No 14l 15.¢' Lincoln The Athlete ------1~

During Lincoln's life­ time, his reputation for physical prowess was a political asset. Today, it remains an important part of his image as folk hero. 1Y1e conclusion of Professor Miller's article on Lincoln as a billiards Even wilh hos supenmposed on !he body of [], player, along with the John C. Calhoun. as on lh•s 1865 pml by James F. Bodlker. U1c:oln looks capable of holdong hos illustrations on the own W11ll Geotge Washonglon (lUI• .,.,

'( f, /'(' cover and the following page, reflect different aspects of is lht quarttr1y bullttin or Lincoln's physical activity, as seen both by his contemporaries The mission of The Lincoln Museum and by future generations. is 10 inlcrprel and pre~l\"e !he hislory and legacy or Abraham Uncoln lhrough research. conscr\'allon. exhlblry. and educalion. Edllor. The Whig l'arty, to which Lincoln belonged for most of his political career. Gtrllld J. Prokopowia. Ph.O. llislorlanll)irttiOr o( l~ublic Programs was frequently tarred by its Democratic opponents as a haven for effete, Contnbutors: aristocratic dandies and weaklings. The only two Whigs ever elected to the Joan L nuupach. Dir«

J • • • I • • • ( TJ.;·~~ ~"-' tAM~~,. ~,u, ••'"· "~­ f.,.. -.u~. ~ #,~ .. .4u .,._

T H E NATIONAL . THR EE "oUTS" AND ONERUN''. ABRAHAM WINNING THE BAll.. -··- .,.. ____.. ,

Currier and lves used the popular new game of baseball as a setbng lor-----======~ this cartoon of Uncoln's dom•nanco over h•s nvals on ~the 1860 preSidentoal electoon. (tU< •34981 captain in the Black Hawk War of 1832 Of the Founding Fathers, only hardly qualified him as a military Washington is remembered for his hero, he could not follow the examples physical as \\ell as his political deeds. of Harrison and Taylor. Instead, he There are no folk tales of Jefferson benefited from widely-told stories of chopping down cherry trees, or of his strength and physical skill, as John Adams tossing silver dollars exemplified in his wrestling match across the Potomac. Lincoln's size with Jack Armstrong in New Salem and strength made him a comfortable and his legendary rail-splitting ability. partner for the athletic Washington in These stories helped to distance him the American pantheon: even had from his party's negati\'C cultural image. Stephen A. Douglas somehow won the election of 1860 and saved the Union, it is unlikely that Americans today would picture the fil-e foot four inch After Lincoln's death, the memory of "Little Giant" on the same platfonn his athleticism played a part in his ele· with the six foot two inch "Father of vation in the public mind to a status M. Leone Bracker explocotly connec1S Our Country." - GJP equal to that of George Washington. the nobli•ty of I.Jncoln's character With the manual labor of hos fronber youth ., The Raflspltffer(charcoal draWing. 1934.) (TlM 115861) And The Art Of Billiards

