The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-14
TALK OF LINCOLN.
Judge WelIhouse and A. w. Smith In
obliged in "reminiscences.

LeavenWorth, Kan, Aug. 1.-THE
Times says: AS little group of early
settlers sat before the publicity tent at
the TonganoXie reunion recently, talk
ing of the early days in Kansas, their
conversation turned to a discussion of
Abraham Lincoln, for many of the
events in the mans life, and his
tragic death. had occurred at such a
time as to make an indelibIe impress
sion upon the memory of the men who
were seated before the tent
Judge Wellhouse and Farmer" A.
w. Smith, of Mcpherson, E. ]. Hol-
man, and Edwin Taylor, of Edwards
vile, We're some of the men who Joined
in the conversation, and almost every
one had something to tell of Abraham
Lincoln that had come under their per-
SOnaI observation.
Judge Wellhouse, who, in the early
days. lived in Illinois, spoke at some
length about the president.
Il moved from Ohio to Christian
county, Illinois, in 1881" he said, land
settled % miles southeast of Spring
field. In the fall of the same year
had occasion to go to that town to make
payment on some land and went on
horseback. 1 registered at the Ameri
can hotel and the clerk sent my horse
to the American livery stable.
He Met Lincoln.
when I had attended to my bust
ness I started after my horse and
thinking that the barn was run in con-
H6CLlOn WITH the nOl6l, L went 10 Ine
rear of the building, looking for the
place. 1 walked up the alley, but
couldn't locate the barn, and seeing
three men talking at the corner L asked
them how to get to the stable. Two of
the strangers ignored me, but the third,
a tall lanky, homely man, but neverthe-
less with a fine kindly face, walked to
the corner with me. giving me explicit
directions as to how 1 could reach the
place for which [ was looking.
Iincoln-DougIas Debate.
In the next year, 1854 the Kansas
Nebraska bill came up, and Douglas
talked in Springfield against it, arous
ing much criticism. That fall, there
was a state fair at Springfield, and
number of US went down to it, camping
near town. Douglas was again in town,
and it was announced that on the third
day Old Abe or Honest Old Abe as
some called him, would reply to him.
1t was a joke all over the grounds. and
1 supposed that Abe was some eccen-
trio town character.
l. Il decided that 1 would like to hear
the fun, SO I went over to the state
house on the day of the speeches, and
got seat. In a few moments a little
man wearing a big plug hat came in,
evidently known to them all.
That was Douglas. Then came my
friend of the American stable, just as
gaunt and homely as ever, and then 1
kind to me was Abraham Lincoln. 1
was filled with sympathy toward him
for 1 had heard so much fun poked at
him and he had been so kind to me.
feared for the man. felt sure that
he would be no match for so eloquent
man as Douglas.
Douglas talked first, and it was a
good talk that he gave. I felt more
afraid than ever for old Abe Then
Lincoln arose. and commenced his
SnRPPh The longer he talked the iO1I6-
er and more enthusiastic grew the
cheers of the crowd, and it was not
many minutes until l lost all sympathy
for him, and saw that he could take
care of himself Lincoln would quote
Douglas, and then tear his opponents
utterances to pieces with his matchless
logic and clear, lucid, reasoning. Every
time that he made a good point and
| the crowd cheered like mad, Douglas
would drum nervOuSly on the crown of
his high hat with his finger tips. You
could see that Lincoln's speech was
making big impression on the little
man sitting there, while the crowd kept
on cheering Lincoln. Oh, but it was
grand
lone year later 1 was a witness in a.
| case in which Lincoln was an attorney for
1 one of the parties and he met all of the
witnesses one night in the American hotel
| 70 see what they knew about the case.
| Before man could state the story OF the
| circumstances surrounding the case Lin
| coin would have a clear understanding of
the whole matter think that was the
| secret of the mans success all through
! life. He could see through a persons mind
| in an instant. There was a little question
| of the title to my land, and I consulted
1 him about it. He settled the whole affair
in half minute, and when told the man
| from whom I bought the land what Lin
| coin had said. he replied: well, if he
| said that, it's all o. K"
There Is Only Guess.
1 I