The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-02-07


made the life of Abraham Lincoln a study look
upon the birthday anniv ersary something
more than the mere pas sing of milestone
Historians say that Lincoln born in Hardin
county, Kentucky. In fact, he was born in La
Rue county which, however is a subdivision of
Hardin county. ChronicIers continue with their
biographies and say that he, together with his
father, mother and a sister, went to Indiana and
entered a claim to a piece of land in Spencer
county AS matter Of fact, he entered a claim to
piece of land in Warrick county, but which has
since been set aside and named Spencer county.
Inc LIncoIns went to Indiana in 1916, the same
year that Indiana admitted to the Union as
a state. He entered quarter section of land,
built a log cabin and lived there until 1880.
1t was known that Thomas Lincoln. father of
Abraham Lincoln was in poor circumstances. To
say that Abraham Lincoln the son OF poor
carpenter and farmer gives insight to the
hard conditions that little Abe had to face when
he a youngster When he went to Indiana
he was just seven, and, remaining in Indiana until
$780, he spent IA years of his life in Indiana,
until he was twenty-one years Of age.
1t is useless to relate the idle tales of his boy
hood; but when he verged into manhood and i'm
bibed into his character those qualities and
traits that led to his greatness this part OF his
life is interesting. It is well understood that il
Lincoln had done as other boys of his day he
would have achieved only small things. But he
did not do as the young and boys OF his day,
and the ways of his early manhood are still inter
esting to young America who strive for success
and do things.
coarse food and advantages of securing an ed
ucation. Ali who knew him agreed that he
unlike other boys. He was not fully understood,
doubtless holding his real character disposition
in reserve for his intimate friends only. He was
not fond of work but whether from sheer 1azi-
ness or because he fonder Of mental exercise
in reading otherwise is not clear He enjoyed
books and is known to have borrowed much of the
reading matter of his neighborhood.
After 1920 Spencer county had at Rockport, its
county seat, a public library of several hundred
yolumns Of the standard works of that day.
Thomas Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln were at
Rockport at least two times during the year, but
the name of Abraham Lincoln does not appear as
borrower of books at the library. The field
from which Abraham Lincoln could CLEAN knowl
edge in that neighborhood very limited
though he borrowed every book that he could get.
The list is short one and the following includes
most Of them: Robinson CTusoe,' "Aesop's Fa-
bles," Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress" Weems'
Life of Washington and history of the United
States
During Abraham LincoIn's 16 years of life in
Indiana he had read and reread this list OF liter
airy and historical books and over again. His
good nature among Lincoln City people was not
unnotieed; all agreed to his honesty and good na-
ture. Questions of dispute and petty differences
were at first submitted to him in a joking way.
and later in aasineere waysu until he compli-