Conclusion to the article begun amusement of the large crowd which thing of his technique in approaching a in tire Spring 1997 issue. soon gat hered": (e) Lincoln proposed shot, the type of table, and who paid; tile game and refused Fake's offer of a spot and it acknowledges his story-teUing as (i.e. handicap) or "forty points in the social discourse during the game itself. By Tim R. Miller. Ph D. hundred"; (f) in order to play. Lincoln Unfortunately, tbe article is highly suspect. Ass«iate Professor. "di,-ested himself of coa~ waist-coa~ collar, As \\ith tile Urbana story, the l.a Salle Management Deportment and necktie, rolling his shirt slee,oes to his article lacks credibility because in October. Uniuersity of Illinois or Springfield shoulders"; (g) when shooting, he ·very 1858, Lincoln was not there.• lie may have carefully squnrl ed J himselr; (h) the game been in the area twice during the month. F. L. Fake and the was played on a "table being of the ancient On the 27th he ga,·e an address in La Salle 'Hustle'? six pocket pattern"; (i) Lincoln talked and l'ermont, Illinois, and on the 28th made a told stories, ·pemaps SC\oeral or them,· "hurried \isit" to the Tremont House in According to modem star Buddy much to the delight of the large crowd in ·ror a few moments ... on his way flail, "" in the world of pool and the "little room," as he played; Gl Fake to l'etersburg." That trip could possibly pocket billiards involves the use of the apparently won the fi rst game, because have taken him through l.a Salle and con, or scheming, for profit or advantage Lincoln refused the offer of a 50 point spot Ottawa, but there is no such indication of some variety (usually money, sex. or (in a game to 100) for tile second game, (nor or a speech or any kind). Otherwise, personal property).• This brings us to a ·saying he had not pla)oed his best game, he was only ,.;thin 50-60 miles or l.a Salle particularly intriguing article. etc."; (k) they "divided tile expense at one time that montll, at Toulon, Illinois, On February II, 1949, tile l.a Salle, the finish"; (I) much story-telling went on on the 8th; but his mo\'emcnts to and from Illinois News Tribune ran an article with by Lincoln, particularly ·or whal he did that location originated toward the south· the opening line. "llere is tile story of not know of billiards, making everybody west (i.e. Galesburg to Toulon, Toulon to Lincoln playing billial'lls in l.a Salle, which happy with a performance long to be Oqua"ka. Illinois and Burlington, Iowa).• Charles Ulysses Gordon has so kindly sent remembered"; and (m) tile participants Like\\ise. the article's reference to Lincoln's us: It is a delightful piece and rich in later ·went to Ottawa· where Lincoln and giving a speech \\ith Douglas in Ottawa detail. It contends that: (a) "one day in Douglas spoke "in the public park that during October, 1858 is troubling. He did October, 1858" (b) Lincoln "by chance" evening to a large audience." debate with ll

I e e 1 ' • • '/ I ' entered town for the debate from Morris.~ fatigued mind'." The passage has appeared a lot or things that do sound like him to the east of Ottawa (La Salle is west of elsewhere, for example in John Grissim's that I think are probably not his Ottawa). The La Salle article has Lincoln history of billiards.~ But I have been either. Because they're on subjects entering Ottawa the wrong month and from unable to locate its source, having pursued that he had no reason to give an the wrong direction• it across the range of writings by and opinion on ...."'5C Why the reference to the LaSalle about l.incoln. In a recent interview, John As should be evident by now, I believe "hustle"' Because of the context of the Grissim could not recall the comment or its that Lincoln had every reason to offer an ar1icle, which is suspicious. It was written citation, and had no notes of its origin.• opinion on this subjecL Nevertheless, to ninely-one years after the event is alleged The fact that Grissim repeated the quote date the search for the origin of this to have taken pia~. and Charles Ulysses proves nothing of its authenticity, but does passage has led down blind alleys. suggest that it has appeared in still other Gordon's source for the story is Lincoln's A more reliable first-hand attount of purpor1ed opponent, Frederick L. Fake. sources, since it's unlikely that Grissim found the passage in the Neosho. Missouri Lincoln conversing about billiards was This unverified attount of an event that recorded by J. llubley Ashton, Assistant took place when Lincoln was elsewhere is newspaper article from 1948 (when he was only seven years old). Attorney General from 1864-69. According thus drawn from the remembrance or a to Ashton, "on a bright morning in May, "Captain fake." My bet is that as these When l asked Illinois State Historian 1864 ... I accompanied my Chief to the words drift to the world beyond and are Thomas Schwartz if this quote sounded White !louse for the purpose or being picked up by the cue-spor1 hustlers of days like Lincoln he responded: presented to the President." Lincoln, who gone by, more than one has a grin. This strikes me as a bit spurious. It ·•was in the hands of the barber" at the A few other elements of the story doesn't sound like him. but there are time, "drew his feet from the chair don 'l check out. Records at the La Salle County llistorical Society show no one named Fredrick L. Fake (or "!'hake") in SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

