The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-17

HON. ISAAC JENkINsoN
------===-=z=
placed his signature on the outside, at
testing its legality That evening Jen-
kinson. bearing the precious electoral
certificates, left Indianapolis for his
home in Fl. Wayne. where he imme.
diately prepared for his journey to
Washington. He wrote his friend. Col.
Case, then representing an Indiana dis
trict in Congress, asking him to re-
serve a room for him at one of the ho-
tells. Case replied that he had en-
gagged quarters for him at the old
Washington house. Jenkinson took
his way to Washington, via the Pitts
burg, FIT. Wayne and Chicago road,
now the Pennsylvania line.
When he arrived in Washington he
was surprised at his welcome, for he
had no sooner reached his room than a
card came announcing that Senator
Hamlin. the newly elected Vice-Presi-
dent, was calling to see him. There
was much interest in the situation in
Indiana at that time. the state having
just come into the Republican column
through anti-slavery influences Sem
ator Hamlin and Indiana's electoral
messenger sat long discussing the af-
fairs of both Indiana and the nation.
The war cloud was rising and there
was much that was serious to talk
about.
The next morning Mr.. Jenkinson, ac-
companied by Robert Breckenridge, a
young Washington lawyer whom he
knew, went to the Capitol to perform
the duty imposed on him-that of de-
livering the returns of Indiana to John
c.. Breckenridge. then the Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States. Although
OF the same name the Breckinridges
were not related They were friends,
however. and the young lawyer had
no trouble in finding the ViceP resi-
dent for Indiana's messenger. After
formal introductions were over, Mr..
Jenkinson presented his envelope to
the Vice-President. who received sit
with smile. The package was bulky,
and told story of Democratic defeat.
That's sockdollager!" he said
with q laugh.
Hears Of Secession.
Mr.. Jenkinson then began a round
Of Washington life that gave him in.
sight to men and events. He knew
Schuyler Colfax well, and by his guild.
andce was admitted to many interest.
ing places in the capital 1t was while
sitting in the press gallery of the
house on the afternoon of December
20. 1860. that he heard of the seces.
sion of South Carolina from the Union
Jenkinson observed a member of the
house moving nervously from his seat
to the anteroms and back again. Fin
ally the man arose and asked recog.
ntion from the speaker. 1t was grant
ed.
II beg to announce to. this house.
he said, excitedly, "that have just
received "A telegram saying that my
state, South Carolina, has seeded
from the Union!"
Then he dropped into his seat.
THE announcement surprised me
most because of the manner in which
It was received" relates Mr. Jenkin
son. mot a ripple of excitement fol
lowed and the house went on with it's
business without taking notice of the
ominous announcement"
Mr.. Colfax and Mr. Jenkinson were
going down the capitol steps one after
noon when another gentleman drew ur
beside them. II was Andrew Johnson
Introductions followed and the three
walked on together Johnson began a
vehement attack on President Buchan
nunciation when suddenly a figure
strobe rapidly by them. 1t was Pres
ident Buchanan. He had heard. but
johnson did not desist in his fiery de
nunciation of the chief executive.
This story Of Andrew Johnson re
called to Mr.. Jenkinson's mind another
story. one that is of historic import
ance and relates to Indiana's part In
the nomination of Johnson for Vice
President on the ticket with Lincoln a,
Baltimore in 1864. Lincoln had beer
nominated for the second time and the
fight for the vice-presidential nomina
ton seemed to test between johnson
OF Tennessee, and Dickinson of New
York.
When Indiana's twenty-six delegate,
went to Baltimore. relates Mr. Jenkin
son, they had been instructed to vote
for johnson for vice president on ths
first ballot. Just why nobody seemed
to know, but gossip had it that in
fluence welded by Judge Gooding. 8
Union Democrat Of Greenfield, hat
brought about that end. He was 9
warm friend OF the impetuous John
son. On the night of their arrival II
Baltimore the Hoosier delegates wen
into caucus to complete plans for the
convention on the morrow. They were
for johnson, but did not seem to know
why. Their instructions from the In
diana state convention were to vote
for Johnson on the first ballot-mere
ly a. a compliment to the Tennessee
'an-and were then TO svitcA 70 Dick