Congressman Philip Sidney Post died January 6, 1895. It was Carl Sandburg's seventeen birthday.

Sandburg wrote about his memories of the event in his autobiography, Always the Young Strangers. He was the porter and shoe shine boy in the barbershop of the Union Hotel on the Public Square. The funeral was held on January 9^th and many dignitaries had come to the city to attend.

That day Sandburg polished the footwear of four senators, eight congressmen and several mayors. He earned $1.40 (equal to $41 in today's money) in tips. A nickel tip was customary for a good shine, but Sandburg received several dimes and a few quarters on that occasion.

He reported his wrists were sore from slapping the rag across the shoes so many times. He finished the process by whisking the shoulders of each man's coat with a small brush.

Carl had polished General Post's shoes more than one time in the past. He had assumed Post was just another politician. The General's obituary in the newspapers told the story of his service in the Civil War.

In 1886 Post was elected to Congress from the Tenth District by a margin of 29 votes. In 1894 Post was re-elected to Congress in the Fiftieth District by a margin of 13,000 votes. He had spent the holidays in Galesburg and returned to Washington in early 1895 to begin his sixth term. His unexpected death on January 6^th came as a surprise to the people of Galesburg.

The next day a committee of local officials and businessmen was convened by Mayor Forrest F. Cooke at the Courthouse to make plans for the funeral. Committees were appointed on music, program, invitations, entertaining the Congressional delegation and meeting the remains at the railroad depot.

The funeral train arrived at 4 a.m. on January 9^th with the family and Congressional delegation. At 8 a.m. members of the Grand Army of the Republic escorted the body to the Courthouse. The rotunda was draped and flowers surrounded the casket. One of the Galesburg newspapers said the remains were in a “good state of preservation.” Thousands of local residents passed by the casket.

At 1:30 the procession to the Presbyterian Church began. Attendance at the funeral was by invitation so the public could watch only the procession of important people. The church was filled with flowers and a large portrait of the general was draped in black. The newspapers listed prominent donors of floral arrangements in the church.

A double quartette sang “Unveil Thy Bosom, Faithful Lamb,” “Nearer, My God, to Thee” and “Farewell” during the funeral. The procession then went to Hope Cemetery for the burial. The hearse was drawn by six black horses. Company C of the Illinois National Guard and the Knox College Cadets fired three volleys in honor of the Congressman.

The next day, January 10^th, speculation in the newspapers was in full cry about Congressman Post's successor. In that respect, politics and politicians have not changed in the intervening years.