Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-02-05


recon and Mr. Shields in the other
They given seats logs and left to themselves
while seconds and peacemakers discussed the situation
In short time a serious defect in the proceedings
the part of Shields light The challenge had
been sent prematurey. The mistake is explained quite
clearly in the Alton traditions. Lincoln had amused
himself and had entertained the Wings by writing funny
letters Springfield paper about the Democrats and
signing his epise Aunt Rebecca" Mary Todd who aft
erwards became Mrs Lincoln and Julia Jayne conspired
add the gayety of the community by getting an
Rebecca letter of their composition and send
ing to the paper along with which they
signed "CathIeen." The letter which the girls wrote
outside of politics and contained burlesque pro-
posal of marriage Auditor Shields Now the auditor
afterward United States senator from three states,
and a brave general wars fiery young
While Springfield laughed, Shields began investiga-
ton. He demanded of the editor the real name of Aunt
Rebecca." The girls became frightened. Bum, the
banker went to Mr. Lncolns Office and said:
We've got into awful fix"
Whats the matter?" asked Lincoln
The girls have written poetry on Shields" said
Bum. Didn't you it in the paper? Well, Shields
says won't stand it. What shall We do about it?"
You go back and when you meet Shields tell him
l wrote It," said Lincoln.
Shields accepted this without vercation and sent the
challenge. Shields the of proceeding further
when he learned that Lincoln not the writer. For
an hour or writing and exchanging of notes
went on. Meantime the population of Alton stood in d
dense mass river bank looking across the chan
mel and having a good view of all of the movements
Bill Souher good reporter that he kept his eyes
on the principals He told that for some time after the
landing Lincoln and Shields sat quietly on their logs
Lincoln said nothing, and Souher thought he looked
serious After while something happened and South
er said that when he it he nearly blew up The
bundle of had been laid down the log where
Lincoln was sitting Lincoln reached out and took one
of the weapons He drew the blade slowly from the
scabbard Souther said 1T looked as long as fence
rail"
Holding the blade by back, Lincoln looked closely
at the edge then after the manner of one who has
been grinding a scythe knife, he began to teel
gingerly with the ball of his thumb by TINS
time "Bill' Souher tremendously interested Hold
ing sabre by the handle Lincoln stood up and looked
about him He evidently what he was looking Tor
In a willow tree several feet away Raising the mighty
weapon with his long arm Lincoln reached and clipped
one of the topmost wigs of the willow. When he had
thoroughly satisfied himself to the efficiency OF the
broadsword sat down. A few minutes later the cor
respondence was closed terms honorable to both par
ties"
AS the boat put back to Alton the spectators on the
hank were Mortified lying prone upon the deck
Neure covered with blood. while wellknown Aonar
leaned over the figure plying fan vigorously Not un
m the boat was in shore 1t seen that the hgur
was a log of wood that the bloody" covering wa
rad flannel shirt Wentworth dropped the FAM stood VI
and grnned m -, A., -, a.,
Lincoln story which will never die is the reply th
president made to the criticism of Giants habits. Lin