LINCOLN LORE Bulletin of the Lincoln National Life Foundation ------Dr. Lona A. Warren Editor Published each week by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, fudiana Number 1078 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA December 5, 1949
CUSTODIANS AT LINCOLN'S TOMB JOHN CARROLL POWER EDWARD S. JOHNSON HERBERT WELLS FAY 1874-1894, 20 years 1895-1920, 25 years 1921-1949, 28 years The first full time custodian of the A native of Springfield Illinois, Bringing to a proper clin1ax this Lincoln Tomb at Springfield, lllinois Edward S. Johnson became the sec most remarkable exhibition of fidelity, was John C. Power. He was born in ond custodian at the Lincoln Tomb. stamina and enterprise in this three Fleming County Kentucky on Sep He was born August 9, 1843 and with man public service succession ex_... tember 19, 1819, but did not come into the exception of the years spent in tending over 73 years, Herbert Wells prominence as an authority in the military sernce and a short time in Fay, labored longChicago, resided in the city all his than either of his two predecessors. ated with the Springfield Board of life. His father and Abraham Lincoln This issue of Lincoln Lore is most Trade. In 1871 he published for that were close friend'!, and Edward John sincerely dedicated to his memory, not organization a History of S'(YI'ingfield. son and Robert Lincoln were school only for his long and faithful service, The last four pages ot the history mates-but eight days separating but for his unusual enthusiasm for were utilized in telling ~ the story of their respective births. his task which had not abated even the National Lincoln Monument As when his strength began to fail. It is sociation and related to the prog'l'(!ss The day after Sumpter was fired doubtful if any man ever reached di being made on the erection of the upon Johnson enlisted for military rectly so many people with his story monument then nearing completion. service and became a member of the of Abraham Lincoln as did l.fr. Fay He also gave a prospectus on the last first company in the state to tender with his daily recitals for over a pa~ of the volume of a new book its services to the Jlovernor. Through quarter of a century. He estimated which he then had in the process of a series of promot1ons he was finallr. lie had entertained at the shrine more pl'(lparntion entitled Hist handled these questions about entrance to the duty of guarding and caring tors of Lincolniana. foes and Sunday visiting houTs. for the last resting place of the illus He took over the position as cus trious dead." Tbe most important todian of the Lincoln Tomb in Janu The fact that the monument was ary 1821 and made a large portion of still under the supervision of the Na change which took place at the tomb tional Lincoln Monument Association was the retnoval of the fee for en· his enormous collection of pictures and trance. documents accessible to the public. By which had no guaranteed income to virtue of his position he came in con assure its upkeep made it necessary Lincoln collectors today are familiar tact through the years with the great to continue the admission charge and with the name of Edward S. Johnson men of the world who visited the sale of souvenirs throughout the in because of the compilation of data he tomb of Lincoln and through these cumbency of Mr. Power. gathered and pubhshed on Abr¢Mm acquaintances greatly enriched his 1\(r. Power's books on the tomb are Lincoln o.nd his last Reating Place. collection of L!ncolniana. It drst appeared as a 17 page pamph Except for one or two brief inter well known and his Abraham Lincoln let and finally evolved through a pro vals he was actively engaged at the His Life, P"blic S...,ices, Death o.nd gression of editions until it reached monument up to the timo of his re Gt-eat Funeral Cr;rtege was widely 29 pa~. Major Johnson remained as tirement last January. He passed circulated. John Carroll Power died custodian of the tomb up until the away at ninety years of age on Mon time of his death on February 15, day, October 24, 1949. We anticipate in 1894 at 75 years of age while still 1921, having served nearly 26 years for Mr. Fay's son, Earl who suc semng as custodian of the monu in that capacity. He was 77 years old ceeded his father, a peri;,;i of sernce ment. when he passed away. comparable to his famous predecessors.
