Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-06-22

iiom the cleveland Leader.
THRILLING EPISODE IN THE LIFE
OF "ABE LINCOLN"


From the Cleveland Leader.
THRILLING EPISODE IN THE LIFE
OF "ABE LINCOLN"
As a Western man, wish space to give
vent to my enthusiasm over the nomination Of
Hon. Abraham Lincoln for Presdcnt Of the
United States Mr.. Lincoln. or "Old Abe"
as his friends familiarity style him. is a self
made man. A Kentuckan by birth, he emi-
grated to Illinois in his boyhood, where he
earned his living at the anvil, dcyotiug his
leisure hours to study. Having chosen the
law as his future calling, he devoted himself
assiduoGsly to its mastery, contcnding at cv-
cry step with adverse fortune. During this
period of study, he for some time found
home under the hospitable roof of ono Arm
strong, farmer, who lived in a log house
some eight miles from the village Of Peters
burg, Menard county. Here, clad in home
spun with elbows out, and knees covered with
patches, young Lincoln would master his les
son by the frelight of the cabin. and then
walk to town for the purpose Of rotation
This man Armstrong was himself poor, but
he saw tho genius struggling in the Young
student, aud opened 20 him his rude home
and bid him welcome to his coarse fare. How
Lincoln graduated with promise-how he has
more than fulfilled that promise-how honor
ably he acquitted himself alike on the battle
field in defending our border settlements
against the ravagcs of savage foes, and in the
halls Of our national legislature, are matters
of history, and need no repetition hero. But
one little incident Of more private nature,
standing as it does as sort of sequel to some
things already alluded to, deem worthy of
record Some few years since, tho oldest son
Of Mr.. Lncon's old friend Armstrong, the
chief support Of his widowed mother-tho
good old man having some time previously
passed from oarth-was arrested on charge of
murder. young man had been killed dur
ing a riotous melee, in the nighttime at camp
meeting, and one of his associates stated that
the death-wound was inflicted by young Arm
strong. A preliminary examination was gone
into, at which the accuser testified so posi-
lively that there seemed no doubt Of the guilt
of the prisoner. and therefore he was held for
trial. As is too often the case, the bloody
act caused an undue degree of excitement in
the public mind. Every improper incident in
the life of the prisoner-each act which bore
the least semblance of rowdyism--each school
boy quarrel-was suddenly remembered and
magnided, until they pictured him as a fend
of the most horrid hue As these rumors
spread abroad, they were received rs gospel
truth, and feverish desire for vengeance
seized upon an infatuated populace, whilst on
ly prison bars prevented horrible death at
the hands Of mob. The events were her
aided in the county papers, painted in highest
colors, accompanied by rejoicing over the cor-
tainty of punishment being metod out to the
guilty party. The prisoner, overwhelmed by
the circumstances under which he found him
self placed, fell into melancholy condition
bordering on despair; and the widowed mo-
ther' looking through her tears, saw no cause
for hope from earthly aid.
At this juncture, the widow received
letter from Mr.. Lincoln, volunteering his SER
vices in an effort to save the youth from the
impending stroke. Gladly was his aid ac-
copied, although itsoemed impossible for even
his sagacity to prevail in such case but the
heart of his attorney was in his work, and he
set about it with will that knew no such
word as fail. Feeling that the poisoned con-
dition of the public mind was such as TO pre-
clude the possibility Of impaneling an impair
tial jury in the court having jurisdiction, he