OCRed data provided
for searching only. september 1865
& Reuben got into bed with Charles'wife, by accident as it were. Lincoln, I say was morti‚ed & he declared that he would have revenge. Lincoln was by nature witty & here was his Chance. So he got up a witty poem Ücalled the Book of Chronicles, in which the Infair Üthe mistake in partners ÜCrawford & his blue nose Came in Each for its Share Üand this poem is remembered here in Indiana in scraps better than the Bible Übetter than Watts hymns.4 This was in 1829, and the ‚rst production that I know of that made us feel that Abe was truly & realy some. This called the attention of the People to Abe intellectually. Abe dropt the Poem in the road Carelessly Ülost it as it were: it was found by one of the Grigsby boys Satirised who had the good manly Sense to read it ÜKeep it Üpreserve it for years Ü if it is not in Existence now.
Grigsby challenged Lincoln to ‚ght. Abe refused. Said he was too big ÜJohnson ÜAbe's step brother took Abes part Ü Shoes Ü met at the old School house ÜJohnson got whipt Üworsted rather ÜRichardson Says that Lincoln was a powerful man in 1830 ÜCould Carry what 3. ordinary men would grunt & sweat at Ü Saw him Carry a chicken house made of poles pinned together & Covered that weighed at least 600 if not much more. Abe was notoriously good natured ÜKind and honest. Men would Swear on his Simple word Ühad a high & manly sense of honor Ü was tender Ü gentle Ü &c Ü &c Ü never seemed to care for the girls Ü was witty & Sad and thoughtful by turns Ü as it Seemed to me.
God bless Abe's Memory forever
LC: HW2330¬31, HW2333¬34; HL: LN2408, 1:125¬28
80. David Turnham (WHH interview)1
Septr 15 1865
I went to David Turnhams after leaving the town of Gentryville ÜT Ülives in Elizabeth Üa town about 41Ö2 M North East ÜElizabeth has a population of about 300 hundred people Üsame size as Gentryvill ÜMr Turnham Commenced Ü
I came to Ind in the year 1819. Mch Üsettled in Spencer Co Üsettled about 3 M south of this and about 1 M North East of Thomas Lincolns Üam now 62 years. I Knew Abm Lincoln well Ü Knew his father Ü didn't Know his Mother
Ü immediately on landing in Ind I became acquainted with Mr Lincon. My father and his were acquainted in Ky ÜAbe was then about ten years of age. ÜI being 16 ys of age Ü Abe was a long tall dangling award drowl looking boy Üwent hunting and ‚shing together ÜAbe was a boy of Extraordinay mind I think
4. See Ñ72, note 6.
1. In top margin in pencil: Came by Aaron Grigsby's where abe's sister [died?] & then on next day went to Elizabeth 4 M from Gentryv.
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