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New Exhibit Features Artifacts From Lincoln Assassination

A new exhibit in Springfield brings together items related to the killing of President Lincoln, which happened 150 years ago this month.

The exhibit is called "A Fiendish Assassination." It includes artifacts from President Lincoln's assassination, which took place on April 14, 1865.

James Cornelius is the curator for the exhibit.

"The goal is to make people realize that it was a public event that was horrifying and yet magnetic in its power," he said.

The title of the exhibit comes from a town resolution that describes people's shock after finding out about Lincoln's death. The author of the letter calls it a "fiendish assassination" and underlines the words to add emphasis.

Other items on display include a handle from Lincoln’s coffin, a blood stained towel, and the only photo of the slain President lying in state.

Cornelius says there will be no other opportunity to see the pieces after the exhibit closes in mid-July.

Lisa Ryan is a graduate student in the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. She previously worked at Indiana Public Radio and the college radio station founded by David Letterman. She is a 2014 broadcast journalism and political science graduate of Ball State University.
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