The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-03
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died few years after his father.
Robert Todd. the eldest. son. is still
living. Mr.. Lincoln was devoted to
his children and even when they were
babies he used to carry them to his
Office. Their little friends were well
come, too, and 1t was no uncommon
thing for a ellen. to find three or four
children playing about the office.
Lawyer.
Lincoln's life as member of the
Springfield bar was interesting, and
an entire book. might be written in
reference to his cases Most of his
fees were small and often taken out
In groceries, poultry, butter, etc. Even
after he had become a partner of John
T. Stuart. who was regarded as one
of the leading lawyers OF that part of
the country. he made little money,
for the account book OF this firm.
still preserved, shows that their en-
tire business for a year was not moro
than sixteen hundred dollars. Lin
coin won many of his cases by his
pointed anecdotes, which always
seemed to be on the tip Of his tongue
when he wanted to illustrate a case.
His fame as a story teller is we'll
known and served him during the dark
days of the Civil War when a witty
story sometimes shut off a discussion
which bid fair to end seriously.
Mr.. Lincoln's cross-examination of
a witness had no equal at the Illinois
bar for he had the faculty Of making
the witness tell the truth without the
usual brow beating tactics so common
at that time. One of his greatest legal
triumphs was the acquittal of a neigh
Dor named Duff Armstrong who was
charged with murder. Several Wit
nesses testified that they saw the ac-
cused commit the deed by the light
of the moon. Lincoln made no cross
examination - he merely persuaded
them to reiterate their testimony
about the moon. Finally, the exact
size and position Of the moon was
proved. When the case was ready for
the jury instead of making the usual
speech Lincoln produced an almanac
which showed that there was no moon
on the night the crime was commit
ted. The man was acquitted and the
witnesses tried for perjury.
His career at the Springfield Bar
spread over period of twenty-five
years. During the entire time he pre-
served high sense of honor. and II
he felt that his client was guilty Of
wrong doing he was usually able to
persuade the client to give up the liti-
cation.
Orator.
Lincoln's lame as an orator dates
back to his debate with Douglass in
1858. Then came his great speech at
Cooper Institute in 1850, his famous
grafton at the dedication of the Get
tysburg Cemetery in 1868. and his Sec
ond inaugural address in 1865. These
four speeches are regarded as world
masterpieces in oratory. yet they were
couched in the simplest language and
delivered almost without gestures. II
was the intense sincerity Of the speak
er which drew his audience.
He was absolutely fearless even
when quite young man and quick
to defend or assist his friends. ON
one occasion while he was making a
speech one of his friends became In
volved in fight on the edge of the
crowd. Lincoln stopped speaking and
Jumping from the dry goods box which
he had been using us a rostruyn he ran
through the crowd and seized the as
sailant Of his friend and threw him
ten or. twelve feet down hill, after
which he went back and resumed his
speech. He exhibited this same fear
lessness after he became President
and frightened the Secret Service men
by going to places where feeling
against him existed. When told that
he WAS in danger OF assassination he
paid no attention TO tho warning and
went where he pleased,
Politician.
Lincoln's political life began when
he was but Twenty-Five years Of age.
and from that day TO the time OF his
death he was a politician. Although
he several times refused nominations
he was always in the game. He came
| to Congress in 1s47, and whitc In
| Washing on, became very friendly With
Daniel Webster. who was then In the
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