The Indianapolis Ceremony

Lincoln’s body lay in state in Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Columbus before arriving in Indianapolis at 7:00 a.m. on April 30th. Indianapolis, like the other cities, had planned an elaborate procession and ceremony, but many of the day’s events, including the grand funeral procession and a speech by Governor Oliver P. Morton, had to be cancelled due to heavy rain. Instead, the casket was moved directly to the rotunda of the Indiana State Capitol. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people filed past the casket, with thousands standing in line in the pouring rain for hours. This photograph likely shows the April 29th rehearsal, when officials and others gathered outside the entry to the draped Capitol building. This particular photograph is unique because its wooden frame is made from pieces of the bier that held Lincoln’s casket while he lay in state.