Graceland Cemetery: Grave of George Pullman

Other than its size, George Pullman’s grave doesn’t seem that interesting. But hidden underneath, is the story of a man who’s controversial life caused him to fear retribution even after his death.

 A high school dropout at age 14, George Pullman started his working life helping his father relocate houses along the Erie Canal in New York. When he relocated to Chicago in search of more opportunities, he used that knowledge to come up with a way to raise up the buildings so that a sewage system could be constructed.

 To reach Chicago from New York, Pullman had ridden a cramped cross-country train. This inspired him to design a sleeping car that would be more comfortable on long trips. Pullman’s sleeping car first gained fame when it was used to transport President Lincoln’s body from Washington D.C. to Springfield, IL.

The demand for Pullman’s railroad cars kept growing, leading him to hire more and more workers. Pullman purchased 4,000 acres of land near Chicago and created what is still one of the most famous company towns. This area is now managed by the National Park Service.

While Pullman’s company was having success, across the nation laborers were starting to assemble. The Pullman workers were eligible to join the American Railway Union and started airing their grievances. Negotiations were not successful, and so, a strike was called. Union members stopped any work dealing with Pullman cars, the effects of which were felt nationwide. The Illinois government tried to intervene and military members were sent to Chicago to try to stop the strike. This only made things worse and mob action grew once the military was there.

Eventually the strike did end, and the ARU ended as well. After the strike, things didn’t quite go back to normal in the company town. People were upset over living conditions and feeling that the company was taking advantage of them.

 George Pullman and his family knew he had screwed up. The family was so fearful of someone digging up Pullman’s body to desecrate or for ransom that they had the coffin covered in tar and asphalt. The coffin was then encased in a large block of concrete that was reinforced with railroad ties.


Sources:
https://www.nps.gov/pull/learn/historyculture/the-pullman-story-part-2.htm https://graveyards.com/IL/Cook/graceland/pullman.html
Photo: Author's Own