Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Speed, Joshua F. 'Joshua F. Speed to William H. Herndon' 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=herndon255a.html

Louisville, 8 May 1866.

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 6th is at hand — You propound certain enquiries as to Mr. Lincoln's habits during his occupation of the White House.

I was never an inmate of the house and consequently can know nothing definite in answer to your queries.

I would say however, from my knowledge of him and of his habits, that he worked by no rule — Saw people at all hours — eat his meals irregularly — and did things as no other man than he ever or over could. ^[1]

He was irregular in his habits of eating and Sleeping.

I remember asking him on one occasion, when he slept — his answer was — "just when every body else is tired out."

A minute answer to your enquiries could perhaps be better furnish by Nicolay than by any living man —

Your friend &c
J. F. Speed

Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:324

Previous section

Next section