Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1906 — A Lincoln Reminiscence. [ARTICLE]

A Lincoln Reminiscence.

When in the summer of 1864 the Lincolns went to live In the cottage near the Soldiers’ home outside Washington the president was dally accompanied on his drives to and from the White House by his special mounted escort of tall Ohioans. There was serious need for such an escort, for Early was not far away from the city, but the dally journey sometimes bad Its play ful side. “The Magazine of American History" quotes this reminiscence by Lieutenant Ashmun of the escort: “It was In the early autumn of that year when one morning on our ride in to the White House. ‘Tad’ Lincoln, who alone was riding with his father, demanded that the carriage be stopped and that one of the escort should climb a wayside tree and get him some persimmons. Mr. Lincoln acquiesced, and while the boy’s wish was being gratified the president turned to those nearest him and remarked upon some plowing doing near by and ended by saying: ‘I hope to see the day when our western prairies will be plowed by steam, and 1 believe it will be done. I have always felt a great interest in that subject.’ ”