The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-12
FRIENDOF..LINCOLN.
did Resident Of Illinois Tells Of As
sociation With Martyr President.
ALWAYS READING BOOKS.
Story Of How Abe Held the Light too
High on a "Gigging" Expedition.
Reapea and Talked Politics-Hogs
Stopped m Exciting Horse Race in
Which BE Participated.

Galesburg (Ill.) Letter to Chicago Tri-
hume, There was held here recently a
crlebratio In honor OF the ninety-flrst
anniversary OF the birth OF John T..
barnett, or Squire Barnott, as he is gen.
e,a!ly known. 1t took place at the log
home west Of the city. and many de-
scendants from Knox and Warren
counties were present.
A peculiar interest attaches to the
life Of Mr.. Barnett, for he was one of
the young men friends Of Abraham
Lincoln, who was few months his
senior. The Bnrnetts came to sanga-
mon In 1920. and for six years Barnett
resided in that county. He has lived
in Knox county since 1915, having
spent ten years In Hancock county.
The squire says that Lincoln and he
were often together. and that, although
he thought much of Lincoln, he voted
for him but once, and that was when
he ran for the legislature against Peter
Cartwright. He recalls many pleasant
incidents. When he first became ac-
qualnted with Lincoln the latter was
engaged with William Berry, son Of
John Berry, in running grocery.
Always q Great Reader.
Mr.. Barnett says OF Lincoln at that
time: "He was the greatest reader I
ever saw. He was always reading. II
he did not have the money to buy
books he borrowed them. In the store
he often saw him lying on the counter
at full length and listening to a discus
sion that he stirred Eup among the pa
irons, for he was fond Of provoking a
debate, and listening to what the con-
testants had to say.
Squire Barnett and Mr.. Lincoln were
members of n fishing party one night.
and Lincoln was holding the light while
Barnett was manipulating the spear.
Lincoln, in order to zee Barnetts. exc
cution, held the torch above his head,
so that he,light would not be between
his eyes and the water. This prevented
Barnett seeing well. and he shouted:
abe, bring down that. torch. You're
holding It clear out Of Sangamon coun-
ty." fE
This was joke on Lincoln's height.
That Lincoln remembered 1t was shown
In 1858. when he debated with Stephen
A. Douglas. He noticed Mr.. Barnett In
the crowd, and inquiring. as not that
John Barnett" and. being answered
1T is,"i said, II must speak to him. y
Fe;ithen- introduced Mr.. Barnett to his
companion as the man who said was
holding torch clear out of Sangamon
county while was holding it for him
as he was spearing n ash"
81 Lincoln's First Vote.
Mr.. Lincoln and Mr. Barnett went to
Springfield together in 1852 and cast
their FIRST votes, Lincoln for Henry
Clay and his companion for Andrew
Jackson, and they joked each other
about having killed vote apiece. They
voted In the old. brick court house,
whose site is now occupied by the capt.
tai. 49,
Barnett tells that the second time
Lincoln ran for the legislature he. Lin
coin. and the other candidates, includ-
Ing ". F. Elkin. John Dawson, William
Carpenter. and E. D. Taylor happened
by a field where Barnett and other men
were engaged in cutting rye with sick
les OF along, hook-like shape. It was
suggested to Lincoln that the workmen
did not have time to stop labor, but II
the candidates would dismount and MS.
s!st they could talk as the reaping
went on and the others would listen
The politicians assented. The grain
was heavy. Lincoln moved along. cas-
ily. being skillful in the use of the
sickle. He went across the sixty rods
and left n smooth even path. Barnet,
kept the sickle that ABE" reaped with
for many years and priced It highly
but some years ago 1t was broken.
The squire also recalls an anecdote Of
Mr.: Lincoln's honesty. One night wo.
man came into the store when Lincoln
was clerking there. and called for anG
paid for a pound OF tea. 1t was DARK
in the store. and Li9coln gave her only
half a pound. AS soon rs he lighted Q
candle he saw his error. He Instantly
did up another half pound and went tc
her home. a long distance away. to de.
liver 1t.
,.g Race Stopped by Hogs.
Barnett. and Lincoln. ran horse rae,
once. but 1t came to an, unsecmly end
for number of hogs ran out from thu
roadside. striking Barnett's mare ant
causing her to turn somcrsault.
In passing on Mr.. Lincoln's standing
at the time Mr.. Barnett says: HE wnf
most kind-heartcd and friendly. No.
body ever said a word against him. Ht
sa~things in an orlglnalway and not In
The way they arc said In n book. When
The Blackhawk Company was formed
Lincoln was one of two candidates fol-
captain. It wan announced that the
men were to go to the candidate they
desired for captain, and most OF them
walked over to Lincoln. My brothct
vas In his company and said there
never was q man better to those under
him." r.s.T
Squire Barnett tells how he and Lin
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