Lincoln lay in state in the City Hall, New
York, from noon April 24 to noon April 25, 1865. Visitors were
admitted to view the remains, passing through the Hall two abreast.
Singing societies sang dirges in the rotunda the night through.
Richard Storrs Willis was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 10,
1819, was graduated at Yale in 1841, and adopted literature as his
profession. He has published musical and other poems; has edited the
_New York Musical World_ and _Once a Week_, and contributed also to
current literature. He wrote the following:
REQUIEM OF LINCOLN
Now wake the requiem's solemn moan,
For him whose patriot task is done!
A nation's heart stands still today
With horror, o'er his martyred clay!
O, God of Peace, repress the ire,
Which fills our souls with vengeful fire!
Vengeance is Thine--and sovereign might,
Alone, can such a crime requite!
Farewell, thou good and guileless heart!
The manliest tears for thee must start!
E'en those at times who blamed thee here,
Now deeply sorrow o'er thy bier.
O, Jesus, grant him sweet repose,
Who, like Thee, seemed to love his foes!
Those foes, like Thine, their wrath to spend,
Have slain their best, their firmest friend.
[Illustration: ST. JAMES HALL, BUFFALO, N. Y.]
The funeral train bearing the remains of President Lincoln reached
Buffalo, New York, on Thursday morning, the 27th of April. The body
was taken from the funeral car and borne by soldiers up to St. James'
Hall, where it was placed under a crape canopy, extending from the
ceiling to the floor. The Buffalo St. Cecilia Society sang with deep
pathos the dirge "Rest, Spirit, Rest," the society then placed an
elegantly formed harp, made of choice white flowers, at the head of
the coffin, as a tribute from them to the honored dead. The public
were admitted to view the remains, and the following day the remains
reached Cleveland, Ohio.
James Nicoll Johnston was born in Ardee, County Donegal, Ireland. When
two years of age the family moved to Cashelmore, Sheephaven Bay,
County Donegal. In 1847 they moved to America. He was then between
fifteen and sixteen years of age. In 1848 they set
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