The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-03-04
Lincoln's Wedding,

Topeka Capital
For number of years the writer mas been clipping
from the newspaper columns ecIs6nns Lincoln In your
issue 18th instant there appeared two or three brief
editorial paragraphs and the excuded comment which
assure you great praise Tor its excellent sum
mary of the wonderful Lincoln,
In one OF the paragraphs you referred phase
OF Lincolns character exhibited in the incident given by
Herndou OF incons more less prccpitate flight the
eve wedding with Mary Todd whom he subsequently
married.
With your permission, may the writer call attention
the that this incident occurred although know
Lincoln himself broke the engagement with Mary Todd
There seems be absolutely foundation whatever for
this fancilu tale for which Mr. Heudon seems solely re-
sponshlc do not know that he substanuates hts state
mcut with crcdtabe corroboJye tes uuuy but do know
that there rrefuabe testimony to the exact contrary
1t has remained Tor Ida Tarbell in her Lie OF Lincoln
/ to thoroughly explode this Islander
You have the space spare for extended quotation
but If for historical and general information you
delightfully."- interesting and refreshing chapter cover
ing this incident
Briefly summarized the testimony-ot living relatives Of
Mary Todd the letters OF both Lincoln and his partner in
Law Stuart the public records the legislature OF Illinois
in 1891 the intimate knowledge Of and women still v-
ing who and competent 10 speak OF this assert and
prove that Hcud0ns highly sensational is utterly
without support Indeed the competent witnesses de-
Glare that not only WAS there not 'Hobi and couse.
duen depression bordering attempted suicide Linz
cous part but that while the engagement existed date
for the marriage had been hNed before Lincoln volu
tarily released Mary Todd
Miss Tarbe gives for her authority cousin sser-in-
law sisters OF Mary Todd John Stuart Lincolns law
partner Joshua Speed his most Intimate friend and
two members the Slr Illinois legislature living in 1895
when these proofs collected
The entire story related by Herhdou known
or heard of in Illinois elsewhere until after Lincou
sassination aud have little support as some
seek support for another sauder Of Lincoln; namely
he reveed IN saacious and racy stories
In your extended editorial OF the I2h you refer to
that sterling quality OF honesty which marked the entire IN,
Lincoln To this writer this quality OF honesty gives
the lie Herndons narrative Lincoln cowardly
he did a lie One incident ia the early life OF th
sufficient prevail against such moral peryersior
Of character. In 1865 while member of the Legislature
from Sangsmon count. Lincoln the head and front
the movement to the State capital from Vandalia
N Springfield His enemies active with calumny ute
rior purposes, personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT rings etc. wer
all charged without in the least affecting his popularity
diminishing the rues Of his friends, Indeed it is know
that while Lincoln champoned this and had adj
T. assistants is also known thar OF these assistant
n fearful OF ultimate defeat To avoid such dsaste
they readily consented TO enter combine hy which aid
Ing other legislators IN doubtful schemes they 70
or their removal bill other and desirable support
Lincoln declined any and Al ahation with this move
- mcnt His colleagues pleaded IN pan and went 50 lar
n to call second meeting which only they bat citizen
OF the State interested the removal we're prrsen by ay