The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-02-08
LINCOLN'S NOMI-
ALTON RECALLED
Continued from First Page J

Soon, however, each with two of those
from other states attending him, one
on either side, the members of the
New York contingent were lifted bod
lily TO their feet. After a momen mt they
broke into smiles and il was moved
that the nomination be made unani-
nous, and the New York delegation
joined the general shouting.
Chicago went wild. 1t seemed that
every citizen of the state was there to
shout for old Abe. No sooner had
the result been announced than crowd
of men appeared bearing black walnut
rails from Sangamon county, rails
made by the future president himself.
Shouldering these, the Sangamon coun-
ty men headed a monster parade. The
city of Chicago was crowded to the
limit. Trainloads of Seward support
ers had come from New York. Previ-
Gus to the nomination a parade of these
men, several abreast and three miles
long, had marched through the streets
| of Chicago"
II have never seen such campaign
as was waged in the state of Illinois
! just before the general election at
which Lincoln was named president of
the United States. Men even forsook
their families to work in behalf of
their beloved leader. Both parties had
companies of boys and old men, wide
awakes' they were called, to light up
the gigantic parades. The hghtbear-
ers wore coats and hats of black oil
cloth and bore oil burning torches.
ssS,,hcnutfont IN tho Hhtao.rn
tion, | attended the Illinois State Re.
publican Convention at Springfield.
All trains from every part of the state
were overcrowded and from the sur
rounding country farmers and then
entire families journeyed to the capital
! in prairie schooners, camping in the
broad fields outside the town. ac-
companied Col. Jack Miles, a native
Kentuckian, who had entered business
at Galesburg, to Sprinfeld. ! had
been fellow student of his son and
daughter at Lombard. We had been a
client at different times Of Abraham
Lincoln, and he told me that he would
be honored to introduce me to the
future president. He went early to
the Lincoln home and | was presented
by Col. Miles to Abraham Lincoln,
Mrs. Lincoln and their children. Lin.
coin shook hands with me and immedi.
ately expressed his appreciation of a
reception at the hands of the Lombard
students on the occasion of a debate
at Galesburg between himself and
Stephen A. Douglas. He had great
many admirers among the Lombard
students, and at the time of the debate
the students had presented him with q
silken banner. He asked me about
the political situation in my district
and touched on general phases of the
coming election.
I'VE had gone to the Lincoln home
early in order to avoid the crowd
While we were there people began t.
arrive by the hundreds. Lincoln, il
order to pay his respects to the fast
increasing visitors again shook hands
with us, and we left, watching tht
hordes pour into the house. The visit
ors even crowded into the pantry
They climbed apple trees in the gar
den and stripped the trees of greer
fruit, which was taken away for sou
venirs. The pickets were torn from
the FENCES around the lawn.
when | first saw Lincoln | thought
he was the homeliest man | had evel
seen. but after he had begun to talk
after his eyes lighted with that anima
tion for which he was famed forgo
his long rugged face and his hug,
ungainly figure. Something about hin
seemed to draw me to him and inspir,
a confidence and love.
'The state convention was a mer,
formality. One of the things | remem
ber was that a manager was electet
for the Illinois State Canal. had no
known that such canal existed. TIL,
chief event of the convention was tn,
public reception of Mr.. Lincoln
Mounted on great platform in from
of one of the public buildings, the plat
form reached by steps capable Of ac
comodating several men abreast from
both sides, Lincoln shook hands will
thousands. For the third time thai
day, as passed over the platform will
the great audience, shook the hant
of the great president.
'ln the afternoon speaking of i'm
portance was held at the fair ground
At least half dozen stands had beer
reared for the orators of the day
Deacon Bross, of the editorial staff O.
the Chicago Tribune, presided at thu
central stand. While the orators were
warming up some one shouted, 'OlC
Abe's coming.
"The gates to the fair grounds were
thrown open and in drove carriage il
which Lincoln was seated. 1t wal
drawn by four horses in shining har
ness Scarcely had the equippagt
passed the gates when great Grove
of men bore down upon it. The horses
were unhitched from the vehicle and q
men took their places about the pole
The carriage was drawn around th,
Playground to the central stand. The
crowd, however, had become so dens,
that it was impossible for Lincoln tt
pass through the mass, and he wa
lifted bodily, his long legs dangling
and carried over the heads of his shout
ing admirers and placed on the speak
ers rostrum. When the cheering haC
subsided he said, L understand tha
you want to see me. know that
want to see YOU After few othel
remarks he left the platform, and
never again saw Abraham Lincoln, ;
man admitted to the be the greatest o.
Americans"
Mr. Smith closed the interview will
a very beautiful tribute to Lincoln.
mot long ago." he said, Il wa,
talking with a man about Lincoln
oh, he said, Lincoln is dead-let'
discuss some man that is active anc
alive today replied:
Abraham Lincoln is not dead. A
number Of years ago | was coming by
water from Ashnrv PARK N Il