Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-06-07
Artieles,
President Lincoln,

which we regard as true, and so curious that
it ought not to be lost. We had seen some
thing like it, years ago, in the newspapers,
but we never supposed, then, that there was
a word of truth in it. The publication was
made in the Southern papers at the begin
ming of the recent secession war.
Col. Jones owns lands in Hardin County
KY, and went there to look after them
He met Governor Helmes, of Kentucky,
living in that County, who told him that he
knew Abraham Lincoln very we'll, when a
boy. He was born in that neighborhood,
and was FIVE years younger than Governor
Helmes. His mothers name was Nancy
Hanks. There were two men who were at
tentive to her, Abraham Winslow, or Ems
low, and Mr.. Geety. Abraham was born
out of wedlook, and it was doubted by the
community whether he was the son of Wins.
low or Geety The latter person was a
member of the Kentucky Legislature, and
living at the time Lincoln was elected Pres
ldent of the United States. He was very
old, and some one jeered him about being
the father of the President. The old man
said "No," he was not the father of Abra,
ham Lincoln, "although he had had hun.
dred chances of being 80. Lincoln's father
was Abraham Winslow." In proof of it,
be said that he, Geety, was ashort, fat man,
and all of bis family we're 80. Winslow
was tall, gawky man, six feet two inches
high, and was intimate with Nancy Hanks.
Moreover, she named her son "Abraham,"
after Winslow. This proof of old Geety
was regarded as pretty conclusive, coDsid'
ering the tall, gawky figure of Lincoln.
When Abraham was five years old, his mo-
ther, "Nancy Hanks, married an old fellow
named Lincoln, who was miller, and mo-
ved with him to Illinois. He there took
the name of Lincoln, and perhaps never
knew but that Lincoln was his father. His
mother soon died, and his step, father, Lin
coin, married again. His second wife was
said to have been good, clever woman,
and was very kind to Abraham. Old Lin.
coin died whilst Abraham was young."-
Mr.. Bancroft, in his Grafton on the Char
acter of President Lincoln, says that his
mother could read, but not write, and that
his father could do neither
Abraham grew up and evinced great
deal OF talent and cleverness When tweu
ty.one years old he was elected a member
of the Illinois Legislature. Whilst in the
Legislature he made speech which attract
ed attention. A lawyer at Springfield, the
capital of Illinois, suggested to young Lin
coin the idea of reading law, whilst mem
Der of the Legislature. He told him he
could read with him, and apply to Judge
at Chambers and be admitted. This be did
during the time he was member of the
Legislature. Immediately after his adInis'
sion to the bar, the candidate for Congress,
10 Liucon's Congressional District, had to
go off electioneering, and eouli not attend
the Court He requested Lipcoln to take
charge of case of homicide, which be had,
and make speech for gambler who was
indicted for murder. He told Lincoln that
the defendant would pay him handsomely,
if acquitted. Lincoln defended the gam
bier successfully and he was acquitted. He
received fee of five hundred dollars in
cash. Thereupou be went to Joshua Speed,
of Springfield, who was a wealthy merchant
and said to him, 81 have five hundred dol
lars, which is more money than | ever ex
pected to have at one time in my life, and
if had one hundred and fifty dollars more,
I would purchase quarter section of land
for my step.mother, who is very poor, and
has always been very kind to me-" Mr..
Speed replied, "I will lend you the money"
Lincoln said, 81 owe you one hundred and
fifty dollars already" Speed said that
made no difference, and gave him the mon.
ey. Lincoln Immediately mounted his
horse, went to the Land Office, and took up
the quarter section in the name of his step
mother.
After Lincoln was elected President, he
wrote to Joshua Speed that it was now in
his power TO reward him for his kindness
when he was starting in life. Mr.. Speed
replied that he wanted no Office himself,
but that he had young brother who was
practicng lawyer at Louisville, Kentucky,
and would be glad for Lincoln to do some
thing for him. This young brother was
thereupon appointed Attorney General of
the United States, and is still discharging
the duties of this high Office under Presi-
dent johnson.
Col. Jones informed US that be had the
above information likewise from J. Winter
Smith, of Kentucky, who knew the state
ment of Governor Helmes to be true in ev-
ery particular. GreenyiWe Mountaineer.
JOHN MoRIssEY's GAMBLING HOUSE.
The Louisville Courier's New York cor.
respondent writes:
You have heard of John Morissey's gam
bling house. 1t is palatial in its apartment
and with splendid suppers, wines and liquors
and the conflict with the "tiger" there is
all that may be desired by one inclined to
sport Millions of dollars have been lost
and won in that house, but always on the
square-at least such is the reputation of
Morissey that none question the fairness of
his game. And there have been big games
played there. knew of a New Yorker
who, in what is technically termed "snap"