Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Richardson, Joseph C.. 'Joseph C. Richardson (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=herndon119.html

& Reuben got into bed with Charles' wife, by accident as it were. Lincoln, I say was mortified & he declared that he would have revenge. Lincoln was by nature witty & here was his Chance. So he got up a witty poem — called the Book of Chronicles, in which the Infair — the mistake in partners — Crawford & his blue nose Came in Each for its Share — and this poem is remembered here in Indiana in scraps better than the Bible — better than Watts hymns. ^[4] This was in 1829, and the first production that I know of that made us feel that Abe was truly & realy some. This called the attention of the People to Abe intellectually. Abe dropt the Poem in the road Carelessly — lost it as it were: it was found by one of the Grigsby boys Satirised who had the good manly Sense to read it — Keep it — preserve it for years — if it is not in Existence now.

Grigsby challenged Lincoln to fight. Abe refused. Said he was too big — Johnson — Abe's step brother took Abes part — Shoes — met at the old School house — Johnson got whipt — worsted rather — Richardson Says that Lincoln was a powerful man in 1830 — Could Carry what 3. ordinary men would grunt & sweat at — Saw him Carry a chicken house made of poles pinned together & Covered that weighed at least 600 if not much more. Abe was notoriously good natured — Kind and honest. Men would Swear on his Simple word — had a high & manly sense of honor — was tender — gentle — &c — &c — never seemed to care for the girls — was witty & Sad and thoughtful by turns — as it Seemed to me.

God bless Abe's Memory forever

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2330 — 31, Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2333 — 34; Huntington Library: LN2408, 1:125 — 28