Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Graham, Mentor. 'Mentor Graham (William H. Herndon Interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: letter]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon242.html

April 2d 1866 ^[1]

Mentor Graham

I Knew Miss Ann Rutledge — took sick while going to School — Lincoln & her both were stayting at My house. They Rutleges came from White Co Ills. Rutelege & Cameron built the Salem Mill, about 1828 — I saw the dam Commenced. Miss Rutledge died about 183. or 4 — She was about 20 ys — Eyes blue large, & Expressive — fair complexion — Sandy, or light auburn hair — dark flaxen hair — about 5-4 in — face rather round — outlines beautiful — nervous vital Element predominated — good teeth — Mouth well Made bautiful — medium Chin — weigh about 120 — 130 — hearty & vigorous — Amiable — Kind —

[illegible] — tolerably good Schollar in all the Common branchs including grammar &c. She was beloved by Every body — She loved Evry body. Lincoln and she was Engaged — Lincoln told Me So — She intimated to me the Same. He Lincoln told Me that he felt like Committing Suicide often, but I told him God higher purpose — He told me he thought so somehow — couldn't tell how — He said that my remarks and others had often done him good

She dressed plainly, but Exceedingly neat, was poor and Could not afford rich Clothing.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2539; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:252 — 53

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