Lincoln embossed on a tattered black silk ribbon ‘a somber memory reflecting an assassination that spiraled a nation into grief.
According to news reports, shortly after 10 p.m., April 14, 1865, actor John Wilkes Booth entered the presidential box at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., and fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln. As Lincoln slumped forward in his seat, Booth leapt onto the stage and escaped through the back door. A doctor in the audience rushed over to examine the paralyzed President Lincoln who was then carried across the street to the Petersen House, where he died early the next morning.
April 14 marked 150 years since the assassination of Lincoln, and for Ortonville resident Ken Bush, a collector of historical memorabilia for more than 50 years, the presidential funeral that followed is remembered by some unique items.
‘Keep in mind communications were limited to a few newspapers and telegraphs’that’s it,? he said. ‘Many of the Lincoln funeral collectible items are pretty rare today and desirable. Lincoln is still a very popular president. Many items were produced to pay tribute to the president’there were a few pins and a black ribbon. I’ve not owned anything from one of the specific funerals or the one in Washington, DC.?
Bush’s collection includes a funeral card titled ‘Greetings in the Spirit Land? by artist Stephen James Ferris, 1835-1915. The image is of George Washington greeting Lincoln in heaven. Others include a black silk ribbon and a black pin with Lincoln’s face.
Ray Henry is a local historian, genealogist and has served on the board of directors for the Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society in addition to the Rochester-Avon Historical Society. He has studied Civil War history for more than two decades.
‘If you lived in Ortonville or northern Oakland County in 1865, there’s a good chance you read about the assassination in The Pontiac Jacksonian, a weekly publication that existed in the area from 1842-1873,? said Henry. ‘Depending on the day the newspaper was published’a week may have gone by before you heard about the assassination.?
The various memorabilia from Lincoln’s funeral was typical of the era.
‘There were many tokens of mourning that people of the time displayed,? he said. ‘Arm bands or ribbons were handed out at the door of a service. Or memorial cards’they dated back hundreds of years to England. By the 1860s these cards were in line with the tradition and are sometimes used today. There were actually funerals held all over the country for Lincoln. There are several photos of the president lying in state at capitols including Philadelphia and Cincinnati. So as the train stopped people showed their respect in a variety of ways.?
On April 21, 1865, about a week after Lincoln’s assassination, a train carrying the coffin leaves Washington, D.C. on its way to Springfield, Ill., where he would be buried on May 4. The train carrying Lincoln’s body traveled through 180 cities and seven states.
‘Consider, too, at the time of the assassination the Civil War had just ended,? said Henry. ‘It was a big celebration with four years of war ending. The assassination was an awakening to reality, it put many into deep mourning. To mark the end of the Civil War the Oakland County Courthouse in Pontiac was illuminated with candles in every window. When news of Lincoln’s death was reported, the courthouse was draped in black outside. It was a major contrast and public display of sadness.?
Henry added that Lincoln was a fatalist.
‘Lincoln knew he was a target for assassination,? he said. ‘After his death there were more than 200 death threats found in his desk in the White House. It was as if he was saying, ‘If they are going to get me they would get me.??