davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

mouth to every city, town, village and
hamlet in the north, bringing intense
excitement and almost universal sor-
row.
It was on the night Of the 14th Of
April, 1865, that the deed that ended
the presidents life was done. Four
years of bloody civil war had passed.
The secessionists were routed, but
not entirely defeated. The union
forces had entered the city Of Rich
mnd, the capital of the cOnfederacy;
Lee, with the army of Virginia, had
surrendered, but the rebels fur
Their south were still in the field,
retreating, however, before the
triumphant advances of the boys
in blue. Despair seized the heart
Of the south, and a plot was formed
among a few bold conspirators at
Washington, doubtless never sane
toned by any Of the real leaders in
the south, to take the lives of the
president, Secretaries Seward and
Stanton and Gen. Grant, in the belief
that such a stroke would throw the
north into CONSERVATION and revive
the lost courage of the soldiery Of
the south.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
ELECTED PRESIDENT.

In 1850, when the democratic IA
tional convention met at Charleston,
S. C., and, after a prOtracted and bit
ter struggle, nominated Stephen a.
Douglas for the presidency, and the
boilers, dissatisfied with the result,
met afterwards and nominated John
c. Breckenridge, and a union party
convention nominated John c. Bell, it
seemed evident that whoever the re-
publicans nominated for president
would be elected. Their convention
met at Chicago. William II. Seward
and Mr.. Lincoln were the two strong
est candidates. On the third ballot
the latter was nominated amidst the
widest enthusiasm.
Mr.. Lincoln was sitting in his law
Office at Springfield with some
friends when the telegram announc-
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

United States senatorship, he said
in a speech delivered in the city of
Springfield, ILL.,:
"a house divided against itself
cannot stand. I believe this govern
ment cannot endure permanently
half slave and half free. Either the
opponents of slavery will arrest its
further progress and place it where
the public mind shall rest in the be-
lief that it is IN course Of ultimate
extinction, or its advocates will push
it forward till it shall become lawful
alike in all the states, north as well
as south"
These were guarded, studied words,
but the south interpreted in them the
real meaning of the great states
mans heart-the abolition of slavery.
And yet before and after his election
as president, he declared, and so did
the platform upon which he was
elected, that the president had no
right to interfere with slavery in the
states in which it then existed, and
in his inaugural address he repeated
this declaration. How slow he was
in receding from it, the history of
the early years of the war between
the states attests. The emancipa-
tiOn proclamation came only as a
war measure, to save the union by
Gripping the resources of the south.
It was signed on the 23d of Septem-
Der, 1862, and went into effect on the
LIST day of January, 1868. It was
one of the noblest documents in the
history Of all nations, and placed
Lincoln's name among the roll of i'm
mortals.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
HIS INNATE HONESTY.

As indicative of his honesty during
the time that he was 'stOrekeeping'
a trait which afterwards won him
the title of Honest Old Abe" these
stories are related: In settling an
account with a woman one day for
goods sold her, he charged her a six
pence too much, which he did not
discover until he was footing up his
sales in the evening. Then, after
closing the store. he walked to her
home, a mile distant, and returned
the over-charged amount to her. On
another occasion, in making a sale,
by a defect in the scales, he gave a
customer scant weight by four
ounces. It was late at night when he
made the sale. The next morning,
when he discovered the trouble in
the scales, he weighed out the four
ounces, closed the store, and took the
merchandise to the customer.
As was usual in country towns in
those days, he was often troubled
with loafers in the store and some
times they became offensive by their
boisterous conduct. One day a big,
clustering bully entered and seemed
bent on provoking a fight with SOME
body. Lincoln stood his rowdyism
for some time, and then, going over
to where he was standing. said:
''Well, If you must be whipped, I
suppose I may as well be the one to
do it."
And he seized the bully with his
long arms, threw him to She floor.
and taking some smartweed which
was lying near, rubbed it over his
face until the man cried like a baby
and begged for mercy. After that
the bully was a gentleman whenever
he entered the store.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

