visitors to the Peterson house increased. Citizens of every state in the Union visited the memorial; the operators of sight-seeing vehicles included it in their tours of the city. Planned as a dwelling rather than a museum, the old house did not present the relics adequately nor accommodate a large group of visitors. It became a common sight to see persons waiting outside the building for their "turns" to enter. Bills then were introduced in Congress to authorize the removal of the collection to the old Ford Theater across the street. The first of these bills was reported favorably from committee on the fourth of February, 1927. Pro- crastination again marked the action of Congress. Mr. McLeod of the Committee on the District of Columbia favorably reported another bill of the same nature on April 30, 1930. Five years were required for obtaining authority to move nn^ ~„*> >y*> LINCOLN the relics. The Lincoln Museum was opened officially on the twelfth of February, 1932. Visitors, however, were permitted to enter the building from the first day of the month. Historical interest attached to the old Ford Theater and the intimate picturization of Lincoln presented by the relics make the Lincoln Museum doubly interesting. Un- pretentious, homely from the standpoint of architecture, and simple in every detail, the Lincoln Museum has been acclaimed as the most appropriate and realistic of all Lincoln memorials. MUSEUM n^ -y-< The Relics T the time of its purchase by the United States Government the Oldroyd Collec- tion included over four thousand Lincoln relics. There were many duplicates of pic- tures, newspapers, and other less intimate Lincoln relics but there were hundreds of articles without duplicates. The Oldroyd Collection contained: Many articles and books belonging to Lincoln. Pictures of Lincoln's early life and homes. Autographed letters and papers. Badges, flags and campaign caricatures. Pictures of Lincoln's trip to Washington for inauguration. Over 100 caricatures of events of Lincoln's Administra- tion. 150 pictures relating to the assassination and burial. 30 pictures of Booth, his flight, capture, death and burial. 1200 biographies of Lincoln, histories of the Civil War, slavery, and publications relating to Lincoln. Hundreds of newspapers covering the period from 1843 to 1863 and containing speeches, war papers, and burial accounts. 263 funeral sermons, eulogies, and addresses delivered at Lincoln's death. 68 pieces of sheet music published after the assassination. 70 photographs and illustrations of Ford's Theater, con- spirators, trials and executions. 265 portraits of original photographs, engravings, and lithographs. 81 engravings of the President's family and his cabinet. 37 busts, statuettes, masks, and medallions. 221 memorial and political medals in Lincoln's honor. "* ^ ** LINCOLN Many articles formerly used by the President, including furniture, family Bible, and articles of clothing. Many other unclassified relics and relics loaned to Mr. Oldroyd. After the Lincoln Museum was opened, many individuals having relics pertaining to the President loaned or presented them to the Government. These relics are marked to dis- tinguish them from those in the Oldroyd Collection. Cap- tain Clemons has traced other relics and is negotiating for their transfer to the museum. How the various Oldroyd relics were acquired would make a long story. Some relics have disappeared, the col- lection not being guarded well while in the Peterson house and some of the most interesting stories were attached to the missing relics. For example, after Mr. Clark was permitted to use his room in the Peterson house when the President's body had been removed, he discovered a candle and a carving knife which had been left by the doctors. Investigation proved that the surgeons had probed for the assassin's bullet with the knife, the candle providing light for their work. The young roomer kept the knife and candle during his lifetime and at his death his widow sent them to Captain Oldroyd. The official notices of the assassination and death of Lin- coln posted in the camp of the 20th Ohio Infantry Regi- ment and which Oldroyd acquired by printing and posting duplicates, have also disappeared. Some of the interesting stories related by Captain Old- royd to William B. Benham, his biographer, pertain to relics on display in the Lincoln Museum. When the cradle used by the Lincolns was no longer needed, Mr. Lincoln took it to the store of John Williams in Springfield. Mr. Williams had several clerks in his em- ploy and Mr. Lincoln requested that the cradle be given MUSEUM **> ~^ ^ to the first clerk having need of it. In the course of time it was duly presented to one of the clerks in accordance with Lawyer Lincoln's wishes. Some years later this clerk moved to the west. His furniture was to be sold at public auction before his departure. A stranger in Springfield heard of the former Lincoln ownership of the cradle and determined to own it. Mr. Whitecraft, a friend of Captain Oldroyd's, was determined that the cradle should not leave Springfield. After much spirited bidding the cradle was sold to Mr. Whitecraft and presented by him to Captain Oldroyd who was then living in the old Lincoln home. Captain Oldroyd, after his removal to Springfield, be- came a friend of William H. Herndon, Lincoln's old law associate. He called frequently at Mr. Herndon's office and discovered that the chair used most frequently by Mr. Herndon was the one formerly used by Lincoln. Captain Oldroyd obtained possession of the chair by the simple process of purchasing a new chair for the lawyer and there- by winning permission to move the Lincoln chair to his private museum. After his occupation of the Peterson house Captain Old- royd made a trip over the route pursued by Booth in his