The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-11
Continued from Saturday,
xI.
incidents Of Lincoln. Active Lie a. I

m7AuiAillCAL discussions ut Spring
- field We're apt to run into heat
III ed and sometimes unseemly
personal controversies. When
Douglas and Stuart were candidates
for congress In 1888, they fought like
tigers In Herndoii,s grocery, over a
floor that was drenched with slops. and
gave up the struggle only when both
We're exhausted. Then. as further
entertainment to the populace. Mr..
Stuart ordered out "barreI OF whisky
and wine"
On the election day Ia 1910 It was re.
ported to a1r. Lincoln that one Rad
ford, a 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 a
slow trot. Radford knew him well,
and little stern advice reversed pro-
eeedings without any fighting. Among
other remarks, Mr.. Lincoln said, Rad
ford, you'll spoil and blow IL you live
much longer" He wanted to hit Rad
ford, but could get no chance to do sos
and conterted himself with confiding
bis Intentions to Speed. II Intended
Just to knock him down and leave him
kicking"
The same year Colonel Baker was
making a speech to promlscuous nu.
dience in the courtroom, 'u rented
room in Itoffman's row." 1t will be
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.
sonaiiy offensive, declared at length
that wherever there was a land Office
there was Democratic newspaper to
defend Its corruptions." "ThIs." says
John B. Weber, twas n personal at
tack on my brother, George webber.
was In the courthouse and in my anger
cried, Pull him down." A scene or
great confusion ensued, threatening to
end In a general riot, In which Baker
was likely to suffer. But just ut the
critical moment Lincoin's legs were
seen coming through the hole, and d.
rectly his tall figure was standing be-
tween Baker and the audience. gestict-
latlng 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 right to speak
and ought to be permitted to do so. 1
am here to protect him, and no man
shall take lin from this stand II / can
prevent it" Weber only recollects
that some lone made some soothing.
kind remarks and that he was prop
eriy 'lfeld until the excitement ceased"
and the affair "soon ended In quiet aud
peace"
In 1898 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 Mt 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 us "terri-
BILE slsinning" Of his victim. Ellis says
that at the close of n furious personal
denunclation he wound up by ''mimick-
ing Thomas until Thomas actually
cried with vexatlon 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 tue. 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 +. Speed. In 1896 he
settled himself In Springfield and did
thriving business MS merchant. FL.
lis was one Of his clerks. md SO also
was William II. rIcrndon. Mr.. lin.
coins future partner. This store was
for years LtncoTn's familiar haunt.
There he came 10 while away the te.
:llons evenings with Speed ana the con.
genial company that naturally Assem-,
blcd around these choice spirits. He
even slept in the storcroom as often as
lie slept at home and here made to
Speed the most confidential communi.
cations he ever made to mortal man.
If he Ind on earth ~ bosom crony" II
was Sn""d. and that deem and abiding