The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-11
4 Graphic Sketch of s'HOnest Old Abe.''
Mr. William Butler. state treasurer of II

Mr. William Butler, state treasurer of Ill
inois, in reply to query as to his persona
knowledge of the president elect, said:
81 have known him over thirtv-four years
and he has lived nine years in my own fami.
years ago. In the summer of 1894 he work
ed for me on my farm near Springfield, brea-
king up prairie, and in the fall went down
! the river boating. Previously he had by
hard study acquired knowledge of survey
ing, and had procured horse and surveying
instruments.
Before he left he signed note with friend
for S4OO, and on his return he found him
gone, leaving the note for him to pay. He
said that he must sell his horse, go down to
Salem, work and pay the note, as it was an
honest debt. l said Lincoln, it viii take a
long time to work it out; l will sell your
horse; take mine, 90 down to Salem, and do
your business. Come back to my house and
carry out your expressed wish to study law
Make my house your home. My wife has
fixed up your clothes from the boat, and l
will see the holder of the note and he will
/ not trouble YOU about it. Lincoln replied
i cannot be dependent on any one as long
as can labor went down ard paid the
note without his knowledge. and the man
told him he would wait on him as long as
wanted him to. He finally concluded to STAY
to work and tudy-and such another stu
dent never saw; night and day he toiled.
With rapid strides he reached the bar, and
INN ediatey took his place at the head of il.
Soon he got the money, and went to Hogan
(the holder of the note)to pay it. Finding |
had paid it long before, he tried to pay me.
refused. He then tried to have my wife
take it, but she refused also-so well we low
ed the man.
He lived with US nine years-was repeat
edly elected to the legislature-as long as ne
would go-and finally to Congress, when he
got married and went to live in a house of
his own. He never gets in debt, enters into
no specuatlons, but has pursued his profess
sion. and the requirement of knowledge, with
unwearied diligence. He earned the name
OF Honest Abe Years ago. for, from him. all
telt that they would get always an honest le-
gal opinion. If the party could not convince
him he had right and equity on his side. he
would not espouse it for love or money,
friend or foe, but if he could make it appear
that his cause was just, rich or poor, he would
take hold of it with all his powers. and
knowledge of this fact had great weight with
the court and jury. He has not been known
to utter an oath. or taste drop of anv in
toxlcatlng liquor for twenty Years. and We al
ways supposed he was member O: the Pres
byterlan church. which he regularly attended
taking part III the Sabbath school exercises: ::
but m! wife, who is a member. says he is not
COMMUNICATE. though his wife is. An ad-
versary cannot scare or drive him. and what
is more, no ma: living. however great his
friend, can persuade him from doing what ne
thinks is right. or turn him from a known
path of duty, to the right or left | tell YOU
ne is a real Old Hickory yet he is Il fine,
sood-natured, genial companion; in short, he
Is the best man | ever was acquainted with.
and you may rely upon it he will prove HIM
self equal to the position assigned him."