The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-22
Cor. Of the Cleveland Leader.
Thrilling Episode in tho Life OF "Abo
Lincoln"

Asa Western man | wish space to give
vent to my enthusiasm over the nomination
of the Hon. Abraham Lincoln for President
of the United States. Mr.. Lincoln, or "Old
Abe" as his friends fimiliarly call him, Is a
selc.madc man. a Kcntuckian by birth, he
cmigrated to Illinois in his boyhood, where
he gained his living at tho anvil, dcyoting
his leisure hours to study. Having chosen
the law as his future calling, he devoted him
self assiduously to its mastery, contending ut
every step with adverse fortune. During this
period of study he for some time found
home under tho hospitable roof of ono Arm
strong, farmer who lived In 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 lessons by the freight Of the cabin, and
then walk to town for the purpose OF rccita-
ton. This man Armstrong was himself poor,
but he saw thegcnius struggling in the young
student, and opened to him his rude home,
and bid him welcome to his coarse fare. How
Lincoln graduated with promise, how he has
moro than fulfilled that promise, how honor
ably he acquitted himself alike on the battle
field in defending our border settlements
against the ravages of savage foes. and in tho
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 docs us q sort OF sequel
to some things already alluded to, deem
worthy of record.
Some few wears since tho oldest son ol Mr.
Lincoln old friend Armstrong, tho chief sup
mort of his widowed mother--the good old
man having some time previously passed from
earth-was arrested on the charge OF muir
der. A young man had been killed durlnga
riotous melee, in tho nighttime, ut 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 accuscr testified 20 posi-
tiycly that thero 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 excite
mcnt in the public mind. Every improper
incident In tho life Of the prisoner-each act
which bore the least semblance Of rowdyism
each school-boy quarrel - was suddenly
remembered and magniiicd, until they pic
turcd him rs fend of the most horrid hue.
As thess rumors spread abroad they were re-
ceiycd as gospel truth, and feverish desire
for vengeance seized upon the infatuated pop
ulacc, while only prison bars prevented
horrible death at the hands OF q mob. The
events were hcralded in the county papers.
painted in the highest colors, accompanied
by rejoicing over the certainty OF punishment
being meted out to the guilty party. The
prisoner, overwhelmed by the circumstances
under which hc found himself placed, fell
into a melancholy condition, bordering upon
despair; and the widowed mother, looking
through her tears, saw no cause for hope from
earthly aid.
At this juncturc the widow received let
ter from Mr.. Lincoln. volunteering his serv-
ices In an effort to save the youth from the
impending stroke. Gladly was his aid &C
cepted, although II seemed impossible even
for his sagacity to prevail in tich d~per.
ate case but the heart of the attorney MAS
In his work, and hs set about It with q will
that knew no such word as fail. Feeling
that tho poisoned condition OF tho public
mind was such a. 10 preclude the possibility
Of impannelling IN impartial jury In tho
court having Jurisdiction, he procured .
change OF yenue, and postponement OF the
trial. He then weut studiously 70 work IN.
nyeline the history Of the cs,se, and satis6ed
himself that his client was the victim OF NAL
ice. and that the statements Of the accuscr
were tissue OF falsshoods.
when The trial was called on, tho prisoner,