European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 11, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A amps won Jenson Lincoln s former Home at the Comer of 8th and Jackson streets in Springfield has been fully restored and is open to visitors. By Ron Jensen staff writer the tiny plaque on the front door is inscribed Quot a. Lincoln Quot a simple reminder of the former resident who bid Farewell to his friends and neighbors in Springfield Iii in 186 to reside in the while House while he sought to preserve the Union. Quot my friends no one not in my situation can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. I now leave not knowing when or whether Ever i will return. Quot Lincoln did not return to the Only Home he Ever owned. A tiny steel Ball fired from an Assassin s gun ended his life shortly after he had reunited North and South they say in the Illinois stale capital that Lincoln still walks those streets if he does to will surely notice his Home is much As he left it. A two year renovation project closed the two Story Structure to the Public for More than one year visitors now find a Bright and cheerful place with red. Green and Blue carpeting and Blue and Gold wallpaper that matches that of the lincolns. Illinois is filled with the heritage of the 16lh president justifying its claim As the land of Lincoln known As honest Abe the great emancipator and father Abraham among other names he is revered. His eyes gaze Down from the Walls of nearly every classroom in the stale a in ppm statues of civil War soldiers ring the Tomb Ipp Lapp in Springfield iii., where Lincoln is a it burled. The anniversary of the former president s birthday is tomorrow. The Lincoln heritage Trail is 1,100 Miles of the state s finest scenery and roughly traces Lincoln s life As a lawyer Riding the circuit a state representative and a candidate for the u s Senate. The Trail also lakes in Nauvoo once Headquarters of the mormon Church and other Sites related to the history of Illinois and the nation. Bui Springfield is the Center of Lincoln s life in Illinois. He purchased the Home and lot at 8th and Jackson streets in 1843 for $1,500 and moved into in with his wife Mary and son Robert. In 1856, Lincoln paid $1,300 to add a second Story to accommodate his growing family. When he left in 1861, the family sold or gave away Many of their furnishings. Administered since 1972 by the National Park service the Home can be toured free of charge. A Ranger guides the Tours pointing out the silting room where Lincoln wrestled playfully with his sons and the bedroom where mrs. Lincoln sought darkened Solace from her frequent migraine headaches in the formal parlor Lincoln was told of his nomination to the presidency about two thirds of the furnishings belonged to the lincolns but for Security reasons they Are not pointed out. Four blocks from the Home is the Law office where Lincoln practice the profession he taught himself by Reading aloud from Law books his Law partner William Herndon later earned Fame As a biographer of Lincoln although his Book is considered More fiction than fact one floor below is the room that once was the Only Federal court in Illinois the future president argued several cases there from the window of his Corner office Lincoln could see the stale Capitol building which was Home for the slate legislature from 1839 until 1876 the magnificent greek style building is where Lincoln delivered his famous Quot House divided Quot speech in 1858, an Early Call that the Union must be preserved. Also As a lawyer he argued 243 cases in the first floor slate supreme court chamber following Lincoln s death in april 1865, More than 75,000 people passed through the building to View his body. On the morning of May 4, 1865, the casket was closed placed on a Hearse and taken to Oak Ridge cemetery Tor burial the Lincoln Tomb dominates the historic cemetery. Nearby Are Graves of civil War soldiers four Bronze statuary groups ring the Tomb representing the infantry cavalry artillery and Navy forces that fought in the War Between the slates an interesting aspect to the Tomb is the Stone taken from a Wall built around Rome in 578 . By the sixth King of Rome Servius Tulius. After coming to Power he freed the slaves of Rome in Early 1865, the people of Rome sent the Stone to president Lincoln As a memento to note the parallel Between the president and the former ruler it was later moved to the Tomb Only 20 Miles Northwest of Springfield is Lincoln s new Salem a state historic site this reconstructed Village is a replica of the Small town that was Home to Lincoln from 1831 to 1837. He was a clerk postmaster and Deputy Surveyor at various times Here. He was elected to the state legislature from there in 1834. The log Homes and split rail fences rebuilt there give a visitor an idea of whal it was like during Lincoln s time. Dunn the summer months people dressed in period clothes populate the settlement adding to the atmosphere. There is a Story often told but untrue that Lincoln a Only True love lived there. Ann Rutledge daughter of the tavern owner is said to have captured Lincoln s heart but was taken from him by an Early death. The True Story of Lincoln s life has been clouded by myth and tall tales. At the heart of it All however remains a great Man. Sas Ron Jansen Page 16 a a a the stars and stripes sunday february 11,1990