The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-17
Dr. Barton's New Book Drags Into the Open
and Blasts With Disproof the Idle Tales
of Emancipator's Irregular, Birth

variations as folk song. In three cases.
those of Calhoun, Chief Justice Marshalps
son, and to a less degree Gen. Hardin, the
obvious reason is the effort to account for
Lincoln's powers by heredity. But most of
the other stories are the result of stupidity
or pure cussedneSS.
Herndon, Lincoln's partner, was the chief
instrument, along with Lamon in giving
public currency to the talk. And he was
probably honest in it. For Lincoln himself
doubtless believed that his mother was born
out of wedlock. And Herndon at first
thought he was doubtful as to who was his
own father. But. as DR.. Barton shows,
Herndon's final view was that all these
notions were without real foundation. The
author thus introduces one of his contribu-
lions of material hitherto unpublished:
There is a manuscript of Herndon's.
which has never seen the light of publicity
in which he goes further into this matter
1t is not a letter but a little treatise with
caption. For what purpose he prepared
1t l am not quite sure. He loaned it to
correspondent, permitting him to keep 1t
until he called for it, and he never called
for it.
THE little tract which / am about to
quote is remarkable document 1t was
written on four pages, letter size and for
many years was in private hands. 1t is
now in an important collection in a fireproof
and l am informed by it's custodian that it
has never been copied except by myself 1t
is safe from destruction, either by fire or
caprice, and scholars will find it as they
have occasion.
Il think he prepared this little tract be-
tween 1856 and 1871. I think it was I'm
existence when Lamon wrote his book
comparison of the language of this tract
with Lannon's reference to the zeal Of Den
nj farf h.
will, 1 think. convince the critical student
that Lamon had this before him. or at least
that Herndon had by 1871 formulated his
own ideas in essentially this form"
And this is part of the Hernd On memoran-
dunn, now first published, in Dr. Barton's
book:
The father of Nancy Hanks is no other
than Virginia planter, large farmer Of the
highest and best blood of Virginia; and ii is
blood, tinged with genius.
Mr.. Lincoln told me that she was genius
and that he got his mind from her.
Nancy Hanks Lincoln a woman of
vtry fine cast of mind, an excellent heart,
quick in sympathy, natural lady, good
neighbor, firm friend. Good cheer and
hilarity generally accompanied her; and had
she been raised at all [welll she must hav,
fiourished anywhere; but as it was she was
rude and rough, breaking, and having diff
Guilty. through all forms, conditions and GUS
toms, habits, etiquettes of society. She
coulc not be held to forms and methods Of
things And yet she was a fine woman,
naturally.
at is quite probable that knowledge Of
her origin had made her defiant and desper-
ate. She was very sensitive, and sometimes
gloomy. Who will tell me the amount and
influence of her feelings in this matter.
caused by her origin? Let the world forgive
her. and bless her, is my constant prayer.
Lincoln often thought Of committing sui
eide. Why2
did the knowledge of his mothers origin,
or his own press the thought Of suicide upon
him?
"who will weigh the force Of such an idea
as illegitimacy on man or woman, especially
when that man or woman Is very sensitive,
such Lincoln was? God help such
people!"
One of the rumors which evidently grew
cut of an honest error is thus disposed V.
II war a case of similarities.
"The man of whom have spoken as the
editor taught in village in Ohio in 1927
lad about 10 whose name he remembered as
Abraham Lnkhorn Lincoln and whose
father was named Thomas The President
elect in 1860 seemed to him to have the same
figure and features. The story of the Ohio
residence, with sufficient detail as to the re-
lation of that residence to a prior one In
Kentucky and a subsequent but very brief
one in Indiana appeared to support this i'm
preston.
But at that point the stories diverge.
Thomas Lincoln of Ohio had three sons,
There.lies before me l write letter from
John. Thomas and Ananias. He had no son
Abraham. The son whom the teacher, who
later became the editor. taught in Ohio, and
thought he recognized in the future Presi-
dent was named John, and he died in 1910.