1858, nor do they identify Charles U. Jtoe Juob, Jl.,ft n.. ltJ (; .... has no recollection of Gordon, Fake, or the D&IIJ. D .. Nrcn 11. C. • Cc.., J ...; ~... ••• ,..,. U•-• •-a.Aiu., T•rrtn J•li..., w.~:~,.. rJ. ~ Too bad, because it's a "beaut." l'n.lte;. a.. ,.'iLltera14 u~ Lt••• £ So&. t!:itkr "-.. Two Lincoln Comment$ on Billiards ••,...... J ....., Boou &:Stationery • Bnken ud Collleo- o ...... , A. 1. On August 12, 1948, the Neosho tiOJlor:L th tUr4 Nat.llaa, p,_.,., .. .l n.-. tletb..,. Cll•rf-. J•llawe £ GrWI•"- Missouri Time (probably "Times") said c.a ....., Ja ..~t , the following: "Abraham Lincoln, who lhUn··~ played billiards regularly, pronounced it as 'a healthy-inspiring, scientific game, The t859 $pringfielcl Business Directory included two billiard saloons. (Photo cour1esy lending recreation to the otherwise of nm A. Miller) on which they had been resting, and Based on newspaper and magazine I. Abraham Lincoln was a billiards wrapping one leg around the other, turned articles of the day, as well as the player. The evidence leaves no doubt of to us as for conversation." The President number of billiard licenses issued this. To argue that he was not personally outlined a problem regarding his authority and tables sold, it appears that involved in the , we would have to intervene in a contractual matter billiards was the chief sport for men to ignore the personal recollections of between a federal agency and a private in the United States from the 1850's l,incoln's seven-year circuit companion vendor, and asked his Attorney Geneml and until the 1930's." H.C. Whitney, the experiences of his Ashton their opinions. Ashton suggested Quite obviously, Lincoln's involvement long-time law partner William H. Herndon a strategy by which the President could with billiards would have been diminished would have to be set aside, and the achieve his objective through indirect had there been no place for him to play, but testimony of editor E. L. Baker (with means. Lincoln responded: the game was apparenUy quite popular in whom Lincoln spent time on the day "Do you ever play billiards," asked Mr. Springfield as well. The first Springfield he was nominated for president) and Lincoln, with a look on his face. City Directory, published in 1857, lists Assistant Attorney General Ashton would two "Billiard Saloons," the "St. Nicholas, have to be refuted. Further, the reader I replied that I did not. would need to discredit not only the under St. Nichol a~ Hotel" and "Hickox's, "Well," he said, · r thought you did, over fosselmans."" Two years later, the suspicious La Salle account but also the for your answer reminds me or the second City Directory (for 1859) lists highly plausible reports or matches in perfonnance in billiards I saw the two "Billiard Saloons," but with different Clinton and Atchison. other day, where the fellow caromed owner-operators, "Lnvenson, J." (or possibly It is true that the recollections of on the white and hit the red on the "Lavenson") and "Smith, J.P."" Keeping in seemingly all of Lincoln's companions have opposite side of any object placed in mind that many billiards tables of the era been criticized, including those of Whitney the middle of the table," and slowly were located in inns, taverns, hotels, and and Herndon. Whitney, for example. has drawing himself out or his chair, with in the homes of exceptionally pros,>erous been accused of exaggerating his personal the barber's towel still under his chin, individuals - who would have had no intimacy with the man to whom he looked he proceeded to show us, with the aid reason to be listed in the City Directory up, and Herndon's reputation has likewise of a pen, a hat, and two inkstands, as billiards establishments - it is highly been scathed. But in the case of Lincoln's how the player he spoke of could likely that other tables were in use during billiards playing they are not alleging strike a ball, on one side, and hit the period." Although it remains undocu· anything remarkable about the man. They another ball on the opposite side. of mented, I take it as certain that tables are not purporting to have some secret the hat, without touching the hat." were in Springfield before 1857, as was inside track to his friendship or confi­ This account, written shortly after typical elsewhere in the nation.Q dence, nor are they claiming any particular the pertinent event by a high-ranking In contrast, the White House did not insight into his motivation or the rationale member of Lincoln's administration, have a table during Lincoln's presidency. underlying some great e\'ent of state. They shows both that Lincoln watched billiards The first billiards table in the White are simply saying that Lincoln liked to while in the White House, and used House was placed there amid much play this game. as corroborated by Baker, bill iards as a metaphor through which to controversy in 1825, by John Quincy Ashton, and others. In point of fact. ifthere explain more substanti\'C matters or law Adams. With his defeat in 1828 at the were any reason for these associates to and presidential authority. Both points hands of Andrew Jackson - who made distort the record or Lincoln's billiards confirm Lincoln's interest in billiards. the table a campaign issue by arguing that playing, it would be to contend that he Lincoln~ Opportunities to Play it showed Adams· aristocratic nature, did not play, thereby shielding him from the two contradictory stereotypes or the era: The gante of billiards was enonnously gambling tendencies, and extravagant use or public funds (which was untrue, as the that billiards was either an unsavory game popular during the era of Lincoln• Billiards or the masses or the elitist pastime of the historian Mike Shamos has written: table was actually a privately-purchased used model) - the table was removed. idle aristocracy! During the l~'s, interest in billiards The While House remained without a bil· 2. Abraham l.iflcOIII should riglltly increased to the point that public liard table until U.S. Grant's personal table be considered a billiards "enthusiast." competitions were held for paying was installed in 1869.~ Ne,oertheleS-1, According to the dictionary, "enthusiasm" spectators. In 1858, theii\?IQ Yom 7/mes billiard tables would have been available means "absorbing ... possession or the began repMing the results of matches. in any number or public and private mind by any interest or pursuit; li\oely The following )'Car, thousands of people venues in Lincoln's Washington. interest." And an "enthusiast" is '·one filled fireman's Hall in Detroit to see who is filled with enthusia~m for some (Michael) Phelan himself beat John What it Means principle, pursuit, etc."" Thus, Lincoln Seereiter for the astronomical prit.e of would be considered a billiards ·enthusi­ Although the literature on Lincoln fifteen thousand dollars (by contrast, the ast" if he possessed a "lively interest" in as a billiards player is broader than it is first prize in the U.S. Open Pocket the sport. The author contrasts the idea deep, the following five conclusions can Billiard Tournament held 130 years later with his own view of . When asked was only ten thousand dollars) .... reasonably be drawn. to go bowling, I go and always find it enjoy· A cartoon ol the 1864 presidential election shows Lincoln comfortably winning ·a li«

