The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-26
LINCOLN sAVEB MN IWICE.
Then lie Apologizs % the Young Man,
Father.

The Rev. DR.. =. d. Gurley was the
minister in charge of the New York
avenue Presbyterian church, Washing ton,
-. C., daring LlncOin's administration.
Or. Gurey was LINCOLN S pastor and in
many matters his confidential ADVISER, a
post he was admirably lTtted to ma, Ue.nB
strong, robust, honest personality and a
man OF sweet disposition, great abilty
aud excellent judgment
During The meeting Of the first General
Assembly Of the Presbyterian Chulcn ar
ter the war, which convened in 81.
Louis, Dr. Guriey, who Was delegate,
was one day the guest OF the Rev Or.
Nicolls, IN whose church the assembly
met and the following anecdote of Ian
coin was related by Dr. Gurley at dinner
ia the presence of a number of friends.
among whom was MIR. ID. II. Mitchell,
who tells this incident in 1he lndepen-
dent:
Soon after the outbreak of hostilities
hot-blooded, fire-eatng young man, a
son OF members OF Or. Guriey S church,
made his way through our lines and en-
listed In the Confederate army. The
fortunes OF war tarew him into our
handS as prisoner. 1t was deemed best
10 make an example OF him, and he
was, consequently court-martialed and
sentenced TO be shot. DR.. GuTley inter
ested himself IA the young mans behalf,
ana secured communication Of the scne
tence i short time after the father OF
the boy came to Dr. Gurley and solicited
his AID 10 obtain pardon. Or. Gurley
strongly advised against the effort lie
pointed out that the young mans life
had been saved by the Pres. dent and that
il would be extremely unWise and i'm
prudent to apply for a pradon so soon.
The rather replied that he felt so him
self, but that his wife took on so about
her son that he feared she would lose
her mind IL something were not done.
4 must, he sad. make the attempt on
his mothers account. Ii is better 10 fail
than not 10 try Consequently Dr. Cur
ley signed the petition Tor a pardon and
the father took II 10 President Lincoln.
when the father made known his err
rand the President became very much
excited and Hereby said: i saved the
life of your son after he had been con-
demned TO be shot; ana now you come
here so soon, when you know am over
whelmed with care and anxiety, asking
for his pardon. You should have been
content with what | have done. Go, and
ii you annoy me any more 1 shall feel
ii TO be my duty TO consider whether /
ought not 10 recall what l have already
done
"A few days after the President sent
for the father apoligized for the way
he had spoken TO HIM, and. to his utter
amazement, handed him a pardon.
Not long after, and BEFORE knowing
what had transpired, Dr. Gurley met the
President. Having transacted his bust
ness he was about TO so When MIR. LIN
coin said:
by the way, Doctor you signed the
didn't your"
THE Doctor replied that he had done
so, but explained that he had advised
against making the application at thai
time. and that he was induced TO sign
IL only by the statement OF the father
that he feared his wife would lose her
mind ii something were not done 10 re-
lieve he-.
1.-THE President then remarked. We'll.
Mr.. came 10 me with the petition.
II made me very angry, and | dismissed
him roughly Afterward felt 50
ashamed of myself for having lost my
temper that | made out a pardon for
the man and gave II to him.
"And then, after a pause, and Win
broad smile. he added:
"'Ah. Doctorl these wives Of ours have
thu inside track on US. don't theyF