work at that time was breaking fifty acres of prairie with four yoke of oxen. The expectation that their new home would be a more healthy location, proved to be a sad disappointment. In the autumn of the first year, nearly all of the new emigrants were afflicted with fever and ague. The winter of 1830-31 is remembered as the winter of the "deep snow." I quote from an address by President Sturtevant, before the old settlers association at Jacksonville: "In the interval between Christmas, 1830, and January, 1831, snow fell over all central Illinois to a depth of fully three feet on a level. Then came a rain, with weather so cold that it froze as it fell, forming a crust of ice over this three feet of snow, nearly if not quite strong enough to bear a man, and finally, over this crust of ice there was a few inches of very light snow. clouds passed away, and the wind came down upon us from the northwest with extraordinary ferocity. For weeks, certainly for not less than two weeks, the mercury in the thermometer tube was not, on any one morning, higher than twelve degrees below zero. This snow fall produced constant sleighing for nine weeks."

The

In the spring of 1831, the Lincoln family retraced their steps in part, leaving Macon for a better locality in Coles county, not far from Charleston. That continued to be the home of Thomas Lincoln until his death, which occurred January 17, 1851, in the seventy-third year of his age.

After the removal of the family to Coles county, Abraham never made his home in his father's house. During the winter of the deep snow, he made an engagement for himself, his step-brother, John D. Johnston, and John Hanks, a relative of his own mother, to take a flatboat to New Orleans. They were to meet their employer at Springfield, which they did about the first of March, to learn that the enterprise

was a failure, in consequence of the inability of their employer to obtain a boat.

An arrangement was then made for the three to build a boat at Sangamo, on the south bank of the Sangamon river, about seven miles northwest from Springfield. After the boat was finished, it was floated down below New Salem, now in Menard, then a part of Sangamon county, where the boat was loaded for the trip, a part of the cargo being live hogs. The voyage was a success, the running of the boat and selling the cargo being under the direction of Mr. Lincoln. On his return, he became a clerk in the store of Mr. Offutt, who had fitted out the boat. store was at New Salem, a town now extinct.

The

In connection with all the hard labor he had performed, Mr. Lincoln was a constant reader, making the best choice he could from the scanty materials to be obtained. While clerking in the store at New Salem, he borrowed a copy of Kirkham's grammar, and mastered its intricacies. It was while he was clerking in this store that the people began to call him "Honest Abe." After spending about one year in the store, his employer failed, and he was thrown out of business.

In 1832, the Indian war, headed by the chief Black Hawk, broke out, and young Lincoln, now twentythree years of age, enlisted for the fight. When the time came for the election of a captain for his company, a Mr. Kirkpatrick was candidate. Mr. Lincoln had previously worked for Kirkpatrick, and found him so tyranical that he refused longer to remain in his employ. Lincoln was put forward as a candidate for the same office, by a party of young men, without any aspirations for the office on his part. The candidates took positions some distance from the men, and at a given signal they fell to the rear of their favorite. Lincoln received about three-fourths of the votes. In after life he often referred to this incident, and con

fessed that no subsequent success gave him half the satisfaction that this election did. Captain Lincoln's company did a great amount of marching, but was not in any battle. The time for which the men enlisted expired before the closing of the war, and many of them went home, but Captain Lincoln and some of the men re-enlisted and served until Black Hawk was taken prisoner and his followers dispersed.

The rendezvous of the soldiers before starting for the enemy was at Beardstown. While in camp, Captain Lincoln became acquainted with Captain John T. Stuart, who was soon after elected Major of a spy battalion. Thus commenced the acquaintance between these two men which ripened into the closest friendship and continued until the death of Mr. Lincoln.

After his return from the war, Lincoln became a candidate for the legislature, but failed to be elected, not for want of personal popularity, but because he espoused the weakest side in politics, being a Whig. The official poll-books for New Salem precinct, where he lived, show that Lincoln received 277 votes, when at the same time the combined vote of the Whig and Democratic candidates for congress was only 276.

Being out of business, Lincoln was about to commence learning the trade of a blacksmith, but soon abandoned the idea, and took an interest in a store. That proved to be unprofitable, and he abandoned it in about one year, because he was unable to pay his debts. He was postmaster at New Salem during the time he kept that store, which gave him access to all the newspapers he could read. The postoffice at New Salem was abolished while he was postmaster, and the business removed to Petersburg. The village of New Salem in a short time ceased to exist.

Soon after his failure in business, a chance for remunerative employment presented itself. John Calhoun, who many years later took part in the Kansas troubles, was, at the time we speak of, surveyor of Sanga

mon county. He was anxious to have an assistant whom he could trust. Having observed Lincoln's studious habits, and knowing him to be honest, he told him that if he would study surveying, he could have all the work he desired, and be well paid for it. Calhoun offered the use of the necessary books. Lincoln accepted them, and in a few weeks was ready for the business, and followed it more or less for two or three years. During that time he did the surveying in laying out the town of Petersburg, the county seat of Menard county. He also surveyed much of the surrounding country.

In 1834, Abraham Lincoln was again a candidate for a seat in the legislature, and was elected, receivthe highest vote cast for any candidate. When the time arrived for the assembling of the legislature, Lincoln laid aside his compass, and with a package of clothing, went on foot to Vandalia, the capital of the State, about one hundred miles distant. Hon. Jesse K. Dubois-then a Representative from Lawrence county, but now of Springfield-and Lincoln were the two youngest members of the House. That session commenced in December, 1834. During the whole time, Lincoln said little but observed all that was done by others. He was constantly in his place, and faithfully discharged every duty assigned him on the various committees. Major John T. Stuart was one of Lincoln's colleagues from Sangamon county, and they roomed together at Vandalia. As they were taking a walk one morning after breakfast, Lincoln asked Stuart's advice with reference to the study of law, and Stuart advised him to begin at once. Lincoln said he was poor and unable to buy books. Stuart was already in a successful practice at Springfield, and offered to loan him all the books he would require. The offer was gratefully accepted, and when the session closed, Lincoln returned home as he went -on foot. When he was ready to begin his studies,

Mr.

he walked to Springfield, a distance of about twentyfive miles, borrowed enough books to make a commencement, and returned with them to New Salem. He would study as long as his money lasted, and as the opportunity to do more surveying presented itself, he would earn all the money he could and return to his studies.

In the autumn of 1836, Mr. Lincoln was admitted to the bar in Springfield, and about the same time reelected to the State Legislature. Sangamon county was entitled to two Senators and seven Representatives. At that term the entire delegation were so tall that they were then and have always since been called the "Long Nine." Some of them were a little less and some a little more than six feet, but their combined height was exactly fifty-four feet. None were taller than Abraham Lincoln. The statement written by himself, in December, 1859, at the request of Hon. Jesse W. Fell, of Bloomington, contains this paragragh: "If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said I am in height six feet, four inches nearly; lean in flesh; weigh, on an average, one hundred and sixty pounds; dark complexion, with coarse, black hair, and gray eyes-no other marks or brands recollected." It was at the session of 1836-7 that the capital was removed from Vandalia to Springfield. At the close of that session, Mr. Lincoln walked home as before. His Springfield friend, Major Stuart, at this time made him an offer to become his partner in the practice of law, which he accepted, and from April 27, 1837, Springfield was his home. Here he was warmly welcomed on account of his efficient aid in securing the removal of the capital to Springfield. The people were still anxious to keep him in the Legislature, and he was elected in 1838 and again in 1840, but after that declined to be a candidate.