") 0 ~ • portionatety long. his reet and hands were handball), apparently with regularity least partially orrsel the awkwardness with abnormally large. he was awkward in his and Interest:' Catch and handball are which he moved, and may have produced gait and actions.- He walked "crookedly" difficult ror people without minimal levels better billiards skills than would otherwise and was "inremally awkward" on hol'lle or coordination, so Lincoln's rondness be expected. back. As to his ballroom dancing skills, ror them suggests that his awkward Admilledly, this is speculati•·e. and Mary Todd. when allegedly asked. "Well. demeanor may not have been as relevant the primary point stands - Lincoln's Mary. did he dance with you the wont to his billiards skills as might first appear. billiards technique is reported to have way?" is said to ha•e responded. "Yu Ukewise. as all cue-sport enthusiasts been awkward. Ne--ertheleM. he was a ... the '-ery worst.- So. the contention know, pool and billiards are garnu calling sU'Ong handball pla)-er with a remarkable that Uncoln was a"tward which is ror mental toughness. e--en 0\'er physical mind, mental toughness. long reach. and a certainly not a characteristic usociated coordination. In that regard Uncoln stood penchant ror S)mmetry. Speculation or with biUiards suettSS - is nothing new. our. As William Barton relates, "Uncolns not. there ha•-e been billiard pla)-ers who But to say he did not appear to be ... rrequenl reeling or awkwardness. must \\-ere less \\-ell-equipped . skilled is not to say that he was lleC'e$S3rlly ha'-e made him realize '-ery early that to 5. Lmcoln 's tnlffi!SI tn bllltarrls has a poor player. As an athlete. Unroln was succeed in lire he must cuhiYate intrinsic largely gont unn011ctd b) Lincoln scholars no slouch: "in any that called ror mental ... trails."" By another acrounl and historians. I intel\iC\\-ed a dozen skill or muscle he took a li,-ely interest."" Lincoln had an unparalleled ability to Uncoln scholars ror this project, asking The accounts or his athleticism as a )'Oung rocus his mind. "No man had greater each of them two questions: "Ha•-e you man are widely known; he is said to ha•-e power or application than he," \\'Tiles personally encountered the idea that excelled at throwing things like crow Merrill Peterson. ·once fixing his mind Uncoln was a billiards player?" and "What. bars and cannon balls, and to ha\'e been on any subject, nothing could interfere ir anything, can you tell me about the idea "obviously proudest or his wrestling with or disturb him."" Or, as Whitney put that Lincoln may have played billiards?" talent, which was demonstrated time it, "his mental vision was perfect ... . Nine said they knew nothing or it (my and again."" While billiards and wrestling Inside I his mind! all was :;ymmetry and ra .. orite response was. "I don't know, did a.re quite different sports, strength is an method."" Combined with his "great he?"), two said they could reca ll something asset in both. As an adult in Springfield, rondness ror geometry,"" it is possible somewhere but weren't certain (although Lincoln played catch, ball, and rives (i.e. thatl.incoln's mental strength may have at . . .. t" ·-·

