The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-02
AN ECHO OF WAR TIMES.
some Facts About Lincoln, the Martyred,
Told for the First Time.
How Simon Cameron Was Made Secretary of
War-A Democrats lnfiuence-Mr. Lin
coin Drank His Whisky Straight
New York Mail and Express.

Hon. John B. Haskin, chiefpf the Tuscaroras.
is still partially confined by lameness to ms nome
Ia Fordham- Occasionally he ventures down
town, or attends some meeting or public dinner,
but as rule rarely leaves the vicinity OF MS
home AS he had the honor OF presenting Aora
ham lincoln to the House of Representatives as
the President-elect he was called upon at his
Fordham residence by reporter and asked if he
would detail the circumstances which led to this
eyent-Mr Haskin being Democrat and Lin
coin the choice Of the Republican party. MIR.
Haskin frankly replied as follows:
II was a member OF Congress at that time as
a Representative from New York. About ten
days before Lincoln's inauguration, which you
know occurred on March A. 1861, was seated at
my desk in the House of Representatives A
portly gentleman, about my own weight, came
50 the desk and handed me his card On i5 was
Ward B. Lamon, Springfield, H. He then in
PRODUCED himself and said: Mr.. Haskin, under
President Lincoln's administration | am to have
the Office OF Marsh | for the District of Column
bia I have accompanied the Presidentelect
from his home to the Capital. He is now IN the
United States Senate chamber, and has deputed
me to come over and ask you to favor him by
introducing the members Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives to him on the floor of the House.
was surprised, but replied that cheerfuliy
accepted the honor, and would, with pleasure.
comply with his wishes. Mr.. Lamon
then said: IF you will meet me at the main
entrance of the House, in about ten minutes, he
aud will both be there / took my station in
the vestbule of the outer hall at the front door,
and as appointed, Mr.. Lincoln and Mr. Lamon
eame over. The latter present ted me to the Pres
ident-elect who said: 'M.. Haskins, to some
extent know you, for in the West you are very
well known i naturally asked in what way.
He replied: In the West you are esteemed as
one Of the most independent men in Congress,
and, SO far as party is concerned, neither as a
partisan Republican nor Democrat thanked
him for the compliment, and, as this was the
first time l had seen him, naturally took a
good look at the man who had asked me to
present him to Congress. L was somewhat as
topished at his awkward appearance. He was
tall, and had no angles to his FORM He wore a
black suit of clothes and black silk kerchef
shout his neck. The suit looked as if it might
have been purchased from Chatham-street
clothier. The trousers were baggy. and the coat
looked as If hung on bean pole He shook my
hand with strong grip His hand was large
and so were his feet. His face was without much
expression, and he had wart on his cheek. His
mouth was wide and straight, without defining
angles, almost though a straight line had
been cut in a piece of dough. There was moth
ing in the face denoting great intelligence or
character, such as had seen in Webster, Clay,
Douglas, and many other statesmen with whom
] had been brought in contact But when he
opened his mouth and commenced talking his
countenance beamed with good nature and intel
hgence. He then seemed to have a genial spirit
which made feel at homo with him
In q very short time / proceeded with
him down the aisle to in front Of the
Speakers desk, where ! introduced him to the
various members of Congress The first intro
duction was made to Hon. Charles Francis
Adams. i thought that gentleman entitled to
this honor, as he was of legitimate presidential
descent. Every member of the House of Repre-
sentatives was then presented to Mr. Lincoln by
name. This being over. Mr.. Lincoln looked
around the chamber, and saying that he had
been IN the old hail. remarked the extent
and beauty of the one he was then in. He
seemed struck with amazement at the gilded
decorations and the general grandeur of the build
ing. | then took him to the Speakers room, at
the back Of that officers desk. Gorgeous he
exclaimed; a little too ornate the monkey said
to the painter when he colored his tail Mr..
Lincoln was then taken to the Clerks Office, in
the southwest corner of the Capitol From the
window of this room a splendid view could be
obtained of Arlington heights the Gusts estate
the Long bridge, Potomac river, White House.
and other points of beauty. We went to Colonel
Forneys desk, for ne was Clerk of the House at
that time-but the Colonel was absent, and his
assistant, Barry Hayes, was in charge. Barry
was regular Pennsylvania Buchanan Democrat.
about the size of Mr. Lincoln, but somewhat
stouteT, with Roman nose, and face the glow
from which indicated the constant imbibing of
Monongahela whisky. 1 think prick from a
pin would have drawn out at any time pony
of good old rye Ipresented him to Mr. Lincoln,
and then directed the latters attention to the
view.
''While he was looking from the window l
opened the door of |. washstand where. for sani-
tary purposes, Colonel Forney and myself each
kept bottle of good old brandy and some excel
lent Buchanan whisky. Mr.. Lincoln turned at
this moment, and remarked: After going
through the Senate and House sou must be tired
1t is about our time to take a drink. Will you
join usE He replied: With pleasure I told
him we had some fine brandy and some good Blu
chanan whisky Asking him which he would
up-and-down tumbers. which were character
istic of that period, and which admitted of no
deception. Buchanan whiskyP he said inquir-
ingly. think out of respect to the present
administration ought to take the whiskey.'
The glass was handed to him, and he poured out
horn fully four fingers deep. then offered
him the pitcher of water. Putting up his large
hand as if in the act of pushing it back, he said:
Mr.. Haskin, out in Illinois we always take our
whisky straight And he did, without water or
even wincing. merely speak OF this to show
you what sort of man Lincoln was socially
and how he made those who were with him feel
at once at their After this we drove down
together to Wizards Hotel, where I left him"
Was this the only opportunity you had of
seeing and speaking with President Lncoln9"
"Oh, mol / will tell you of an incident where
my services were again called into play with
him. few days after the occurrence just al
luueu 30, 0en. OlulOn cameron came TO my seat
in the House and said: Haskin, / am afraid /
have been euchred for the Secretaryship of the
Treasury Department The War Department Is
still open, and with your assistance, believe it
is possible for me to be appointed Cameron
had been anxious to get the portfolio of the
Treasury. and will allude to this further on.
asked him what he wanted me to do. He said:
If you viii take Colonel Forney and with him
call on Mr.. Lincoln tomorrow morning to urge
my appointment you viii probably obtain it.
N E0ruav-f0r "a do thQpw rise
that although / have beaten him for the SEN
ate he and his friends shall have fair and lib
erai share of the patronage If he will only DO as
wish He received my promise to do what /
could. and next morning stopped at Forney s
where Ben Butler built his large stone
house. and aliehted. 1 went into For
ney's back room and found him shaving
himself He asked what had brought me
there 90 early 1t was about 10 o'clock / told