The state herald., 1891-12-04
LINCOLN DID spLIr RAILS.
The Fact Attested by Many Of Ills Old
Nrlghbors.

Nrighbors.
In February Of 1872 was In attend
ance at the State Republican oonven-
tion at Indianapolis writes c. G.
Powell in the Washington Star and
met ut the Bates house at that time q
gentleman whose name cannot re-
call, who was resident Of Spencer
county. He came there soon after the
Lincolns left This gentleman had
served two terms as treasurer OF the
county, having been first elected in
1850 and was candidate before the
convention where l was In attendance
for state treasurer and only lacked a
few votes OF nomination. He was a
man OF splendid personal appearance
and OF tho highest character. Ho told
me that all OF the oldcr citizens OF his
locality, wnen he came there. were
we'll acquainted with Abraham Lincoln.
Instead Of being 'an awkward, indo-
lent and apparently unambitious boy, :"
he was II studious, Industrious and
thoughtful young man. whose habits
were unexceptionally good. There
were but few books within his reach
while he lived there but he managed
to borrow or buy these and carefully
peruse them. This gentleman informed
me that many Of his neighbors saw
Abraham Lincoln making rails cutting
cord wood and doing other manual
work. He was also gifted as cabinet
maker having made quito respect
able book cases and other household
furniture, which this gentleman had
frequently seen. In August OF 1860
went 70 Springfield, ILL.,, to n Repub-
lican mass meeting. As Iapproached
Mr.. Lincoln's house vast procession
was passing, and the wide street run.
ming In front OF that building was
packed as far ms one could see either
way with people. Mr.. Lincoln stood
by the side OF his door, facing the
street. eight or ten feet ABOVE the side
walk. In front Of the place where he
stood, not ten feet away. were two
high stone gate posts rounded OIL at
the top. and upon one of these several
gentlemen were elevating the rotund
form OF John Hanks u cousin OF Lin. .
\ coin. This Hanks was q big, burly
fellow. All manner OF questions were
put to him, some wise and some not
so wise. In the talk with Hanks Lin
coin took hand. Hanks was asked.
/ remember distinctly II he ever split
rails with 'Old Abe" and he said he
had, as well as cut cord wood. He
said he had always been Democrat
but he was going to vote for his cousin
that time, for he had worked with
him and been with him many years
and knew that he was honest and re-
liable.
stood in Mr.. Lincoln's house that
day from nine o'clock In the morning
until three o'clock In the afternoon
and saw the procession as II continued
TO wond It's way along, and II seemed
almost every other wagon that passed
was drawing big log and men were
on it making rails never saw so
much rail.sp.itting in all my lilo else
where as i witnessed on that occasion.
| There was no one In the whole OF
that vast assemblage that doubted Mr..
Lincoln made rails both in Indiana
rs well Ms In Illinois. and ] never
heard nor saw the apparently univer-
sal belief in his having done SO doubt
cd or disputed until this article which
appeared in the Star recently. IL
is to late In tho day TO attempt TO
overthrow and destroy no welt authen-
ticatod n fact as the one under consid-
GRAFTON. That Mr.. Lincoln made
rails there can bo no doubt, and 1t had
better be conceded that he did So Us II
has always been admitted. for in try
ing TO maintain tho contrary will only
bring the suthor into ridicule and
| contempt