President Abraham Lincoln
If you hear phantom train whistles today, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
According to Ohio Off the Beaten Path, you’re hearing the train whistle of America’s sixteenth president as it takes him on the long ride home to Illinois.
Following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, his body made the long trip home to Illinois via rail and would often lay in state at locations along the way. He spent time in the Ohio State House for example and thousands were able to pay their last respects to the fallen President.
For those that were unable to make the trip to Columbus, a special “announcing” train would make its way along the tracks before his funeral train and allow those in rural areas to gather in time to see his casket and guards pass by on the rails.
Ever since that fateful date – April 27 – it has been reported that the ghost of the President’s funeral train continues to ride the tracks with phantom whistles and sightings.
So if you hear something odd today, don’t worry, just salute a fallen American hero at your nearest railroad track.
