The University of Wisconsin Law Library recently received a remarkable historical gift: an original April 22, 1865 Chicago Tribune newspaper documenting President Lincoln’s funeral train journey. The framed newspaper was generously donated by Tonia Neustifter, wife of the late UW Law School Professor Ralph Cagle, who passed away in 2023.
This historic newspaper provides a firsthand account of the extraordinary funeral procession that followed Lincoln’s assassination. The President’s remains traveled over 1,700 miles by rail from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Illinois, in a 13-day journey that retraced in reverse the route Lincoln had taken to Washington after his 1861 election.
The Tribune documents how the funeral train, known as “The Lincoln Special,” made stops in major cities where hundreds of thousands of grieving Americans filed past Lincoln’s casket to pay their respects. The newspaper also describes countless people gathering along railroad tracks in small towns, standing in silent tribute as the train passed slowly by.
Professor Cagle, who served as past president of the State Bar of Wisconsin, was a devoted Lincoln history buff. Over the years, he generously donated many Lincoln-related materials that now form an important part of the Law Library’s collection.
The newspaper will be displayed in the Law Library, accompanied by an informational placard and a READ poster featuring Professor Cagle. This remarkable piece of American history allows visitors to connect with both Lincoln’s legacy and that of a beloved professor whose passion for learning and sharing knowledge left a lasting impact on our institution.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tonia Neustifter and family for this meaningful gift that honors Professor Cagle’s memory while preserving an important moment in American history for future generations of students, faculty, and researchers.