The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-03
LINCOLN NOT A FLATBOATMAN.
Correction of an Error Regarding
an Episode of His Early Life.
q. VieIe. In New York Tribupe.

Egbert l.. Vieie, in New York Tribune.
1 would like to correct an error that has
been repeated a number of times in con-
nection with eulogies on the life of Mr..
Lincoln. Mr. Bancroft, in his remarkable
funeral Grafton delivered before both
houses of Congress. as also Mr.. Depew in
his late admirable address in Vermont,
referred to Mr.. Lincoln as beginning life
as fatboatman on the Mississippi river.
Both of these gentlemen were in error. Mr..
Lincoln was never in any sense of the word
'hatboatman
What is known as ''fatboat' on the
Western rivers Is more of a raft than a
boat. the principal use of which is to feat
quantity of lumber down the river to mar
ket, where the so-called boat is sold as
lumber, either as whole or taken apart
for that purpose. Incidentally other prod
ucts of the forest or field, or ether mer-
chandise, are conveyed to market on these
boats. ''Flatboatmen' are a distinct
class of men, somewhat rough and lawless
in character. who make business of navi-
eating these boats down the river, re-
turning to their homes by steamboat or
rail to seek employment for another trip
On the way up the river these ilatboatmen
occupy the lower deck of the steamboat,
wild orgies, so much so that the more timid
travellers avoid the steamers that carry
or suppose that Abraham Lincoln was ever
one of these men is simply absurd. He
once, made a trip to New. Orleans in a fiat
boat for the purpose of dispoSing of some
merchandise that he had received as COM
pensation for a winters employment. and
passage as thousands of others have done
before and since without being in the least
degree identified with the employment.
for which his fertile mind provided ex-
pedient The precise facts as related by
give them ia hi his i own words: when was
about eighteen years old l was living in
man disstI Ill whisky ee When spring came
the man had large quantity of whisky
on hand and had no money Turning to
Mr.. Chase, who was present, he said: If
you had been there, Mr. Chase, with your
greenback printing press we should have
OF course, 1 had no use for the whisky,
and, there was more whisky in Ken
lucky than an the people had ;I use for looked
barrels that had received for my winters
work. learned that there was man up
the river Ohio who was building fiat
boat to take to New Orleans in the spring.
So went to see him. and arranged with
him to take my merchandise to New Or
leans, I to go along and give my services
for my passage. In the meanwhile ex-
ense Of to6a CO my thinking that if whisky
was down in price when arrived at New
Orleans tobacco might be up At any rate,
/ should not have all my eggs in the same
basket"
And SO he started for New Orleans ON
this flatboat, not as 'hatboatman." but
as a working passenger. Continuing his
narrative Mr.. Lincoln said: "One night
we were tying up as usual TO a Dig tree
place of landing and asked me what |
would charge to row them out into the
with us, to meet steamboat that in
sight coming down the river. but which
would not make landing at that point l
told them that / thought 1t would be
worth shilling apiece Spanish shillings
were then in common use for small
change). After putting the two passengers
on the steamer they gave me dollar. 1t
was the only money | had seen In nearly
six months, and I felt quite rich for the
moment, thinking to myself, as I rowed
back to the natboat. that If could earn
dollar every hour OF my life as easily