Since Lincoln's death 95 years ago next Friday,
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it's been a center of
the unusual,
ranging from
body snatching
to historical boners
UNCO
Lichtninc, which they say never strikes
twice, has in the last decade twice
struck and damaged the tomb of Abraham
Lincoln in Springfield, 111.
I'm not a bit surprised. For the past nine
years, I have been curator of the Lincoln
Tomb, observing what a strange and often
times stormy place it is.
For example, before I became curator I
considered myself something of a Lincoln
expert. My wife and I have given scores
of lectures on the Great Emancipator. But
if we were to believe what some visitors
have "taught" us about Lincoln, we'd throw
all the history books out the window.
Several tourists have tried to convince
us, for instance, that Lincoln is not buried
in the tomb at all. One insisted that he was
sure Lincoln was buried in France, another
The unknown story of
LNSTi
By GEORGE L CASH MAN
Curator, Lincoln's Tomb, Springfield, III.
as told to Bernard Asbell
said at sea, another at Arlington. Still an
other was absolutely sure the body had
been stolen and never recovered. It hap
pens this misguided chap was almost right;
but that's a story I'll get into later.
I don't mean to give the impression that
our visitors are mostly pests; far from it
Most of the 2,700 visitors we average in a
day including kings, presidents, and schol
ars come with a reverent curiosity about
the most interesting man America has .pro
duced. But occasionally there are odd peo
' pie and odd Incidents it's been that way
since Lincoln died April 15, 1865.
For a time, it seemed there was never
to be peace around Lincoln's resting place.
While Lincoln's funeral train was still jour
neying mournfully from Washington, 15 of
his friends in Springfield began to raise
( Continued)
COVER:
Just a glance at sparkling Doris Day and
the world seems brighter. For more, see
her own story, "Who Says I've Changed?"
along with pictures of her career (page 12).
WeeJcly
UONMO J. DAVtOOW Preoidritt and PuNiiker
WALTER C. DREYFUS Vice Preiidntt
PATRICK I. O'ROURKE Advcrtieioa Director
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April 10. I960
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