May 3, 1865---Abraham Lincoln comes home

MAY 3, 1865:   

"To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything." --- Abraham Lincoln

I

Governor Joseph Brown of Georgia unilaterally takes Georgia out of the Confederacy by Executive fiat. He calls for the State Legislature to meet on May 22nd, "...in order that measures might be taken to prevent anarchy, restore and preserve order, and save what remains of liberty and civilization."

II

Abraham Lincoln came home to Springfield at 9:00 A.M. on the Third day of May 1865. As he had said during his “Farewell Speech” in February 1861, "I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return . . ."

Now he had. Springfield, like every other city along the funeral route, was draped in black, but there was a small town hometown poignancy to the public mourning in Springfield that was missing everywhere else. For in Springfield Lincoln was not “The Great Emancipator” or “Mr. President” or “My Captain.”  In Springfield, he was a longtime resident (since 1837), one of the town’s friendlier and most frank lawyers, an ordinary customer at the market or at the barber shop, a schoolchild’s parent, a fellow who enjoyed passing the time at the corner store and told a good joke. The banners in Springfield did not just say THE NATION MOURNS or THE HEAVENS ARE DRAPED IN BLACK. They also said MR. LINCOLN, YOU ARE HOME and WE MISSED YOU.

Lincoln's house in Springfield 1865 and 2015

The whole small city of Springfield was a treasure trove of Lincolnia. The Lincoln home, draped in black, became a site of pilgrimage and pilfering (so bad that the Lincolns’ tenant asked for police protection; even paint was chipped off the walls as a keepsake). Likewise, mourners (many from beyond Springfield) made a mess of his law office where the “Lincoln & Herndon Attorneys At Law” sign drew their attention. Billy Herndon, Lincoln’s law partner, asked for police protection too.

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices in 1865 (top) and in 2015 (bottom). The bottom photo is of the original  (1850s) restored offices occupied by the Firm. By 1860, Lincoln's practice required larger quarters and they had moved. Subsequently, the "1860" office block was razed.

People even visited the homes and offices of Lincoln’s family doctor and of his chiropodist, Dr. Israel Zacharie, a good friend of the President, who obliged visitors by telling them stories about his friendship with Lincoln all day long.

Even the Lincoln family dog, Fido (yes, Fido), was trotted out from his foster home. He remembered Robert and Tad but looked in vain for “the boss,” becoming rather despondent at Lincoln’s absence. A photographer snapped a rather remarkable picture of Fido on watch.

 

The public viewing began at the old State Capitol at 10:00 A.M. Tears flowed freely. The crowd stood in long lines, six abreast. Springfield’s leaders promised that everyone would have their chance to pass the catafalque. 

To keep this ambitious promise, the viewing continued for twenty five straight hours.