Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER XII.
Incidents of Lincoln's Active Life as a
aWver.

AAA AACi INtOI1 SIOCCIy, over q
moor that was drenched with Stops, and
gave up the struggle only when both
were exhausted Then. as o. further
entertainment to the popuiace, Mr..
Stuart ordered out "barrel Of whisky
and wine"
On the election day in 1916 It was re-
ported to Mr.. Lincoln that one Rad
ford, contractor on the railroad. had
brought up his men and taken full
possession of one of the polling places.
Lincoln started off to the precinct on
slow trot. Radford knew him well,
and little stern advice reversed pro-
ceedlngs without any fighting. Among
other remarks, Mr.. Lincoln said, "Rad-
ford, you'll spoil and blow if you live
much longer" He wanted to hit Rad
ford, but could get no chance to do so,
and contented himself with confding
MS Intentions to Speed. 81 intended
just to knock him down and leave him
Kicking"
The same year Colonel Baker was
making speech to a promiscuous au-
dience in the courtroom, "a rented
remembered that Lincoln's office was
just above, and he was listening to
: Baker through large hole or trapdoor
In the ceiling. Baker warmed with his
theme and, growing violent and per-
sonally offensive, declared at length
that wherever there was a land Office
there was a Democratic newspaper to
, defend its corruptions." "This." says
John B. Weber. twas a personal at
tack on my brother. George Weber, l
was in the courthouse and in my anger
cried, Pull him down." A scene Of
great confusion ensued, threatening to
end in general riot, in which Baker
was likely to suffer. But just at the
critical moment Liocoln's legs were
seen coming through the hole. and d.
rectly his tall figure was standing be-
tween Baker and the audience, gesticu-
lating for silence "Gentlemen." said
he, ''let us not disgrace the age and
country in which we live. This is a
land where freedom of speech is guar
anteed. Mr.. Baker has a right to speak
and ought to be permitted to do so. I
am here to protect him. and no man
shall take him from this stand If 1 can
prevent it, Weber only recollects
that "some one made some soothing,
lind remarks" and that he was prop
arly "held until the excitement ceased"
and the affair "soon ended in quiet and
peace"
In 1888 or 1910 Jesse B. Thomas
made an Incorporate attack upon the
Long Nine" and especially upon Mr..
Lincoln as the longest and worst Of
them. Lincoln was not present at the
meeting; but, being sent for and in
formed Of what had passed, he ascend
ed the platform and made a reply
which nobody seems to remember, but
which everybody describes as &erri-
bic sklnning" Of his victim. Ellis says
that at the close of a furious personal
denunciation he wound up by ''mimick-
ing" Thomas until Thomas actually
cried with vexation and anger. Ed
wards, Speed, Ellis, Davis and many
others refer to this scene and, being
asked whether Mr.. Lincoln could not
be vindictive upon occasion, generally
respond, Remember the Thomas skin
Ming"
Joshua Speed His Best Friend.
The most intimate friend Mr.. Lincoln
ever had at this or any other time was
probably Joshua F. Speed. In 1886 he
settled himself in Springfield and did
a thriving business as merchant. FL
lis was one Of his clerks, and so also
was William H. Herndon, Mr.. Lin
coins future partner This store was
for years Lincoln's familiar haunt.
There he came to while away the to-
dious evenings with Speed and the con-
Egenial company that naturally assem-
bled around these choice spirits. He
even slept in the storeroom as often as
he slept at home and here made to
Speed the most confidential communi-
tcations he ever made to mortal man.
If he had on earth "a bosom crony" it
was Speed. and that deep and abiding
attachment subsisted unimpaired to
the day of Mr.. Lincoln's death. In
truth, there were good reasons why he
should think Of Speed with affection
~and gratitude, for through life no man
Z rendered him more Important services.
One night in December, 1889, Lin
coin, Douglas, Baker and some other
gentlemen of note were seated at
Speeds nospitable fire in the store.
They got to talking politics. got
warm, hot, angry. Douglas sprang up
and said, Gentlemen, this is no place
to talk politics; we will discuss the
questions publicly with you" and much
more in high tone Of banter and de-
fance. A few days afterward the
Wings had a meeting, at which Mr..
( Lincoln reported a resolution challeng-
! ing the Democrats to a joint debate.
) The challenge was accepted, and Doug
las, Calhoun, Lamborn and Jesse B..
Thomas were deputed by the Demo-
Gratis to meet Logan, Baker, Browning
nd Lincoln on the part of the Wings.