Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-02-06
LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS.


dotes--Te Martyr Presidents Hon
esty and the Little Giants Predic-
tions.
From the Davenport uowa) Gazette, January 10.
For the last fifteen years Mr.. Nix
on Denton has been one of the most
prominent men in Delaware county,
in this State. His residence was in
where he was popular as
any citizen Of town can well become.
'Nick" Denton was everybody's
friend, and everybody was his friend.
He possessed fine education, was
one of the understanding men in
the State, and was brilliant in mind.
He cared little for public honors else
he might have become noted man
in Iowa. Mr.. Denton went to Texas
a couple of weeks since with three or
four carloads of blooded cattle to of
fer to stock-breeders in that State, and
met with an accident on the railroad
which caused his death. Hisremains
were brought 10 Manchester the other
day for burial. A resident of this
city, who knew Denton well, has re-
lated to us an anecdote which illus
trates Nick's readiness in repartee,
and given US the details of incidents
which will 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 superintendent its
construction. After trains were run
ming between the northern termini,
Dunleith and Chicago, to Cairo, the
civil engineers INDUCED in a banquet
at a hotel in Centralia. John Wy
man-afterward Brigadier General
"Jack" Wyman, who was killed at
Vicksburg-was one of those engi-
neers. While the festivities were at
their height, Jack Wyman rose to
propose volunteer toast. He raised
his glass-"Here's to the two Nicks
Old Nick and Nick Denton y The
merriment was furious-the joke was
on Denton. The victim waited until
quiet had been restored and then
raised his glass-"Hcre's to the two
Jacks: Jack Ass and Jack Wyman ~
Itlasted Wyman till his career closed.
When in the army with his brigade
he would get the recognition from a
far distant voice, ''Here's to the two
Jacks !" in the tones of a prolonged
hail.
The Illinois Central was not 'sfenced
in" in its early day, and cattle were
frequently killed by the trains
Much trouble with the owners OF live
stock ensued. At last two cows be.
longing to Methodist minister in
the central part Of the State were kill.
ed. The company was sued for dam
ages, and the company resolved tt
make test case of it. The Presiden
of the Central directed Denton to take
$500 in gold and 60 to Springfield anG
retain Abraham Lincoln for the com
pany. Denton was we'll acquainted
with Lincoln. He did as directed
entered Mr.. Lincoln's Office and TOLD
him "the Illinois Central wished t.
retain him as counsel in that Metho
dist minister's COW case" Mr.. Lin
coin replied, II am sorry you didn'
come yesterday, Nick, for / am re
tanned by the preacher and hi
friends" Denton explained fully tn,
importance Of the case to the com
pany, and then, pulling two buckski,
bags filled with gold out of his peck
cts, he put them down on the tahl,
before the lawyer, with a startlin.
chink, saying, "Mr. Lincoln, the Pres
ident of the company authorizes M
to hand you this retainer Of $500 t,
take our case" Mr.. Lincoln jumped
to his feet, flushed with anger owe
this apparent attempt to hire him t,
abandon his client, and replied =
"Nick Denton, have given my prom
Use to that preacher and his friends
and the Illinois Central hasn't none,
enough to buy me from his side.
don't know that shall ever get dol
lar from him-but I'll do my best t,
make your company pay for thos
cows" Denton used to say that h
never felt so mean and small in hi
life as he did ut that moment. An,
in 1860, though Democrat, he uset
to say, during the Presidential cam
paign, that Lincoln was the mobiles
man in America.
In 1860 Douglass, Democratic can
didate for President, made speecl
in Dubuque. Denton, who had beer
acquainted with Douglass for many
years, went to Cedar Rapids with .
committee to accompany the Senator
to Dubuque. On the way Dentol
and Douglass had q private talk to
gether. "Judge," said Denton, "wha
do you think of the campaign-hov
is it coming out? What's best for
young man to do who has a notion O
getting into politics" "Nick," re
piled Douglass, "as things are now
if was young man ambitious TO
political place / would support Lin
coin. He will be elected-and therel
be war! The entire South will with
draw from the Union; both section
will appeal to arms. All the North
ern Democrats who support me will
uphold Lincoln's Administration t,
save the Union. No other cours
will be possible or tolerated. TIL,
shareholders will invite war. ant
they'll get war till they are sick of it
War will free the slaves; there'll b,
devastation and ruin in the South
Denton reported the conversation
to some of his friends the evening o
election day. After the result of tn,
election was known, Denton was firm
in his belief, and didn't conceal it
that war was at hand, when almos
everybody else thought different, ane
events proved that Mr.. Douglass wa
correct.