The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-15
General Wilson Reflects on Llnoolus Honest
Birth!

(From the Atlanta News)
Since General James wilson iu the eve Of
the Grand Army is exploiting so Sarshly his
implacahlc prejudice against that great Conled-
crate captain whose fame has overshadowed all
the generals ol his TIME, it may not be out of
place or date TO present to the veterans Of The
h,ue another story IN which this gallant and
generous IN soldier makes plain his fondness
for malevolcnt biography.
In the winter OF tSoo--or iooc--thc date is
immaterjai--beueral lanes Wilson was located
in Evansville Ind, 10 he IN touch with some
railroad or other corporate interests OF which
he owned leading share. lie IS a genial gen
tleinan OF mildly cornwall habits and has not
been always such a Conicdsraphohist as he is
today
ono night at club VI Evansville 60 casual
party, OF which the editor of the News was
one General Wilson told. without any suggestion
Of secrecy, most remarkable story These
were, ip substance his worlds, which hnger upon
che mind because of the impressive narrative
they carried
My interests here in Evansville said he
have not been such as TO occupy my time
have been waiting developments rather than
creat,uS events, In the ahundan: leisure which
has hung rather heavy on my hands determined
20 utilise this spare time tor an accurate aud eN-
haustNc investigation M this reSion OF the many
stories which have SO lopg been current about the
legitimacy OF Abraham Lipeolus hirth He was
born ia this regten OF the country, which is
full Of personal traditions of himself and of his
family, For three months / have given myself
10 the task Of aseertainng the truth in this vital
matter have devoted time TO it, and spent
money IN the prosecution OF the facts"
AZ this point IN his remarks General Wilson
pushed himself back ia his chair elevated his
shoulders and after an impressive pause, said
deliberately
And as result Of this careful and exhaustive
inquiry. gentlemen, am enabled to say 20 YOU.
with definite certainty beyond any shadow Of
doubt Of pcradyeu,ure, from accurate and unin.
peaehahlc testimony that Abraham Lincoln was
no, the son OF Nancy Hanks aud Thomas Lincoln
in lawful wedloek, hut that he was the iuegu-
mate son of Nancy Hanks and a Kentucky nlspt.
er across the border from Indiana
Furthermore said he u sm convinced that
the prevailing melancholy in the face and manner
OF Abraham Lincoln was due 70 the fact that
early ia life he became aware OF the irregular
circumstances Of his birth. and that the shadow
OF this discovery rested upon him IN sorrow and
melancholy thropgh every subsequent year OF his
existence"
This was the story that Genera, Wilson told
lie mentioned the name OF the Kentuekian who
6gured Ia It, but the name IS not repeated here
he>apse it is not recalled with SUFFICIENT clear
ness 60 Justify its use,
Ono o. least Of those who were present has
heard The vague ard Shadowy runner before. But
never had ii heen SO crysml6sed itemised ana
sobs,sn,s,cd on the lips OF SO hsh and respests.
hlc an authority.
And & lives today IN many raipds as al es
tAhlished fact simply because II vas vouched for
in sueA emphatic terms hy General James Wilson
9 distinguished aud veteran officer OF tAs plnion
army
And 50 when the Grand Army comes 70 wsi,A
the opinion Of General Wilson upon the rneri,,
Of Robert f, Lee and the place watch ean \,
accorded hs grra' N'rsinian y ne estimation
~ 4
rot forget a. he grstciul to this ais,ine,,iss.'i
eomtade for his patriotic investigations AVA NJ
equally rsvereat disclosures 81 the family HISTORY
81 the Immortal lineoln