Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-09-26
NEW LINCOLN YARNS
They Are All Characteristic of the
Great President.
Union omcer Whose Commission Was
Signed by n Rebel Raider
An Amusing Meeting in
Indiana.
Especial Washington Letter.l
GCT CALLED on President Linct
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of a chaplain in the army.
didn't get the appointment, but have
always been glad that | took that oc-
casion to see Mr.. Lincoln at the white
house." says a venerable and popular
citizen of the national capitol,
II heard three good stories narrated
by Mr.. Lincoln, and | am quite sure
that they have never been published.
You see it was his custom to receive a
whole lot of people at time He
would have a cordial greeting for all,
talk cheerily a few minutes, and then
take one after another privately into
a corner of the big room and listen to
his individual desires.
''Gov. Cunning, of the territory of
Utah, whose original and permanent
home was in Pennsylvania, was the
first man received personally by Mr..
Lincoln, who spoke unreservedly so
that all present could hear. He as
sured Gov Cunning of his perfest con-
fidence in his integrity, and told him
that although recalling him from
Utah he was going to give him another
appointment, to show his confidence
in his ability. He said: Il know very
well why all these complaints have
been made against you. Gov. Cunning
responded that no governor could be
popular in Utah, without becoming a
Mormon.
That's just it, Cunning said Mr..
Lincoln. This Mormon question must
be handled with care just now. 1t re-
minds me of a farmer friend of mine
who had a big black gum log in one
of his best fields. 1t bothered him for
years. He said that it was too big to
be moved, too wet to be burned, and
too coarse to be split. 1t bothered him
and often kept him from sleeping.
Finally he told his wife that he had
taken the gum log off his mind, and
had concluded, as he ought to have
done at first, to let it be, and just plow
around it, So, Cunning, that's what we
are going to do with the Mormon ques-
ton for long while, just pillow around
it,"
The next gentleman who had q per-
sonal conversation asked if any news
had been received from John Morgan,
whose confederate cavalrymen were
then raiding Kentucky and Ohio. Lin
coin replied: we will catch John,
some day. l admire him, for he is a
bold operator. He always goes after
mail trains, in order to get information
from Washington. On his last raid he
opened some mail bags and took pos
session of official mail. One letter was
from the war department to a lieuten-
ant in Grants army, and it contained
a commission appointing him a cap
tain. Right underneath the signature
of A. Lincoln the audacious Morgan
wrote, Approved, John Morgan;' and
sent the commission on its way. So
there is one officer in our army whose
commission bears my signature, with
| the approval of that daredevil rebel
Having been an editor in Kansas
City, as you know, the people there
often called on me for services. A
committee came on here in 1864 to see
the secretary of war and endeavor to
| have the military districts changed.
Old DR.. Boggs, of Westport, was chair
man of that committee. l induced
Gen. Benjamin Loan, who represented
the st. Joe district, to accompany us.
| There was great crowd in the Office
of the secretary of war, and we had to