Evening journal., 1912-10-08
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Only Time Lincoln
Showed Fear
By Holland.

Aaron A. Craigin of New Hanip-
shire, represented that state in the
United States Senate at the time OF
the Civil War and during the admin
istration of President Johnson. Ear
lier, he served as a member OF the
lower House of Congress- He was an
intimate friend of Francis b. Spinner
who was the treasurer of the United
States from 1861 until 1875. Mr. Spin
ners signature was upon every green
back and treasury note issued by the
government during that period. II
looked like a miniature Egyptian la
byrinth and il was always a source OF
great amusement to President Lin
coin, who was in the habit. when
ever he had a greenback or treasury
note of studying for some minutes
the hieroglyphic signature, as he
termed it, of Father Spinner" as he
always called the treasurer of the
United States.
Senator Craigin was often spoken
of as the original Lincoln man in the
state of New Hampshire. He was a
delegate to the Republican national
convention of 1860 and warmly urged
the nomination of Mr.. Lincoln.
Shortly after the death of Presi.
dent Lincoln. Senator Craigin was in
in the Office of Treasurer Spinner anC
the two men began to exchange opin.
ions respecting the intellectual anC
moral character of the dead Presi
dent Both of them held Mr. Lincolr
not only in high esteem but also il
real affection.
oSpinpar said Conofor Croi o., y,
there was one thing about Mr.. Lin
coin that I think too little attention
was paid TO. have talked with (;
great niauy persons who met LincolI
under all sorts of conditions. To SOM
of them the president confessed tina
he was constantly receiving com
munications, some of which contain
/ ed the direst sorts of threats He
/ however, never showed the slightes
sense of fear So far as I know, dur
fing his entire administration BincolI
was either free from any apprehen
: sion ,or else possessed the highes
kind of courage. am sure that HI
was never really frightened
We'll, you ARE mistaken abou
that" Spinner replied. He was, a
you say, a man of very great cour
age; he was not timid. But there wa
one occasion on which he confessei
that he was actually frightened
1T happened in this way" Nh
Spinner continued Lincoln wa
chatting with a friend about a yea
after we began to issue the green
/ backs. His friend asked him how tn
] greenbacks were made lincoln de
scribed the method of engraving ant
printing and then said that after tn
notes were printed I signed them ant
the registrar of the treasury alsl
signed them. These two signatures
he said, made them good notes. H
also spoke with some amusemen
about my autograph; ne always dii
when my signature was referred to.
"'Why, Mr.. President his frieni
said to him, you don't mean to tel
me that Mr. Spinner actually sign
with his own. hand every one of thos
notes.
~ have never had any doubt abou
that the president replied
"'Why' protested the friend, don
you see that il would be a physica
impossibility? Spinner's name
printed in autographic facsimile.
"Mr. Lincoln Immediately becam
greatly concerned and sent for m,
When ! arrived at the White Hous
he asked me IL | did not sign wit
my own hand all the governmen