When Lincoln was assassinated in April of 1865, he was taken by train back to Springfield, Illinois. The train departed Washington DC on April 21, 1865. It arrived in Lockport, Illinois at 11:30 pm and Joliet, Illinois at 12:00 on May 2. In Lockport, the train passed by the Gaylord and Norton Building (lockportworks.com). It was a very somber occasion where hymns were sung and no one spoke as they paid their respects to Abraham Lincoln. Here is an article published in the Joliet Signal, May 9, 1865 (Jolietlibrary.org).
On last Tuesday night at 12 o’clock the remains of President Lincoln reached this city on the way to their last resting place in Springfield. Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, several thousand of our citizens most of whom had been political opponents of Mr. Lincoln while living, assembled at the Chicago & Alton railroad depot, to manifest their respect for the eminent dead. The depot was decorated in mourning, and appropriate arrangements made for the occasion...eager to get sight of the coffin, which was visible from the windows. A large number of ladies were permitted to pace through the car...Guns were fired, bells tolled, solemn anthems sang by a splendid choir and mournful dirges played by the Joliet Cornet Band. Though the crowd was immense, there was scarcely a word spoken above a whisper. All seemed to realize the solemnity of the occasion, and to unite in the tribute of respect to the departed President.
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