Monday, Feb. 17

 

Heavy, like the day, a piece of
World Trade Center girder on display
at Lincoln College Museum

By Ron Keller

[FEB. 17, 2003]  The Lincoln College Museum has recently acquired a rare piece of history -- a 3-foot section of steel from the World Trade Center. As far as we know, we are the only museum in this part of the country that has such an item. It is truly a painful piece of history.

The girder is a piece of steel beam from Tower One of the World Trade Center. Made of pig iron, this 3-foot piece of steel weighs close to 300 pounds. As you can notice, the steel is buckled at the top. The temperature had to reach over 1,800 degrees for that to happen. The charred marks and concrete debris remain on the steel from that horrible day.

We have created a simple, yet respectful exhibit surrounding the piece. Included are a "Flag of Honor," listing the names of all who died that day, as well as a memory board for all visitors to post thoughts on and memories of that day.

It took over six years to build the twin towers. Timed from the first moment of impact, they were destroyed in one hour and 42 minutes.

We invite all of you to come and view the exhibit, and to recall a day of magnitude of which we hope never to witness again.

[Ron Keller, Lincoln College Museum curator]


[Photo by Bob Frank]


Original Lincoln letter, signed photo given to Illinois State Historical Library

[FEB. 17, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- An 1863 letter written by Abraham Lincoln and an original 1858 photograph signed by Lincoln have been donated to the Illinois State Historical Library and will become part of the world-famous collection that will soon be moving into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

The items were donated by the Oliver James Keller Jr. family. Keller's great-grandfather is the subject of the letter. The donation was made in memory of Oliver J. Keller Sr., who was president of the Abraham Lincoln Association during the 1960s, when the organization raised nearly $300,000 to restore the Old State Capitol.

The original letter is dated April 13, 1863, and is addressed to John P. Usher, secretary of the interior. The brief message, on Executive Mansion stationery, states: "Please see Mr. Dickey a friend, and son of a friend, of mine. He is a gentleman of very high standing; and I will be glad if you will hear him patiently, and oblige him if possible. Yours truly A. Lincoln."  No reference has been found concerning Mr. Dickey's business with the Department of the Interior.

 

Oliver J. Dickey was the law partner of Rep. Thaddeus Stevens at Lancaster, Penn., and son of John Dickey, who had been a member of Congress with Lincoln in 1847-1849 and lived in the same boarding house. Oliver Dickey was an active member of the Pennsylvania Republican delegation that officially brought the news from Chicago to Springfield in 1860 that Lincoln had been nominated for president. Upon Dickey's arrival in Springfield, a newspaper correspondent noted about Lincoln: "His memory is remarkable -- he called gentlemen by name whom he had not seen in years. When Col. O.J. Dickey was introduced, he immediately recognized him as the son of an old friend and shook him by the hand most heartily, at the same time inviting him to spend a part of the following day at his house, which invitation Mr. D. accepted."

 

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The donated photograph was taken in 1858 by either Roderick Cole of Peoria or Preston Butler. Lincoln signed the 5.5-by-7.5-inch photograph, "Yours truly A. Lincoln." The young, beardless Lincoln liked this particular photo and is known to have signed several other copies. Lincoln was gaining national attention from his U.S. Senate campaign against the incumbent Illinois senator, Stephen A. Douglas, and, like modern-day celebrities, he had occasion to sign such items for people. The photograph was obtained by Oliver J. Dickey and passed along to the Keller family.

These items are part of the 47,000-item Henry Horner Lincoln Collection at the Illinois State Historical Library. The State Historical Library and its 12 million items, including the Lincoln collection, will move into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library when construction on the new facility is complete. Meanwhile, construction continues on the adjacent Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which is scheduled to open in 2004, and will provide an opportunity to showcase original Lincoln materials in the slate's collection. The Old State Capitol, Illinois State Historical Library, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are all administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

[News release]


Articles from the past week

Saturday:

  • Winter storm warning

  • Campbell appointed vice president of advancement at Lincoln College

  • Governor puts pinch on spending at state universities

Friday:

  • Mayfield asks for county board support; Voyles picks Sahs for board seat

  • Paramedics enjoy spacious new home
    (Business)

  • Significant winter storm to affect parts of central Illinois tonight

Thursday:

Wednesday:

  • Central Illinois braces for potential ice storm

  • Sewer delinquents cause red ink for city

  • Montcalm resigns from city council

  • 'No' means 'no'
    Senators support law proposal  (Law & Courts)

Tuesday:

  • Automotive business plans move to Woodlawn Road  (Business)

  • January cold and dry, but winter temps near average

Monday:

  • Lincoln students hone storytelling and writing skill under master

  • Child Passenger Safety Week

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