Lincoln funeral train information wanted

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The Indiana Historical Bureau invites news­papers to promote the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s funeral train journey from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Ill.

The train made three official stops in Indiana in 1865: Richmond, where then-Gov. Oliver P. Morton and other dignitaries boarded the train; Indianapolis, where the body of Lincoln lay in state in the old Statehouse; and Michigan City, where there was a ceremony before the train moved on to Illinois.

The historical bureau seeks statewide input about the impact of the funeral train in the form of guest posts on its Marking Hoosier History blog, building from news accounts, letters and other records.

Along with newspapers and individuals, members of the Indiana Civil War Study Group, the Indiana State Library and other organizations are encouraged to submit a post at www.markinghoosierhistory.org.

Among funeral train commemorations scheduled around the state, the Indiana Statehouse will host two programs in April:

• A Batesville Casket Co. replica of the Lincoln casket will be on display in the Statehouse sometime between March 30 and April 10. Civil War soldier re-enactors will stand guard.

• The major Statehouse event will be April 30. Gov. Pence is scheduled to speak, and staff from the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site will make a presentation.

For more information con­tact Pamela Bennett, Indiana Historical Bureau director, at pbennett@history.in.gov.