The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-26
Kansas Woman Was Cause of
Martyr Wearing Beard.
She Gave Advice to Man Who
Later Became President.
STILL HAS LETTER.
In ItWar Executive Made Refer
ence to AffectatiOn.
On Way to Inauguration He
Kissed the Child.

Denver. Colo, Sept. 26.-The woman
who as a child of II was the direct
cause of Abraham Lincoln's growing
a beard is in Denver on her way to
her home in Kansas. after a long va
cation in Colorado and Wyoming. She
IS Mrs. Grace BedelI Billings now, but
when, in 1860. she wrote the note
that led the President to wear a beard
for the first time she was Grace BedeII,
and her home was in Westfield, N Y.
Mrs. Billings father was a Republi-
can and had been a. Wing prior to
the formation of the later party, and
her Two brothers were Democrats. One
day in the campaign of 1850 her father
brought home a poster which had on
it pictures OF Lincoln and Hamlin,
surrounded by a rail fence. Child
like the girl told her mother that
she thought Lincoln would look better
with a beard. Her mother suggested
that she write to Mr. Lincoln telling
him of her thoughts on the subject.
Followed Mothers Suggestion.
The suggestion fell on fertile ground
and the little one began a letter which
she addressed to the Honorable Abra-
ham Lincoln Esq" much to the delight
of her sister and to her own subse-
quent dismay, after the reply had
come from Springfield. Ill, where Lin
coins home then was.
Il remember the day very well, "
said Mrs. Billings, but do not recall
the exact wording of my letter, though
I told Mr.. Lincoln that I thought he
would improve his appearance by rails
ing beard. | also told him that the
rail fence was all right. and [ agreed
that if he would grow whiskers
would try to get my brothers to vote
for him. although they were Demo-
Gratis. [ remember I said that I sup
no had little pir1g nf his
and that they would feel as I did about
those whiskers.
"a couple of days later got letter
from him. and 1 still have it among my
most precious possessions. 1t reads
this way:
Springfield. Ill. Oct. 10. 1860.
miss Grace Bedeu.
MY Dear Little MISS: Your very
agreeable letter of the 10th is received.
I regret the necessity Of having to
say that I have no little girls, but I
have three boys, one IT, another and
the youngest years old, and they
with my wife constitute my entire fam
lily.
worn any, do you not think people
would consider it piece of silly af-
fectation if I were to begin wearing
them now? A. LINCOLN"
Asked for Her in New York.
"In the latter part of February,
1851, Mr.. Lincoln stopped at West
field on his way to be inaugurated in
Washington.
"He made a brief speech from the
platform of his car and at it's end he
said: I have a little correspondent
here, and if she is present I'd like to
speak to her
Who is it?' the crowd shouted.
What is her nance
Mr. Lincoln gave my name and I
was found on the outskirts of the
throng and passed up to him. He took
me by the hand and said in that sad
voice so characteristic of him, but
with a kind smile on his face:
You see. I've let these whiskers
grow for you. Grace
''Then he kissed me. and his train
moved away.
"That was the only time ever saw
Mr.. Lincoln. but for several years I
heard from him frequently through
Mr.. Seward. After his death, Mr.. Sew
ards secretary sent me a piece of a
napkin that had been bound about the
Presidents head and which was stain
ed with his blood"