Gilpin observer., 1909-03-18
hunting

anu although MS ScnOOllnS amounted
s to but one year he eagerly read wha
: books he could obtain, such as Pill
grim's Progress, Aesop's Fables, Life
of Washington, and others.
His father removed to Indiana
when Lincoln was seven years old
and two years later his mother died.
Several months after her death they
, sent for Parson Elkin who was liv-
!, Ing in Kentucky. He arrived on a
bright sabbath day. The settlers H.
a region Of 20 miles came in carts
of the rudest construction, on horses
in wagons drawn by oxen, and OIL
foot. During the service the congre
cation sat on stumps CT logs around
the grave.
About one year after his mothers
death, his father married Mrs. Sally
Johnson who proved to be a goo4
stepmother, helping Lincoln in his
studies, and in many other ways
She always spoke of him as a duti-
full son. When he became president
she rejoiced as much as If he were
indeed her own son.
At 19 years of age he made a trir
down the Missippi. Between Natchez
and New Orleans he was attacked
by seven negroes who had come af
ter plunder, but were foiled in the at
tempt.
At New Orleans he first saw slaves
whipped at the post Moving sadly
lway from the scene he said, "Ii
ever l have a chance to hit that
(meanirg slavery hard, I will dc
it." After his second trip down the
Mississippi he begun life for him
self. His first work was to split 400
rails for every yard of brown geans
he needed. Wages in those days
were poor, especially for those who
but the hands that God had given
them.
When the Black Hawk war broke
out, he was candidate for the legis-
lature, but he enlisted and was cap
tain of a company throughout the
war. The war hindered his cam
paign and he was defeated. He then
opened store with a partner nam
ed Barry who proved to be worth
less fellow. The store was sold in
, 1884 but the man who bought it dis
t appeared without paying for it. Bar
{ ry died, leaving Lincoln to shoulder
a debt of $1,10O for Is years.
: After selling the store he became
r a surveyor, earning $500 per day
r One of his creditors becoming
s impatient brought suit against him
S His horse and surveying instrument
: were sold to satisfy the debt. bein,
l. purchased by friend of Lincoln VIII,
o afterward returned them to him. Lin
coin never forgot his friend and whel
he became president he appointed
him an Indian agent.
!, His first sweetheart was Ann Rut
. ledge, who died shortly after the!
became engaged. 1t was some tim'
before he became reconciled to he
loss and he never fully recoveret
from the shock. He next fell il
love with Miss Mary Todd but ol
;, the evening set for their wedding h
=, failed to appear. He was not seel
for several days and there was tall
of his being insane. He and Mis-
Todd were finally reconciled by
mutual friend and a year later the
were married.
In 1885 he was admitted to the ba
and in 1S36-3S40 he was membe
g of the legislature. He ran for col
gress in 1916 but was defeated b
Peter Cartwright, the great evange
II ist. In 1854 he was elected leade
n of the Whig party in Illinois. In 1S5
h occurred the famous debate betwee
lie Lincoln and Douglas. Although Lii
s. coin was defeated he had Dougla
$, in such position that the sout
lie would not vote for him. Everywhe,
ID they were spoken of as the Lift
t. Giant and the Tall Sucker
'e In 1860 he spoke at Cooper's L
stitute, N. Y. In the same year /
was nominated for the presidenc
n by the Republican party and was G
n ected.
g. Soon after his election the sout
es ern states claimed to be out of IL
Sc Union and began preparations to
IN fend their claims. After Lincoln hi
d. taken oath of office he called for ii
s. 900 volunteers to serve three month
in Later, seeing his mistake, he calle