The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-08-26
abraham
Lincoln
His Fame Becomes Greater AS the
Stirring Days of His Presidency
Recede Into History.

Recede Into History.
AS the great Civil War of the United
States recedes into history the COM
manding figure of Abraham Lincoln
looms largely above all of the lie ading
lights in American development.
l have read tons of literature regard
ing Lincoln and always have an insati-
able appetite for more-but the true
Lincoln does not live in the books
written of him or stories printed about
him in the newspapers and magazines.
When Lincoln left Springfield to start
on his memorable journey to Washing
ton to be iDaugurated President, he
said among other things, the greatest
responsibilities since Washington's time
would devolve upon him and perhaps
these difficulties might prove greater
than any the Father of his Country had
to face.
Now for brief sketch of Lincoln's
mortal career and then few side
lights from his frie nds and associates:
Abraham Lincoln was born near
Hodgeuville, KY, on Feb. IL, 1909. His
ancestors were of English stock and of
nOmadic nature. In 1916 he re-
moved to Spencer Co., Ind, bowling
wilderness, with his parents. The
death of his mother, Nancy Hanks
Lincoln, occurred at this new home in
1918. In 1919 Abe's father, Thomas,
married a second time-the name of
the lady being Mrs. Sally Bush john
son. She was like all stepmothers-not
overkindly to Abe as she had children
of her own. However, in 1880 the Lin
coin family removed to Illinois and
Abe went with them. In 1881 Abe
rDade trip to New Orleans On a fiat
boat and was thus enabled to note all
the horrors of slavery which made such
an indelikle impression upon his mind.
In 1882 he was defeated for a seat in
the Illinois Legislature but teeame a
Captain in tie Black Hawk war. He
was made postmaster at Salem in 1888
and in 1884 became assistant to the
county surveyor. In this same year he
was elected to the Legislature from
Sangamon county. In 1886 he was re-
elected and in the following year Ii
censed to practice law. In 1888 he was
reelected to the Legislature for a third
time and in 1910 was chosen presiden-
tial elector on the Harrison ticket and
sent back to the Legislature for a
fourth time. An important event Oc-
CURED in 1912. He married Miss Mary
Todd. In 1916 he wa, elected to Con-
gress, having been defea ed for the
nomination previously. In 1848 he
was delegate to the National Con-
vention in Philadelphia and in 1856 as
sisted in the formation of the Republi-
can National party. In 1858 he held
his joint debate with Senator Stephen
A. Douglas, and though he received a
larger number of votes in the primary
election than his competitor, the Leg.
is)ature refused to elect him. In 1860
he was nominated for President by the
Republicans and elected. He was in.
augurated President on March 4, 1861
and issued the famous Emancipation
Proclamation on January 1, 1868. He
was reelected President in 1864 and on
April IA, 1865, was assassinated by John
Wilkes Booth, the actor, and died the
following morning, this sad event
plunging the whole world into mex
pressible grief and sorrow.
Lincoln was six feet four in height
and stoop shouldered or his height
would have been several inches more
He was a very homely man, but mo-
ugly. His feet were very large and i'll
shaped. The size of his boots was ID
His hands were extraordinarily lsrg,
and knotted and his legs were thin. III,
could twist one leg around the othel
twice. Lincoln was ungainly and il
fact slovenly in appearance. He sel
dom combed his hair-justj ran hi
Hands through it. He shaved onl,