Linder, Usher F.; Gillespie, Joseph. Reminiscences of the Early Bench and Bar of Illinois . Chicago: The Chicago Legal News company, 1879. [format: book], [genre: memoir]. Permission: Northern Illinois University
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=linder.html

task, until I was most agreeably surprised, a short time since, by receiving a note from his son, informing me that his father had prepared memoirs or reminiscences of the early times in Illinois, and desiring me to furnish an introductory chapter. Under any other circumstances, I would have declined the task, for I feel assured that book-making is not my forte, and my foes might exultingly exclaim, in the language of Job, "Oh that mine enemy would write a book! " I determined, however, let the consequences to me be what they might, to comply with the young man's request, and contribute my mite to bring forth the "Memoirs.".

I believe I was as well acquainted with General Linder, and admired him as much as any living man. We became acquainted in 1836 or 1837, and for years rode the "Circuit," and practiced law together; and, so far as I know, the most cordial relations subsisted between us. We co-operated (as he states in his "Memoirs") in the General Assembly to influence legislative action on the subject of railroads, and I feel fully justified in saying that it was mainly owing to his transcendent abilities that Illinois now has three railroads running across the central portion of the State, when, if his policy had not prevailed, we would have had but one. He, and the men who co-operated with him, likewise risked their reputation in stamping upon the charter of the Illinois Central railroad the taxation feature. He, it is true, could not accomplish this object in the House (of which he was a member), but it was done in the Senate, where his influence was potential. Had the stand not been then taken, such was the frenzy for railroads amongst our people that most of the charters would have passed exempting railroad, property, virtually, from taxation.

General Linder was pre-eminently fitted for describing

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