Don’t Swipe That Sword!
Many vacant homes have fallen victim to vandals who steal copper to pawn. Old statues are no exception, regardless of their historic significance. Thieves recently stole a sword from a statue at the burial site of none other than Abraham Lincoln. The 16th president is buried at the Lincoln Tomb Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, along with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their four sons. It was designated as a national historic site in 1960.
Last November, some culprit stole a sword that had previously been attached to the statue of a Civil War artillery officer. Authorities apprehended the offender, who turned out to be a 16-year-old boy. The sword was returned to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency once it was recovered.
The sculpture was designed by Larkin Mead. It is believed to be the first theft from the tomb since the same sword was stolen over 100 years ago.
