The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-08

Bloomington. H.. March 7.-One Of the
Oldest millionaires in Illinois lives here. His
name Is Abraham Brokaw, and he Is 8;
years OF age.
He accounts for his wealth by saying that
he always stuck to what he set out to do.
His vigorous health he attributes to the
fact that he has never tasted liquor or used
tobacco in any form.
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.
In fact he knew all Of the prominent men
OF Illinois at that time. Peter Cartwright,
the blunt old Methodist evangelist. who ex-
pounded the gospel with his fists whenever
1t became necessary. was a close friend OF
Mr.. Brokaw.
The Bloomington millionaire has lived to
see all OF his former associates pass away.
KNEW DISTINGUISHED MEN.
He was but young man when the little
company OF lawyers. stephen A. Douglas.
David Davis, Wells Cotton. Abraham Lin
coin. Jesse B. Thomas and others accom-
panied Judge Treat on his circuit to hold
court. They would come from Springfield
to Bloomington for a week. then mount and
again move on to Pontiac for session OF q
day. Again turning their horses toward
Bloomington they passed through en- their
way to Clinton for another days court
Brokaw always associated with them when
they stopped off In Bloomington. and many
funny story has he heard Lincoln relate.
After a time this band Of young men be-
gan prospecting. Brukaw manufactured
plows and accumulated fortune.
Judge Treat was appointed to the United
States District Court and David Davis, who
subsequently moved here from Pekin. was
appointed his successor. Leonard Sweet aft
erward located here. Colonel orme and Ed
T2nl y. -. ,oI
here. John T. Stewart, who prepared HIM
self for law in Lncoln's office. was in the
volunteer service during the Black Hawk
war, and served Illinois as a member OF
Congress. Ward H. Lemon became an ora
tor and able politician. Ed Baker after
ward emigrated to California, where he be-
came Senator.
When the rebellion was in progress he
enlisted with California regiment. and
met his death at Balls Bluff.
Judge Stephen D. Logan was young
man. He had tried and lost two or three
cases In Kentucky. He had grown so dis
couraged that he decided to abandon the
profession, but his friends rallied around
him and urged him to hold on. He Old ana
in time came to be a bright light.
LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS.
In speaking Of these acquaintances the
other day Mr.. Brokaw said:
stephen A. Douglas did considerable
business here and was active In the courts
He was a fine statesman and gifted speak
er. I frequently heard him talk. both In
the courts and on political occasions. One
day. during the Harrison campaign. court
adjourned in the morning in order to hear
a debate between Douglas and Lincoln IN
the afternoon.
'As the abolition question was red hot.
public sentiment was very sensitive In
closing his speech. Lincoln. who led on. said
~ ~ %ao ID ha xuO01
Harrison's head he would pull Il of again
in his closing speech. When he took the
floor Douglas retorted that he would begin
Just where the other gentleman left on, and
that he would stick to the wool question.
81 was well acquainted with Lincoln. He
went to the Legislature the first summer
that was here. When here he stopped at
the same hotel where boarded. That
S4ood on Front street, Just west OF where
the Mclean County Bank IS. and was kept
by James Caleb. 1t was the leading hotel.
when he came hste Lincoln would always