Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-11
ABE LINCOLN
OBJECTED TO
FARMERS LIFE
Disregarding His Fathers
Wishes, He Leaves Old
Cabin Home.
SOME UNTOLD STORIES
By WILLIAM F. SULLIVAN.

By WILLIAM F. SULLIVAN.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, Feb. n.-Abra-
ham Lincoln, the great emancipation,
would have been a farmer had he fol-
lowed the inclinations of his father and
had he been satisfied with the impover
ished surroundings Of his boyhoOd days.
But the immortal Lincoln, whose 18th
birthday is being commemorated by the
nation and the world today, had loftier
ambitions and, further a hatred for the
rustic life of a soil tilIer.
Scarcely had the man who later became
one of the greatest figures in American
history becomes old enough to shift for
himself than he left the home Of his ia
Their and stepmother, which was a small
cabin located on what was known as
Goose Nest Prairie, near Charleston, Ill,
in Coles County.
This was not the home in which Abe
was born, but where his father settled
after coming to Illinois. Lincoln was
born in a log cabin on a barren farm in
the backwoods of Kentucky, three miles
west of place called Hodgensville.
SPENT YOUTH
IN INDIANA,
When he was years old his family
moved to a town called Gentryville, in
Spencer County, Indiana, where his
u.
Shortly afterward Ltncoln's father was
remarked to the widow Sarah Johns
ton, a Kentucky girl, and the family
moved over into Illinois, where his father
settled. The trip of the LincOlns from
Indiana to Illinois was made in wagon
drawn by four oxen.
When Lincoln left his fathers country
home in Coles County he moved west
into Illinois and first settled at Salem
near Springfield
Lfncoln's early life was one Of many
struggles, hardships and of poverty. Al
ways a plain man, he was first of all a
''man of odd jobs" rail splitter, black
smith, store clerk and trader before he
practtced law. He later entered politics
One Of the most interesting books on
the early days Of Lincoln, much of which
has been untouched upon by historians,
IS in the possession of Dennis Hanks
Downing. a blood-cousin Of The Civil War
President, who now resides in Spring
field
Downing's "scrapbook," upon which
he has spent more than forty years, con
tatns a vast collection of interviews with
men who knew Lincoln personally, of pic
lures depicting the poverty of his sur
roundngs and numerous other interest
ing facts Of Lincoln's inner self. Among
the collection Of pictures is the first
photograph ever taken of Lincoln.
Dowliug's mother, Sarah Jane Bowling,
was a second cousin of the great Presi-
dent and spent many years near the fam
lily when Lincoln lived in Coles County
She knew him personally and often cor
responded with him after he was elected
to the presidency.
In later years, Bowling said, his moth
er often held him on her lap and told
many interesting stories about Uncle
Abe" on the morning following the
night when Lincoln was shot she was
telling the family at the breakfast table
Of a dream she had of the President
when a neighbor brought news Of the
assassination. Mrs. Bowling always
thought her dream was a premonition Of
Lincoln's death.
sTEPMOTHER's
OPINION.
Dowlings book. which he terms lin
coins Life from the Cradle to the Grave"
contains q newspaper clipping Of an in
terview with Lincoln's step mother in
which she says:
Il think the first time I saw Abe he
was the ugllest chap that ever OBJ
structed my view. But he was honest
to the core. He would not drink, but at
times highly-polished cuss word would
escape his lips"
The face of Lincoln is often referred to
as having had the look of deepest sad
ness. Judge 0. B. FickIIn, who lived at
Charlestown. and who served In Con
gress with Lincoln, is quoted in another
clipping in the Bowling "reminiscences
as saying:
He was naturally respondent and sad,
Ike many another who has made mirth
for a merry company. He could tell a
story to make a group roar with laugh
ter. but when his face was unlit with
pleasantly it was dark, gloomy and pc
culiar"
HATED WORK
ON FARM
Another clipping quotes Capt John
Easton, d close friend Of Lincoln, with
the following:
Lincoln hated farm work and would
rather do odd jobs around town than
work on the farm. He was a great boy
for wrestling and, with his powerful
stature, could throw any one In the com
munity.
After failing in business at Salem,
Lincoln tried for the Legislature, but
was defeated in his first attempt. He
was elected In his second race and served
four terms in the Legislature, entering at
the age Of 25, in 1884. and serving until
1872.
When nearly 80 years Of age Lincoln
was married to Mary Todd Of Springfield
The wedding was held in a private
house on Nov. 4, 1912, and was an i'm
portant function. for it was the first
Episcopalian wedding that good society
III Springfield had witnessed.
During the wedding ceremony Lin
coin is said to have startled old Judge
Brown of the Illinois Supreme Court
when, fin lawyerlike terms. he is reported
to have turned to the bride and said:
..LNith this ring I thee endnLE with al