The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-02-07


ciined, in such q matter. we know. to the most
morbid view. The upxhot was at all events
that on New Years day te41. the very day. AZ
one account has 1t. which had been set for the
wedding. he broke the engagement. According
to Herndon. one Of his biographers, who was also
his law partner he broke II as publicly a. pos.
sibly by falling to make his appearance the
appointed wedding day. The engagement was
broken, no doubt OF that; but Herndons account
OF its breaking 10 not well authenticated.
Lincoln took this trouble deeply to heart. He
abandoned his business and went away to forget
1t the following summer. making visit with that
purpose to his old friend Speed in Louisville KY
From this trip he returned in a better frame OF
mind. This, perhaps, because he had been called
upon there to counsel with and resolve some
doubts OF Speed regarding his own approaching
marriage Lincoln and Miss Todd remained
reconciled for year and half. In the summer
OF 1912 they were brought together Unexpectedly
by mutual friends. and met secretly several
times later at the house OF Mr. Simeon Francis
At length the engagement renewed This
came about through circumstance OF serio
comic features In which they both had part.
This circumstance is a story In itself II in
wolves, besides the two principles. James Shields
the same afore referredfto one OF Miss
Todds admirers. He was an lrishman OF ability
and courage he afterward proved the bat
tleneld in the Mexican war, when. to cleanse
wound through the lungs q silk handkerchief
was drawn through his body
At the time OF the Lincoln affair Shields was
leading Democrat OF Illinois and held the ONCE
OF auditor Of state. He quick, impulsive
man. whose disposition put him often the
defensive with the Wing leaders for the Repub-
lican party then unborn. or these Wing
leaders in that state Lincoln then was one. Now
IL the custom at that time to carry much
political controversy through the press by means
OF personal communications, such as we know
Letters from the People" Great space
and attention were given these in the newspapers
In that day.
Just about that date Lincoln furnished such a
letter to Springfield paper: it was signed Aunt
Rebecca. and in II Shields whose vanity and gal
lantry often made him a mark. most unmer
cifully rdiculed It made hit. this letter, and
Miss Todd and friend. it's real authors by the
way, followed It up with another and with some
doggere rhyme. which reached the paper In the
same manner the frst
Springfield laughed loudly at these commun
cations-not much at the matter OF them az
at the anger displayed by Shields. He acted
promptly, sent friend at to the editor OF
the paper to demand the name OF the writer OF
the articles. Dueng then still a common
incident OF public life and the editor called upon
Lincoln. who. unwilling TO bring the ladies' into
the affair. gave his own name as the author
While he was at fremont the law circuit.
fifteen days later, two friends OF his overlook him
and advised him that Shields was on the way
friend arrived shortly. and Lincoln soon IN
receipt OF written demand for the satisfaction
due gentleman In q full positive and absolute
retraction This may prevent" the missive said
further. Consequences which no one will regret
more than myself"
Lincoln refused to apologize. Seconds were m
mediately named hitesides editor OF the pa per
In which the matter had appeared. for Shields:
Il. II. Merryman for Lincoln. The seconds talked
OF peace but Whitesdes refused to discuss such
settlement with his principal why" he said
he'd challenge me next and rs soon cut my
throat as mott
That night they all went back to Springfield
with Lincolns preliminaries to follow, since he
was the challenged party, namely these:
Weapons cavalry broadswords.
Time, Thursday evening at o'clock
Place. within three miles OF Alton, on the op
posite side OF the river Mississippi. t
On the End OF September 1912. they were all
upon the ground. The arrangements for the ar
fair were about completed when the party was
Joined by friends. Among them was Colonel
John II. Hardin. who knew Lincoln well He
had been warned of the fight by Eliza Lott. who
had heard OF II when the duelists stopped to
breakfast going out. Colonel Hardin and the rest
managed to satisfy Shields that Lincoln was not
the author of the articles. but was shielding an
other and to aid the seconds in settling the trou.
BILE with honor" as the phrase is ito all con-
cerned."
Less than two months later a marriage license
for Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd was issued
Miss Tarbell describes the event as almost i'm
promptu." The ceremony interrupted meeting
OF the Episcopal Sewing society at the house OF
Miss Todds sister, the Mrs Edwards already
mentioned.