Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Hanks, Dennis. 'Dennis Hanks (Jesse W. Weik Interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: interview]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon653.html

Paris Ills Mch 26 1888

Dennis Hanks born in Elizabethtwn Ky May 15 1799 — moved to Spencer Co Ind in 1817 — cousin of Lincoln's mother — Lincolns mother born of a Hanks woman who had come from Va and in Ky married a Sparrow — had 8 children — 2d child was Nancy — but she bore name of Hanks although Sparrow was right name — was not illegitimate Describes visit to Wash D.C. to see about Charleston rioters who were conned at Fort Donelson ^[2] — L gave H. lots of papers directing him to go to Secrty but H. didn't know who Sec was. Sec Stanton came in while H. was in rom and asked L why in Hell he didn't hang rioters — L. directed then that pris. be sent frm Fort Donelson to Charleston to be tried which was done. Ficklin was lawyer and defended them — venue to Effingham Co. but no one appeared against them —

Thomas L & his 2d wife buried near Janesville Coles Co Ills — Tombstone placed there by Rob L. 2 years ago. —

H. has watch given him — plain silver one — given him by Lincoln when he made his first visit to Washington

One Beautiful wm at visit to W House — to see Lincoln — [three words illegible] in Rebe Army — Wrote endorsement on woman application to Secty "This woman is a leetle smarter than she lets on to be". Hanks saw L write this. H & L laughed over it. — Another poorly dressed woman came — smarter than other one. She had Son & husband in prison — wanted them out — L. turned in and wrote discharge.

Stanton says Hanks was a little bit tainted Yankee — when said Charles men should be hung Lincoln "responed if these men become good citizens whose hurt — " H asked L why he didn't spank Stanton — L told H. that he had more trouble with cabinet than all else ^[3]

Illinois State Historical Library: Weik Papers, box 1

Previous section

Next section