The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-23
Lincoln and the "Clary's Grove
Rows

Boys"
Public opinion at New Salem was
formed by Il crowd of ruifianly young
fellows who were called the "Clary's
Grove Boys" Once or twice week
they descended upon the village and
passed the day in drinking, fighting.
and brutal horse-play. If stranger
appeared in the place, he was likely to
sutlcr 4 rude initiation into the social
life of New Salem at the hands of these
jovial savages. Sometimes he was nailed
up in q hogshead and rolled down hill,
sometimes he was insulted into II fight
and then mauled black and blue; for
despite their pretensions to chIvalry they
had no scruples about fair play or any
such superstitions of civilization. At
first they did not seem inclined to molest
young Lincoln. His appearance did not
invite inSolcnce; his reputation for
strength and activity was n greater pro-
lection to him than his inoffensive good
nature. But the loud admiration OF
Offutt gave them umbrage. 1t led to
dispute, contradictions, and finally to a
formal banter to wrestling-match.
Lincoln was greatly averse to all this
"wooling and pulling" as he called it.
But Offutts indiscretion had made it
necessary for hIm to show his mettle.
Jack Armstrong. the leading bully of
the gang, was selected to throw him,
and expected an easv victory. But he
soon found himself in different hands
from any he had heretofore engaged
with. Seeing he could not manage the
tall stranger, his friends swarmed in,
and by kicking and tripping nearly
succeeded in getting Lincoln down. At
this, us has been said of another nero,
the spirit of Odin entered into him."
and putting forth his whole strength,
he held the pride of Clary's Grove in
his arms like child, and almost choked
the eNuberant life out OF him. For
moment general fight seemed inevita-
BILE; but Lincoln, standing undismayed
with his back to the wall, looked SO
formidable in his defiance that an hon
est admiration took the place of mo-
mentary fury and his initiation was
over. As To Armstrong, he was Lin
coins friend and sworn brother as soon
as he recovered the use of his larynx,
and the bond thus strangely created
lasted through life. Lincoln had no
further occasion to fight his own battles
while Armstrong was there to act rs his
champion. The two friends, although
SO widely different, were helpful to each
other afterwards in many WAYS, and
Lincoln made ample amends for the
liberty his hands had taken with Jacks
throat. 10y saving, in memorable trial,
his sons neck from the halter
This incident, trivial and vulgar as it
may seem. was of great Importance in
Lincoln's life. His behavior in this ig-
noble scufiie did the work of years for
him, in giving him the position he re-
quired i'm the community where his lot
was cast. He became from that mo-
ment, in certain sense, a parsonage,
with name and standing of his own.
The verdict of Clary's Grove was unani-
NOUS tnat he was 1.-THE cleverest fellow
that had ever broke into the settle
ment." He did not have to be con-
stantly scuffiing to guard his self-re-
spect, and ut the same time he gained
the goodwill of the better sort by his
evident peaceableness and integrity
Nscoiay and Hays Lincoln; Century,