The New York herald., 1874-01-03
LINCOLN's BIRTHPLACE.
Some Incidents and Facts Never Before
Publishcd-Thomas Linkhorn's ABB
rupt Courtship OF Widow Johnson
The Historical Old HOuse-Captain
Meun0rv.

Publishcd-Thomas Linkhorn's ABB
rupt Courtship OF Widow Johnson
The Historical Old House-Captain
Haycraft's Memory.
A correspondent OF the Louisville Commercial,
writing from Elizabethtown, KY, under date OF
December 80, sends the following statement OF
captain Haycraft. detailing many unpublished in
cidents in the life Of Lincoln and exploding the
story Of Mr.. Lincon's illegitimacy:-
! was born in this town 14th August, 1896 and
have good memory of persons and things as they
existed In days OF auld lang syne."
KNEW THOMAS LINCOLN
well. He was universally called Linkhorn-I sup
pose through ignorance Of his real name. Some
time in the year 1906, or about that time, he was
married to Miss Nancy Hanks, and when married
and before tnat time he lived in Elizabethtown
In the year 1907 his first chnd "a daughter) was
born.
ABRAHAMs BIRTHPLACE
Some time between 1907 and 1900 he left town
with his wife and child, and settled near Buffalo,
then in Hardin county. 1t was then called Hod-
gems Min, and Is now In Larue county, at which
e m qeaa
LETTER WRITTEN BY ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO MY
now in my possession, dated Springfield, ILL.,. May
%, 1860:- "1n the main you are right about my
history. Ny ather was Thomas Lincoln, and Mrs.
taken about my mother. Her name was Nancy
Hanks. was not born In Ehzabethtown, but my
mothers & first Shild, s daugnser Two years older
February IL, 1909, near where Hodeenville now IS.
then in Hardin county. do not think ever saw
that / recognized your handwriting on opening
your letter before saw the signature. My reco-
lection Is tnas ,,v ,
was nrst Clerk that you succeeded him. that Jack
Thomas ana wilson Fairleigh graduated In the
very similar. Am l rightf My father has been
dead near :, ten ;a years but my stepmother, Mrs.
THE SECOND WIFE OF THOMAS LINCOLN
was originally Miss Sallie Bush, daughter OF
christopher and Hannah Bush, was raised in
She was married to Daniel Johnson on the 18Th
day OF March. 1905, and lived in Elizabethtown,
was then called cold plague. l sat by hts bedside
several nights during his illness, and one morning
found snow on the ground four inches oeep
and the peach trees in bloom, which attracted my
attention and caused me TO note the time. The
widow, Mrs. johnson, continued to live in Eliza
BEETHOVEN until the "a day Of December, 1919.
HovED- WITH HIS FAMILY TO INDIANA.
before 1919 ne lost his first wife there, and on
the 1st day OF December OF that year he re-
turned to this place and inquired for the resi-
dence OF the 't Ntti
WIDOW JOHNSON.
She lived near the Clerks office. was Clerk, and
informed him how to ind her. He was not slow
to present himself before her. when the following
c0urtsmp occurred;NAe soSr sMa 70 MIS- Johnson
and you are q lone woman. have knowed you
from g,r. and you've knowed me rom q boy, and
have come all the way from Indiana to ask II you
will hf. NJ .t
MARRY Nj RIGHT OFF,
az have no time to lose.0 To which she re-
Piled, 'rommy Lincoln, have
~. p. Nl.-. NO OBJECTION A.9H
Wh Be-
The gallant old gentleman promptly said, "Gtve
me . list Of the debts" The list was furnished
morning, December 2, 1873. issued the license.
and the same day fa l.GI
bundled up and started ior home, where the new
vile added much TO the comfort Of the establish.
ment, and took great interest In the training and
education Of her step-son, Abraham.
THOMAS LINCOLN
was hale, hearty looking man Of medium height,
had KIND looking face. was moderately good
house carpenter some Of MS work work remaining TO
this DAY IL the h"% Sute erae and
.lsAA - i9i.-4 NANCY HANKS laHt
was rather low set, heavy builHwoman, without
were few; indeed book learning was not in high
repute, and she was considered about on par
with the ordinary class or circle in which she
Mrs. Johnson,
FORMERLY sALLIE BUSH,
was q tall, slender built woman, quite good look.
ing, and was taken In those days to be quite
graceful, gay lady; was very neat. and was
thought 10 nave been good match ior Thomas
Lincoln. H
In which Thomas Lincoln lived In this place stood
on the bank OF an old mill race, WAS built OF rough
logs slightly hewn, and was about II feet square.
After 1t was abondoued by him 1t was moved below
the bridge and made slaugnterbouse; in course Of
time WAS removed sttll lower down the creek and
again used for same purpose, and afterward 1t was
removed back to very near the spot Ii originally
occupied on the bank OF the mill race, q lew 0gs
added, and then used for stable. After Abraham
Lncolns election to the Presidency the house
suffered many assaults OF the saw and axe, and
portions Of It was carried to New York as relics.
ABSENCE OF CERTIRICATE ACCOUNTED FOR.
Such Is the statement furnished me by Cap
tain Haycraft. In addition asked him how about
the record OF Thomas Lincoln's marriage to Nancy
Hanks. He replied:--sT could never md any
record OF the marriage, but accounted for the ABB
sence OF II from the fact that no record was Kept
In those days, the clerks depending on the minis
ters to return the license, and they were often men
that they should be returned. And again, II re-
turned, they were liable 70 be misplaced, as they
we're generally Kept in bread-tray OF some ike
vessel for convenience; and, again. ~ wouio nave
been impossible for them to have'nved 20 long to-
ether, Improperly, without the community Know