later, and the CONSERVATION near the
presidents box, revealed the mean
ing. Lincoln had been shot. AS the
awful intelligence flew from mouth
to mouth the audience was Mortified
and Immediately everything was ex-
element and confusion. Women
shrieked and men crowded around
the presidents box, while others
leaped on the stage in the hope of
arresting the murderer. But Booth
was beyond their reach. He had left
the theater by a rear door, mounted
a fast horse that was in waiting for
him on the street and escaped, for
the time being safe.
Surgeons were soon at the presi-
dents side. II was found that he had
been shot in the back Of the neck,
Just beneath the base Of the brain.
Il was a fatal wound. The helpless
form, bleeding and unconscious, was
borne across the street to q private
house, and at seven o'clock the next
morning, without having regained
consciousness, the heart Of this great
man ceased to beat.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

Joined the regiment Of which Zach
ariah Taylor, afterwards president,
was colonel, and, although the war
only lasted for a short time, Lincoln
proved his efficiency and bravery and
showed that as a soldier he would
have been a good one, had destiny
called him to that vocation as Life
profession. After his return home
he was nominated by the wings as
their candidate for state representa-
tive, and this is the first speech he
delivered during the campaign, his
maiden speech in politics:
Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens;
presume you all know who am.
am humble Abraham Lincoln. 1 have
been selected by my friends as a
candidate for the legislature. My
politics are short and sweet. am
In favor Of a national bank, l AM in
favor of the internal Improvement
system and a high protective tariff.
These are my sentiments and politi-
cal principles. II am elected I shall
be thankful; If not, it will be all the
same"
He was not elected, and, with a
partner, he again entered the store
keeping business. 1t proved a fail
ure, and he lost every dollar he had
before managed TO save. Gen. Jack
son was then president, and he APP
pointed Lincoln as postmaster at New
Salem. The Office was such a small
one that Il is said he used to carry
all the letters received around in his
hat and deliver them TO those to
whom they were addressed as he
CHANGED to meet them on the street.
Although the salary paid was insig-
nificant, he managed to live by also
acting as surveyor. the qualifications
for which he had acquired.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

ing his nomination was received. he
read the message aloud, and then,
picking up his hat, arose and said:
Excuse me, gentlemen, but there is
a little lady on Eighth street who has
some interest in this matter" and he
hastily left the Office to tell the news
to his wife.
The next day a committee from
the convention waited upon him at
his home to notify him of his nom
inatiOn. AS it was known they were
coming, some of his friends had sent
him several hampers of wine, which
he returned with kindest words Of
regard for the motive that prompt
ed the gift. At the close of the noti-
fication ceremony, Mr.. Lincoln had
his servant girl bring into the room
a pitcher of water and several
glasses, which she placed on the cen
ter table, and then Mr.. Lincoln arose
aud said:
Gentlemen, we must pledge our
mutual healths in the most healthy
beverage God ever gave to man. It
is the only beverage 1 have ever used
in my family, and 1 cannot eonscien-
tiOusly depart from it on this occa-
sion. 1t is pure Adams ale, from the
spring"
He took a tumbler from the table.
touched it to his lips, and the diff
ferent members Of the committee
followed his example.
The election following the nomina-
ton resulted in his overwhelming
triumph. Long before his Inaugural
ton the southern states had seeded
and war was a certainty. When he
took his Office as president he at
once began a vigorous attempt to
crush out the rebellion. The history
Of that gigantic struggle is written
in blood. The foes Of the union were
strong men and brave. Lincoln did
not live to see the end-the success
OF his efforts. He saw the near an
proaeh, but before the final close of
the war came his eyes were sealed
in death.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

exception of Andrew Jackson, was
more 50, for he was born in a log
cabin, and had few Of the comforts,
none Of the luxUries of life.
This event took place on the 18th
Of February, 1909, in a sparsely set
tied section of Kentucky. His father
was a poor, but honest and hard
working man, q farmer IN q small
way, and from his earliest years
young Lincoln's life was a struggle
with poverty. It was with great diff
ficulty that he was given even suf-
6cient education To read and write,
and this he gained mostly without the
aid Of a teacher. He assisted his
father in his work and spent what
leisure time he had in working out
By the day among the neighbors. BIS
evenings and part Of the winter
months. when work was scarce, were
devoted TO study and the reading Of
such books as he could obtain.
Thus, with little to change its mo-
nntony, passed his life until be was
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN
From an Old Print Pung Tragedy eate April r. 1868

