Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-02-13
LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS.
An Iowa Mans Delightful "reminiscences
...Some Noteworthy Anecdotes. The
Martyr Presidents Honesty and the
Little Giants Prediction.
Davenport (lowa) Gazette.

Little Gl0nt'S fTeOlCtlOn.
Davenport (Iowa) Gazette.
For the last fifteen years Mr.. Nixon
Denton has been one of the most brom-
inent men in Delaware county, in this
State. His residence was in Manches-
ter, where he was as popular as any
citizen of town can we'll become.
"Nick" Denton was everybody's friend.
He possessed fine education, was one
of the noblest looking men in the State.
and was brilliant in mind. He cared
little for public honors- else he might
have become q noted man in Iowa. Mr..
Denton went to Texas couple of weeks
since with three or four car loads of
bloOded cattle to offer to stock breeders
in that State, and met with an accident
on the railroad that caused his DEATH
His remains were brought to Manches-
ter the other day and buried. A resi-
dent of this city, who knows Denton
well, has related to us an anecdote
which illustrates Nick's readiness in
repartee and has given us the details of
incidents which will be read with inter-
est by every one who reveres the name
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 superintendent its construc-
ton. After trains were running between
the northern term:ni, Dunleith and Chi
cago, to Cairo, the civil engineers indul-
ged ina banquet Mt a hotel in Centralia,
John Wyman-afterward Brig. General
"Jack" Wyman, who was killed at Vicks-
burg was one of those engineers.
While the festivities were at their height,
Jack Wyman rose to propose volun-
teer toast He raised his glass" Here's
to the two Nicks: Old Nick and Nick
Denton The merriment was furious
the joke was on Denton. The victim
waited until quiet had been restored
and then raised his glass" Here's to
the two Jacks, Jack Ass and Jack Wy
man" 1t lasted Wyman until his ca
reer closed. When in the army with
his brigade he would get the recognition
from far distant voice: "Here's to
the two Jacks" in the tones of pro-
longed hail.
The Illinois Central was not "fenced
in" in its early day, and cattle were fire.
quently killed by the trains. Much
trouble with the owners of live stock
ensued. AT last two COWS belonging to
a Methodist minister in the central part
of the State were killed. The company
resolved to make a test OF it. The pres
ident of the Central directed Denton to
take $500 in gold and 80 to Springfield
and retain Abraham Lincoln for the
company. Denton was we'll acquainted
with Lincoln. He did as directed; en-
tered Mr.. Lincoln's Office and told him
"the Illinois Central wished to retain
him as counsel in that Methodist min
ister's cow case" Mr. Lincoln replied:
1 am sorry you didn't come yesterday,
Nick, for have been retained by the
preacher and his friends" Dentor ex-
planned fully the importance of the
case to the company. and then, pulling
two buckskin bags filled with gold out
of his pockets, he put them down on
the table before the lawyer, with
startling chink, saying: "Mr. Lincoln,
the president of the company author
ICES me to hand you this retainer of
$500 to take our case" Mr.. Lincoln
jumped to his feet with anger over this
apparent attempt to hire him to aban-
don his client, and replied: Chick Den
ton, have gi:en my promise to that
preacher and his friends, and the Hi |
nois Central hasn't money enough to
buy me away from his side. l don't
know that l ever shall get a dollar from
him-but I'll do my best to make your
company pay for those cows" Denton
used to say that he never felt so mean
and small in his life as he did at that
moment. And in 1860, though Dem
ocrat, he used to say, during the presi-
dental campaign, that Lincoln was the
noblest man in Am erica.
In 1860, Douglas, Democratic candi- |
date for president, made a speech in
Dubuque. Denton, who had been ac-
quainted with Douglas for many years,
went to Cedar Rapids with a committee
to accompany the senator to Dubuque.
On the way Denton and Douglas had a |
private talk together. Judge" said |
Denton, what do you think of the |
campaign -how is it coming out?
What's best for young man to do who
has a notion of getting into politics ?"
Nick" replied Douglas, as things are
now, if vas a young man ambitious
for pollt cal place l would support Lin
coin. He will be elected-and there'll |
be war! The entire South will withdraw
from the Union; both sections will an.
peal to arms. All the northern Demo-
Gratis VINO support me will uphold Lin
coins administration to save the Union. |
NO other course will be possible or
tolerated. The slave holders will invite !