The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-07-10
An Incident In the Life Of Abraham
Lincoln.

OIaugely enough, the muIuer Of
Mansfield T. Walworth by his son recalls
the story of Abraham Lincoln's duel.
The mother of Frank Walworth is the
daughter of Colonel John T. Hardin, who
saved Mr.. Lincoln from the remorse
which would have overshadowed his life
if he had killed General Shields. Colonel
Hardin was prominent Wing politician,
and was esteemed the "bravest man in ILL.
nois." He was killed at the battle of
Buena Vista, and in his death fairly earn
ed the distinction which his admiring
friends had given him while living. Mr..
Lincoln was his intimate friend, and both
men were gifted with a large sense Of
humOr which they turned to good ac-
count.
The hostile meeting between Mr.. Lin
coin and General Shields was brought
about in this way: A witty young lady
wrote communication for one of the
Springfield papers, in which there were
several passages which the General was
pleased to consider as personally offens-
i've. He forthwith went to the newspaper
office and demanded the name of the cor
respondent, and this being refused, he
gave the editor three days in which to
make up his mind, either to refer him to
the writer or to take whipping himself.
The poor man was greatly distressed.
He did not like to be guilty of the ungal-
liant act of betraying his lady correspond
ent, and he did not care to have a fight
with General Shields, who was a much
stronger man. In this dilemma he came
to Mr.. Lincoln and told him of his trou-
BILE. The lawyer took the matter into
consideration, but he could think of no
strategem for the relief of his friend. At
last he said to him: "When Shields
comes around with his club tell him that
Abe Lincoln wrote that letter." The edi-
tor acted upon the suggestion, and when
the irate politician appeared ready to
carry his threat into execution, he was
politely requested to call upon Abraham
Lincoln for satisfaction.
This put a new face on the matter.
General Shields knew better than to come
fooling about Mr.. Lincoln with his cane.
He was at that time a great, long-armed,
muscular fellow, good natured, but res
olute, and when the occasion demanded
he could deal such blows with his fists as
made his antagonists think that rail-
splitting was his pastime. If he had been
attacked by General Shields, and had
supposed that it would add anything to the
humor of the fight, he would have bent
his assailant over his knee and admin
istered punishment after the manner of
conscientious mothers. But, after all
his threatening and clustering General
Shields could not back out without SUBJ
jecting himself to the ridicule of his
townsmen, so he concluded, to challenge
Mr.. Lincoln. The challenge twas accept
ed, but to the great dismay of the chal-
lenger Abraham named long swords as
the weapons. He had no skill in the use
of the sword, but with his tremendous
reach of arm and great muscular strength
he would have cut off General Shields
head before he got himself into position
for one of his scientific thrusts.
The time and place of meeting were
agreed upon. Mr. Lincoln went to the
ground early with his second, and there
being some bushes in the plat selected
for the fight, he set to work to clear them
away with Ratchet While he was en-
gagged at this, other gentlemen came on
the field, and they were so struck with
the ludicrous scene that they could not
refrain from laughter. Just then Colonel
Hardin appeared, and approaching the
humorous situation, he appealed to both
parties not to make fools of themselves,
with such effect that they went home
without fighting. Mr.. Lincoln often
said afterwards that his participation in
this affair was the meanest act of his
life.
Colonel Hardin, although peace
maker on this occasion, was q man Of
great courage and most chivalrous bear
ing. At the breaking out of the Mexican
war he was put in command of the First
Illinois Volunteers, and died on the battle
field of Buena Vista, as already stated.
american.