The Indianapolis journal., 1888-07-22
ABE LINCOLN'S OLD LOVE.
A Venerable Lady Who Refused to marry
Him She Was Then Sweet Sixteen.


Honey Grove. Tex Letter in New York Star
The following paragraph appeared in paper
here the other day, and. desiring to learn the
truth of it. your correspondent drove out to the
ladys house:
Mrs. William Drenan very respectable lady liv-
ing in this county, refused TO marry Abraham
Lincoln who was afterward President.
As soon as she saw the clipping she smiled
ard said:
'Yes, it is quite true"
Your correspondent suggested that little
sketch of her history would be interesting, and
she gave it as follows:
II vas born in Bingham county, North Caro-
lima, in 1916, but when quite young moved with
my parents to Sangsmen county, Illinois, where
| lived until, in 1872 moved to Texas. knew
Mr. Lincoln well-knew and played with him
when he wore knee bresches and went bare
footed with the rest OF US. We attended the
same school in an old Jog school-houss, presided
over by what now know to have been q very
primitive but good old man. He didn't know
much, men are educated these days; but. lah.
me! We used TO think him q compendium Of
knowledge. And Mr.. Lincoln tsimply ABE
then, though) was very APT cholar, always
ahead in his studies. He was great friend Of
mine those days and he used to coach me, a.
my son calls it.
tanned such an eminent place in Americas his
tory. aud my childhood having been passed
within half an hours easy walk from is house,
that have treasured his memory most dearly.
AS q boy he was an excellent PLAYMATE, and he
could make as good mud pies as any of u.s. 1t
seems rather strange to talk OF . President
making mud pies. doesn't M Well ] reckon all
of them have, and liked il. too. But as young
man be was most exemplary-generous to a
fault. chivarous kind, honest aud trustworthy;
and he loved his good old mother.
"One little inciden. never will forget. We
all went to church one Sunday. creek being
crOsse1
logs. Mr. Lincoln was not present durin z
church-was away, believe. In Springfield.
Several OF rs girls had walked as 1t was beau
tiful day. But just before church was out, the
sky clouded up and il commenced to rain very
hard We girls az the conclusion Of the serv-
ice. were sitting in the church waiting for ths
rain to cease. when Mr. Lincoln rode up. His
mother had also attended service, and on foot.
sisted Mrs. Lincoln to his horse. saying he
would walk home with the girls. which he did.
But when we carno TO the creek the logs
had been washed away and the water WAS fully
three feet deep What to do we didn't know.
but young Abe did. HIS commenced with me.
and carried US all over in safety, till the lasi
one, very feshy girl. was only left on the
wrong side He waded through after her and
took her in his arms. starting across. We were
making al sorts OF fun Of them. and. Laughing
gayly, when abe, being n mischievous body
anyway. whispered something to him which
caused him to give vent suddenly to a loud pea
OF laughter, when. somehow. tie girl slippet
from his arms. and both fell fat into the water
But it oidn't spoil our fun In the least Why
bless your soul, when We saw the two woebe
Rone-lookiug creatures rise and wade to tn,
shore We laughed all the more. and so did they
Those were good old times, indeed
II was early In the soring of 1894 one even
ing when We were out walking. that Mr..
Eineola asked me to marry him. but a. bad al
seaiy formed an attachment with, and hst
promised TO marry Mr.. Drenan, Of course re-
tused him. He seemed TO be quite sorry. bu
In his geAisl way said: WELL Martha any