Pueblo chieftain., 1922-02-12

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, Fed. u.-Lln-
coins autobiography. or rather auto
geographic sketch. in December, 1853,
after repeated solicita ton by his. clos
est friend. Jcsec w. Fell of this city.
is still in the possession of Mr..
Fcll's descendants. 1t is ycllowed by
age. Mr.. Fell played no small part in
bi inging about Linculns nomination
for the presidency.
In the fall OF 1858. during the Lin
| coin and Douglas debates. Mr.. Fell
Travelled over the country quietly
. sounding the praises OF Lincoln and
appointing licutcnants and campaign
managers. Finding that there was
much curiosity concerning Lincoln's
I l:fc history. he Judged 1t advisable TO
procure biography TO be utilized IN
part for campaign purposes. After re,
pcated requests Lincoln finally placed
in Fcli'a hands the mapuscrfpt written
with that freedom and unrcscrvc which
one friend would display in talking to
another, and In which Lincolns
peculiar conversational style is hap
PLY Illustrated. This sketch. which
was never intended for publication.
reads: .-.--- .--s .---.'
BORN OF SECOND FAMILIES
L was born February IL. 1909. in
Hardin county Ky. My parents were
born in Virginia OF undis.inguishcd
families second families. perhaps
should say. My mother. who died in
my tenth year. was OF family OF
the nnsnc OF Hanks, My father was
but six years OF age when his father
died and he grew up literally without
education. IL. removed from KEN
lucky to what is now Spencer county,
Indiana. In my eighth year.
We reached our new home about
tho time the state came into the un-
g.ts IL "a ,XftI region with many
bears and other wild animals siil! in
tho woods. There | grew up. There
were some schools. so called, but no
qualification was ever required OF
teacher beyond rcsdin'. within ana
ciphcrin' 20 the Rule OF Three. III u
strag.ler, supposed to understand
Latin, happened 10 sojourn, i'll the
nc.ghboriruotf. nc was looked upon as
1, wizard. There was absolutely moth
ing to excite ambition for education.
OF course when | came of age l did
not know much; still. somehow l could
read, write and cipher to the Rule of
Three, hut that was all. | have not
been to school since. The little ad-
vance | now have upon this store OF
education | have picked up from time
to time under tho pressure Of ncccs-
sity.
4 was raised TO farm work.
which | continued Till I was twcnty-
1Nhs ~ ANfHAN WV = Nf''"' ~
nois aud passed the Grst year In Ma
con county. Then | got to New salem,
"A; that time in Sangamon now Men,
ard, county. where ! remained year
as II sort of clerk in "A store. Thcn
came the Black Hawk war. and l was
elected {, captain OF volunteers. a sue
ce -p that gave me more pleasure than
anything | have had since.
Ills ONLY DEFEAT.
.Tha next year, 1852. | ran for the
legislature. but was defeated. the only
time | was ever beaten by the people.
Th. next aud three succeeding slcc-
tIous I was elected to the legislature.
| was not a candidate afterward.
During this legislature period had
studied law and removed to Springfield
To uracticr, II. In 1871 | was elected
to tho lower house In congress. Was
not a candidate for recollection. From
fSit to 1854, both inclusive, practiscd
law more asshluously than ever be-
fore. Always a Whig in politics and
generally ON tho Wing electoral tickets
making active cauv1sscs. ] was losing
interest In politics when tho repeal OF
the Missouri compromise aroused inc
again. What | have done since then
ia pretty we'll known.
"ff ma, personal description Of me
is thought desirable it may hc said
that AIN in height feet inches.
nearly: loan IN flesh. weighing on an
avcrag GO isn pounds: dark complexion,
with coarse black hair aud gray eyes.
No other marks or brands rccollectea.
Your very tflf'y, g.. 49,
"A. LINCOLN.