Reminiscence of the opening of Lincoln's casket

Reminiscence of the opening of Lincoln's casket

Ellen Hopkins writes and signs an account of the opening of Abraham Lincoln's casket in 1887 and again in 1901 noting that he has in his possession the sheet of metal cut from the section of the casket that was over the face of Lincoln. The account is also signed by her father, Leon P. Hopkins. A note in the upper left hand corner of the manuscript states that the wide margin has been left blank for binding.

Hopkins, Leon P.; Hopkins, Ellen

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

1940-12-31

pdf

en

300533

T1940.12.31-MISC

My father, Leon P. Hopkins was just a little boy when Abraham Lincoln lived in Springfield but remembers seeing Lincoln talking to his father, Caleb Hopkins, who was then State Custodian of Arms and was later a Captain in the Civil War. These memories precede Lincoln's election as president.

Later in 1887 and in 1901, my father opened Lincoln's casket at the monument in Springfield, Illinois when the body was identified before final interment. He has in his possession the sheet

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of metal cut from over the face of Lincoln from the original casket.

I will have my father autograph this below.

Ellen Hopkins December 31, 1940. Leon P. Hopkins

81

Complete

100

20

paper and ink

2 p

23 x 17 cm