Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Stuart, John T. 'John T. Stuart (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=herndon478.html

has just Come from Ky a Mr ____________. ^[2] After has having been here a few days the gentleman dressed up in his rich broad cloth and walked up town to the grocery — the usual and comunal place of business — of rest & fun to see the new world in which he was about to settle & landing & leaning up against a post looking on. Uncle Billy saw him — and edged his way up to him and after Shrewdly & Eyeing — penetrating the young lawyer — Accosted the young lawyer thus — "You are a stranger in these parts, I guess" and the lawyer said in reply — "Yes, Sir, I am a stranger. Uncle Billey Eyed the lawyer again from head to foot, keenly and shrewdly and thus again addressed the lawyer — "Stranger, where are you from" and to which the Stranger replied — "From Kentucky" — "Kentucky — Eh! Kentucky Eh." responded Uncle Billy. The old gentleman Eyed the young lawyer again and again — from head to foot — paused awhile — threw his keen grey Eye up to the lawyers face and interrogated the lawyer again thus — "What — might your business be stranger" "My profession is that of a Lawyer, Sir" responded the Atty. Uncle Billy now more particularly Scanned and Scrutinized the law — thought — cocked his Eye up — put his finger on the side of his nose as if in meditation &c — reflected — and thus again Said — Stranger — "May I tell you what I think of you". The lawyer rose up in a dignified way, Expecting to get a compliment from the old gentleman whom the lawyer had detected as more than an ordinary loafer — "Said — Yes Sir, I Should like to have your opinion" — Uncle Billey then put his finger on the soft part of his nose close to his cheek as if in study and meditation. Said — Stranger, I think you are — are — a damned Slim chance

Tom Edwards Story —
Stuart
Lincoln

Judge Davis
Lincoln { old fool Stories
Stuart { a Slander Case

[illegible]

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2252; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:196 — 97