The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-05
They buried him in the flag.
WHEN LINCOLN STUDIED LAW.
Some New Stories of tho Youth of tho
Wnr President.

. H.... "
Some New Stories of tho Youth of tho
Wnr President.
atlanta Constitution.
X son OF the man who enabled Abra-
ham Lincoln TO read law, and then gave
him the advice which started him on
his public career, was weaving some in.
tercsting "reminiscences recently at the
kimball. Tho narrator was Mr.. Joe
Hewitt, Of Galveston. Mr.. Hewitt is a
native OF Natchcz, and was a gallant.
daring young soldier. His father,
Judge Hewitt, was n native OF Ken
lucky, and removed to Illinois when 4
young man. He formed 4 law partner
ship with 4 Colonel Baker, who had
been through tho Mexican war and
who was killed at the head OF his regi-
mcnt by a Texas regiment in the fight
at Balls Bluff. Hewitt and Baker were
prominent lawyers. Young Lincoln was
running 4 small grocery store in the
same town or near by. He had picked
up 4 knowledge OF surveying, anc would
go off for 4 week or a month with his
compass and chain. On these trips he
would leave mis- store in the hands OF 4
clerk. Once he was gone four weeks.
When he returned he found the store
closed. His clerk had sold out and
skipped with the funds. Lincoln was
badly broken up. In his distress he
went 10 Judge Hewitt for advice.
Lincoln told his woes and ended by
declaring that he did not know what
to do.
"You would make q success at law,
Abe. Why don't you study and get
admitted to the bnr?" said Judge Hew-
lit.
Il cannot support myself and buy
law books, judge" Lincoln replied.
Turning to Col. Baker Judge Hewitt
said: "Iou have no objections, COL
onel, to Abc's using our library, have
you?"
Col. Baker was perfectly willing.
Lincoln thought he could support
himself while reading law by teaching
night school, and he decided to begin
the study, for the law had been his am
bition.
He did teach at night and studied
during the day in Hewitt & Bakers
office. After he was admitted he rode
the circuits with these lawyers.
"lhavc heard my father say that Lin
coin used to provoke them all by telling
stories and singing songs at night when
the rest OF them wanted to sleep. Col.
Baker was the only n who could stop
him. The colonel would rip out some
vigorous oaths and Lincoln would laugh
and shut up and 90 to sleep"
Long before the war Judge Hewitt re-
moved TO Natchez, where he became
prominent in his profession. He lost
sight OF Lincoln. When Quitman was
first sent to congress from Mississippi
Judge Hewitt gave him Il letter OF intro
duction to some members he knew. He
did not know that Abraham Lincoln
was in the House and was surprised to
receive 4 letter from him inquiring why
he had not given Quitman Il letter to
him. III you have forgotten the old
days in Illinois l have not,"' wrote Lin
coin.
When the Yankees took Natchez they
turned Judge Hewitt and his daughters
out OF their beautiful home and would
not allow them n single thing except
the clothes they had on. Tho Hewitts
were absolutely without shelter and
persona! effects, except as their friends
assisted them. Adolph Meyer, q
NGtchcz merchant, was in Washington
just about that time, and he met Presi-
dent Lincoln, who asked him if he
knew Judge Hewitt. Meyer said he did,
and Mr.. Lincoln told him that when he
went back home he wished him to tell
Judge Hewitt that ii he wanted any
protection to telegraph him and he
should have it il all the armies in the
United States were required to give it.
Judge Hewitt would not ask Lincoln
Tor any favor, and at the end OF the war
when he recovered his home it was
almost II wreck. Not 4 single book OF
his library, which had been the largest
and finest one in the state, was LETT.