The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-14
Man Who Played Stirring
Part in Civil War Period
Tells Commercial Club
Historic Facts.
LINCOLN'S HELP TO
BEREAVED MINISTER
Unusual Trait in Great Pres
idcnt Revealed by Story
How Andrew Johnson Was
Nominated.

Compelled to be seated because OF
the feebleness of old age. Isaac Jen-
inent and venerable citizens. told in
simple and captivating way OF Incl
dents surrounding the conventions of
1850 and 1864. the elections Of Lin
coin. and other political events OF that
period, ut the meeting OF the CONNER
cial club last evening. giving those In
attendance "A vivid and realistic view
Of those remarkable times. His per-
sonal connection with many of the
important events gave him authorita-
tive knowledge and when he had fin
ishcd his narrative. told I'm "A simple
but comprehensive manner. he had
given to his audience interesting feat
urcs which have not heretofore been
connected with the prominent events.
Mr.. Jenkinson began speaking while
standing. but the strain soon proved
too much for him and he dropped into
n chair that hS'l been pushed toward
him. Seated In this way he talked en-
tertainingly for some time.
Incident Of a Cane.
Il want to tell you first" said Mr..
Jenkinson. "of a speech not made by
Abraham Lincoln, but inspired by
him. In Lincoln's home. Springfield.
ILL.,. there was Presbyterian minis
ter by the name OF James Smith. who
was great personal friend of Lin
coin. At tho opening OF the war. Lin
coin was president. Smith was at his
home In great despondency. His wife
warm Southcrner. when the first
news of the rebellion reached her. had
packed up all her effects and left with
the children for the south. deserting
her husband.
when Lincoln learned OF his
friends distress. he sympathized
deeply with him and determined TO
do the best he could to aid him. So he
appointed Smith United States con-
sui to Dunreith. Scotland. When In
Washington receiving the necessary
papers. Smith went to the White
House to say good bye to Lincoln. AS
he was leaving the president gave
him a gold-headed cane, telling him
to use II as long as he could but that
when he was through with II to pre-
sent II to John Bright, with the presi-
dents compliments.
while was consul at Glasgow. I
learned Of the serious illness of DIR.
Smith. I found him in a little house,
unattended except by an old Scotch
housekeeper. Upon one visit. some
time later. he told me that he was
soon going away. and that he would
be unable to fulfll his promise to
Lincoln to present the cane to John
Bright He gave me the cane with
the request that I give 1t to Mr..
Bright. Soon DIR. Smith died and
parents. whose death had occurred
about ffty years before in n little
Scotch graveyard.
Later presented the cane to
John Bright. He was filed with emo.
tion. and was unable to talk for some
time. Soon he began to speak, talk
Ing about Abraham Lincoln. and L
never listened to "A more wonderful
speech. The emotion soon came over
T.
can remember now very little of
what he said. but he ended with the
expression MAY God protect and
preserve for all time to come the
memory Of Abraham Lincoln
Allen Jay Saw Cane.
ALLEN Jay later told me that John
Bright had shown the cane to him and
spoken of Lincoln's Kindness.
THAT Illustrates one phase OF Lin
coins character. He was ever true
and faithful TO his friends and wher.
ever he could relieve distress he did
so.
Il attended both conventions that
nominated Lincoln. the one in Chica-
so In 1850. and the one in Baltimore
In 1864. At the first convention Sew.
ard at first seemed to be the most
likely candidate but he was little un.
popular because Of his radical ideas.
Lincoln was boosted by his friends
with great zeal. but for two days
they were unable to accomplish any.
thing. The New York crowd was in
control. making a great deal of noise
over their candidate. As IL was seen
Lincoln needed a great deal more SUP
port. one OF his managers telegraphed
TO practically all of the towns in lii.
nois urging them to send delegations
and principally NOISY" delegations.
That evening they arrived in Chicago
by the thousands. and were immedi.
Continued on Page Two,