The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1908-08-01
DEBATE INTERESTS
MRS. H. n. CAKES

lie lOllONllS al IiIlC was IoASh
from the Freeport journal Of July 70,
and was handed to the Tribune by
Mother Cakes, who was present at the
memorable Freeport debate between
Lincoln and Douglas. Mrs. Cakes dis
tinctly remembers the appearance OF
Lincoln when the procession was
moving. He was seated ON hay-rack
on a common farm wagon, while
Douglas rode in carriage. Mother
Cakes is over 80 years old and is as
jolly as a girl in her teens.
"A notable witness to the debate
between Abraham Lincoln and Steph-
en- A. Douglas fifty years ago in Free
port was woman who is now round
ing out her declining years in COM
fort, her head being crowned with
snowwhite hair, although she recalls
the details of that memorable day
when as Il young woman she listened
to the debate which has taken such a
prominent part in the politics of the
nation. Mrs. Zilpha J. Stiles, widow
of the late G. A. Stiles, who resides
at 81 Brick street, was present at the
debate, and always an ardent advo-
cate of the principles advanced by
Abraham Lincoln, she cherishes the
memory of the debate as one of the
important events in her life.
Mr. and Mrs. Stiles, who had To-
Gated in Freeport several years pre-
vious, drove to the scene of the de-
bate, Mrs. Stiles holding ON her lap
their second child, but who is now
dead. She remembers the great
all of them intensely partisan, who
marched the streets of Freeport on
August 81, 1858, and she was near the
place of speaking when Lincoln and
Douglas mounted the platform.
"The place was grove, the plat
form being erected near the center
of the plot of ground, located east of
Mechanic street and north of Clark
avenue. The only house in the block
at that time was a small dwelling
while today it is thickly settled.
Mrs. Stiles remembers Mr.. Lincoln
as man with pleasant face
Douglas looked cross she said, in
speaking of the debate, and when
Lincoln made the people smile, Doug
las was i'll at ease
when the Freeport Woman's club
decided to erect a boulder to COM
memorate the debate Mrs. Stiles was
one of the number who attended 6
meeting at the home of l.. B. Sanborn
on Clark avenue, to decide where thu
stone was to be located. Most of thu
women who attended the debate wer,
of different opinion as to the plac,
of speaking, but Mrs. Stiles finally
convinced them of the correctness O
her position.
"The parade from the Brewste
house to the platform is distinctly re
membered by Mrs. Stiles, and she re
calls Mr.. Lincoln riding in the old
fashioned prairie schooner drawn b,
six horses; while his opponent wen
to the place of speaking in a NOR
pretentious outfit, riding in a carriag
drawn by two beautiful white horses
She remembers that seated beside MI
Lincoln was Thomas j. Turner, VIII
had served the city as it's first mayor
Two high-seated chairs were provide
for them, but whether there were 9th
err people seated on the wagon Mrs
Stiles does not remember.
Mrs. Stiles is now n years old, bu
time has dealt gently with her an
she is interesting as conversation
alist. Freeport has been her HON
since 1852, and here she enjoys tn
highest respect of friends who are Ii
gion. She is member of the Firs
Presbyterian church
Mrs. Stiles was born in Delawar
county, N. Y, April Is, 1881. He
maiden name was Zilpha Clark. He
parents moved to Michigan when sh
was a child. She was married at Be
lott, Wis, in 1913, to G. A. Stiles, an
four years later they came to Free
port. Her husband, who died eleve
years ago, was engaged in the man,
facture of tanning mills, cultivatol
and other farm implements, althoug
he retired fro inactive business life
number of years preceding his d,
mise. Three children are living
Clark Stiles, of Caldwell, Idaho; Ma,
rice Stiles, of Salmon, Idaho, and Ere
Stiles, of Freeport.
Mrs. Stiles is looking forward |
the fiftieth anniversary celebration
the debate with unfeigned pleasur
She delights to renew the memory {
that battle of the intellectual giant