flight from Washington. He talked with Mrs. Mudd, the wife of the physician who treated Booth's wounds, and was told that a farmer living in the neighborhood had a spur worn by Booth the night of the assassination. Captain Oldroyd visited the farmer and was successful in his efforts to purchase the spur. During his residence in Springfield, Mr. Lincoln gave a cabinet maker an old walnut bed which had been used in the Lincoln home. The cabinet maker dismantled the bed and made it into an old-fashioned what-not. It became a part of the Oldroyd Collection by purchase. *+* ~*" ~^ LINCOLN A round table used in the White House prior to and dur- ing the Lincoln administration was ordered sold by Presi- dent Johnson when he succeeded Mr. Lincoln. It was pur- chased by an employee of the White House who later sold it to Captain Oldroyd. During the month of May, l)H>$, an attempt was made to steal the body of President Lincoln and hold it for ransom. The kidnapers became frightened and fled before fulfilling their purpose. Illinois officials opened the casket, identified the body, and then ordered the casket encased in zinc and interred in cement deep in the earth. A tinner was engaged to encase the casket and after the task was completed he preserved the soldering outfit which he had used. Upon the tinner's death, the soldering outfit was presented to the Oldroyd Collection. A Mrs. Fowler of Chicago visited the Peterson house and, after viewing Captain Oldroyd's relics, told the Col- lector that after President Lincoln's death she had been presented with a shawl used by the President when Mrs. Lincoln disposed of many of the articles belonging to her husband. Mrs. Fowler promised that the shawl should be added to the other relics upon her death. In 1920 Mrs. Fowler's daughter carried out her mother's promise by mak- ing the presentation. The last handwriting of Mr. Lincoln is another interest- ing relic. Some gentlemen called at the White House to request a pass in order to make a trip to Richmond and Petersburg, Va. The request was referred to the President and a short time before leaving for the theater he wrote, "No pass is necessary now to authorize anyone to go to and return from Petersburg and Richmond. People go and return just as they did before the war." Visitors are impressed by an unusual three-in-one picture which hangs on the north wall of the Lincoln Museum. MUSEUM <•*< **> Although it was never a possession of President Lincoln, it dates back to the period of victory. From the left one sees a picture of General Grant, the full face view is of Presi- dent Lincoln, while standing to the right of the picture the subject becomes General Sherman. The picture is rare and is one of the most valuable relics in the museum. Perhaps the most commanding exhibit in the furniture section is a kitchen range built into a brick chimney. While in the White House, Mr. Lincoln frequently used a small house, located in the Soldiers' Home grounds and now known as the Anderson House, as a summer home. All meals in the summer home were cooked on the range. When the Government ordered the range removed from the An- derson House, Captain Clemons requested that it be given to the Lincoln Museum. Under the Custodian's direction the stove was assembled and installed in the exhibit of Lin- coln furniture. The Lincoln Museum is a strong attraction to the descendants of persons identified with Lincoln's life and death. Captain Clemons has been visited by the great- nephew of John Wilkes Booth, the descendants of John T. Ford, the theater manager, and by sons and grandsons of members of Lincoln's cabinet. As tireless as Mr. Old- royd in his desire to add authentic relics to the museum, Captain Clemons has been promised valuable relics by his visitors and has received hundreds of relics from visitors and public spirited citizens. Efficiently managed by Captain Clemons under the super- vision of the National Park Service, the Lincoln Museum will continue the work begun by Osbprn H. Oldroyd and to thousands of patriots will present a real conception of the greatness of Abraham Lincoln. A memorial to a mar- tyr for American liberty and union, the Lincoln Museum will provide inspiration to many generations of Americans. OTHER PUBLICATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ART SERVICE CO., AVAILABLE FOR THIRTY- FIVE CENTS EACH. THE HISTORY OF MOUNT VERNON, by ALLA H. ROGERS, ILLUSTRATED. An authentic short history of this famous old Patriotic Shrine where Geo. Washington lived. THE HISTORY OF ARLINGTON, by ENOCH A. CHASE, ILLUSTRATED. The story of Arlington Mansion where Gen. and Mrs. Lee lived before the War Between the States and now visited by thousands of tourists annually. THE ROMANCE OF OLD CHRIST CHURCH, by JAMES T. MATHEWS, Jr., ILLUSTRATED. One of America's oldest churches, located in Alexandria, Va., and associated with Revolutionary Days. Both Geo. Washington and Gen. Lee worshipped here. THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, by JAMES T. MATHEWS, Jr., ILLUSTRATED. Built in memory of Abraham Lincoln and contains many interesting facts about this famous Memorial. THE FOLLOWING PHOTOGRAPHS OF LEE MAN- SION, 8xio, ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIRTY- FIVE CENTS EACH. INTERIOR: Family Parlor, Family Dining Room, Gen. Lee's Study, Slave Quarters, Lee Boy's Room, Drawing Room, Lafayette Room, Gen. and Mrs. Lee's Bed Room, School Room, Custis Bed Room, Lee Girl's Bed Room, Play Room, Winter Kitchen, Summer Kitchen, Custis Sitting Room. EXTERIOR: Front View of Lee Mansion, Back View of Mansion and East Indian Cedar in Rear of Mansion. NATIONAL ART SERVICE CO, INC. 827 MILLS BUILDING WASHINGTON, D. C. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 973 7L63E5M42L C002 THE LINCOLN MUSEUM WASH DC 3 0112 031814210