The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-13

Dagged him for Heavens sake" to keep
tobacco juice off his coat. 1t was here
that his political plans were laid, that he re-
ceived his initial political experience, and
from here he stepped into the national arena
to fame and honor.
Formal tribute was paid in speeches at a
Sangamon County banquet tonight But
the tribute of the majority of Senators and
Representatives was to declare for almost a
weeks holiday and dispense TO the four
quarters of Illinois. The theory is that. to
produce Lincolns is not to stand a-SapinS.
Accordingly, the members have gone home
either to private business or to the further,
ance of their ends as a cog in the political
machines" to which they belong; or to
cogitation over the various and sundry leg
~islation, sandbag and otherwise, now be-
fore their august body.
LINCOLN AND THE MACHINE
In the mentioning OF this modern creature,
e ene of ns sprinsaiel u sG Oldest '1 Citizens eas'i Idnsoi IN
himself was a machine man IN the fuil
sense of the word. They say that he was
owned" a district. and that he was years
building up his strength, for the final test
against Stephen A. Douglas. . +.
Lincoln day. especially in Springfield, IS
to recall from their caskets many Of the
moss-grown Lincoln stories,th9se OF un-
arc more than a tIihe broad. Lincoln day
is excuse for unbottiing all manner of ques-
tionable yarns by the hotel lobby racon-
teur. Needless to say many OF them pos
sesS neither pith nor point.
But some few persons still living in this
nelghborhoOd knew at first hand the mar
of whom they speak. Their descriptions are
alike in the main and create the same i'm
preston of Lincoln as is gained from ind's-
criminate reading in the mass Of written
quoted anecdotes is vouched for by a leading
citizen of Springfield. who is now rs years
old. but continues TO be a prominent inquire
in the State.
He was a neighbor of Lincoln's. and the
future President, calling at his house. was
shown the frst-born son, who is now In
,-.-&- No. boz H. thnn r-ac n hohA In
the crib.
Lincoln looked long at the baby. his ex-
preston serious, even melancholy. Finally
he turned to the father, saying, with ex-
cess Of soberness:
Pretty good. Bill. for a first attempt"
Another citizen. Mr.. Turney English. re-
rected. may seem new. 1t was perpetrated
during the Douglas debate at Ottawa, where
English then lived.
JOKE ON DOUGLAS.
ct had heard" spoke Lincoln. that Mr..
Douglas had been bound out as a cabinet
maker. which is well enough, but I was I'M
aware until now that his father was a
a good cooper. for turning and pointing to
none but a skilled workman could
turned out such an excellent whisky
cask."
Another from personal recollection: 80
A Judge. well known fifty years ago. but
whose name is forgotten; and LINCOLN were
~ tCihliS u HblSt Idulils u
did not trade. Finally they posted a forfeit
and agreed to exchange blind on a certain
day. The Judge appeared with the sorriest
old mare the county afforded. After a while
Lincoln came numbering along with a large
rocking horse over his shoulder. The laugh
was on the Judge, in the minds of the
crowd. but Lincoln apparently thought the
other way. Looking very downcast, he sur
Veyed the totterin: beast before him, then
glanced at the wooden horse.
That's the first time l ever was beaten in
a horse trade" he sighed.
About two weeks ago, in comparative pow
eriy. out In the outskirts of Springfield. died
a man who opposed Lincoln in the race for
election to the State Legislature back in the
early forties. He was John H. Allsbury, who
mas been a character in Sangamon County
ior years. Allsbury had been a Democrat
IN the days of the Wings. and Lincoln de-
feated him by a large majority.
In recent years Allsbury became a Popu-
nst. and two years ago stumped the county
on foot as the Populist candidate for Con-
gress. With the exception of one or two
A,Isoury was probably the only survivor
who was In active politics during IJncn,n's
earlier days in public life.
HASTINGS MacADAM.