^ r ^r > >J The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Models of the Funeral Train Excerpts from newspapers and other sources From the files of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection V/ .T-oo 9 .c>?sr. o j jS'O iijsassssiaasassam -. i s*. >^a^^^ / ><•./, l<< i c -lb' i. -'1 . 7$ 'Ad 6 - u J ft- Ernesl "Mooney" Warther was 80 when Here and There he carved the Lincoln Funeral Train. — Photos counesy Wanher's, The ' Lincoln Funeral Train A Wood carver's Masterpiece by Betty scon America was mourning its completing it in one year on ing the evolution of the steam r fallen leader. The sombe April 14, 1965, the 100th anni- engine, on display at Wanher's funeral train wended its way versary of President Lincoln's Museum in Dover. Here are 64 through the spring countryside Assassination. working models done to scale, from Washington to Springfield, Warther carved it of black one-half inch to the foot. One of Illinois, taking Abraham Lincoln ebony, with trim in ivory and them has more than 10,000 parts home. At every crossing citizens mother of pearl. The miniature and took more than 2,000 hours watched tearfully as the window of the funeral coach to carve. All moving parts and Baltimore and Ohio chugged reveals the body of Lincoln lying bearings are made from Arguto, west on its sad journey, and at in his coffin. An eagle insignia an oil-bearing wood. every town mourners passed and carved ebony draperies are A tour of the museum reveals through the coach where the part of the fine detail, and there some great moments in history: body of the assassinated Presi- is a tiny workable door on the Casey Jones is at the throttle of dent lay. Two million people paid side of the coach, like that Engine No. 382 on the Illinois their respects during the 19-day through which visitors departed, Central Railroad train that made journey. rather than going through the him a folk hero; the Driving of A century later a man who family quarters. These quarters the Golden Spike at Promontory greatly admired Lincoln created and other cars of the train are Point, Utah, is depicted as a replica of this famous train to duplicated in the eight-foot engines from the East and West share with others. Ernest model. There is even anthracite meet; the Great Locomotive Warther of Dover, Ohio, coal to fire the steam engine, and Chase of the Civil War is enacted regarded by many as "the crewmen are aboard. by the General and Texas world's master carver," under- The Lincoln train is only one engines; and the John Bull, first took the work at the age of 80, of many Warther carvings trac- passenger train, actually travels ps- ^-: around in a 16-foot-long case. and his son David now operates An 80-pound elephant tusk the museum, assisted by his wife was used to carve the Empire and six children. One approaches State Express, an eight-foot-iong Warther's by climbing steps up train displayed on a simulated through a terraced garden— cre- stone arch bridge carved of ated in the Swiss tradition by ebony. Ernest Warther's wife, Frieda. The museum works trace the She still tends the beautiful evolution of steam power back to flower beds with the help of a it was daughter. Visitors also admire Egypt in 150 B. C. , when used to open the door of an idol. her collection of 50,000 buttons, Ernest Warther, who died at no two alike, displayed in eye- the age of 87, used oniy knives, catching designs on the walls and files, and native ingenuity to ceiling of the original museum create his remarkable collection. built in 1936. Warther's also His need for a knife that would exhibits one of the finest collec- hold its edge when carving hard tions of Indian arrow points in wood led him to make his own the United States. The gift shop knives, and he sold these to sup- features handcrafted cutlery plement his income. made by the "family recipe." The son of Swiss immigrants, The parking area has an Warther was born near Dover in authentic reproduction of a 1885. At the age of five, while railroad trestle spanning an old tending the family cow, he found mill race. An antique steam a weather-beaten pocket knife engine, caboose, and operating and started whittling. His formal handcar are displayed. The little education ended with the second depot has been occupied spring grade. He was 27 when he began through fall by a glassblower, carving steam engines. Larry Harmon, who demon- Over a period of 40 years strated his unusual talent. Warther traveled to every state Warther's Museum is open displaying his carvings, appear- daily throughout the year, except ing at the 1933 