Franklin County: "The Election of Lincoln," by unknown, June 25, 1920
Summary: Description of how residents of Greencastle heard of Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860.
How the Mews Came to Greencastle and by Whom Brought on a C. V. R. R. Hand Car from Chambersburg
The Parties Were Jacob Stover, Michael McHogan, Daniel Stover, Samuel Illginfritz and David Ziegler
It is always with interest that we note anything associated or connected with the life of Abraham Lincoln. He was not only the highest and best type of American manhood but one hundred per cent American. His simple life brought him close to the people. It is an inspiration for every American boy however humble his home in entering upon or fighting the oattle of life to remember and compare advantages with Lincoln. Few will find the obstruction, such as lay in his path, but many will be the advantages favorable to the young of this day and generation.
His life of earnest endeavor and never tiring will to accomplish something in life worth the effort, overcome his lack of education, admitted him to the bar, brought him face to face in a joint discussion with Douglass, from his own state, Illinois, and introuduced him to the people of the United States, which secured him the nomination for president in 1860. To know Lincoln was to be his friend.
His was the second nomination by the Republican party. Feeling ran high. The Democratic party was in power and the South was in the saddle. Every energy of the Republican party was mustered for victory and when it came Greencastle like all other sections of the country was prepared to give it promptly to the people with the least loss of time.
In order to do so, and as the towns telegraph service was not so perfect as today, Jacob Stover, David Ziegler, Samuel Illgenfritz, Daniel C. Stover and Michael McHogan, secured the C. V. R. R. hand car and worked their way to Chambersburg in time to be present and hear the election returns as they came into the office of the late Colonel McClure, who was state chairman of the Republican party, where they were given out to the crowd that had assembled both on the in and outside. According to Uncle Jacob's story the returns were slow in coming in but finally the tick of the instrument was heard that relieved the wires that carried the news which formed the basis of Lincolon's election. "New York City twenty-five thousand democratic.', read the telegram. Colonel McClure sprung to his feet and said; "That insures the election of Lincoln. The Republicans will come to Harlam river with from seventy-five to a hundred thousand of a majority." Three cheers for Lincoln, and before the excitment had died down every piece of furniture in the office was broken to pieces.
As the news came in it proved the wisdom of his judgment and when the returns assured the election of Lincoln beyond all question of doubt the hand car was again pressed into service and with all spend rushed to Greencastle to make known the result, which was waited in suspense by the people. On arriving in Greencastle the news of Lincoln's election was made known and a crowd soon assembled among which was Doctor Davison in his night clothes. There was great rejoicing and a demonstration followed.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Kauffman's Progressive, June 25, 1920
