New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-10

ter at least which IL graver than that which has
been dono the parents. and particularly the
mother, Of Abraham Lincoln. OF course. re-
fer 70 the widespread tradition that Lincoln was
born Of that class known In the South as poor
whites" that his father not Thomas Lin
coin. as his blographers insist on declaring but
n rich and cultured planter of another state
than Kentucky. and that his mother not only
gave fatherless boy TO the world, but herself
was nameless child. Tho tradition has always
lacked particularly. For instance, there has
been large difference Of opinion about the
planter who fathered Abraham. who no was
and where he came from. one story calls him
Enloe. another Calhoun, another Hardin, and
several different states claim him. Only five
years ago book published in North Caro-
lima to prove that Lincoln's father was a resi-
dent of that state The bulk of the testimony
offered in this instance came from men and
women who had been born long after Abraham
Lincoln had never seen him and never heard
the tale they repeated until long after his cleo
ton to the Presidency. or the truth of these
statements as to Lncoln's origin no proof has
ever been produced. They We're rumors, dill
gently spread in the first place by those who for
political purposes were glad 10 beuttle a poIiti-
cal opponent. They grew with telling, and,
curiously enough. two of Lincoln's best friends
helped perpetuate them-Messrs. Lamon and
President which are of great interest and value.
But neither Of these men was a student and
they did not take the trouble TO look for records
OF Mr.. Lincoln's birth. They accepted runlors
ana enlarged upon them. Indeed, il was not
until perhaps twenty-five years ago that the
matter was taken up seriously and an investi-
cation begun. This has been going on at IN
terVals ever since, until l venture to say that
lew persons born in Il pioneer cornn,uui+y og
Lincoln was ana early q & 1StlI ba ~
lineage on both sides a clearly esta blisbed as
that OF Abraham Lincoln IL takes ipdaod =
most amazing credulity for any one to bsIIeva
the stories have alluded TO after having looked
at the records of his family Lincoln himself
backed by the record in the Lincoln family
blole' is the hrst authority for the time and
place OF his birth, as well the name of his
laIheT and mother The father, Thomas Lin
coin. tar from being a poor white" was the son
OF a prosperous Kentucky pioneer a man of
honorable and we'll tablished lineage who had
come from Virginia as a friend of Daniel Roone
ana had there bought large tracts of land and
begun to grow UP with the country where he
was Killed by the Indians He left a large fam
Iy. By the law of Kentucky the estate went
mainly to the oldest son, and the voungest
Thomas Lincoln. left to shift for hinseIs
Inns y0ungesst son grew to manhood. and on
June 10 1916, was married. at BeechIand XIV
10 Young woman of q family well known in
the vicinity, Nancy Hanks. There is no doubt
Whatever about the time and the place oF tbejr
marriage. All the legal documents reo,iraj g.,
Kentucky at that period FOR a nlarriara era a.
existence. Not only have we the bond 80 .L ~
certificate. but the marriage is duly entered In n
lst OF marriage returns made by Jesse Head
one OF the best known early Methodist n,InJstarSS
OF kentucky. 1t is now to be seen in the rec
ords or Washington County, KY There ia even
In existence very full and auusinp occaI,,St 20
the wedding and the fanfare which followed nv
guest who was present and who for vears
atler was accustomed TO visit Thomas and
Nancy. This guest, CHRISTOPHER Columbus csra
nam unique and perfectly Trustworthy man. a
prominent citizen Of Louisville, died only q few
years ago. -"
But while these documents dispose effectuau,,
OF the question Of the parentage OF lincoln thay,
40 not OF course. clear up the shadow which
hangs over the parentaSe OF his mother Is thsra
anything to show that Nancy Hsnks harsels was