World's Fair and Christmas and New Year's. other large expositions. He was a The steam engine displays, as talented showman and a few well as the other attractions, months of appearances each year testify to the carving art of provided funds for the time Ernest Warther, but the most devoted to carving. remarkable of all is the faithful His family had been much reproduction of the famous Lin- involved in this world of wood, coln Funeral Train. SIB 18 WARTHER WARTHER CARVINGS CARVINGS Dover, Oliio Dover, Ohio The original work shop built in 1912 (left above adjoins the main exhibit building. It also features Mrs. Warther's flower garden. Her collection of 73,000 buttons (photo inside), no two alike, are arranged in beautiful designs on the walls and ceiling of the original museum built in 1936. Warther's also exhibits one of the finest collection of Indian arrow points in the United States. From the new two acre parking area you approach the main building across an authentic reproduction of a railroad trestle. This spans an old mill race. In the parking area is an antique steam engine, a railroad caboose and an operating hand car. Picnic facilities are available. Warther's is a pleasant place to visit for every member of the family any season of the year. Tour reservation for large groups can be made in advance by calling (216) 343-7513 or writing Warther's, 331 7'TV/Porld's Master Carver", ERNEST WARTHER, Karl Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622. V_ \ \ presents an amazing display of hand-carved OPEN DAILY 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. wonders. Using only a knife, files and native Closed Christmas, ingenuity, he carved the history of steam locomotives the present day. New Years, Easter, and trains from 250 B.C. to WARTHER and Thanksgiving. He also carved a model of an 18th century steel mill, with irate foreman and sleeping worker, as well as many other intricate carvings. Smithsonian Institute appraised it as a "Priceless Work of Art". Ernest was never interested in the fortunes he was offered because in his words "our roof don't leak, we ain't hungry and we don't owe anybody." To quote Henry Morgan, "He is truly an American genius. Mr. Warther's accomplishments are gratifying examples of what Americans can do." SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE Carvings of American Railroad Heritage. Ernest Warther, the son of Swiss immigrants, was born near Dover, Ohio on Oct. 30, 1885. His formal education ended with the second grade. At the age of five, while tending the family cow, he found a weather-beaten pocket knife and started i l.l,lilii;!t:innii whittling. ifiXuJ^jjui He enjoyed creating things from wood and his whittling career was started. Young Warther, at the age of 14 began 23 years of working in a local steel mill. He married and raised a family of three girls and two boys. Ernest was 27 when he began carving the The Lincoln Funeral Train Mr. Warther was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln. He made many carvings concerning Lincoln's life and at the age of 80 spent one year carving an 8 foot ebony and ivory replica of the Lincoln Funeral train. Looking through the lighted window of the funeral coach one can see Lincoln lying in his coffin. The eagle insignia and gentle folds of carved ebony draperies are part of the fine detail. The "Big Boy" of the Union Pacific This train was completed on the 100th Anniversary of Lincoln's death. evolution of the steam engine. This is depicted through a series of 64 working models carved to The ivory carvings are the favorite of many scale, Vi" to the foot. One of these has over visitors. These portray Great Events in American 10,000 parts and took more than 2,000 hours to carve. History: Early in his carving career Ernest discovered the • The Driving of the Golden Spike, where the importance of knives that will hold their edge engines from the East and West met with Stanford carving ebony and ivory. Unable to find any of driving the golden spike. such quality, he decided to make his own. Thus, out of necessity was born another hobby making • Casey Jones Engine of Ballad fame. — knives. Experts say they are the world's finest. • The General and Texas engines portrayed in The This lead to the making of kitchen cutlery which Great Locomotive Chase of the Civil War. was sold to supplement his income. • The John Bull, first passenger train, actually All moving parts and bearings of the carved travels in a 16 foot case. locomotives are made from Arguto, an oil-bearing • The Empire State Express is 8 feet long and wood.