New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-17
LINCOLN AND YOUNG ARMSTRONG.
WHERE DR.. EGGLESTON FOUND HIS PLOT.

WHERE DR.. EGGLESTON FOUND HIS PLOT.
The foundation of Dr. Eggeston's Century novel,
"The Graysons" IS doubtless to be found In the story
Of Abraham Lncoln's defence Of young Armstrong
accused OF murder. Tho young mans fa'her anu
mother took interest in Lincoln when he first began
to his own living employed him. lent him oooAs'
and kept him their house after the season for WORK
was over. In old number OF Tho CieVelanu
Leader is TO be found the sequel
Some few years since, the eldest son OF MI I'm,
coins old friend Armstrong, the chet supPoror o n
time previously passed from earth-was arrested Oil
the charge Of murder young man had been Hlllea
during riotOus melee, In the night time AT eahp
meeting and one of his associates stated that inc
death wound was inflicted by young Armstrong
5S aecmscr escd SO posyey that there seemed
doubt Of the guilt Of the Pso HtG, a ths case the
bloody act caused an undue degree Of excitement IN
the public mind Every improper incident IN tnf
scmbIanoe OF rowdyism-cach schoolboy quarrel-was
suddenly remembered and magned until they pictured
rr sprcad abroad they we're received gospel
truth, and feverish desire for vengeance seked upon
vented a horrible death at The hands of mob. The
events were hcradcd in the county papers panied
Certainty of punishment being melted out the guilty
party The prisoner, overwhelmed by me circ9I1 IN,
stances under which he found himself placed, rel
into melancholy condition bordering on desp pair ana
the widowed mother looking through her tears, saw
q Al this iunctlre the widow received a letter from
Mr. Lincoln volunteering his services in an effort to
was hts aid accepted, although II seemed impossible
for even his sagacity to prevail IN such pr
end he set about II with will that knew no SUCH
word as fail Feeling that the poisoned condition OF
the public mind such 10 preclude tho possibility
OF lmpannelllng an impartial jury in the court having
Jurisdiction. he procured change Of venue and post
work unravelllng the history of the case and satisfied
himself that his client the victim OF malice, and
that the statements OF the accuser were tissue Oh
falsehoods.
"whcn the trial was called on, the prisoner, pale
ad ana s,ccomnanicG Inv his hafhopng half
despaIring mOther-whOse only hope was In mother
belief OF her sons innocence In the Justice or me G0u
She worshlpped and in the noble counsel, who, with
cut hope Of fee reward upon earth, had nhuer'aken
with stony frmness listened to the reading OF the
indictment. Lincoln sat quietly by. whilst the large
could say In defence OF whose guilt they regarded
as certain. The examination OF the witnesses Tor me
state was begun and well arranged mass Of evidence
circuulstantal and positive was introduced, which
seemed TO mpalc the prisoner beyond the possibility
of extrcaon The counsel for the defence propounded
but few questions. and those of a character which
excited no uneasincss on the part OF the prosecutor
merely. in most cases, requiring the main witnesses
TO be- definite as to the time and place. When the
evidence OF the prosecution ended. Lincoln nr-
prcsionS In regard to the previous character OF his
client who, though somewhat rowdysh had never
a greater degree Of ill-fccilng existed between the
accuser and the accused than the accused and the
The prosecutor felt that the case was clear one
and his opening speech was brief and formal, LIN,
coin arose. while Gcahly silence peryaded the Vast
audience and I'm a clear and moderate tone began his
argument slowly ard carefully he reviewed the testi
mOny, pointing ont the hitherto unonservcd disoIop
anccs In the statements OF the principal witness.
That which had seemed plain and plausible he made 70
slated that the affair took place At certain hour In
the evening, and that by the aid o. the brightly sim,
ing moon he saw tho prisoner nhict the deathDiOW
with slung.shot Mr. Lincoln showed that az the
hour referred to the moon had not yet appeared above
the horizon, and consequently the whole tale was
fabrication
An almost instantaneous change seemed to have
been wrought in the minds Of his auditors, and the
verdict OF not guilty was the end Of every tongue:
But the advocate was not content with this intellectual
bound up in this work Of gratitude and mercy and as
the lava of the overcharged crater bursts from its I'M
isapcd forth from the soul Of The eloquent Lincoln Ho
drew picture Of nS RI SpS So nTr no a gaS b
rceled and staggered from the courtroom, whilst me
audience enced they could SEQ the brand upon ms
pcaed TO the Jurors fathers Of some who might be,
come fehcrless, and as husbands OF wives who might
Eounded rIoudIce but to Go MS client iHsfce ana
the boys sire tears were seen to la from many eyes
unused to weep.
that II justice done-as he believed It would be
before the should set. it would shine upon his
S Adjourned for the day sf an hour had not elapsed
when, the officers of the court and the volunteer
All repaired Immediately tho house and whilst
room was filled to OVERLOOKING with citizens from the
Town. when the prisoner and his mother entered,
silence rcgEcd completely though the house
cmgty. The foreman Of the jury, in answer TO the
usual inquiry from the court delivered the verdict Of
Not Guiliyp The widow dropped into the arms Of
her son, who lifted her up and told her to look upon
lin as before, free and innocent Then, with the
words W here Is Mr.. Lincoln , he rushed across tho
room and graspcd the hand OF his deverer whilst his
heart too full for utterance Lincoln turnod his
ewes toward the west. where the stIll fingered I'm
view. and them turning TO the youth said IL is
not yet shutdown and you are free confess that
nv cheeks were not wholly unwet by toars, and
turned from the affecting scone. As cast glance
behind, saw Abraham Lincoln ObeyIng tho Divine
Injunction Of comforting the widowed and fatherlcssn