The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1907-03-06

rlage: that 1t was concocted and plan
ned by the Edwards family; that Miss
TOdd-afterward Mrs. Llncoln--was
crazy for n week or so, not knowing
what to do. and that he loved Miss Ed
wards and went to see her, and not
Mrs. Lincoln"
The license to marry was issued on
the 18th of November. 1912, and on the
same day the marriage was celebra ted
by Charles Dresser. M c." With this
date carefully borne In mind, the fol-
lowing letters are of surprising inter
est They are relics not only Of n
great man, but of n great agony.
The first Is from Mr.. Speed to Mr.
Herndon and explains the circ,im-
stances under which the correspond.
cnce took place.
Louisville, Nov. 90. 1876
w. II. IIerndon. ESD:
Dear Sir-I inclose you copies of all the
letters of any interest from Mr.. Lincoln
to me.
Some explanation may be needed that
you may rightly understand their i'm
port.
In the winter OF 1910 and 1871 he was
unhappy about his engagement to his
wife, not being entirely satisfied that his
heart was going with his hand. How
much he suffered then on that account
none knows so we'll rs myself-he disclos-
cd his whole heart to me.
In the summer OF 1871 became engaged
TO my wife. He was here on n visit when
/ courted her. and. strange to say, some
thing of the same feeling which | regard
ed as so foolish In him took possession OF
me and kept me very unhappy from the
time OF my engagement until | was mar
rled.
This will explain the deep Interest he
manifested In his letters on my account
If You use the letters land some OF
them arc perfect gems) do II carefully,
40 as not to wound the feelings OF Mrs
Lincoln.
One thing IL plainly dlscernlble--if had
not been married and happy-far more
happy than l ever expected to be-he
would not have married.
have erased n name which I do moi
wish published II I have failed to do II
anywhere. strike II out when you come
to It. That ~ the word -.
thank you for your last lecture. II
In all now to me, but so true to my ap-
probation OF Lincoln's character that, In
dependent of my knowledge OF you,
would almost swear to II.
Lincoln wrote n letter "a long one
Cincinnati descriptive OF his case. Its
date would be in December. 1910. or early
In January. Ist1. | think he must have
informed DIR. d. OF his early love FOL
Miss Rutledge. as there was part oi
tho letter which he would not read.
II would be worth much to you IL yot
could procure the original
Charles ID. Drake of st. Louis may have
his fathers papers. The date which
give you will aid In the search.
I remember DR. brakes reply, which
was that he would not undertake to pre-
scribe for him without n personal inter
Wow. would advise you to make som'
effort to get the letter. Your friend. etc.
J. r. SPEED.
The first OF the papers from Mr.. Lin
coins pen Ia letter of advice and con
ISOLATION to his friend, for whom he ap
prehends the terrible things through
which, by the help OF that friend, he
has himself just passed:
My Dear Speed-Feeling. as you know
do, the deepest sollcitude for the sue
cess OF the enterprise you arc engaged In
adopt this as the last method can In
vent to aid you In case (Which God for
bid) you shall need my mid. ! do no
place what I am going to say on pape
because j can say 1t better in that wa!
imam COnld by WOrd OF mouth, Out WeTi
to say It orally before we part mos
likely you would forget II Mt the yer!
time when II might do you some good
As I think II reasonable that you vii
feel very badly some time between thi
and tho final contamination OF your pur
pose II IL Intended that you shall rea'
this Just Mt such a time. Why say II 4
reasonable that you will feel very badl!
yet IL because OF three special cause
added TO the general one which | shall
mention.
Tho general cause In that you are nat
urally of nervous temperament AM
this l say from what have seen OF yol
personally and what you have told IN
concerning your mother at various time
and concerning your brother William a
the time his wife died. The first specla
cause Is your exposure to bad weathe
on your Journey. which my experience
clearly proves to be very severe on de
fective nerves. The second Is the alb
sence OF all business and conversation o
friends. which might divert your mind
give II occasional rest from the intensit
OF thought which will sometimes wear tn
sweetest idea threadbare and turn II I
the bitterness OF death.
The third IL the rapid and near op
proach OF that crisis on which all you
thoughts and feelings concentrate.
IL from all these causes you fhall ea