"Lincoln Slept Here"
In 1859, the Massasoit House was the finest hotel in Atchison. Built the year before, it afforded the weary traveler the most modern and plush accomodations that could be found in this part of the West. Located on the northwest corner of Second and Main, its genial host, Thomas Murphy, welcomed salesmen, traders, entertainers, politicians--whoever had stopped in Atchison for rest and a good, hot meal. A historian wrote that "Horace Greeley had his first meal in Kansas" at the Massasoit. It boasted its own transportation to and from the train depots and boat landings. Stages made convenient stops at the hotel daily. Brand spanking new and fitted with the best furnishings and modern conveniences, it was "the" place to stay in Atchison in 1859. Even though the Presidential election was only a few months away, in December of 1859 Abraham Lincoln was not campaigning for public office. He was a noted politian and recognized as a fine speaker, and was tramping the "West" on a lecture tour. He was persuaded by his friend, Mark Delahey, an old Illinois man and at that time editor of a Leavenworth newpaper, to make several stops in northeast Kansas. He made speeches at Elwood, Troy, Doniphan and Leavenworth, sandwiching in Atchison on Dec. 2, 1859. On his arrival in Atchison he was taken to the Massasoit, where he was greeted by several townspeople who were expecting him, and in this relaxed atmosphere those lucky few gathered to talk to him. He characteristically tipped back his chair, as he was wont to do when engaged in casual conversation, and regaled his audience with his famous stories. Among those in this small group was Col. Peter Abell, himself a Kentuckian, who knew many of the same people that Lincoln knew back in their home state. Although Col. Abell was a strong Pro-Slavery man (indeed, Atchison itself was a Pro-Slavery town), nonetheless he and Lincoln enjoyed exchanging stories of mutual acquaintances. That evening Lincoln spoke at the Methodist church to a rapt and enthusistic audience. Unfortunately a transcript of that speech has not been found, but it almost certainly contained references to Kansas as a Free State-as a matter of coincidence, it was the same day that John Brown, late of Osawatomie, Kansas, was hung for his part in the raid on Harper's Ferry. After his speech, Lincoln was taken back to the Massasoit to rest up before the trip to Leavenworth in the morning. The Massasoit House had a short life, unfortunately. In 1873 it burned to the ground; luckily all of the tenants escaped unharmed but almost all the contents were lost. Below is an engraving of the Massasoit House, probably as Lincoln saw it, as it appeared in the 1859-1860 Abilene city directory. |
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