The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-15
Preserving the Historical.

Il ID announced that when the state con-
vention Of the Daughters of the American Rev
ciution assemblies at Jacksonville on March
q the old homestead Of Governor Joseph Dun
car will b occupied AS convention head
quarters.
Built Of oak and black walnut this pioneer
structure was erected by Governor Duncan in
1884. Three stories in heighth 1t contains II
rooms and stands on lot with frontage Of
1S5 feet. N
Following suggestion made at the Illinois
Centennial celebration held in 1918 the Jack
sonville chapter Of the D. A. r. acquired the
property as q permanent historical residence
III 1920 at cost Of $1,000. Governor Duncan
served the state from 1884 to 1888. He was
the author Of the first free school law in Illi-
no:s. which was adopted in 1925.
The Daughters of the American Revolution
4 has at present 6S chapters in Illinois. Liberal
I contributions to its work has enabled the So
c5sty to contribute generously to educational
and patriotic causes. II It were not for Or
CARNATIONS Of this sort we fear that many
souvenirs Of the olden days would be suffered
to crumble and decay and be lost to posterity.
soon be introduced into the legislature to pre-
serve and protect the only home Abraham Lin
coin ever owned, the Lincoln homestead in
Springfield
Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber. secretary Of the
State Historical society, says: "a disgrace from
which Illinois would hardly recover is con-
stantly threatened the Lincoln homestead by
the frame buildings near it. Fire may come
at any time and take from US this rich and
irreplaceable Lincoln relic. One frame house
on the north is SO close to the homestead that
persons may shake hands from the opposite
windows" Mrs. Weber says that visitors are
constantly expressing establishment that ILL
nois has not exercised better judgment in pro-
tecting this chief of Lincoln memory spots
Historical societies in various cities have ap-
proved the proposal to protect the structure
by legislative action. Besides removing houses
which constitute . ere menace a fire proof
root is contemplated to replace the present
wooden shingles. The bill proposes to condemn
an entire block about the building for use rs
state park.
Apropos OF Lincoln. the 10 sites most in,
timately connected with his life in Springfield
with bronze tablets, mainly through the ef-
fcrts Of Henry B. Rankin, S4-year-old Spring
Geld resident. who met Lincoln for the first
time when he was acting Al a messenger boy
In the court room during sessions. and who
is the author of Personal Recollections Of
Lincoln" work written during his 10th year.
Among the places to be marked is the pres
ent circuit court room where Lincoln deliv-
cred the famous House Divided Against Itself"
speech in 1858; the house where Lincoln mar
ried Mary Todd in 1872, and where Mrs. Lin
coin died In 1882; the tavern where Lincoln
and his wife nrst made their home: the Office
where he first received the news of his nomina-
ton: the site Of the First Presbyterian church,
where he and his family worshiped. and the
place where he made his farewell address to
his fellow townsmen as he left for Washington
to take up his duties as president
There is 20 much to be learned from the
past and from the men and women who made
II This and coming generations will be all
the better for the preservation Of these re-
n.inders.