Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-12-04
LINCOLN LOVED ANNE RUTLEDGE.


ana AIt6E nGT Oe8GA no w ~ r OT = 1lAo
Insane.
When and how Lincoln met Anne
Rutledge is not known, but the period
of his first gseat happiness and sorrow
closed in 1885 when he was clerking
with Green in the grocery. He boarded
at the hotel kept at that time by Anne
Rutledge's father. Rutledge came to
Salem from Kentuckyin 1899 and help
ed build the first mill.
Anne was one of three children born
in Kentucky. She was beautiful girl,
buxom and strong. Her skin was waxen
white, her eyes deep blue, her hair red
brown. She was tender, gentle and low
able, and even Amt Sallie Mullins, who
seemed to love nobody, spoke kindly Of
Anne.
The story Of Anne's engagement to
marry John Mcnamara, alias Mcneil,
has been told by Mr.. Herndon. Why
McNamara assumed false name when
he came to Salem was never known. It
appeared finally that be was an honest
man and honorable.
He had confessed his true name to her
after their engagement, and in order to
put himself right before her he returned
to his home in the east, promising to
come back by certain time and to bring
his parents with him.
He did return to Salem, but through
mishaps and delays long after the time
fixed. He found his sweetheart in her
grave and his rival, Lincoln, insane
1t was during McNamara's absence
that Lincoln met Anne and loved her.
He could not ask her to marry him.
She was pledged to another, and he
could not allow her to break that pledge
There was a time when they were
happy in their love and took long walks
together in the evening along the high
bluff of the rivers shore, and Anne was
CHEEKY at her work, and Lincoln forgot
his book and stood in the doorway Of the
grocery looking toward the hotel He
was waiting for Anne to come to the
well, when he would meet her and draw
the water for her and carry the bucket
to the kitchen door.
This was before the time set by Nc
Namara for his return. Undoubtedly
Anne had agreed to tell McNamara Of
her love for Lincoln and to ask for her
release.
The time for his return came and
passed. The weeks dragged on, and the
lovers looked into each others eyes and
read what they believed to be the truth
Mon Namara would never come back.
Anne would never be released from her
promise.
A great melancholy came over Lin
coin, as he saw his love escaping from
his arms-a melancholy that never left
him, and that came often in the weary
after years to overspread and crush him.
And poor Anne Rntledge, simple heart
ed, tender girl could not long with
stand the contagion Of his mood. Strug
Cling with love and duty and despair,
she withered and sickened, and in Au-
gust, 1885, she died.
She was buried in the old Concord
church yard, and Lincoln, a mailman,
followed her to her grave.
There is no doubt Of Lincoln s insan-
ity over the death of hissweetheart. For
weeks his friends watched him closely,
and for time he was confined in the
house of Bowlin Greene
William Greene, Lincoln's closest
friend in Salem, first told in 1887 Of
Lincoln's insanity.
''Long after Annie died." said Uncle
Billy, "Abe and would be alone, per-
haps in the grocery. On a rainy night,
and Abe would sit there, his elbows on
his knees, his face in his hands, the
tears dropping through his fingers. I
would say to him: ABE, don't cry. 1t
hurts me. And he would look up at me
with his streaming eyes and say; I
can't help it, Bill The rain is falling
on her. Boston Globe.