Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-06-21
3tlisrrllanraus.
Thrilling Episode in the Life Oi
"Abe Lincoln"

Asa Western man, | wish space to give
vent To nv enthusiasm over the nomination
of the Hon. Abraham Lincoln for President
of the United States. Mr.. Lincoln. or "OId
Abe" as his friends Familiarity call him. is Il
sclEmade man. A Kcntuckan by birth, he
emrraled to Illinois in his boyhood, where
he earned his living at the anvil, devotns
his leisure hours to study. Having chosen
the law as his future calling, he devoted
himself assiduously to its mastery, contend
ing at every step with adverse fortune. Du-
ring this period Of study, he tor some time
found Eor.e under the hospitable roof of
one Armstrong, farmer who lived in log
house some eight miles from the village OF
Petersburg, Menard county. Here, clad in
homespnn with elbows out knees covered
with patches, young Lincoln would master
his lessons by the freight Of the cabin, aid
then walk to town for the purpose OF recita-
ton. This man Armstrong was himself
poor, but lie saw the genius struggling in
the student, and opened to him his rude
home, and bid him welcome to his coarse
fare. How Lincoln graduated with prom
Use. how lie has more than fulfilled that
promise, how honorably he acquitted him
self alike on the battlefield, in defending our
border settlements against the ravages Of
savage foes, and in the halls of our national
legislature, are matters Of history, and need
no repetition here. But one little incident
of more private nature, standing as it does
as sort of sequal to some things already
alluded to, deem worthy of record. Some
few wears since the oldest son Of Mr.. Lin
coins old friend Armstrong, the chief sup
mort of his widowed mother-the good old
! man having some time previously passed
from earth-was arrested on this charge oil
murder. A young man had been killed du-
ring a rictous melee, in the night time, at O
camp meeting, and one Of his associates sta
ted that the death-wound was inflicted by
young Armstrong. preliminary examina-
tinn was gone into, at which the accuser tes-
tilted 80 positively that there seemed no
doubt of the guilt of the prisoner, and there
| fore he was held for trial. AS is too often
the case, tie bloody act caused an undue
degree Of excitement in the public mind
Every improper incident in the liie of the
prisoner-each act which bore the least sem.
| blance of rowdyism-was suddenly remem-
bered and magnified, until they pictured him
as ficnd of the most horrid hue. AS these
rumors spread abroad, they were received a;
|
geance seized upon the infatuated puPalace
while only prison-bars prevented horrible
death at the hands of mob. The evcnt
were heralded in the county papers, painted
in the highest colors, accompanied by re
ioicing over the certainty Of punishment be
ing meted out to the guilty party. Th'
prisoner, overwhelmed by the circumstance
under which he found himself placed, fel
into melancholy condition, bordering upo'
despair; and she widowed mother, lookin,
through her teaIs, saw no Cause for hop
from earthly aid.
At this juncture, the widow received
letter from Mr.. Lincoln, volunteering hi
services in an effort to save the youth from
ths impending stroke. Gladly was his ali
accepted, although it seemed impossible 70
even bis sagacity to prevail IN euch desper
ate care; but tho heart of tbs attorney ws