Lincoln Train at Francesville Fall Festival
Lincoln Train at Francesville Fall Festival
The annual Francesville Fall Festival always held the third weekend of September proves to be even more exciting with the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train arriving on Friday, September 18th. One hundred and fifty years ago, the beloved 16th President, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. A funeral train, The Lincoln Special, carried his body from Washington D.C. through 180 cities and seven states to Springfield, Illinois allowing mourners around the country to pay their respect. Few people may realize that the train stopped in the small village of Francesville at 5:38 a.m. on the morning of May 1, 1865 to replenish the water supply needed for the steam engine. The people of Francesville, like thousands of others along the route, gathered to pay their respect.
In 1911 a prairie fire destroyed the famous car that carried Lincoln’s body. In honor of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s death, an exact replica of the Lincoln Funeral Car has been build and on tour. Since May 3, more than 15,000 people have tourned the Funeral Car in the Midwest.
Because of the generous donations of community members, The Francesville Fall Festival committee has secured this special train for the third weekend of September, hoping to be a highlight of the annual Fall Festival. Consisting of 3 cars; a steam engine, tender, and the funeral car will be hauled to Francesville on Wednesday and placed on temporary tracks just in front of The Alliance Bank! A welcoming ceremony will be held on Saturday morning to resemble the ceremony that was held on that
sad day in May, 150 years ago. A group of ladies back then sang a tune called, “The Old Hundred” similar to what we know today as The Doxology. It is planned to have a group of ladies sing at the welcoming ceremony on Saturday, September 19th. Michael Krebs, a professional Abe Lincoln impersonator, had been hired to share highlights of famous speeches & anedoctes of Abe Lincoln. He will greet citizens at the train ceremony on Saturday morning as well as speak in the parade opening ceremonies. The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Car will be open for tours all weekend. School-aged youth are free and adults $5.
While you are in town, you may also want to see the fireworks, listen to several bands and programs in the Big Tent. Other events that weekend are, Auto Show, Cornhole tourney, Garden Tractor Pull, Dinners, and arts & crafts booths and Carnival rides.
www.francesvillefallfestival.com
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