The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-11-17

I remember l wore a green delaine
dress and a Paisley shawl.
"When we arrived in Freeport we
went at once to the place where the
debate was to be held. We were in
time to see the parade which con-
sistd Of a small band, a number of
wagons-floats l suppose you would
call them-and carriages. One of the
wagons was filled with girls dressed
in while holding a banner on which
we're the words: 'Winebago County
for the Sucker The other wagon
which l remember most distinctly, had
a log on it, and two men with axes
were chopping %furiously. Then he
came-Mr. Lincoln; tall and lanky,
taking long strides, and carrying a
law book under his arm. Why l can
see him just as plain as can be right
now. He marched around the stand
and Mr.. Douglas and he took their
places. AS l remember, there were
only two chairs on the stand and
When Mr.. Lincoln called for Robert
Hit the crowd was so dense that the
reporter could not walk through and
men lifted him above their shoulders
above the crowd and carried him to
the side of the platform. The people
pressed forward as close as they
could and we were about as far as
from here to the porch railing "a dis
lance of 10 feet). 1t was very warm
in the sun as there were few shade
trees and my husband held an umbrel-
la over me, and my baby slept quiet
in my arms. He was the quietest
child in the crowd.
"Then Mr.. Douglas began to speak.
He was followed by Mr.. Lincoln. Oh.
the contrast in the two men! Mr..
Douglas was short and stout and had
dark red curly hair and much of it.
His delivery was vigorous, with much
gesturing; his speech brisk and clip
ped. He used his head to emphasize
his statements and the red curls shook
in the sun as he jerked it. l remem-
Der a man, in a monstrous wide
brimmed hat whom we called "Secesh
Brown stood near us, and oh, how
he would applaud Douglas state
ments.
"After Mr.. Douglas sat down Mr..
Lincoln arose to his great height,
stepped forward, put his hands behind
his back and spoke solemnly; MY
friends and my opponents He GEES
tured not at all, and he spoke de-
liberately, using simple language that
we could all understand. He did not
speak at great length, but everything
he said counted, and we believed in
him.
"Those were most stirring times and
at every neighborhood gathering the
subject was discussed, sometimes the
arguments becoming most heated. MY
husband had read everything he could
find on the great question of slavery
and was highly elated owe the mas
terful way in which Mr.. Lincoln hand
led the arguments of his opponent
We felt that we had heard a remark.
able discussion of a most vital issue,
"When I revisited the spot with
my daughter and her family two years
ago, although there are many build.
ings there now, I could call to mind
the whole scene of that day; the
crowds and those two figures on the
stand. That was a wonderful time
in which to live"
Mrs. Hamilton will be 80 years ole
in February. She is the mother of II
children, 7 Of of whom are living; II
grandchildren and II great-grandchil'
dren. She has a little home of hel
own in Pe~catonica in which she lives
by herself, carrying on her household
duties in a manner which would put
shame to many younger housewives
Milestone Messenger.