The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-09-16
Lincoln and Douglas.
AN IOWA MANS REMINIsCENCEs-Nor
WORTHY ANECDOTES.

For the last fifteen years Nixon Dem
ton has been one Of The most prominent
men in Delaware county in this State.
His residence was in Manchester. where
he was IS popular ~ any citizen Of q
town could we'll become. Nick" Dem
ton was every ybody's friend, and every
body was his friend. He possessed q
fine educrtion. was one Of the noblest
looking men in the State. and was bril-
liant in mind. He cared littlef or public
honors else he might have been noted
man in the State, Mr.. Denton went to
Texas . couple Of weeks since with
three or four car loads of blooded cattle
to offer to stock. k.breeders in that State,
and met with an accident ON the rail.
road which caused his death. His re-
mains were brought to Manchester the
other day and buried. A resident Of
this city, who knew Denton well. has
related an anecdote which illustrates
Nick's readiness in repartee, and gives
US the details of incidents which viii!
be read with interest by every one
who reveres the memory of Abraham
Lincoln. by every one who cherishes the
memory Of Stephen A. Douglas.
When the Illinois Central Railroad
was being built +" Nick Denton" was
one of the civil engineers who made
surveys for it and superintended its
construction. After trains were run
ming between the northern terinini.
Duuleith and Chicago. to Cairo, the
civil engineers indulged in banquet
ct hotel in Centrslis. John Wyman
-afterwards Brigadier- General !" Jack"
Wymsn. who was killed at Vicksburg-
was one oftbose engineers. While the
festivities were at their height, Jack
Wyman rose to propose . volunteer
toast. BE raised his glass. +" Here's to
the two Nicks--Oh Nick and Nick
Denton" The merriment WAS furious
the joke was on Denton. The vic
tim waited until quiet had been re-
stored. and then raised bis glass.
"Here's to the two Jacks-.Jdck Ass and
Jack Wyman - It lasted Wyman until
his career closed. When iu the army
With his brigade. he would GET the reo-
oenitioa from = far distant voice.
/" Here's TO the two Jacks r in the
tones Of . prolonged hail.
The Illinois Central vas not fenced
in in its early days. and cattle were
frequently killed by the trains. Much
trouble with the owners Of live stock
ensued. At last two cows belonging to
. Methodist Minister in the central
part of the State were killed. The
COMPANY was sued for damages. and
the Company resolved to make test
case Of it. The President Of the Cent
mi directed Denton 70 take $500 in
gold and 90 to Springfield and retain
Abraham Lincoln for the Company.
Denton was we'll acQuailted with
lincoln. He did as directed; entering
Mr.. Lincoln's Office he told him the
Illinois Central wished to retain him as
coun,el in that Methodist ministers
COW case.' Mr.. Lincoln replied 1 am
sorry YOU didn't come yesterday, Nick
far have been retained by the preach
or and his friends Denton explained
fully the Importance Of the case to the
Company, aud then. pulling two buck
akin bass Of gold out Of bis pocksts. he
uut them down cn the table before the
Il vver. with . startling chink, saying;
.Mr lincoln. the President Of the
Company requested sus 70 hand you
th,s retainer Of $500 to tAbe our case
III. Lincoln jumped to his feet flushed
With anger over this apparent attempt
Ia hire him to abandon his ciient. and
,.rl;ed. Nick Denton, have given
nv promiss to that preacher and his
friseds. apt( the lllin0is CentrAi hasn't