The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-07-24
KINDLY WAYS OF LINCOLN,

Recollectlons of Woman who Sought
 His Aid-EIis Pleasing Manner-His
 Unadorned Courtesy at White
 House Dinner Party-Mrs, Byers-
 Jennings First Published Account of
 Her Call Upon Him.
 In October, 1884, l went from FaSr- mount, Mo-, to Washington city, in be- half of Daniel Hayden, of Scotland county, who had been captured at He~ lena, Ark, fifteen months before, and was confined in the old Alton, H., pen- itentiary, which had been turned into military prison.
 On the train I met Colonel Thomas Turner, of Freeport, Ill, and Colonel Hancock, of Chicago, president of the Board of Trade. Colonel Turner, who was longtime friend, informed me that they were going to Washington on a delightful mission. The Union League, of Chicago, had passed compli- mentary resolutions in favor of Mir. Lincoln, upon his renomination, and these two men had been chosen by the league to present them in person to the president.
 We arrived in Washington on the fourth day of the month. The city was crowded to overfiowing with guests of every class and people of every land and clime--mothers, wives, aughters, sisters and sympathizing friends, on different missions of mercy. Officers and soldiers thronged the streets; the hotels were filled with officers and tn ,ir wives. At the White House people sat waiting, day in and day out, for audi ences with the president. One could scarcely get around through the ex- pectant crowd, many of whom told me they had been there for weeks.
 I went to the White House unan- nounced and entered the presidents private office. When I entered he raised, his tired eyes. As I advanced, and before he spoke, said:
 ''Mr. Lincoln, you must pardon this intrusion, but just could not wait any longer to see you"
 He then reached out his hand and said:
 ''No intrusion at all, not the least. Sit down, my child, sit down, and let me know whataI can do for you.'
 suggested that probably he was too tired. He replied:
 T am tired, but I am waiting to say good-by to two friends from Chicago who are going on ytbe train at seven."
 I briefly explained to him the case be- fore me. saying that Hayden had been in prison fifteen months; that he was Union man. forced from his home ty the rebels; that his wife had died since he had been in prison, leaving five little children with his very aged mother, who had lately lost her eyesight. had 1o+t recommendation from different officers of the department of Missouri also a petition drawn up by myself, signed by the Union neighbors of MT. Hayd sn; appended to it a certificate of their loy- atty, signed by the county clerk, Wall lace Permott, who had affixed the seal of the county court To all of the above Senator John B. Henderson had added an indorsement for myself in strong, impressive language. When I offered my papers to the president he didn't touch them, but said, without raising a hand:
 Now, suppose you read them over for me Your eyes are younger than mine Besides, as I told you, am very, very tired.''
 By accident, the petition was tie first thing took up. When I came to .John B. Henderson's name, MT. Lincoln reached out and said quickly: Let me see that' As he glanced over it 10 the bottom, he laid the paper down. slapped his hand upon the table and exclaimed: Plague on me, if that isn't John Henderson's signature Well, I'll release this man just because John Henderson asks me to do it. I know he wouldn't ask me if it wasn't right, nor send any one here that would do anything detrimental to our govern ment. Come in tomorrow at eight o'cIock-mind, at eight o'clock precise ly. Bring that petition with John Hem derson's name on it, and I'll fix you so you can get this man out of prison.'' He then asked me several questions about men and matters in northeast Missouri.
 At this moment the, dcor opened and Colonel Turner and Hancock entered. He greeted them in a very off-hand manner, motioned them to seats, then turning to Colonel Turner, he said:
 .sWhy. this must be the woman you told me about"
 At this the gallant and handsome man rose and said:
 s.Yes, MT. Lincoln, this is the daughter of an old friend of mine, and beg that you may hear what she has to say and grant her request for my sake.''
 "Al1 right, Colonel; all right. Si. down.
 Our mingled conversation lasted about half an hour. As we were risiEg to go Mr. Lincoln, addressing all three, said:
 'sNow you folks have come with your favors to bestow and petitions to be granted. I have promised to do all that has been asked of me, and said the finest things I could to what has been bestowed. So I think I ought to have my way next, and what I have to nsx is that you all three come and eat din- ner with me tomorrow. Will you 60 it?"
 Of course we accepted with profuse thanks, and as we said good-by he renined us: