Three Men

During the planning stage of a recent trip out west, I decided to first drive to Chicago, pick up the start of Route 66 and follow it down to St. Louis before heading out to Colorado. I found that there's really not much left. (at least that I was interested in) But that's a whole 'nother story.

The one exception was Springfield, Illinois. It is famous of course for its association with the 16th President of the United States. And fortunately, for those with an interest in history, much has been preserved there.

The only house he ever owned is in great condition and is open for tours.



The Old State Capitol Building located across the street from the law office.

Lincoln practiced law in this building from 1844 to about 1852.

The Receiving Vault at Oak Ridge Cemetary was the initial place of burial. In December of 1865, his remains were moved to a temporary vault up the hill.



A custodian's residence was built nearby.



In 1871, the President's remains were moved to the not yet finished permanent tomb.



Everyone rubs his nose for good luck.



After an 1876 attempt to steal his body and hold it for ransom, the remains were hid for a time and then moved to the final resting place in a cement vault below the burial room.



A rear view of the tomb.

Traveling west from St. Louis, road signs soon called my attention to Independence, Missouri, the hometown of our 33rd President.

The "Summer White House" is also open for tours. It had been built by his in-laws. Harry married up, and never forgot it. Even while President, he didn't sit at the head of the table in this house. That spot was reserved for his mother-in-law. But he wasn't that impressed with fancy things anyway. He much preferred the small, plain kitchen to the elaborate dining room. And though the house sometimes would get unbearably hot, he wasn't the slightest bit interested in having it air-conditioned. The tour guide referred to him as a 19th-century man in a 20th century time.

Much of the travel of his day was by train and the depot at Independence became famous as a result of his comings and goings.

His Presidential Library is nearby and contains his and Bess's final resting place.

Further west, I was surprised to see signs pointing the way to the Presidential Library of our 34th President in Abilene, Kansas.

The grounds are spacious and contain the library

a museum

his boyhood home

a statue

and the chapel where he, Mamie and their firstborn son were laid to rest.

In remembering the lives of these three men, one of the more obvious common threads is that they were all men of war. Lincoln during the Civil War, Truman during the last days of WWII and the Korean War, and Eisenhower as the Supreme Allied Commander during WWII and as Commander in Chief during the Cold War.

History has been kind to each of them. However, of the three, President Eisenhower was the only one to enjoy during his life an abundance of goodwill from the American people. President's Lincoln and Truman were reviled, embattled and even despised by many in their time. But their steadfastness in the face of bewildering criticism, political slanderers, assassination attempts, uncertain outcomes and brutal enemies demonstrates a strength of character which proved crucial during the troubled times in which they served.