Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Dummer, H. E. 'H. E. Dummer (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=herndon442.html

331. H. E. Dummer (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865 — 66]

Hon H. E. Dummer —

I Came up to Springfd Ills in March 1832 on the Talisman — about 120 Tons — Polluck ^[1] Capt. — Mrs Polluk a hoar — The citizens gave Poluk a good reception — got up a ball — danced in the old Court house — Coming up from mouth of Sangamon River one whole week — about 45 M Straight — about 150 — When I landed in the town of Spfgd the whipping stood on the public — Court house square — State House do —

Lincoln used to come to our office in Spfgd and borrow books — don't Know whether he walked or rode: he was an uncouth looking lad — did not say much — what he did say he said it strongly — Sharply.

In 1859 I was in the Supm Court room in the State house: Lincoln was or had been telling his yarns. A man — a Kind of lick spittle — a farmer Said — Lincoln why do you not write out your stories & put them in a book" Lincoln, drew himself up — fixed his face, as if a thousand dead carcusses — and a million of privies were Shooting all their Stench into his nostrils, and Said "Such a book would Stink like a thousand privies".

Lincoln had 2 characters — one of purity — & the other as it were an insane

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