with mercy. Instances of this trait
in his character are numerous.
At one time "a deserters from the
union army had been ordered to he
shot, after a cOUrt-martial was held.
When the warrants for their eXrcu-
ton was presented to Lincoln he re-
fused TO sign them. The commando
ing officer, indignant at the action 81
the president, said to him: Mr..
President, unless these men are made
an example of, the army itself is in
danger. Mercy to the few is cruelty
to the many"
General" said the president in re-
ply. there are already too many
weeping widows and mothers in the
United States. Do not ask me TO
add to their number. I will not do
it,"
1t is a fact not generally known
that the last official act of President
Lincoln's life was the signing of
pardon of a rebel spy. He had fin
ished an examination of the case dur
ing the evening, and, not long before
going to the theater where the fatal
shot was fired that ended his OWN
life. the pardon was signed.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
TEARERED JUSTICE WIFE MERcH.

When Mr., LincOln's death occurred
he had served a little more than a
month on his second term as preSi-
dent, and was just beginning to sea
the dawn of peace, the coming OF
brighter days for the dark ones
through which he had passed. New.
er had a chief magistrate of the ma
ton faced graver responsibilities or
more perpleXing questions, and yet
never was duty more fully or more
cOnscientiOusly performed. lie
proved equal to the emergency. lie
gave his strong mind and great heart
to the service of his country-ii>t
always, but temPering that justice
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
ESTIMATE OF HIS WORTH.

The circumstances attending the
Heath of Abraham Lincoln, and the
fact that he was president during
the most trying ordeal through
which the nation has ever passed,
have undoubtedly had much to do
with endearing him to the people Of
the country, but that he was great
great in mind and heart and deeds
MS life record shows. He had those
elements of character, sterling hon
ssty, disinterested patriotism. and
love of human kind, that made him
so. and, with the exception of Wash
ington, perhaps, he was the best
loved and most popular Of our Presi-
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
SOLDIER AND PosTr1AsrER.

When the Black Hawk war with
the Indians broke out a company Of
volunteers was raised in the vicinity
where he lived, and Lincoln enlisted
as a private Two names were pro-
posed as captain, that Of Lincoln and
Mr.. Kirkpatrick. To decide which
should be chosen &c was arranged
that the candidates were to stand
apart a short distance from the com
pany, and the men were TO 20 TO the
one they preferred as captain. Al
most all Of the men soon gathered
around lincoln. and he was made
their commander. The company
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

The assassination of President Lin
coin was assigned to John Wilkes
Booth, a different type of man from
either Guiteau of Czolgosz. He was
a play actor of considerable ability
and notoriety, whose sympathies were
with the south, and, as events proved,
a man of remarkable courage and
method, for he had arranged a plan
of escape after the commission of the
crime that would have been success
full had he not broken his leg in jump
ing TO the stage. On the evening Of the
fourteenth the president. with Mrs.
Lincoln and two friends. Miss Har-
ris and Maj. Rathbone. accepting an
invitation from the manager, attend
ed Ford's theater in Washington to
witness the play of the american
Cousin" It was this place and time
that John Wilkes Booth chose for
his bold deed-in a crowded theater,
for it having been advertised that the
president would attend, every seat
was taken when the presidential
party entered and took a box near
to the stage. During the hour that
followed their entrance, Mr.. Lincoln's
attention seemed to be absorbed in
the play. In the midst of one of the
scenes in the third act, when but one
actor was on the stage, a pistol shot
was heard and a man was seen to
leap from the presidents box to the
stage. Brandishing a dagger in the
air, he paused for a moment, shouted
in theatrical style the words "Sic
semper tyrannis," and then, rushing
across the stage, disappeared behind
the scenes.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

10 years Of age, his father in the
meantime having moved to Spencer
county, Ind, and afterwards TO Ma
con county, III. Before this young
Lincoln engaged in rafting on the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, which he
followed for awhile, and then Joined
his father in Illinois. There he Sc
cured a position as clerk in coun-
try store He followed this for a
few years, still studying and reading
and rising, by his fair dealing and
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

The pursuit, the final shooting snd
the death of Booth, and the almost
successful attempt Of another one Of
the daring eOnspiratOrs on the life
of Secretary Seward, together with
the arrest, trial, conviction and pun.
ishment of the persons engaged in
this nefariOus plot are familiar to
every reader of the history of those
eventfu1 times.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
SLAIN By JOHN WILKES BOOTH.

