Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-29
MEMORIES OF LINCOLN.
BY A BROOkLYNlTE WHO READ
LAW IN HIS OFFICE.
An Interview with j. n. Littlefeld, Now
Portrait Painter-Interesting Remin-

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. Portrait Painter-Interesting Remin-
iscences Of Americas Great Commoner.
Lincoln's Striking characteristics.
called the other day at the studio of Mr..
J. H. Littlefeld on Montague street. He was
just putting the finishing touches upon his
new portrait of Mr.. Beecher, which has since
been exhibited upon Fulton street Mr..
! Beecher sat for him during the trial and
again on his 10th birthday. The converse
ton turned to the days when Mr. Littlefield
was student in Mr.. Lincoln's Office in
Springfield, Ills, and one thing led to
another until the following interesting
"reminiscences of Americas great commoner
had been elected.
"Yes,n said Mr.. Littlefeld, 81 was stu
dent in Mr. Lincoln's Office for over two
years, and the way came to get there was
very singular indeed My brother, Gen N.
S. Littlefield, was present at one OF the joint
debates at Ottawa, Ills, between Lincoln and
Douglas in the famous canvass for the sena-
atorship in 1853 After the speaking was
over Mr.. Douglas friends took him away
with brass band and amid great entnusl-
asm. For moment Mr.. Lincoln stood alone,
then those who sympathized with his senti-
ments and had been greatly affected by his
mastery speech made rush for him and
carried him bodily to his hotel. Ny brother
and another gentleman did most OF the carry
ing, and when they had got to the hotel he
said to Mr.. Lincoln: 4 have brother whom
/ would very much like to have enter your
Office as a student All right was his re-
DIV, send him down and we will take look
at him. l was then studying law at Grand
Rapids, Mich, and on hearing from my
brother, Immediately packed up and started
for Springfield arrived there on Saturday
night and put up at the American house.
On Sunday Mr. Lincoln was pointed out to
me. well remember this first sight OF him.
He was striding along holding little Tad,
then about years old, by the hand, who
could with the greatest difficulty keep up
with his father. In the morning l applied at
the office of Lincoln & Herndon for adnis-
sion as student.
'The morning entered the office Mr.. Lin
coin and his partner, William II. Herndon,
were both present Mr.. Lincoln addressed
his partner thus: Billie, this is the young
man of whom spoke to you. Whatever ar
rangement you make with him will be salts
factory to me- Then turning to me he said:
Il hope you will not become SO enthusiastic ID
your studies of Blackstone and Kent as did
two young men whom we had here. DO you
see that spot over there? pointing to large
ink stain on the wall. We'll, one OF those
young men got so enthusiastic In his pursuit
of legal lore that he fired an inkstand at the
other ones head, and that is the mark he
made l Immediately began to clean up
about the Office a little. Mr.. Lincoln had
been in congress and had the usual amount Of
seeds to distribute to the farmers. These
were sent out with Free Soil and Republican
documents. In my efforts to clear up
found that some of the seeds had sprouted in
the dirt that had collected in the office.
PLEADING HORSE CASE.
"Judge Logan and Mr.. Lincoln were once
engaged on opposite sides Of horse case.
Judge Logan displayeda great deal of knowl-
edge about horses, and, as was the custom
with lawyers at that day, in the heat of the
argument had laid off his coat and vest. In
fortunately for him he had put his shirt on
hind side before. When he had finished Mr..
Lincoln arose and asked his opponent if he
would please rise The judge complied.
will you please turn your back to the juryl
NOW, SeuIlcIIleA VI LILO odlu AIuSoll,
what sort of value can you place upon Judge
Logan's knowledge of horses when he doesn't
know enough to put his shirt on right side
foremost when he comes into courtH A roar
of laughter followed this sally, and when Mr..
Lincoln had finished his argument the jury
gave verdict in his favor.
"Mr. Lincoln was engaged in a case which
made great deal of stir in Illinois while
was student in his office. One Greek Graf
ton, a strong, burly fellow, was paying at
tentions to young lady living in the vicinity
of Springfield. She had another sutton at
the same time by the name of Quinn Harri-
son. Grafton told Harrison If he didn't cease
his attentions to the young lady he would
thrash him. Harrison replied that if he
made an attack upon him he would defend
himself Grafton one day came to the post
Office, and, seeing Harrison reading news
paper, threw bis arms around him and tried
TO hold him. Harrison struggled away, and
drawing a dagger, plunged it into Crafton's
vitals. Crafton's lawyers claimed on the
trial that he acted in self defense. l was in
the court when Mr.. Lincoln made his speech
before the jury for Harrison. He used this
illustration: In the early days party of
men went out to hunt the wild boar. When
the game was seen one Of the hunters imme-
diately climbed tree, the other seized the
game by the ears, and after several ineffec-
tual tussles with him he cried to his compan-
ion, who was up the tree: 'For Gods sake,
jim, come down and help me to let go'n Mr..
Lincoln made this application of the story.
If Grafton took hold of Harrison in self de-
tense it follows logically that he would have
TO continue to hold him for all time, and that
he would require some one to help
him let go The jury gave verdict of &C
luittal for Mr. Lincoln's client.
''Mr. Lincoln was an indefatigable news |
paper reader and was noted for his ia
niliarity with political affairs in all parts Of
he country He subscribed for several |
papers published in the south-one, know,
,ame from South Carolina. He had an in |
Vulnerable number of anecdotes of public |
men always at the end Of his tongue He had |
,reat tenacity Of memory, and once a fact |
vas fixed in his mind he never forgot it,
dis fondness for telling stories is often al |
uded to, but he possessed certain dignity
hat prevented persons from going only just
o far with them People called him Uncle
Abe long before he was nominated for the
and often l have seen him sitting
n the steps Of stores chatting with his
riends As a relaxation from professional
ares he would go out and play ball The
anne was what was called barn ball, and it
onsisted in knocking the ball against the
ide of a building and then hitting it again
n the rebound l have seen Mr. Lincoln 60
nto this sport with a great deal of zest.
his love for good stories
nd funny sayings he usually had a forlorn
xprsssion on his face and appeared many
ines to be in a brown study. One of his
triking characteristics was simplicity, and