480

374. John T. Stuart (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865 — 66]

Jno T Stuart

Says from 1830 up to 1837 the tendency in Illinois was for every man of ambition to turn Democrite — Ford Forquer — Cartwright.

There was a fear that the Yankees about 1832 to 1837 imigrating to Ills would be whig — but when they got here were no more than democrats — and this [illegible] and changed all.

That in 1834 at Danleys Abe came to him and Said, Stuart the Democracy want to run me &c that Stuart Said — Run. That the Democracy did drop 2 of their men — and run Abe & Dawson — came near beating Stuart.

That Sangamon Co was Democratic till 1834 and in 1836 & 7 it became Whig — Herndon & others went for White of Tennessee and this Settled Old Sangamon for nearly 20 ys —

Lincoln stood true to his ideas of Whiggery —

It was the custom to Stump it all over the Country.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 2251; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:198 — 99

nts

Notes.

1. In describing this episode to John G. Nicolay, Stuart said: "I remember we were out at Danleys on Clear Lake. They had a shooting match there. The country people met to shoot for a beef (the candidates as was the custom were expected to pay for the beef.) and we were there electioneering" (Burlingame, 11). Clear Lake is about six miles east of Springfield.

2. Archer G. Herndon.

3. Hugh L. White.