Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; King, Turner R. 'Turner R. King (William H. Herndon 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=herndon464b.html

McLain Station McL. Co [1865 — 66]

Turner R. King

I Came to Ills in Dec 1840 — Knew Lincoln as Early as 1840 — & 1841. In March 1841 I used to see Mr. Lincoln — hanging about — moody — silent & &c. The question in his mind was Have "I incurred any obligation to marry that woman". He wanted to dodge if he could. Douglass ^[1] was Secy of State when I came here — . Calhoun & Lincoln discussed the tariff: they were the best debaters — most Logical & finest debates on the Tariff question in the State ^[2] — Lincoln & Cartwright became candidates for Congress in 1846. The leading democrats gave up the Contest — Conceding Lincoln's Election —

Lincoln took his seat in Congress in 1847. Mr Lincoln had me appointed Register of the land office. I was then a resident of Tazewell Co — came to Springfield

In his political Speeches he was candid — fair — honest — Courteous — and [manly?] to his opponent. He stated his propositions Candidly — Clearly — He required to be Kicked — roused to be at himself —

I don't think Mr Lincoln approved in toto the Compromis —

Once I hired him in a trial. The opposite Atty spoke sharply: Mr Lincoln looked at him Keenly sharply — for an instant — Crushed his anger and Inquired who that man was. Lincoln could not & would not bear insolence &c from no man.

Lincolns wife was a hellion — a she devil — vexed — & harrowed the soul out of that good man — wouldn't Cook for him — drove him from home &c — often & often —

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3959; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:172 — 73

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