Copper sword stolen from statue at Lincoln’s Tomb

Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

Copper thieves have struck at Abraham Lincoln’s burial site in Springfield, Ill.

An employee recently noticed that a copper statue atop the tomb was missing a 3-foot-long sword. The statue is of a Civil War artillery officer. The sword reportedly was taken sometime between September and early November. It was broken at the handle.

Dave Blanchette is spokesman for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. He told the (Springfield) State Journal-Register that the theft is believed to be the first to state property stolen at the Lincoln Tomb Historic Site since the same sword was stolen more than a century ago.

State officials plan to repair the statue.