The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1895-04-20
liNCOlN'S WFE'S SISTER.

Nov the Postmaster Of . Town b. Ken
sueky-Dsnger Of Removal.
Washington special to Boston Her
aid: Within a few days the president
must nominate some one to be post
master At Elixabethtown, Nv. The
present incumbent is Mrs Ben Hardin
Helm, sister of the wife Of President
Abraham Lincoln Mrs. Helm is a
much younger woman than her sister,
and Mr.. Lincoln loved her with all the
devotion he could have bestowed On q
daughter, and his affection for his
hruther-in- law. her husband, was that
Of a father for a son.
In 1861 Ben Hardin Helm, a grand
son of that Ben Hardin who for years
was a leader in congress and character
lied by John Randolf, of Roanoke, "a
kitchen knife whetted ON = brickbar, ~
WAS young West Pointer, who had
been graduated from the military acad-
envy with distinguished honors His
father had been Governor of Kentucky,
was president of the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad, and was destined
to be Governor Of Kentucky again
Young Helm first saw the light of
day but short distance from the birth
place of Abraham Lincoln, whose wife's
sister was To become his wife. Mr. Lin
coin strove by all the means in his
power 10 attach Helm 10 the Union
side. After the Inauguration in 1861
he sent for Helm, and laying his hand
affectionately on his shoulder, said:
Much as Kentucky is TO me, I'd rather
see the whole state go South than thar
You should go. know that YOU will
never fight against the South. but I'll
make you paymaster-general, or III
send you abroad in the diplomatic ser
vice, in any station You choose. l can't
bear that you and should become pub
lie enemies
Helm had fathomed Lincoln's great
character, and loved and respected him
as ne deserved, but Helm was every
inch Southern man, and cast his 10,
with his people. In September. 1868,
he was commander Of the Kentucky
Brigade, known as the orphan brig
AIDE, Of the Confederate army of the
West, because 50 many of its command
ers had fallen ON the field. Ii was To
the West what the ''Stonewall'' brig
ade was 10 the East. At Chickamauga
it was ordered TO make a desperate
and in that charge Helm fell
70 rise no more.
Years passed, and in 1881 Robert
Mrs. Helms nephew, became
of war and though his aunt
was Democrat, ne secured her ap-
polntment as postmaster at Elizabeth |
town Mr.. Cleveland reappointed her !
and 50 did President Harrison.
Her term will expire the 9Th instant,
and, notwithstanding the department !
Is officially advised that the admins /
rrarion of her Office is first-class, an /
effort Is being made to retire her Con |
gresham Montgomery, whose official /
head fell last November in a district /
overwhelmingly Democratic, wants the
place for one of his henchmen, and it /
Is surmlsed that he is backed by Sena- /
tor Blackburn, who recently laid down
the doctrine that the right of the con-
gresham 10 appoint postmasters is I'M.
limited and inalienable. The senator
and the congressman are close political
allies, and both are recognized as anti
Cleveland men. If Montgomery should
in having Mrs. Helm removed,
doubtless the senator will see that her
is confirmed. There may be,
ome senators left in congress, how
;ver, who love the memory of Abraham
lincoln enough TO stand by the woman
lie loved, Confederate widow though
he be, and senatorial courtesy to the
Notwithstanding.