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17. J. W. Wartmann to William H. Herndon.

Rockport Indiana Thursday, June 8. 1865.

Dear Sir:

Your letter bearing date June 5th, and addressed to "Some good Union Lawyer," was, by our post-master placed in Judge DeBruler's box, and by the Judge handed to me. Judge L. Q. DeBruler, was a personal and political friend of our lamented Chief Magistrate. I will, as far as I am enabled to do so, obtain the information you desire.

Mr Lincoln, when a resident of our State resided near Gentryville, in this Co': The place is some 20 miles from here. There has been a singular fatality among his (L's) old friends within the last year. Col William Jones, for whom Mr Lincoln clerked, was killed last Summer near Atlanta. Josiah Crawford Senr., for whom Mr Lincoln split rails and pulled fodder in payment of a "Weemes' life of Washington," died only a few weeks ago.

I will visit the neighborhood of Mr L's Early life here soon and report.

I need hardly say that I was an ardent "Lincoln Man," and Esteemed him for his personal worth as well as political principles.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J. W. Wartmann

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2158; Huntington Library: LN2408, 1:170 — 71

nts

Notes.

1. Probably stripping the leaves from corn stocks, to be fed to livestock.