The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-05-09
President Lincoln,

In conversation the other day with Col.
Thos Jones, Of Kentucky, he gives US a piece
of biography of President Lincoln which we
regard as true, and so curious that it ought
not to he lost We had seen something like
it, years ago, in the newspapers, but we new
or supposed, then, that there was a word Of
truth in it. The publication was made in the
Southern papers at the beginning Of the recent
secession war.
COL Jones owns lands in Hardin County,
Ky, aud went there to look afterthem. lie
met Governor HcImcs, Of Kentucky, living IN
that County, who told him that he knew Abra-
nam Lincoln very well, when a boy. lie was
born IN the nclghhnrhood, and was five years
Younger than Governor IIelmes. His moth
ers name was Nancy Hanks. There were
two men very attentive 10 her. Abraham Wins
low, or En~low, and MT. Gccty. Abraham
VAS born oyt Of wcdIock, and 1t was doubted
by the community neither he was son Of
WinSlow or Gcery. The latter person was a
member of the Kentucky Legislature, ard
living at the time Lincoln was elected PrcSi
dent Of the United States. He was very old,
and some one ircrcd him about being the
fnrhcr of the President The old man said
no." Re Was not the father Of Abraham Lin
coln, "although he had had a hundred chances
Of being So Lincoln'> father was Abraham
Winslow." lr proof it, he said that he,
Geety, Has a short, fat man, and all Of bis
family we're so. WinsloW was tall, gaTkv
man, six feet two inches high, and intimate
With Nancy Hanks. Moreover, she named
her son "Abraham," after WinSlow. This
proof Of old Gecty was regarded rs l.scttY con-
elusive considering the tall, gawky figure Of
Lincoln.
When ABRAHAM was five wears old, hi>m
thcr, "Nuncy Hanks, married on ol flIow
namcd Lincoln, who was a miller and moved
with him to Illinois. He there took the na:11:c
of Lincoln, and eriaps never knew hnt that
Lincoln was his father. His mother soon
died, and his stcp.fathcr, Lincoln, married
again. His second wife as said to have bee:
a good, clever woman, and Was very kind to
Abraham. Old Lincoln died whilst, Abra-
ham vas young" Mr. Baocroft in his Ora
ton on the Character Of President Lincoln,
saws that his mother could read, hut not
write, and that his father could do neither.
Abraham grew up and evinccd great d al
Of talent and cleyerness. When twenty-one
wears old he was elected a member Of the ILL.,
nois Legislature Whilst in the Legislature
he made speech which attracted attention.
4 lawyer At Springfield, the capital of lIilnolS,
suggested to Young Lincoln the idea of readiug
!alS, w1IT1SI Il U!pTH75CT UE TIE EegTstICnTC tto
told him he could read with him, and apply
to q Judge st Chambers and be admitted.
This he did during the time he was member
OF The Legislature. Immediately after his ad-
mission to the bar, the candidate for Congress-,
in Lincoln's Congressional District, had to 60
off relcctioneering, and could not attend the
Court. He requested Lincoln to take charge
Of case of homicide, which he had, and make
a speech for gambler who was indicted for
murder. He told Lincoln that the defendant
would pay him handsomely, if acquitted.
Lincoln defended the gambler successfully,
snd he was acquitted. He received fee Of
five hundred dollars in cash. Thcreupon he
went to Joshua Speed, Of Springfield, who was
q wealthy merchant, and said to him, II have
five hundred dollars, vh;ch is more money
than ever expected to have in my life, and if
had one hundred and fifty dollars more, |
would purchase quarter section of land for
nv step-mothcr, who is very poor, and has
always been very kind to me-" Ar. Speed re.
pliea, II will lend yon the money" Lincoln
said, 81 owe you one hunered and tiftv dollars
already" Speed said that made no difference,
and gave him the money. Lincoln Immediate
" mounted his horse, went to The Land Office
and took up the quarter section in the name
of his stcI,-mother.
After Lincoln was eiect"d President, he
wrote to Joshua Speed that it vas now in his
mower to reward him of his kindness when he
was starti in Iiie Mr. Speed replied that
he wanted 10 office himself, but that he had
Young brother who was practising lawyer a:
Louisville, Kentucky, and would be glad for
Lincoln do something for him. This young
brother was thereupon appointed Attorney
general of the United States, and is still dis
cha,gins TIE duties Of this high Office under
President johnson.
Col. Jones informed us that he had the above
information likewise from j. Winter Smith, Of
Kentucky, who knew the statement OF Gov
crnor Nelnes to be tue in every particular.
TGreencWe N0untuincer.