That man was John Wilkes Booth,
known and recognized by the actors
and many persons in the audience.
So sudden and unexpected was it
all that only the screams of Mrs.
Lincoln and Miss Harris a moment
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
DEBATEs WITH DOUGLAS.

From the very beginning Of his DO
itical career he had taken strong
ground against the further extension
Of slavery, and when in 1854 the dis
eussion Of the question came ND
prominently he took an active part
in the campaigns. bis outspoLen dec
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
NATIONS FIRST r1ARTYR.

How wildly memory recalls that
tragic eyent-the death Of our first
martyred president! It was over a
third Of a century ago that the an
nOuneement of it was flashed over
the wires and carried by word Of
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
EARLY POLITICAL CAREER.

In 1894, being then 25 years of age,
he sgain became the wing candidate
for the state legislature, and was
elected. The capital of the state was
The broad ax., 1903-02-14
STRUGGLES WITH POVERTY.

Abraham Lincoln at his death had
attained the highest civil honor pos
sible il this nation. And yet how
humble his birth! That of none of
the presidents before him, with the
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

doubt but that he had determined
on this long before the signing OF
the proclamation announcing it. He
certainly desired it. Previous to his
nomination for the presidency, in
1855, during his canvass for the
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

In all his dealings with customers,
Lincoln was thoroughly honest. He
never misrepresented any article he
sold, and the patrons of the store
learned to rely implicitly upon his
truthfulness in everything that he
told them
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

pleasant ways, in the estimation of
the people.
The broad ax., 1903-02-14

BE GROWING act in the ad-
ministration of Abraham
Lincoln as president Of the
United States was the
emancipation Of the slaves
Of the south. There is no
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-29

Take Laxative Bfono teuinine Tablets. All drug
Gists refund the money if it fails to cure c. w
Groves signature is on each box. Csc.
The public is u silent partner in oycry
newspaper. II there be not feeling of
abiding friendship and interest on the
part of the people, the paper is N. G
There is a way in which newspaper is
a commercial enterprise just like a
foundry or a planning mill or coal mine
or dry goods store, but there is another
tide of phase which differs from all
these. 1t is that mutual exchange of
comtesies, sentiments, plcasantries that
is unlike any other business. Every
we'll to do family land it is happy cir
cumstance that has no other kind) is
interested in the success of it's local
paper. Think it over and see if we are
not right.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-29
A TEXAS WONDER
Hairs Grent niscoyerx


One small bottle of the Texas Wonde
Halls Great Discovery, cures all kidney
and bladder troubles, removes gravel,
cures diabetes, seminal emissions, weak
and lame back, rheumatism and all in
regularities OF the kidneys and bladder
in both men and women, regulates blad.
der troubles in children. Ii not sold by
your druggist, will be sent bymail on
receipt of 81. One small bottle is
two months treatment, and will cure
any case above mentioned. DR.. e. W.
Hall, sole manufacturer, 2. O. Boz, e2g
st. Louis, Mo. Send for testimonials.
Sold by all druggists. w. G. Stempel &
Co.
READ THIS
Monmouth, H., Aug. 1861 This IS to CERTIFY
have used one hottie of the Texas Wonder, Hairs
Great Discovery, and it has almost cured me. /
this first Of all. Respectfully yours -
STEVE GAMBLE.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-29

The Atlantic Telegraph is advertising
for G29 boys and girls that have been
lost in that city during the PAST year.
The school statistics of that city have
somehow gotten into a desperate tangle.
The census taEer has. just finished his
work and found but 1873 children in the
entire town, whereas the census of last
year gave POOP as the number. Possibly
the census taker of last year got paid
by the head.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-29
Saves Two From Death.

