This 1880 Horse Drawn Hearse is a Masterpiece of American History. Unique and eye catching, it was completely restored in 2008.
In the later years of Jesse James and Doc Holliday, in the 1880's, many citizens were taken to the cemetery in this type of Hearse. Two Horses pulled this beautiful carriage to the final resting place of the deceased.
The first owner of this Hearse, The Tonsing Mortuary in Syracuse, Nebraska, purchased it new and used it until 1917 when motorized vehicles took over; the Hearse was later purchased by the Nolan Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, but never used; then Mike Bonicelli purchased the Hearse and had it restored to its' original beauty.
This Hearse has an original, never used, "Toe Pincher" type St Louis Coffin Co. coffin which still has the original price tag of $145 on it, which was very expensive for its' time, and still has the ribbon across the pillow. An option built into this Hearse is an unusual mechanical table which allows the coffin to be "rolled" in and out of the carriage. The beautiful oil burning Glenbrook Hearse Lamps were manufactured by White Manufacturing Co in Connecticut. It has been said that the lamps symbolize the glory into which it was hoped the deceased had come. The curtains are made of an uncommon double pleated material with Tassels made in India. The impeccable wedge seating has cording all around the edges and flower vases are mounted on the interior and the exterior top of the carriage is graced with beautiful finials. During the twelve-month restoration process, done by Martin's Buggy Shop in Nappanee, Indiana, the Hearse was painted and sanded many times, using seventeen gallons of black paint and the final coats of varnish.
