The morning times., 1896-09-13
Boys
Recollection
of Lincoln.
BY GEORGE b. COwLAM.
(Copyright, 1896.


In May, 1860, boy of sixteen, was
working at Michigan City for the Michi-
gan Central railroad as a telegraph opera
tor. The New York Republican delegation
to the Chicago convention came over that
road in a special train and changed en-
gines without stopping. Having number
Of kilograms for members Of the delera-
ton 1 got on the engine that was TO take
the train to Chicago and after We had
coupled to the train, climbed over from the
tender to the car platform and delivered
my mesa ges.
/ had to go on to Chicago, as no stops
were made and one of the delegates in
riecd me TO go to the convention and at
tend the "Wigwam'' sessions. The ex-
pressions of contempt / had heard from
the Seward delegates on the train, ard
from Eastern men at Chicago expressing
disdain for the Western candidate, had
fired my boyish Western blood and / was
very happy when Lincoln was nominated
Later in June or early in July OF mat
year / left Chicago for Kansas territory,
then the wild west, by the Alton road for
st. Louis. Takinga nighttrain, the riiest
dawn of the morning found me at Spring
field. There tall man got aboard and as
everybody who could get seat to him
self was lying down in it, there were NO
vacancies. Trying to get the ''cTick'' out
OF my neck 1 sat up and gave the man y
place beside me. He thanked ne and sat
down.
Eventually we reached Alton, where some
of the passengers left the train to take the
steamboat for st. Louis. others remaining
to go TO East st. Louis. new conductor
came aboard, and said: Good morning.
Mr.. Lincoln, will you take the boat OF
stick to the train?''
Ny company said: IT have good seat
here with my young friend, and | believe
1lstick to the train
After we had got out of Alton a little
ways it occurred to Inc that the conductor
had addressed the man as Mr.. Lincoln,
andI remembered he had got on at Spring
field Then began to look him over, aud
as ne looked something like the pictures I
had seen of Lincoln, began 10 suspect who
he was. / said to him: II noticed the
conductor called you Mr.. Lincoln
"Yes, that is my name said he.
Looking him in the eye. / said: rs il Aee?''
Yes" he said. 1T is Abe / shut up.
He shook my hand warmly as We stepped
ashore, and said: IF am elected you are
Just the kind of boy that is likely TO tie
in Washington" Later on Understood
better What he meant.
In March, 1861 left Kansas to 60 10
Boston to sail in May for Europe. / was
taking my time, and making visits to
relatives oil my way, and was in Canada
visiting when got the news of he fan Of
Fort Sumter.
Half an hour later was on the eastern
| train to hit the United States line at Nj
agara Falls, where l arrived about dark.
found the place in a turmoil, and that
night went on to Batavia. where l heard
1.-TWO regiments were to be raised"
Spending my time in the telegraph otnce,
read all the bulletins, and on the Il 9Th OF
April, which was my birthday. heard OF
the attack on the Sixth Massachusetts in
Baltimore. Iddn't wait any longer Tor Ba-
ia via, but took 4 train for New York-or Al
bany. rather, where l caught the New York
Central boat for New York, and landed at
Cortland street on the goth. driving from
the pier direct TO the old armory on Seventh
avenue and Thirty-seventh street. where
enrolled my name with Ellsworth's Zou-
aves, and so marched out OF New York N
| the last days OF April in the first volunteer
regiment that left the State and the first
volunteer regiment that arrived in Wash
ington.
few days after our arrival Mr.. Lincoln,
Mr. Seward and Gideon welles came up
to the East Capitol grounds to see the regi-
ment and shake hands with each OF the
men When he saw me he knew me in a
moment, called me by name. He said, L
knew you would be in Washington" and
asked me why I had not called as 1
promised and again invited me. TO como
and sec him. / got as Tar as the White
House. gates two or three times and then
backed out, and never again saw MI.
Lincoln to speak to him. But am sure
&c had called 1 would have had just as
good and honest a handshake and welcome
as a major general or governor Mr. LID
coin was q man OF the people, and L De-
| lieve the greatest the. ever grew up on
our soil, bar none.