"Our little daughter had an almost
fatal attack of whooping cough and
bronchitis writes Mrs. w. X. Haviland,
of Armonk, N. ", but, when all other
remedies failed, we saved her life with
DIR. Kings New Discovery. Our niece,
who had consumption in an advanced
stage, also used this wonderful medi-
cine and today she is perfectly WE'LL
Desperate throat and lung diseases
yield to DR.. Kings New Discovery as to
no other medicine On earth. Invaluable
for coughs and colds. soc and S1.OO
bottles guaranteed by L. P. Van Wcr-
den. Trial bottle free.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-10-29
To Cure a Cold in One Day

Take Laxative Brono Quinine Tablets. All drug
gists refund the money if it fails to cure. G.. W
Groves signature is each box. 25c
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
G y rim G.
CONSUMPTION.

When SCOTS Emulsion
makes a consumptivc gain
flesh it is curing his consumD-
ton.
The weight is the measure
OF the consumptivc's condition.
Every pound of weight gained
IS matter for congratulation.
Exactly what goes on in.
side to make the consumptive
gain weight when taking
SCOTS Emulsion is still a
mystery.
SCOTS Emulsion does some
thing to the lungs, too, that
reduces the cough and the
inflammation.
More weight and less cough
always mean that consumption
IS losing its influence over the
system.
For all stages of the disease
SCOTS Emulsion is a reliable
help. Co.,
BCOrI s. BOVINE, Chemists. 400 p,,rst n =.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
a CHICAGO MARRIAGE

Chicago paper contains the following
notice of the marriage of John T. Marsh,
VINO is Il grandson of the late Charles p.
Marsh of Woodstock:
Tho marriage of Miss Mary McWilliams.
daughter Of Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette Nc
Williams of 2JE Lake avenue to John por-
ter Marsh took place last night at eight
o clock at the Sixth proshytcriar Church.
the Rev. William r. Merrill ofciatod Miss
Miriam Marsh. the groom $ sister. was the
only bridal attendant. William Beehe. Jr..
served the groom as best man. ana the
uShcrs were thu brides brothers. Thomas
c.. Hugh l.. and Donald S. McWilliams.
and Lee CasWell, Robert G;rinnen and
Clarence Moore The bridal gown was
fashioned of point q Alcncon ana chiffon.
with fun veil of tulle and the bride car
ricd & shower hoUdUct of lilies of the val
The maid of honor Wore white liberty
enuze and carried bouquet Of rosobuds.
Mrs. McWiliums, the brides mother wore
a robe of irish point. y reception t. re-
latNos followed at the house. Palms,
ferns and roses were used i'm decoration Of
the house. while at the church there were
palms and chrYsauthcmums. Mr.. and
Mrs Marsh have gone for a trip. They
have not decided upon their future home
Mis-. Now iliHms is faVorite cousin of
Mrs. Mckinley and spent some time at the
" hite House during the Mckinley admin
lStratun. At home days for the bride and
groom nave been announced for January
t and Is at the McWill'dms residence.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
NATE SALISBURY DEAD.

New York, Dec. 2t-Nate Salisbury. con-
trolling partner in the Buffalo Bill Wild
West SHOW died to-day at his home in
Long Branch, aged 81 years. Stomach
trouble, from which he had suffered for
several "oars, was the cause of Mr. SAILS
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
6,026 MILES NEW ROAD
Pre- Year Has Been Great in Rail-
road COnstruction

Chicago, Dec, 26--According to the Rail-
road Gazette railroad building in the Uni
ted States for 1902 aggregated G026 miles.
a total not exceeded in any year since
lSSS. Second track, sdines, ANA electric
lines are not included. oklahoma leads
with so miles of new line Texas comes
second with 1876 miles, Arkansas Is third
with 81 miles, and Indian territory fourth
with 1868 miles
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01

Accidents come with distressing fro
0uoucy on the farm cuts. hruises, euues
eHraius. rr. Thom1S's rclrctric Oil re-
lievus the pain instantly Never safe
without il.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01

their diseased cattle. DR.. Salmon will re-
turn To Boston Friday night to continue
his work of lighting the malady.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01

Half the ills that man is heir to come
from indigestion, BurdOCk blood l}itters
strpngt hens and tones the stomach: makes