The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-12
President Lincoln's BrOther-in-L Law.

Major Clement B: White, Of Selma,
the only surviving brother-in-law Of
Abraham Lincoln, is nearing three
score years and ten, and bears strik-
ing resemblance to John Sherman.
He is thorough Southern gentleman
Of the old school, says an exchange.
Major White was an officer Of the
Alabama State Guard at the outbreak
Of the war, and under orders Of the
executive of the State took part with
his command in the capture Of Fort
Morgan, Mobile Bay, before Alabama
had formally seeded from the Union.
When it was reported to President
Lincoln that his brother-in-law had
performed this daring exploit against
the national authority, on being asked
what he would do about it, he replied:
"Well, I suppose I shall have to
hang White-when we catch him.
Major White later performed many
distinguished military and civil servi-
ces for the Confederacy.
It was while Mr.. White was attend
college at Lexington, KY, that he met
and fell in love with Matte Todd, the
sister of Mrs. Lincoln. One summer
White went with brother Of Matte
Todd and another friend to pass his
vacation at the Todd mansion. The
distance was only % miles, but the
train was four hours in making the
trip. To add to the discomfort Of the
trip one Of the party was crowded on
a bench occupied by an awkward-look-
ing countryman, his wife and two
children. The children whined and
cried nearly all the way. On reaching
the Frankfort home they started to
recount their experiences on the train.
ri was serenaded all the way by a
couple Of squalling babies" said one.
"The father Of them was the ugliest
white man I ever saw, and the children
were the crossest brats have seen.
There was an interruption, turning
Of heads. and the gaunt, ugly passen-
ger. wife and children, came into the
room. In his arms was the boy who
has since figured in this country S
annals as Robert T.. Lincoln.
Lincoln enjoyed the joke. He was
on his way to Washington as aeon
gresham from Illinois. "He was 50
entertaining, sympathetic and lively, .
said Major White, 'that We soon for
got that his features were not hand
some.
After his marriage Major White
settled at Selma, Ala, where he IN
herited thriving business and large
property from his father. AS girl.
Matte Todd became great favorite
Of Lincoln. At the time of the inau-
guration, in company with her hus.
band, she stopped at the White House.
Her visits to Washington were fre-
quent, and, as Lincoln did not wish
the war to interrupt them, he gave hel
a pass which would admit her through
the lines at any point she chose.
After crossing the Virginia line on a
return from a visit, an inspector fol
lowed Mrs. White to a hotel, where
she stopped and insisted on examining
her baggage. The officer was dis
missed at the point Of her pistol. On
opening her trunk she was amazed tc
find that friends in Baltimore had
slowed away there splendid sword
and suit of uniform for General
Robert 4. Lee.
At first Mrs. White thought it best
to return to Washington and explain
the whole matter to Lincoln, but her
heart was really in the cause of the
South, and she felt that General Lee
probably needed the uniform. On her
arrival at Richmond she consulted
President Davis, whom she knew as
we'll as Lincoln, and asked his opin-
ion. He decided that General Lee
must have the presents, and wrote
with his own hands the details to Mr..
Lincoln. The great man at the White
House often twitted Mrs. White about
her contretemps.
Major White declares that it was
not the wish or intention of the peo-
| pie of Alabama to secede from the
Union. He says that he believes if
Lincoln's "erring sister programme
had been adopted there would have
been no civil war, and the emancipa-
tion of slaves would have been brought
about by gradual and rational means.
So. Louis Republic.
Should Remain Spinstcrs