Abraham Lincoln's hearse
Abraham Lincoln's hearse (New York) was the purpose-constructed hearse built to carry the body of Abraham Lincoln during a cortège held in New York City on April 25, 1865, shortly after his assassination by John Wilkes Booth. It has been described as the most elaborate of the many hearses used to transport Lincoln's body during the two-week funeral tour which preceded his burial in Springfield, Illinois. Design and history Peter Relyea (1817–1896) was appointed to organize the New York portion of Lincoln's death tour and construct a hearse for the parade through Manhattan. It was built at the intersection of East Broadway and Grant Street over a period of three days and in full view of the public. According to reports, large crowds gathered to marvel at the construction. The hearse was described as "immense", being long and wide. Its exterior was entirely black, except for glass walls, and was topped by black plumes. Its interior was lined in white satin and black velvet, and above the catafalque on which the coffin was to be set hung a sculptured golden eagle. The platform itself had a ground clearance of and was covered by a canopy. At each of the four