Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Armstrong, Hannah. 'Hannah Armstrong (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=herndon525b.html

A few days before Mr Lincoln left for Washington I went to see him — was a widow — the boys got up a story on me that I went to get to sleep with Abe &c — . I replied to the Joke that it was not every woman who had the good fortune & high honor of sleeping with a President. This stopt the sport — cut it short. — Well I talked to him some time and was about to bid him good by — had told him that it was the last time that I should ever see him — something told me that I should never see him — that they would kill him — He smiled and said — jokingly — "Hannah — if they Kill me I shall never die an other death. I then bade him goodby.

I never was in Springfield till 1859. — The stories going the rounds about jumping. I was in Springfield after my Son was cleared — saw him — shook hands with him — Saw his wife. Abe never spoke to me about his wife — never introduced me to her — thought something was the matter with him & her — The first time I went to his house knocked at the door — heard no answer — went to the back door — roused the girl — Saw Lincoln Come up Stairs

Jno. T. Stuart &c — tell it. ^[6]

You understand the customs & habits of the People of Menard in 1831 to 1837 as well and better than I do and Can write them out — am sick — want to go home — will see you in Springfield sometime — will then tell you more — Goodby &c —

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3830 — 34; Huntington Library: LN2408, 1:377 — 81