Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-12
SHE HIRED LINCOLN
TO FIGHT FOR HER PIG.
MRS. sINA WILBERN.

OMAHA. Neb.-This is the tale OF G
pig-a wee, Chester White piggy, which
ranks high in porcine history.
Abraham Lincoln, the martyred presi-
dent, gained fame through the young
porker. The pig was literally a fat
fryer for Lincoln during his starving
days" as young lawyer.
The story is now told, on the eve or
the celebration of Lincoln's Tooth birth
day anniversary, by Mrs. Sina Wilbern,
aged "a, of this city, whose husband re-
tanned Lincoln to defend their claim to
the pig The old lady insists that Lin
coins fame sprouted from this case,
which he won against lone Of the most
noted Illinois lawyers Of that time"
This is her story: Lincoln was just
young lawyer then, studying at odd times
in the office of Lawyer Herndon, at New
Salem, ILL.,
MY, husband had been Lincoln's school
companion and knew him Wen when he
clerlxed in the town grocery and later
when he was studying law. So, when we
had a lawsuit to defend we retained him,
though we didn't think he was much OF
lawyer.
I'VE had a Chester White hog That
was when the Chester Whites were scarce
and valuable.
I'm time a brood of seven little pigs
was born. We let them run around loose,
and one night one little pig was lost.
We searched everywhere for 1t, but could
not find it.
about motnh later my husband found
the pig, running in the road toward our
house. He picked it up and took 1t back
home, as he identified it by a notch in
its ear-the same mark we had on the
ears of all the new pigs.
1.-The next day a prominent family near
us claimed the pig. They swore 1t was
their pig, but we found they kept the
pig hidden in the woods
''When we refused to give them our
pig they brought suit against US.
'Then we engaged Lincoln. They claim
ed the pig was worth only so cents. We
said it was worth $3.50.
Feeling ran high in the neighborhood
and q feud almost started. Finally the
case came to trial. Lincoln distinguish
ed himself by winning the case. He made
a great plea in arguing the case.
"His fee from us was 81 and 1 guess
he needed it.
But his victory gave him much promin-
ence in the town. 1t was one of the first
victories he won in court in which the
public were much interested"
Mrs. Wilbern learned much about Lin
coins boyhood from her husband. She
also knew him for several years at New
Salem. Her recollections of this period
are remarkably clear and she has many
a good story to tell
She said:
My husband and Lincoln, while at
school, played and wrestled together.
Neither had much schooling and neither
liked to get what schooling they had. Lin
coin was not as studious as some people
have said.
Lincoln was not so awfully bright at
school and liked to play hockey 1 guess.
He and my husband often skipped school
and went fishing or hunting out in the
woods.
Nobody thought much of Lincoln when
I first met him, that is as a bright
fellow, but everyone liked him. He was
always good-natured. He was never Of
tented; always joking and just full Of
jokes"
Interesting "reminiscences OF Lincoln's
early courtships and marriage to Miss
Todd are recounted by Mrs. Wilbern. She
strongly disapproved Of his wedding with
Miss Todd, whom she describes as a
''highfalutin' lady.
Lincoln was always a great fellow to