Page 13 - Abraham Lincoln Hearse Narrative

The Springfield Lincoln Hearse

In 1865, twelve large cities of the North that were fortunate enough to find
themselves located on the rail path from Washington, D.C. to Lincoln’s home, chose
to construct massive, richly-draped funeral cars to transport Lincoln’s elevated coffin
through their streets to venues for public viewing. However, Springfield undertakers
lacked a suitably grand vehicle to transport the remains of Abraham Lincoln on the final
leg of the journey from their arrival by railroad to Oak Ridge Cemetery for entombment,
and the financial resources of both the city and state were strained by the other costs of
draping, décor, and public mourning. Springfield city officials received and gratefully

accepted an offer from the Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri to lend a suitable hearse for the
occasion. The proposed vehicle was owned by livery operators Lynch and Arnot of St.
Louis. The vehicle arrived in Springfield via the Chicago, Alton, & St. Louis Railroad
on May 2, 1865, along with the six matched black horses to pull it. One of the principal
owners, Jesse Arnot, chose to drive the team and vehicle in the funeral procession himself.
Period media reports and sources reveal that the vehicle was built in Philadelphia
for Lynch & Arnot at a cost of approximately $6,000. Reports also indicate that the

hearse was larger and longer than typical vehicles of the period. A photograph of
the hearse was taken in May 1865, and the hearse also appears in a woodcut of the
entombment ceremony at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The hearse is decorated with elaborate
Gothic arches in the windows and above the roof line, eight massive feather plumes,
etched-glass window decor, heavy fringe, and wool drapery. Additional details such
as inverted silver torches, pleated fabric, and a silver nameplate were also added for
Lincoln’s funeral. The vehicle came to Springfield with a bit of additional history in that
it had been used in St. Louis for the 1858 funeral procession of Missouri Senator Thomas
Hart Benton as well as other St. Louis notables including General Nathaniel Lyon and

Missouri Governor Hamilton Rowan Gamble.
Following the Lincoln funeral, the hearse returned to St. Louis where, no doubt,
it became a treasured vehicle in Lynch & Arnot’s inventory. A disastrous fire struck
the livery firm on the evening of February 9, 1887. Newspapers from across the nation
reported sadly that three human lives were lost along with 200 horses. Several of the
news stories specifically mentioned that the elaborate hearse with its Lincoln association
was also destroyed.

Staab Family Livery of Springfield, IL, has gathered together historians, expert
craftsmen and a combat Veterans build team to reverse engineer and recreate this historic
vehicle, which will become a centerpiece of the 150 Anniversary commemoration of
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Abraham Lincoln’s entombment as well as a celebration of his life and legacy. Their plan
is to host a private, formal unveiling and dedication ceremony prior to the weekend of
May 1 – 3, 2015. ~ Historian Jon Austin, Independent

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