New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-20

From The Chicago Times Herald
let this go A. LINCOLN

From The Chicago Times-H Herald
Let this go. \. LINCOLN
Unless IL has heen destroyed there II in a horne
In Fond du Lac County soldier letter In an en-
velope bearing the above words signed by the great
President.
Frank King was Lamartine boy. fresh from
the farm and a character our whole company took
to kindly from the first.
Washington, the winter of 1856; g. IL a common
visit the city, TO buy package of envelopes arl
call al The Capitol. send in for their Senator or
Representative and get h.n' to frank thcm ,.-,
one OF our boys came back to camp In high
feather: He had TWO packages OF envelopes one
franked by Senator James r. Doclittle, now Chi
Howe. who succeeded Captain James as Postmas-
,erGeneral N pre,drn, Ar,hnrH Gabine for
ing good deal of their time 10 helping tho soldiers
with their pensioi, claims If ihcy have dom Il
envelopes for the boys, they must he pretty nearly
angels
getting n couple OF Senators TO frank your en-
vclopcs. SAID Frank King. jest you wait IN YOU
see me come back from Washington with the
Presidents name on some letter covers
Within few DAYS. Frank king and Harry Dunn.
who for years after the war MAS Chicago bust
ness man went TO the city. They called At the
White House. 1t was easier to see the President
soldier could reach the Chief Executive with
fully as much ease as "A Senator can In these later
years.
King was the rngleader. Approaching the guard
he said: We want to see Mr.. Lincoln. Please stand
ASIDE and let us pass.
'Who you and what is your busincss?"
you tell old Abe we have charge Of regiment
over on Arlington Heights, and want MIN on
an important matter. He'll let us in"
Where are your shoulder straps"
I'VE came over in our everyday clothes. Come
we are in d hurry. Let us go in ard see Mr.. Lin
coin"
The parley had attracted the attention Of tia
President. The door swung open and the good
natured chief OF the Nation smiled upon the cheeky
young fellows and hade them step right in.
What can do for you, my men,
Mr.. Lincoln | want you TO frank these en-
velopes" said King.
Better get your Congressman to do that"
I'D much rather have you do II, Mr.. Lincoln.
The folks at home would like to see your name
I'm fix one Of them; Take the to your Con-
gresham. Who is he?'
81 don't know
Where is your home?"
sa i. my Friend Scot; n sSs%s District Ysa
to Mr. Sloan. He will fix the rest of them
Ins % n shock hands with h the two prve
a safe return TO their Western homes.
the President had Written Let his r De"ese Ih n
coln, but the next day he wrote letter to his
father. The name of Lincoln was personally ex-
amined by all Of the neighbors.
In January. 1864 our regiment was In Washing
ton the way home, having re-enlisted-"vetor-
others | went to the White House The President
shook hands with us, thanked US for swearing in
we would have nice visit on our veteran fur
Mr. President" said Joncs-l1d Jones-of whom
have spoken several times in these chapters you
franxed letter fof one OF the boys in our COM
pany Frank King. l wish you would frank one
for me-
odd as IL may seem. you the second soldier
TO make such request So both are Of the same
company Very we'll
On Joness envelope he wrote a. Lincoln Pres.
dent. and as he handed II back he asked what
had become OF that other man who had asked him
to pass letter.
HE was killed at Gettysburg"
snail never forget the look Of sadness in the
Presidents face when the answer given and
Ii had not disappeared when we left the room.
Jones. what did YOU tell him about King for
Did you how II panied him.
What did he ask about him for? Do you sup
pose going TO lie 10 a man ] would die for D.
was Joncss indignant reply