Lincoln's Hearse
Available For Sale
info@LincolnsHearse.com

Full Restoration
Wheels were replaced
Period Correct Glass, Axles, etc.
Period Correct Rug/Linen

See Below for a Full Ownership History

The very well respected carriage & firearms historian
Don Berkebile restored this hearse.

THE RESTORATION

Donald H. Berkebile is the reason Compound Unit #1 is still preserved today. Before his tragic death at age 88 in 2008, Don was one of the premier carriage enthusiasts in the world. He wrote many books, worked as the curator of transportation for the Smithsonian Institution, and devoted his life to carriages, among other primitive hobbies.

Searching for the carriage for many many years, Berkebile finally found it not far from his home. A gentleman name Harry (Jerry) Sibel owned it and he was in the beginning process of restoring it.

One day, while Sibel & his father were working on the hearse in the barn, Berkebile came in unannounced.

"Do you know what the **** you are doing??"

Sibel looked up and reckoned to take action but was immediately amazed at Berkebile's expertise on the carriage.

"I Finally Found It"

The two spent many years restoring the Hearse, although Berkebile took the reins. He was very precise and did not like to be 'rubbed the wrong way.' He did not allow substandard workmanship. Sibel made an agreement to eventually let Berkebile take ownership of the hearse after the work was done. But Berkebile died in 2008 and was unable to really enjoy the carriage he was looking for all those years.

In a recent phone interview with Harry Sibel, I questioned a newspaper article stating "D.L. Allebaugh" was the major role in the restoration. There was a mistake in pronouncing the name "Berkebile." These two people, although part of the history, were mixed up in the article. Confusion was cleared after speaking with Harry.
D.H. Berkebile was the key element in the preservation of Lincoln's Hearse.

Ownership History