Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-02
LINCOLN RECALLED
|. BY PROFESSOR, g
Ewing Summers, Former Re.
porter, Tells How He Saw
odd Abe Leaning Over Rail.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.


Some time during the hfties of the
last century a tall, gangling man was
4be subiect of holly disputed sena-
to,daI nomination in the Illinois State
Slavery was creating as much agita-
tion and party splits as is prohibition
today, and while the Democrats and
the fast disappearing Wings had
united to elect the pro-slavery James
Shield to the United States senate
from Illinois, abolitionists started nols-
ilv voting for a man named Abraham
Lincoln.
a yol,np newspaper reporter, one OF
tha two who at that time took steno-
crsn1ic notes of the Legislature pro-
Seedines. nudged his companion and
said WHO is this Abraham Lincoln?"
ooh he's that tall farmer-looking
man YOU saw in the lobby. straddlng
the rail, talking to one OF the Sena-
tors" was the reply.
First Recollection.
The above is his first recollection Of
the great Lincoln, as told by Prof.
Ewing Summers, who IS now living at
the John Dickson Home and last week
celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday.
"'I later saw a great deal OF Lin
coin" reminisced the old gentleman,
who despite the fact that he is on the
last lap of a century journey through
life. has a brilliant, keen mind, and
complete possession of all his faculties.
"At the time that the Abolition1sts
started voting for Lincoln" he SAID:
"hardly any one in Illinois had heard OF
lincoln. and at that particular election
his name was dropped after the fifth
ballot, and Lyman Trumbull was nomi-
mated and later won the election by one
vote.
Democrats Split.
"I don't think Lincoln would have
even been elected President If it had
not been for the fact that at the time
of the election the Democrats split into
three pieces, and therefore the Anti
Slavery party, which had elected Lin
coin, won.
ALTHOUGH Mr.. Lincoln had tremen-
dous local popularity continued Prof.
Summers there were many who were
strenuously opposed to his election, and
the opposition was so intense that IL
was feared by many that the newly
elected President would be assassinated
before he could take his seat in the
White House"
II think one of the earliest sources
Of Lincoln'S popularity" continued the
old gentleman, was his ability to tell
anecdotes He was always telling funny
stories and would even relate anecdotes
in court, telling the story at the expense
Of his opponent"
Recognized at Death.
1t is Prof. Summers opinion that Lin
coins assassination contributed greatly
toward the country's recognition OF the
famous Presidents genius and greatness.
Although his first sight of Lincoln
was as young reporter for the Spring.
field paper, Prof. Summers relates that
he saw him frequently after that time.
II had a delightful visit with him
Just a few months before his presiden-
tial election he said. 81 was making
q covered wagon trip with my wife and
my wife's sister through Illinois. lived
about As miles from Springfield, and
while passing through that city with my
covered wagon, drawn by two horses, I
stopped IN to see Mr.. Lincoln at his
ONCE. He was extremely cordial and
chatted pleasantly for some time, even
taking ME to his Office window to show
me where he lived-a large, Imprinted
looking frame house, without any front
or back yard"
Six Weeks for Trip.
1t took Prof Summers and his family
ElA, hEChS W 4lAdAB LAD NOFCAC0 Ho6OAl
trip, travelling about 500 miles during
that time.
Prof. Summers, who during his long
life has had a variety of interests, COM
prising 20 different scientific studies,
principally botanical and nature studies:
who has written extensively spending
20 years of his life with Chicago pub
fishing house, has for the past three
years been deeply engrossed with what
he calls his --latest piaything in
vention or formation Of a universal
language to succeed Esperanto.
"Of course, realize it will never be
adopted" smiled the venerable scholar.
"but it amuses me to work with tt
have finished the grammar and have
$50 root words with which I can carry
on as complete a conversation as one
could with two-thirds of the words used
in an average conversation"
Mr.. Summers came to Washington
from Illinois several years ago 10 be
near his son, Milo G. Summers of this
city. In, addition to his son, he has
two grandchildren and three great
grandchildren.
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