The record-union., 1898-04-12
LlhCOlN'S PAIL BEARERS.
INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE
MARTYRED PRESIDENT.
Hon. A. H. Coffroth, One of the
Surviving Pallbearers, Re-
calls the Past.

calls the Past.
A paragraph, which has attracted
considerable attention, has lately been
going an extensive round of the papers.
1t seems that the Hon. H. G.. Worthing-
ton of Nevada and Ex-senator Dawes
OF Massachusetts are the only surviving
pall-bearers of Abraham Lincoln. The
statement is incorrect, as General A. H.
CoHroth of Somerset, Pa, is still alive
and hale and hearty at 20 years of age.
General Coffroth is one of the most
Interesting characters in the State. For
many years he was a power in politics,
In which he still takes a great interest.
He has now. however, practically set
tied down to the practice of law in his
native town. The General is one of those
venerable and yet robust characters that
pass through life talking of the happen
ings of the day as they find them and
ever looking on the bright side.
His "reminiscences of the men of war
times, and particularly of Lincoln, are
exceedingly interesting, and as he has
seldom except to few intimate
friends, talked on the subject, they
are not by any means common property
Death has played sad havoc" he re-
membered the other day when his at
tention was called to the paragraph il
question, with the men who off:ciated
as Dall-bearers at the funeral of Abra-
ham Lincoln. The paragraph is correct
in one particular, all are in their graves
except two, Mr.. Worthington and my
self
THE ages of the pail bearers at the
time of the funeral were: Mr.. Foster,
80 years; Mr.. Morgan, 80; Mr.. Johnson,
so; Mr.. Yates, Al; Mr.. Wade, 10; Mr..
Corners, A; Mr.. Dawes, 40; Mr.. Coff-
roth, 50; Mr.. Smith, 81; Mr.. Colfax, 43;
Mr.. Worthington, 81, and Mr.. Wash
bourne, 49,
AS you We're the youngest member
of Congress during that season, Mr..
COffroth, to what do you attribute your
appointment as pall-bearer?" the Cen
eral was asked.
Ito the well-known friendly relations
existing between the President and my
self. 1 commenced my first term OF
Congress in December 1863, and re-
mained during the war. The famous
battlefield of Gettysburg was in my dis
trict at that time, and L visited the
White House almost daily, and soon be-
came a friend and ardent admirer of
Lincoln. He generally granted me the
many favors I requested on behalf of my
constituents.
L well remember going early in 1864
to see the President, with a well-knOwn
Methodist minister, to urge his appoint
mcnt to a post chaplaincy in the army
introduced him to Mr.. Lincoln, as liv-
ing in Bedford, the place of the cele-
brated springs. The President, in a
jovial manner, said: Speaking of Bed
ford reminds me of story 1 must tel
you of woman who lived in my old
district and had a sick child, which she
was most anxious to take to some we'll
known watering place. One day she said
to the attending physician: Doctor
don't you think l ought to take my sick
child to some healing spring." The
doctor replied: "Oh, yes, madam, just
the thing" She then wanted to know
what spring he would recommend. The
doctor answered that was a matter o
Indifference if she would take along
a cake of soap and use it freely on the
infant" We enjoyed this story, and
Mr.. Lincoln then said: Take yOul
friend to Surgeon General Hammond
and if there is a vacancy he shall be ap'
pointed before a lightning can strike
him"
"One day continued Mr.. Coffroth
"a messenger from old Capitol Prison
called on me at the house and stated
that a one-legged soldier from my dis
trict was in prison, and he desired tt
see me. I went to the prison and heard
the veterans story. 1t seemed tha'
he had been at his home, in BedforC
County, and on his return to Washing
ton he fell in with two men who solo
him counterfeit fractional currency
notes He had passed some of th'
notes in the city and had been arrested
for passing counterfeit money.
II felt sorry for him, and promised
that I would see the Attorney-Genera
and have him send an assistant to hin
TO take his statements. This was done
The following day I called on Mr.. Lin
coin. and directed his attention to th'
statement which had been prepared
He read it through with care, and whel
he had finished, he said: Mr.. Coffroth
a few days ago 1 read a speech yol
made in the House in which vol
charged my Administration with VIC
lating certain parts of the Constitu
tion. Now, direct me to clause IL
the Constitution which authorizes M
TO pardon a man charged with Grim
inal offense before he is tried and con
victed and will release your friend?