They will have learned that the noblest and best of American citizens; 
the purest and least selfish of American statement; the warmest and 
truest of America’s friends, has been stricken down the black-souled 
ruffian, and now sleeps the sleep that knows no waking, this side of 
eternity.

They will have learned that our noble President, to whom all eyes were 
turned, in whom all hopes were centered, toward whom the affections of 
a nation gushed forth, and for whom a nation’s prayers were offered 
daily — he who carried this country through a struggle such as no 
other nation ever experienced, and brought it forth to glorious 
termination — he — Abraham Lincoln — has fallen victim to a hate, he 
most cursed and devilish that ever burned in the beast of mortal man. 
None but a fiend could have perpetuated the horrible crime; and none 
but a traitorous hand could have dealt the murderous blow.

He, who can do more than simply announce the melancholy fact that 
Abraham Lincoln is no more — that our President is dead — slain by an 
assassin, gone, he who can do more than this at present, can not feel 
nor appreciate the pangs that wring the hearts of American People.
He, who can write long essays, or deliver lengthy homilies while yet 
the gaping wound is fresh, and bleeding; while yet the terrible weight 
of our sorrows crush us down into the dust of the earth; while yet the 
eye is red with weeping, and the cheek is wet with water from the 
soul’s fountain — he, who can do these, is devoid of the finer 
feelings, those delicate sensibilities — of that true heart-born 
sympathy — which those who sorrow the deepest possess in the largest 
measure.

True sorrow never makes a display of itself; genuine grief never 
courts the gaze of the world — but shuns the wondering stare of men, 
and retires to secret places where it may vent itself unseen and 
unheard by mortal eye or ear.

Thus we feel as we pen these lines; thus would we mourn the death of 
the great and good President Abraham Lincoln; thus do the people feel 
over the great calamity which has befallen them.

Abraham Lincoln is no more. A nation mourns the loss of the noblest 
man. Illinois weeps over the bier of her most cherished son. Let us 
bow the knee in humblest submission to Him “who doeth all things well.”

 __________

Abraham Lincoln’s legacy in Geneseo is a juxtaposed mix of hearsay 
and documented artifacts.

“There’s a home in Geneseo where Lincoln is said to have spent the 
night,” said Geneseo Historical Museum curator Angie Snook. “It’s 
also been said that Lincoln was suppose to speak in a pavilion near 
the current  city park, but was a no-show.”

While neither of those events can be definitively confirmed, Geneseo 
does have genuine connections to the nation’s 16th president.
Included in the Geneseo Historical Museum's collection is a book of 
personal reminiscences on Lincoln by George Shaw, a Tremont-area 
attorney and grandfather of the late Amey Bush of Geneseo.

The museum also has a desk and two chairs from the Tremont law office 
of George and Joseph Shaw. Lincoln would visit with the Shaws at their 
office, and the artifacts donated by Bush are “well documented” 
said Snook.

An original 1860 Lincoln election tally from Hanna Township is in the 
museum’s collection as is a scrap of fabric from the Lincoln funeral 
catafalque in Chicago.

The museum also has a dress worn by an attendee at one of Lincoln’s 
inaugural balls. The dress has been donated to the museum by Sandra 
Blackert.

Snook calls the Lincoln related artifacts the centerpiece of the 
museum’s collection. “We’re very fortunate to have such a great 
collection of Lincoln items,” she said, adding other museums, 
including the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, have contacted  Snook in 
regard to the items.

“We’ve never loaned the items out, and we probably wouldn’t. I 
feel they were left to our museum and it is our responsibility to 
display and protect them,” she said.

A bust of Lincoln, located at the corner of  State and Second streets 
is another key item in the museum’s Lincoln collection.
Originally situated at the Chicago Union Stockyards, the statue was on 
display for many years at the Atkinson stockyards.

In 1998, the family of Dr. Gifford Zimmerman donated the bust to the 
museum. “It was a very generous gift and one of the best things for 
the museum,” said Snook. At the time, both the mayor of Chicago and 
the Illinois governor also wanted the statue.

The Geneseo Historical Museum is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 
p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.