Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10
LINCOLN CALLED
IDOL OF CHILDREN
Springfield Neighbor Tells
How He Played Host to
Group at Circus.
Special Dispatch to The star.


vANDALIA, H.. February 9.--Lin-
coins last surviving neighbor Of the
time of his residence in Springfield is
Mrs. Olivia Whiteman of this city. AS
girl, she was Olivia Leidig, an orphon,
who went to Springfield when her par
ents died in Vandalia to make her
home with an aunt, Mrs. Julia Ann
Spriggs, who lived next door to the
Lincolns.
OF the many pictures which Mrs.
Whiteman recalls concerning the Lin
coin household, the most vivid is that
of the great emancipation carrying
small child, his free hand guiding an
other and troop of happy youngsters
following closely, with a circus as their
objective. She was privileged to be one
Of this little group, and due to the gen.
crosby and considerateneSS of Lincoln
toward children, she regards the period
Of her association with the LincolnS as
the happiest of her life.
Tad Favorite of Neighbors.
In both households, Olivia was a fav-
crite and Tad, the irrepresSible, harln-
scarum son of the Lincolns, passed
much of his time in the Spriggs home
Mrs. Lincoln, fearing that the mis-
chievous boy would make himself un-
welcome by his pranks, would delegate
her husband to go over and bring him
home. Entering by rear door, Lin
coin would solemnly ask, Where Is
that bad boy?" Mrs. Spriggs would de-
fend the lad, replying: II do not think
that he is so very bad. You are surely
mistaken, Mr. Lincoln"
Then Lincoln would hedge a bit. as
Mrs. Whiteman recalls. Perhaps you
are right, Mrs. Spriggs. Tad's really
not very, bad. but I don't want him to
become unwelcone over here and want
to keep track of his whereabouts"
Mrs. Spriggs would then indicate by
Q nod the hiding place of the boy, usual
~ under a bed, and Lincoln would
laboriously get down upon his knees
and drag his son from his retreat. All
enjoyed the scene, despite the fact that
1t was repeated many times, and Tad
would be carried home In triumph, high
upon the shoulder of his tall parent.
Lincoln Idol Of Children.
1t was on circus day, Mrs. Whiteman
recalls, that Lincoln really became a
king for the children of the neighbor-
mood It was his delight to seek out
the boys and girls whose parents were
unable to purchase tickets. With his
own children and a crowd from the
neighbors, LINCOLN would start out for
the white tents. He would hold up the
smaller children so that they could get
good view of the animals and other
attractions. Lincoln was ALWAYS tender
ana ocnsIderate and was fairly idolized
Dy all the children, Mrs. Whiteman
recalls.
When he purchased his Winter supply
OF hrewood, Lincoln would always order
a load left at the Spriggs door. ssHad
more IMAM we needed, so we sent it
over, was MS explanation. In the Sum-
mer, on days of extreme heat. he would
carry over piece of ice, knowing that
the Spriggs could not afford such a
luxury Had more than we could use
ano, rather than see it melt, BROUGHT a
small Dit over he would say. n MAS
the same deceit. Mrs. Spriges and the
cniidren fully understood and ali were
deeply grateful for his never-failine
kindneSs and thoughtfulness.
It was thus that Mrs. Whiteman
came to know and love the martyred
TeSloent, not as so many others have
aid claim to the honor through the
shallow contacts Of political associas
ton, the practice of his profession. ar
IN grasping his hand during q presi-
Genital campaign, but In a pre-war set
ting and with those intimate bonds
that could only be found by neighborly
oontactS.
Accompanied Wife to Church.
Although not member. Lincoln ac-
companied his wife to the Presbyterian
Church. He gave as his reason for not
joining that "he did not want to be A
eclmbling block to some one else"
Mrs. Whiteman heard the brilliant
young attorney relate many stories. ale
ways told at the right time to illus
tTate point He was rather clumsy at
dancing and persistently refused to take
any instruction In the art, much to
the disappointment of Mrs. Lincoln,
who was fond Of society. OF the latter.
Mrs. Whiteman says: Mrs. Lincoln was
always kind to her. children, although
che was prone to excitability and rather
nnpulsive, saying many things that
we're sharp and caustic, and which she
6fterward usually regretted She was
extremely ambitious and very proud of
her sons.
She was likewise a prophecies, as
she made no effort to conceal her be-
lief that her gifted husband would
some day be President. At social func-
lions she would talk confidently of his
future, predicting his nomination and
election Lincoln always objected to
this, however. Mrs. Lincoln was