Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-04-21
SAVED LINOOLN's LIFE.
Death CT Austin GOllaher Who Once
Rescued t'Abe" From 4 Watery
Grave,

Death CT Austin GOllaher Who Once
Rescued "Abe" From Watcry
| Austin Gollaher, who died Feb. % or
bis farm in Hodgensville, KY, was al'
ways known as the man who In early
boyhood was the friend and playmate
Of Abraham Lincoln and the one per-
son who enjoyed the distinction Of
having once saved Lincoln's life. Mr.
Gollaher lacked just a month Of be-
ing SO at the time Of his death, but
suffered only bodily infrmity. His
mind was a clear as that of many q
younger man, and his memory a
storehouse of facts regarding the
early history Of the locality in which
he lived. To him came all who were
in doubt on phases Of Kentucky his
tory, and his early intimacy with the
family of Lincoln made him an au-
thority second to none on the boy
hood OF the great emancipation. The
undisputed fact that he at one time
save Lincoln from death by drowning
gave him place unique among men.
1t was fitting coincidence that the
man who saved Lincoln's life should
die on the day celebrated for the
birth of the one who maze possible
the Union which Lincoln preserved.
But for this act in saving Lincoln the
whole history Of the country from
that time on would have been chang
ed, possibly for the worse; those who
believe in Lincolns providental cleo
ton to the presidency will hardly
concede that 1t could have been for
the better. Born and reared within
a short distance of Lincoln's birth
place, Mr.. Gollaher there spent his
whole life. He lived plainly and mod
estly, yet with the consciousness of
an existence honestly maintained,
and enjoying the respect Of all his
neighbors. In his early years he was
trader and afterward taught school,
but for the most part he devoted his
energies to farming. In his boyhood
he did as farmer boys do-he worked,
hunted, fished, swan, roamed the
woods and became thoroughly ac-
quainted with nature.
1t was when Austin Gollaher was |
about 8 years old that Thomas Lin
coin and his wife, Nancy Hanks Lin
coin, came to La Rue county and set
tied on farm on Big South Fork of
Nolin creek, three miles from Hold
gensvile. Here Abraham was born,
Feb. -, 1909. Mr.. Golaher, who had
lived in the neighborhood all his life,
and had heard all the stories which
had been told by those living at the
time of Lincons birth regarding that
event, used to tell Of the poverty of
the home into which the boy was
BORN, about as follows: AT the
time of Abrahams birth his father
was away from home. Some neigh
Dors who were with Mrs. Lincoln at
he event learned that she was desti-
ute of anything in the nature of
God. Some OF the ladies' called upon
Judge William Cessna, one Of the
most prominent men of the time in
his section, in Mrs. Linclon's behalf,
md he donated -four and other arti-
les of food"
However, the Lincolns were not al
Ways so destitute. They were fortu-
late enough to have COW and calf.
milk and butter, good feather bed,
'ots, big and little, loom and
Wheel; and Thomas Lincoln, accord
ng to the accounts, always tried to
are for his family. Abraham was
obust and active. He had several
ompanions-his sister, Nancy or
arah, two years his senior; Dennis
tanks, cousin Of his mothers, 10
ears older than himself, and then
here were always the neighbors'
oys. One of these was Austin
Iollaher. The nonogenarian never
Ired Of telling Of his early associa-
ions with the boy who was destined
D become president-how he hunted
oons with him in the woods, played
18th him. And his exploit when q
d only 10 years old, he saved "Abes"
fe, who was then 5, he always re-
,unted with pleasure and great sat
faction. His word was never doubt
l, for Mr.. Gollaher's reputation for
sracity was great. Mr.. Gollaher,
len simply Austin, and Abraham at
.nded school together whenever It's
regular sessions were held, and be-
lme greatly attached to each other.
hen school disbanded on account Of
nall attendance, and for consid-
-able time neither saw the other.
hen Mrs. Gollaher, Austins mother,
sited the Lincolns at their farm on
mob creek, to which they had re-
owed, and the boy Of 10 was taken
ong. II was at this time that the
'cident happened which came so
,ar costing Lincoln his life. Mr..
eIlaher used to tell Of the occur.
nee In this way:
One Sunday my mother visited the
nCoIns and / Was Italian slon~ ALL