The herald., 1898-10-17
Mr.. Lincoln and
Two Stage Passengers

The following incident in the life OF
Abraham Lincoln has never before been IN
print. 1t is from the pen OF DR.: stephen
Bowers, editor of the California Voice, who
was personally acquainted with nearly all OF
the men mentioned in the incident.
1t was away, back in the iort'es, when tne
writer was q boy, that three men got INTO
stage coach at Terre Haute, Ind, bound
for Indianapolis. One of the number, who
was tall man, with angular features, and
looking very much like farmer, had pre-
coded the others, and was resting IN the rear
seat of the coach. As the other two, who
were younger men, entered he said: AS
two is the majority of three, it is your right
to occupy the more comfortable seat II you
choose to do So" They took the seat with.
out ceremony, and the tall man occupied
the forward seat and rode backward.
Where do you live?" they asked OF the
supposed ''hayseed.'
II am from Illinois," said he.
"What part of Illinois p
"a little north of Egypt" 49,,
"You raise lots of corn there, don't your
eyes, heap of it,"
| As they Travelled the seventy-three miles
to Indianapolis, the two mens piled the
supposed farmer with variety of questions,
and tried to make him the butt OF their wit
and ridicule. They failed to discern that
his droll answers were more or less as
them out and causing them to expose them
selves; nor did he let them know that they
were dealing with a master in wit and re-
partee.
stage drew up before the Bates house,
Joseph A. Wright, the Democratic, gov.
ernor Of Indiana, came to the coach and
sisted him to alight, and accompanied him
up the steps to the hotel. One of the men
called Mr. Wright back and inquired;
Governor, who is that man.
THAT is Abraham Lincoln, the congress
man from the Springfield district of Illinois,
on his way to Washington.
My Cod" he exclaimed.
"Why, what is the matter?" inquired the
governor.
Matter enough" said he, "but can't
tell you now
The two men We're to stop at the Bates
house, also, but they now ordered the
driver to take them to the Palmer house, a
second-class hotel, where, crestfallen and
sore, they nursed their modification.
When Lincoln was nominated for presi
dent one of these men took the platform
and made about one hundred speeches for
the illustrious candidate. After his cleo
ton Colonel Dick Thompson, who was
afterward President Hayes secretary of the
navy, asked Lincoln to appoint the man
minister to Chill, which he readily did.
The gentleman had to go to Washington
to receive his instructions from the presi
dent. He believed that Lincoln had for
gotten the incident of their first interview
or at least would not recognize him as one
of the actors.
On reaching the White House, Lincoln
met him most cordially, took his hand in
both of his and said:
Colonel, this is the first time we have
met since we took that stage ride from
Terre Haute to Indianapolis"
20, Mr.. Lincoln" said the colonel, 'let
me return to Indiana. have never beer
sorry for my conduct on that occasion but
once, and that has been all the time since il
occurred. Let me return, and appoint
some one else in my place as minister tt
Chill"
Tut, tut" said Lincoln, don't feel badly
about that. l enjoyed it, and in my way o
thinking the old man got the best of yo,
boys, anyhow. 1t is all right, colonel"
That was Colonel Nelson, brother of the
famous General Nelson, who was shot anc
killed in the Gait house at Louisville, Ky.
by General jeff. c. Davis. did not NEE
him until after his return from Chill.
found him to be an intelligent and genia
gentleman. l believe Colonel Thompson i
the only one mentioned in the foregoing
who is now living. He still lives neal
Terre Haute, and is approaching his 90tl
year. but with intellect as keen and brigh
as ever, and natural strength undated.