Lincoln's Inaugural Train In Rochester,NY-Young Boy Jumps Aboard!

[HerbS]

On February 18,1861 at 7:40AM the Inaugural Train stops in Rochester,NY.The train was late due to a snow storm and went a good 400yds past the station as a crowd of 15,000 waited.The train stayed 6 minutes as Lincoln stood on the back of the train and spoke to the crowd.Just as the train started it's departure,a young boy jumped aboard and shook Lincoln's hand and said,"Pleased to meet you Mr.President".Lincoln responded,"Likewise, and be careful getting off the train."Then a few weeks later a letter from a person in Rochester and wrote this to Lincoln,"Mr.President-You are a great blessing to our country.A worthy successor to Washington.You are to be remembered,revered,and loved forever.Signed---An Old Man

[RJNorton]

Herb, forum member Scott Trostel has authored an outstanding book titled "The Lincoln Inaugural Train." I scanned this photo of the New York Central Railroad Station in Rochester from Scott's book. (If Scott wants me to take the photo down I will immediately do so.) The view shows the west end of the station. There is a balcony on the right that was originally planned as the location Lincoln would speak from, but as you said, he spoke from the rear of the train instead. The car was at the west end of the station when he spoke. Too bad the photo wasn't taken when Lincoln was speaking from the train!

Scott included the story of the boy that you mentioned as well as the entire text of the "old man's" letter you cited.

[HerbS]

Roger,Thanks for the information.I got it from the Rochester newspapers.I sure Scott has more in his book that I have seen already!

[LincolnMan]

Do we know what became of the boy?

[RJNorton]

Bill, there are nothing further about the boy, but here is the text of the letter the "old man" wrote:

"To Abraham Lincoln, President Elect of the United States, passing Rochester:

Honored Sir – I have watched you day by day, in your progress from Springfield, and caught an echo of the cheering shouts, from a patriotic and confiding people, that greet you on your way to the Capital. Earnest prayers go up from millions of true hearts, all crying ‘God bless him' One of these millions, now in the wane of life, who yet wishes the glorious old flag of the stripes and stars to float over his grave, comes to join his feeble voice to this swelling acclaim, and to say, with a full heart and tearful eyes, and good hope, also – God bless you, Sir, and have you ever in His holy keeping, and give you grace, and wisdom, and strength, in this time of difficulty and peril, to be a great blessing to your country! -- a worthy successor of Washington—to be remembered, revered and loved forever."

An Old Man

[LincolnMan]

What a letter! Interesting that he chose not to identify himself. I hope it was encouraging to Lincoln. Also interesting that the writer linked Lincoln to Washington-as Lincoln himself did when he gave his farewell words at the Springfield depot.

[Laurie Verge]

I wonder if the Old Man could have served in the Revolution - or lived through Washington's presidency?

[HerbS]

Laurie,Who knows,but I hope so!Neither the"Old Man"or the Young Boy's name were ever mentioned in the newspaper version from tht library.I did see that a few reporters were on the Lincoln Train at that time.That might account for the boy's name not being mentioned.

[Laurie Verge]

I can't remember if Michael Kline included this in his book on The Baltimore Plot. He carries the security issue through from the departure at Springfield.

[HerbS]

Laurie,Roger told me that Scott Trostel has the information in his book!

[RJNorton]

Neither the old man's name nor the boy's name is in the book. My guess is they both are lost to history.

[HerbS]

Roger,That explains why it was probably reported by a national reporter on Lincoln's Train.All Rochester has in it's newspaper files is that it happened!

[LincolnMan]

If the "old man" had served in the Revolution he would have been quite old-but it would have been still possible.