The Washington herald., 1909-02-07
IINCoLN as pEPEW KNEW HIM.
Why the War President wished JEFF
fersOn Davis to Escape.

chsunesy y. Dsres, in Leslie-s Weekly
Mr. lincoln vas a thin. spare nan.
iarge-bsnsd. and apparently rather loose
NT1bed. and six feet four inches in height
He had very homely face. with I. sad
expression, as II weighted heavily with
care end anxiety But when earnestly
discussing some question. and especially
when telling a story. bis eouRtenance
fairly Beamsd with the FIRE OF his talk
or the enjoyment OF his auecdote. He
always wore a black brosdcl9th suit. The
coat a long skirted frock. and a higt
vest. aBo out OF doors. the invaua5ls
silk top lat. His towering figure in this
dress made him the marked man In every
assenHiage. and especially so when be
rode 81 horseback every afternoon % his
cottage at the Soldiers Home. accom-
panied by star Of brilliantly uniformed
effiee1s. In speaking, he had a peculiar
csde1ce N his voice This was caused b
Special emphasis on some word near the
riddle Of the sentence and 2 stronger o1e
on TIE last word He spoke very dslib-
eTateay. and his sentences were 50 care
FUZZY constructed that the two words
fhCs made prominent gave particular
point % the remark For instance. he
SAID 10 me. after narrating several
stories: They say I tel q great many
stories. : reckon I DO; but I have learned
from long experience that plain people,
take them as they run, are more easily
Influenced through the medium OF d. cad
and humorous illustration than in any
other way; and what the hypercritical
few may think don't care
Gen. Sherman told me Of an experience
of his Own with Er. Lincoln and his sUg-
sestlve method Of solving difficult prob
lens. The general said that the Prssi-
dent vas anxious that jefferson DAVIS
and the 0the- leading members OF lie
Confederate government should escape
He felt that II they were II custody It
would en1bsrrsss the object he most de-
street.-The pacifcation Of the South and
the restoration OF the Union. with the
late rebels participating as loyal citizens
in all the privileges Of American citizen
ship as before the war, under tie old fag
except slavery After the Confe6eracy
broke Up and its president and cabinet
were fugitives. the general asking fo-
orders infOrmd Mr. Lincoln that he could
locate them every night as they were
hseing along The coast. seeking trsnspOr-
IatiOn TO Cuba or Europe Mr. Lincoln
knew that Il the infamed condition OF
the popular mind the people would not
submit TO at order for their release. bur
we're crying for their arrest, trial. and
punishment So. instead Of giving any
directions he looked the general steadily
in the face for z few minutes. and then
remarked I knew a brilliant lawyer
who took 10 drink and sank into the
gutter. The temperance folks reclaimed
him. and then he became their most Sue
cessful lecturer. Returning to Spring
field. the bar gave a dinner OF welcome.
When the toast IN his honor was pro-
posed the hosts insisted the guest should
take spirits. as water would not express
the warmth Of their regard, and he final
y yielded. BY saying: Gentlemen. Il
yon can put some whisky IN my glass
unbeknownst 10 me. VIII be happy q
4 respond Jefferson Davis was captured
against the wishes q the President and
the orders OF Gen. Sherman.