Lovin' Lincoln

After dreams, Willmar man accumulated unique collection

By Scott Thoma

Scott Thoma with part of his Abraham Lincoln collection. Over the years, Thoma has collected familiar items such as posters, photos, painting, books, cups, stamps, plates, coins, mugs, t-shirts, and puzzles, along with various bust statues. Contributed photo

As a high school student, history wasn’t a subject near and dear to my heart.

That all seemed to changed when I was in my early 30s with a recurring dream about Abraham Lincoln. I can’t remember ever having the same dream more than once in my life, but this dream occurred numerous times.

I always admired Lincoln and what he stood for, but I never wrote a book report or thesis on him in high school or college. In fact, I didn’t recall ever even reading a book about him before the dreams started.

The dream I had repeatedly, an average of twice a week for approximately 10-15 seconds was an up-close view of Lincoln lying in a casket from his waist up. The casket was black and there were blurred people walking past the casket as if they were viewing the lifeless body and someone was softly sobbing.

The first time I had the dream, I thought nothing of it. Nearly the identical dream came a few days later and I thought that was strange to have the same dream twice.

The dream continued for months, although I never told anyone for fear they wouldn’t believe me or thought I was losing my mind.

These framed plates show scenes from Abraham Lincoln’s life and political career. They are part of Scott’s collection. Photo by Scott Thoma

I started becoming more and more interested in the 16th president and began purchasing books written about him. I was so engrossed in these books that I soon became obsessed with him.

I was learning more and more every day about Lincoln and the dreams continued, although they occurred only two or three times a month. I was to the point where the dreams were now becoming bothersome because I could not figure out why I was having them. They weren’t bizarre or scary, just persistent.

While I was in a thrift store, they had a large Lincoln bust for sale. I thought the price was right and decided to acquire it.

With my collection of Lincoln memorabilia starting to grow and my interest at an all-time high, I decided to take a vacation to Springfield, IL several years ago to view Lincoln’s home, the office where he practiced law, some souvenir shops, a museum, and his gravesite.

Along with posters, photos, books, busts of varying sizes (left and center), Thoma has this uncommon jackknife with Lincoln’s full body on front (right). Contributed photo

Once in Springfield, it seemed almost unreal how the city is based on one man. Numerous places focused their business on Lincoln. The home he lived in while residing in Springfield is now the property of the U.S. National Park Service and they have maintained the home and conduct tours since they acquired it in 1971.

I visited every place there that I had time for and saved the Lincoln tomb for last. The inside of his tomb is elegant and decorated in marble with modest statues, paintings and famous quotes Lincoln made during his two presidencies.

The pathway inside the tomb is circular and once you are halfway around, you come upon Lincoln’s huge headstone. Some people had tears in their eyes as they witnessed his eternal resting place for the first time. Entombed in the wall directly behind Lincoln’s headstone is Mary Todd and three of their four sons.

I wanted to take a photo of this massive headstone with my Canon camera, so I backed up and waited for a clear path from the many people inside. Just prior to snapping the picture, my subconscious mind played a trick on me and for less than a second, the scene of Lincoln in his casket popped into my camera viewer. I immediately pulled the camera away from my face and, after calming down, took a photo.

I’ve never had a Lincoln dream since that, but since I learned Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. and I was born at 7:22 a.m., I knew I was going to continue my collection of Lincoln memorabilia. It now consumes my entire home office like a mini museum.

This caricature drawing is another uncommon item in Thoma’s collection. Contributed photo

I have numerous busts of Lincoln of varying sizes, as well as familiar items such as posters, photos, painting, books, cups, stamps, collector’s plates, coins, mugs, t-shirts, and puzzles. I also have found some uncommon Lincoln items, including a jackknife with Lincoln’s full-body photo on the front, a mustache cup, snow globe, bobbleheads, salt and pepper shakers of Abe and Mary Todd, a bell, and even a sugar bowl.

While shopping at Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud a few years ago, a caricature artist was seated in an open area selling his work. I didn’t have a colored photo of Lincoln for obvious reasons and asked the artist is he could make me a sketch in color. He didn’t have a photo of Lincoln to go by, so I handed him a five-dollar bill. He drew and color-sprayed the photo, turning it into one of my favorite pieces in my office.

A few months ago, I wrote a feature story on scroll saw artist Missy Sigler of Clinton. Her work was so well done that I asked her to make a Lincoln piece for me, which she did and it now hangs over my office desk.

The most unusual item in Thoma’s collection is this scented candle that ‘Smells like Abraham Lincoln.’ Contributed photo

The most unusual Lincoln item I have in my possession? My oldest daughter sent me a candle for Father’s Day. She located the candle on Etsy and the label on the front of the candle reads “Smells like Abraham Lincoln. Allow the tender fragrance of Abraham Lincoln to embrace your senses, filling you with warmth and comfort.”

I wasn’t sure what Abraham Lincoln was going to smell like until I read the scent was Apple Harvest on the bottom of the glass jar.

They’ll sell anything these days.