This Week in History: Lincoln’s funeral train stops in Utica
1865, 156 years ago
Many mourners
Thousands of mourners, subdued by a light rain, gather at Bagg’s Square in Utica as the westbound, nine-car funeral train carrying the remains of the assassinated President Abraham Lincoln pulls to a stop. The Utica Daily Press reports: “We never before witnessed so large and compact an assemblage in the vicinity of the depot.”
The procession is making stops at each place where Lincoln had spoken four years earlier on his inaugural trip from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington. He spoke in Utica on Feb. 18, 1861, for about 10 minutes to a large crowd at the train depot on Main Street.
Now, 50 months later, on a Wednesday evening shortly after 8, a large bell atop the funeral train’s locomotive, begins to toll. Four men appointed by Mayor John Butterfield to meet the train officially are there – Hugh Crocker, Charles Hopkins, Homer Townsend and J.H. Read. Many in the crowd can be heard sobbing uncontrollably. The Utica Brass Band begins to play “The Dead March in Saul” and a chorus from the recently formed German Glee Club (today the Utica Maennerchor) sings sad songs to the fallen leader.
At 8:45, the train slowly pulls out of Utica – its bell still tolling – and continues its journey to Springfield where the president will be interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery. As the crowd disperses, it learns that earlier in the day in a large tobacco barn in Bowling Green, Virginia, John Wilkes Booth, the man who murdered Lincoln, was cornered and shot to death.
1915, 106 years ago
Church opens
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, formally opens its new building on the southwest corner of Genesee Street and Avery Place in Utica (today it’s the home of the Oneida County History Center). Parishioners purchased the site in 1907, excavation began on April 6, 1914 and the cornerstone was laid on June 15, 1914. Architects Agne, Rushmer and Johnson designed the building, whose classic, ornate exterior has been attracting many people. Harry Lancaster was the contractor.
1946, 75 years ago
Postal promotions
Utica Postmaster Charles T. Donnelly announces six promotions at the Utica Post Office: Frederick J. Wendt to assistant postmaster, Clarence T. Miller to superintendent of mails, Gerald Fariello to clerk in charge of the registry section, Andrew Murdock Jr., to superintendent of mail orders, Dominick Pacilio to day foreman and Henry Neff to clerk in charge of money orders.
1971, 50 years ago
Herrmann honored
Edward J. Herrmann, who recently retired after 40 years in the Utica Public School System — 30 years at Thomas R. Proctor High School — is inducted into the Utica College Sports Hall of Fame. During his career, he coached track, cross country, baseball, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, golf, volleyball, swimming and football. From the late 1940s through the 1950s, his track teams won 14 consecutive Section III championships. In 1941, he organized the first Proctor Invitational cross country meet. He served as its director until his retirement in 1969. The E.J. Herrmann Invitational cross country meet continues today.
The Tyrolean Ski Club elects officers: Jack Rosen, president; Jim Kane, vice president; Jack Ruffrage, treasurer; Elaine Rey, corresponding secretary, and Judy Surace, secretary.
The Beautification Council of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce plants 20 trees along the east side of Genesee Street from Hobart Street south to Scott Street.
1996, 25 years ago
A quilt for Utica
Third-grade students at Albany Street School – under the direction of their teacher, Mrs. Luczko – make a quilt of sites in Utica. It’s called: “Utica: A Great Community.” Among the students participating are Christina Sabatino, Matthew Schafer, Fernando Harvey, Adam Guarno, LaToya Mobley, Samantha Harris, Danielle Valeriano, Danielle Platt, Rebecca Scotellaro, Britney Wameling, Mathew Lekki, Shayla Perez, Nicholas Bonacci, Shaunna Krantz, Kayla DeTraglia, Michael Teti, Anthony Hobaica, Andrea Scott and Amanda Goldstein.
The Skating Club of Utica elects Shirley Oddy as its president. Emily Krzysiak is vice president, Ann Nelson is treasurer, Gretchen Sacco is recording secretary and Robin Reed is corresponding secretary.
The Boonville Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary elects Mary Krambuhl as its president. Other officers: Milly Walton, vice president; Laura Czajka, secretary, and Barbara Ferris, treasurer.
2011, 10 years ago
Tornado strikes
A tornado touches down near the intersection of Route 49 and Lauther Road in western Rome, says the National Weather Service. It snaps telephone poles and knocks down many trees. The service says it was an EF-1 tornado, the second least severe of six tornado rankings. It was clocked at 100 miles per hour and the funnel traveled 200 yards in a wooded area.
Trivia quiz
Nineteen U.S. presidents never served in Congress. How many can you name? (Answer will appear here next week.)
Answer to last week’s question: Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams and John Quincy Adams – future president of the United States – were married in London on July 26, 1797. Louisa was born on Feb. 12, 1775 in London, where her father was American consul. She was very artistic and enjoyed sketching, writing French verse and playing the harp and piano – often accompanied by her husband on the flute. She was the first first lady born in a foreign country. Melania Knauss Trump, wife of President Donald Trump, was born in Slovenia, then part of Yugoslovia.
This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.