Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-11-29
Ers. Linco'n's Ambition.
Ter Early Determination to Become the Wife
the President Of the United States.

Her Early Determination to Become the "Ee OF
the President OF the United States
Although Mrs. Lincolu's Illness was
not known here, her name was mention
ed in pleasant par!or conversation be-
tween ladies one evening recently, and
some interesting "reminiscences of her
were given by Mrs. William Preston. of
Lexington, Ky, who. when n Young
girl. Miss Wicklitle, was well acquaint-
ed with Mary Todd. for both were then
living in Lexington. Mrs. Preston said
that Miss Todd had always insisted
when quite young girl that her bus
band would be president of the United
States. and rs She did not then appear
10 be one who would attract tie atten-
ton of young men, not being as band
some as most Of her companions. many
of the latter would laugh at her predia-
ton. While she was still ycuug she got
into girtish pet with her family, and
announced that she was going away 10
make her home with her sister. Mrs.
Edwards, in Springfield. ILL.,. and de-
clared that she would vet be the wife of
the president of the United States and
triumph over those who had opposed
her.
She went, and was courted bv beth
Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lin
coin. aud accepted tie latter. After
becoming engaged to him size wrote 20
her friend. Miss Wicklifie a playful de-
scription OF the man of her choice. rnen-
tioning his unprepossessing appearance
and awkwaruness, and with merry
appreciation of the lumor Of the pre-
diction again said: But ! mean to
make him president of the United
States ali the same You will see that,
AS always told YOU, l will yet be the
presidents wife"
Years aftcrward, in fact not more than
ten or twelve years AGO, in looking over
the papers OF his father-in-law Coy.
Wick'iiie, wEo had just died, Gen. Pres
ton came scross letter Endorsed in Gov.
Wickiisie's handwriting: THE most re-
mtrkable letter ever written by one girl
to another" This proved to be Che
identical letter written by Mary Toadin
regard to her Observation-Disclosures Lin
coin. When Gen. Preston showed it 10
his wife she said she supposed that al
ter reading il she had thrown it care
lesslv down on her fathers desk, at
taching no importance to it. but he,
picking it up, was so impressed by it
that he indorsed il as quoted above and
laid it away among his papers, to he
found after the girlish prophecy had
been fulfilled
Mrs. Lincoln's talent for nlatch-mak-
ing did not end with herself. Cor it WAS
she who picked out Mary Harlan. the
daughter of the senator from Iowa. for
her son Robert. and seeing her one even
ing at the opera remarked: 81 should
ike Robert to marry just such girl rs
that" Her husband, who heard her
sav it. then observed TO Mr.. Sumner.
''Mv wife is Il great matchmaker She
will make match between Harlan's
daughter and Bob; see if she don't"
Subsequently, Mrs. Lincoln sent Miss
Harlan bouquet. and began cuitivat-
ing her acquaintance and throwing her
son and the young lady together. Mean
time the young people had me, at aiiop
at the National Hotel, in Washington,
and soon became interested in each 9TH
err. Tnat Was in the spring of 1865.
Their marriage. however, did not occur
until September. 1867 or 1868, think
the latter YEAR, and the only time Mrs.
Abraham Lincoln has visited Washing
ton since her removal from the white
house after her husbands assassination
was wien She attended her SON we'd
| ding there. She has always been fond
| Of his wife, even since she has been Of
| Tended with him. I'd Mrs. Robert Lin
coin visited her last winter. and has
done SO every year when her mother-in-
| law has been in this country. President
Lincoln also was attracted by Miss Nar-
| Ian, and i was told by Que who knows,
and who spoke OF it to me in Washing
ton in the spring, that he had before his
death decided to take Mr.. Harlan into
his cabinet, and it was playfully said
that it WAS the possibility Of 3 mattel,
between their children which first sug-
gested the idea to him.--Cor. Rsilades-
| paia Press.