Primary tabs
442
331. H. E. Dummer (William H. Herndon Interview).
[1865 — 66]
Hon H. E. Dummer —
I Came up to Springfd Ills in March 1832 on the Talisman — about 120 Tons — Polluck
Lincoln used to come to our office in Spfgd and borrow books — don't Know whether he walked or rode: he was an uncouth looking lad — did not say much — what he did say he said it strongly — Sharply.
In 1859 I was in the Supm Court room in the State house: Lincoln was or had been telling his yarns. A man — a Kind of lick spittle — a farmer Said — Lincoln why do you not write out your stories & put them in a book" Lincoln, drew himself up — fixed his face, as if a thousand dead carcusses — and a million of privies were Shooting all their Stench into his nostrils, and Said "Such a book would Stink like a thousand privies".
Lincoln had 2 characters — one of purity — & the other as it were an insane
443
love in telling dirty and Smutty Stories — A good story of that Kind has a point with a sting to it.I will give you my reminiscences of Mr L in broken doses —
Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3868; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:245 — 46