The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-02-14
ABE LINCOLN BEFORE
HE ECAM FAMOUS

you know j haven't any learning, and
you mad better do it yourself
Inc smith then put the wedge in a
wise and, with a cold chisel, Lincoln
proceeded To cut out the letters A. L.
When he had finished he remarked:
will do"
Lincoln did not use this wedge for
spntting rails. but undoubtedly did use
IL Tor Spltting o. wood and logs Tor
fuel: Wedges, like axe were much
needed by the pioneers of Salem, they
were oIten lent and borrowed n occa-
Slohally 1t was difficult for a man TO
prove his title to any particular wedge
1885,
Incident When Lincoln Was Postmaster
Have YOU any letters or papers re-
lating to Lincoln in your possession
| ventured to ask.
Yes, have" Mr.. Spears replied
promptly. II have AN interesting per-
sonal letter which Lincoln wrote to my
1ather, but | have to tell you the his
tory or 1t before | SHOW it to you"
when Lincoln was postmaster at
Salem my father was a subscriber 10
tne Sansamon Journal of Springfield.
In those days the subscriber TO u paper
mad TO pay postage and the law re-
CURED that it be paid a year in ad-
"'>N w. IdllltE Idu IoISolttI " PoS
thls postage until 1t was long past due.
Ihen one day as he was riding along
tne road ne mot an acquaintance going
TO salem. He tossed the mar a dollar,
saying:
Give that to Abe Lincoln for the
postage on my paper
The next m it occurred to him
tnat THIS man was very fond OF old
Salem whisky and that his dollar was
not likely to reach Lincoln, 50 he called
after the man:
Tell Lincoln to send me a receipt
so won't have to pay 1t again
The mar delivered not only the dol
lar but as to the request for q receipt.
Ihls Dlunt request coming in such q
name from an old personal friend,
and not Knowing the real reason for it,
Lincoln naturally misconstrued 1t and
sent my father the letter l am going to
show you"
LincoIn's Sharp Letter.
The letter which my informant soon
produced Is not dated, but was prob
ably written in he spring of 1897. 1t
reads as follows:
Spears: At your request l send
paper. / am somewhat surprised at your
request. l will, however, comply with II.
The law. requires newspaper postage 10
be paid in advance and now that have
waited q full year, you choose to wound
my feelings by insinuating that unless
you get a receipt ! will probably make
you pay 1t again. Respectfully,
"A. Lincoln"
Received of George Spears in fun for
postage on the Sangamon Journal up &c
the first of July, 1887.
"a. Lincoln, p. M"
The site Of Old Salem has passed in
to h hands Of the Old Salem Chau-
tauqua. Until a year ago the building
in which Lincoln kept store and post
office stood in a backyard AT Peters.
burg. Some time ago u storm blew il
down and a few old weatherbeater
boards is all that is left Of it. The
counter over which he sold goods is still
in existence. The top is made of a q
inch walnut plank, while the sides are
made of oak and sycamore. Near the
C~hautauqua grounds is preserved ar
old log cabin, in which Lincoln boarded
for a short time. The g~enuineness OF
the story Of Lincoln's life in this cabir
has been doubted by some, but John @
Spears. Of Tallula says, the cabin is o
genuine Lincoln relic.