Reenactors observe anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train stop in York, Pa.
A family of York County, Pa., Civil War reenactors observed the exact moment, 145 years ago, that Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train made a water stop and then proceeded up the tracks to Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg. Here, Becky Winand serves as one of the women from distinguished York families who visited Lincoln’s funeral bier during the train stop. The present-day station, next to Sovereign Bank stadium, replaced the terminal where Lincoln’s train stopped in the 1890s. Also of interest: Reworking the working list of U.S. presidential visits to York and Adams counties and Abe Lincoln stopped at Hanover station:”We want to preserve history … so it doesn’t disappear’ and A Civil War Black Republican: ‘He robs birds’ nests … sucks hens’ eggs’,
Around York County, many people are aware that Abraham Lincoln passed through Hanover Junction, 10 miles south of York, on his way to and from Gettysburg where he delivered his famous speech.
On April 21, a York County family of Civil War reenactors effectively called attention to a sometimes overlooked moment in York County’s history. That was the day 145 years ago when the slain president’s funeral train stopped at York’s station.
A York Daily Record/Sunday New story (4/22/10) captured the reenactment spearheaded by the Winand family – Dr. Andrew Winand, Becky Winand and 17-year-old daughter Hannah.
Dr. Winand, an Abe Lincoln reenactor, attracted a memorable quote from an in-law: … .
“He’s a doctor that doesn’t play golf. But he loves playing Lincoln.”
Rich stuff.
This gives reason to outline rules issued by then-York borough officials in preparation for the visit of Lincoln’s funeral train, gleaned from my “East of Gettysburg:”
To prepare for the funeral train’s stop in York, Chief Burgess David Small issued an order that called for:
1. All businesses to close after 4 p.m. on April 21 and remain closed . . . as long as the body was in the state.
2. Military and citizens to assemble in York’s Centre Square with the procession to march to the North Duke Street rail station.
3. The formation of a line at the station, extending toward Baltimore. “During the passing of the train the line will remain uncovered (with hats off),” the order stated.
4. Citizens to take their flags and “drapery of mourning” to Water Street for suspension along the buildings on the railroad line.
5. The tolling of bells while the body was within the borough limits.
6. For Col. J.A. Stahle to act as chief marshal.
– In 1865, Abraham Lincoln’s body was aboard his touring funeral train when it stopped in York. Within earshot of a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter, an elderly black man proclaimed, “He was crucified for us.”
– Carrolus A. Miller, a Hanover native, piloted the train between Washington and Baltimore but was not at the helm when the train rode the Northern Central Railroad into York. The train arrived late and stayed about 10 minutes. Some prominent York women were admitted to the funeral car. Aquilla Howard, a well-regarded black citizen, carried a wreath of flowers on behalf of York.
Also of interest:
Visit this blog’s Abe Lincoln visited here category.
Visit All presidential stops category.
Photo courtesy of York Daily Record/Sunday News.
