Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-13

Taking Part In the Exercises
Lincoln's birthday was very appro-
upriately observed by the pupils at
the High school yesterday afternoon
and the many friends and patrons OF
the institution, who attended were
pleasantly entertained. The exercises
consisted of musical and literary Sc
lections and an address by Judge G.
L. Cranmer.
The programme opened with a
us, The Flag of the Free" by the
school, after which Judge Cranmer
was introduced as the speaker OF the
occasion. In referring to the life and
character of the illustrious statesman,
he said in part that he thought the
most interesting study a person could
make was that Of a biography. 1t
goes into the details OF history, leaves
thought in the mind, that time can
never erase. One of the most interest
ing biographies is that Of Abraham
Lincoln. Just 81 years ago to-day be
was born in Kentucky, very poor.
miserable and uncomfortable. When
he was seven years Of age his father
removed to Indiana Here in 1929
his mother died. Then his father re-
moved to Illinois, and being exceed
ingly restless he removed to different
parts of the State. His father was
very indolent, making Abe work hard,
splitting rails, and in the field, while
he smoked. At about this time his
father left suddenly for Kentucky,
where he visited a widow with three
children, whom he knew when a boy.
He said he had come on business, and
bluntly asked her whether she would
have him or not. She stated that she
would have to think over it as she was
in debt. He asked for a list which she
gave him and he paid. When he re-
turned to his home which was a log
cabin without window, door or floor,
and she compelled him to build a new
one, which was more comfortable.
Lincoln liked his new mother and
as she was well educated he learned
much from her. His books were "Pil-
grims Progress" and the Bible"
These he would take with him and
when resting in the field, or at night
ON the floor he would pour over them.
Here he laid the foundation of a char
acter that could never be destroyed.
The pupil should take the Bible for a
guide as did Lincoln.
Thomas Lincoln was indolent and
lazy, but not tyranical. On one occa-
sion when In a dispute with a neigh
Dor, Abe tried to interfere, but was
promptly knocked down.
Abraham Lincoln never read any
law book. but the statutes OF Indiana.
He was melancholy and gloomy, but
sometimes a light would appear on his
face and break through the gloom as
the sun does through the mist.
"On one occasion he was challenged
to fight a duel by Gen. Shields, Lin
coin to have the choice of weapons.
He chose the broadsword. Now, Lin
coin was about 6 feet 4 inches high and
had an extremely long reach, while
Shields was a short Irishman, quick
to take insult. Shields wanted Lincoln
to choose another weapon. This he re-
fused to do, under the conditions, I'M
der which it was to be fought. Shields
was forced to give in. The cause of
the challenge was a letter, which he
had written about Shields and publish
ed in the paper. He signed 1t Becky.
Now, as Shields was always trying to
gain favor in the eyes of the fair sex,
he took this as an insult. There were
three other letters written by three
ladies, but the names of these he
would never tell.
"If in a trial, the side he was de-
Tending would take an unfair advan-
tage of the other side he would have
nothing to do with the case. In anoth-
er trial of the State of Illinois against
fifteen ladies, who were charged with
cleaning out a saloon, he was request
ed to speak for the ladies. He did
and won the case. He said it should
be the State of Illinois against Mr..
Whiskey instead.
Another incident was the trial in
which an old lady came to him and
asked his help against a Mr.. Wright,
who had taken two hundred dollars
from her as a fee. AS Wright refused
to refund the money the case came up
for trial. Lincoln carried the jury and
won the case. When asked what his
fee was he would take nothing but
paid her board and her travelling ex-
penses home. This was the kind of a
man Abraham Lincoln was.
81 first saw Lincoln in Springfield.
He wore an old straw hat, no cravat,
an old linen color, no vest and an old
pair of pants that were seeking his
knees and brogans. He had a large
crowd about him. telling them stories.