Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
"REMINISCENCES OF. LINCOLN.
Ex-Representative Findlay's interest
Ing Letter on the Great President.

Ex-ReprescntntiveF indlay's Interest,"
Ing Letter on the Great President.
From the Baltimore American.
The first time ever saw Mr.. Lincoln was
in the spring of 1863. was of counsel for
a gentleman of this city who had been in
dicted for treason as an active participant
in the unfortunate riot of the 10Th of April.
The indictment against my client had been
pending for some time, when unexpectedly
one morning there appeared in the news
papers proclamation by the President
which declared in effect that any one in
custody or under bonds for such acts as the
indictment was founded on would be liber-
ated or released on taking an oath to sup
port the government, which was prescribed
in the body of the proclamation. Before
the district attorney took action, the Presi-
dent came out in a qualifying. proclamation
explaining that the terms Of his first proc
lamation were too broad, and that it was
not intended to cover just such cases as
the one which had the honor to represent.
j! was In quandary. l had my fee, and 1
did not like the idea Of returning 1t, as
fees were pretty scare with me in those
days. l felt, too, certain degree of blame
for not having been more urgent in press
ing the matter upon the district attorney.
Finally, drew up petition to the PreSi-
dent stating the facts as they are here re-
lated, little more at length and armed
with this paper. for the truth of which the
district attorney had vouched, proceeded
to Washington to intercede with the Presi-
dent for the release of my client. 1 have
been in the White House often since-1
have been all through from second story to
basement. have slept in it, and often dined
IN II, but 1t never had the same interest for
me as on that rough day in March, 1868.
Mr. Lincoln was absent at the war office
when 1 arrived, and as there were then
few or no accommodations for visitors, I
spent part of my time making myself as
comfortable as l could on the edge of a
wood box which stood in the corridor. 1t
seemed that my turn never would come,
and don't believe 1t ever would If, in a
moment of desperation, l had not appealed
to Mr.. John Hay. the Presidents private
secretary, with whom I had some slight
acquaintance, and who promised to secure
for me the desired interview. Just as my
hopes were about to be realized they were
torney General, Mr.. Bates, who went into
the Presidents room and stayed SO long
that thought he never would come out.
Finally. he disappeared. and Mr.. Hay then.
about In the afternoon, announced that
my time had come
When 1 entered his room he was stand
ing up with his back to fireplace. in
which there was a wood fire and he slipped
from time to time a beverage of some sort
out of glass which was standing on the
mantel over the fireplace. He was tagged
and weary, so much SO that in any other
state of mind was then in, or toward any
other parsonage less august, would have
felt a sentiment of pity His brow was
wrinkled and there were great hcllows in
his cheeks, and his eyes were dull and list
less. I was too much occupied, however,
with the business in hand to take an in
Nentory of his personal features, and at
once told him why l was there remarking
that the paper held in my hand would tell
my story more concisely than l could re-
late 1t by word of mouth. He told me to
read the paper. and he listened to it stand
ing up, slipping now and then from the
glass on the mantel After 1 had finished
ard looked up to him, and 1t was looking
Up in reality, for he was six feet four, 1
pletely changed. He said to me. that the
oath prescribed in the first proclamation
was not intended Ito get fellows out of
hockelty," and as he used this last express
markable manner and caused the change
that observed. No one could say he was
ugly-he was homely, doubtless, but when
his rugged features were illumined by that
strange light from within he stood like one
TRANSPORTED by his own angel, l think the
transforming power that wrought this
wonderful change was in the eye Mr.. Lin
coin mad the SaddeSt eyes ever saw in the
human head. and in repose they were dull,
but any little humorous thought passing
sentiment would throw into them a light
which would gradually irradiate the whole
face. In this light was the effect of the
change 1 have seen in his countenance
which, IL it did not shine like an angels, it
was positively beautiful. At all events
W
ternoon, and still more so when, taking my
paper and folding it into a file width, he
sat down in a chair and putting the paper
on his knee after he had crossed his legs
began to write. l had not disputed his
proposition to "hockety;" indeed then
l did not know exactly what he meant, but
he took the paper and wrote, as I have
said, on his knee, pausing only once, at
which pause my heart stopped bea ting, for
I was afraid he was chen reconsidering a
first favorable resolution, but it was not, and
finished the paper, which, although I have
ego, would stake my reputation for ac-
curacy reads word for word and line for
line, as follows:
THE district attorney in this case, not
here is where he paused) precedent in
any other case, will be justified by me If
"A LINCOLN"
He handed back the paper to me with
this Endorsement, and, with many thanks,
l bowed myself out, and on my return to
the city / looked up the word "hockelty"
and found that the word hockle means to
hough, to hamstring, and that Mr.. Lincoln
probably meant to describe my client as in
the situation OF hamstrung horse, unless
hockelty is provincialism without a
legitimate descent, or the origin of which is
lost in obscurity.
I saw him on two occasions afterward,
both of them of personal and public inter-
est, but this first interview left on my mind
ways cherish as one of the most pleasing
and interesting experiences in my life.
WITHOUT A PARALLEL.
Mau Whose Head Was Cut in Twain
Completely Receivers.
Seattle Dispatch ST. Louis Globc-Democrat.