~ ·:''":" . . ·-.~ .. . -·

The Sr. N~otas Hotel. Springfield, Illinois. The 1857 and 1866city businessd~rectories listed it as the home ol a billiard saloon. (Photo courtesy ol Tim A. Miller) Tim Miller, a billiards enthusiast, began his study of Lincoln's participation in the game partly because he flaped to find that Lincoln shared his interest. As columnist Eric Zorn notes, politicians have traditionally claimed that Lincoln shared their interests and beliefs, with far less justification than Dr. Miller. This column originally appeared during the political convention season of /996. - GJP

and Republicans attempted to identify their Republican Party, he was a Whig, then the Still Trying Reconstruction prograntS with the slain party or big government, compared to the president's likely wishes. Democrat - and he made his mark in his­ to Get Right "lie was a man or great character tory leading an enonnous exercise of feder­ who was on the right side or history." said al power O\'er the states in the Civil War. With Lineoln Daniel Weinberg, owner of the Abraham His famous quote, "The legitimate object of Lincoln Book Shop in Chicago. "He was also government is to do for a community of peo­ By Eric Zorn a common pen;on ,.,no embodjed our nation· ple whatever Utey need to have done. but Chicago Tribune alaspirations:· cannot do for themselves:· sounds down­ right Hillaryesque. Yet at the same time, Lincoln was a "Tonight." said !lob Dole early last Yet Luca.< Morel. a political scientist at month to the Republican delegates in somewhat enigmatic figure personally and ideologically. This, as David Donald, Mark John Brown University in Arkansas who San Diego, "this hall belongs to the party writes frequently on l.incoln. argued that ofLincoln." Neely or St. Louis University - who won a Pulitzer Pri1.e ror his book on Lincoln- and Lincoln·s overd.IJ legacy. in context. is of "Today; said Ted Kenneey two weeks other> have pointed out, has lefl him vulner­ self-governance. Therefore. he said, "The later to Democrats in Chicago. ''in every­ able to adoption bY all manner or partisans. Republican l'arty remains the party or thing but name, the Democratic Party is the Lincoln both in heritage and in principle... party or Abraham Lincoln." The endorsement of the spirit of Lincoln has been claimed by those support­ That's almost half right, said One week after that, GOP vice-presiden­ ing the New !)cal. those blasting the New Nonhwcstern University lincoln expert tial candidate Jack Kemp told a South Side Deal, bY integrationists and segregationists. David Zarefsky, dean of the School of Speech. campaign rally, "I believe with all my hear1 by prohibitionists, Communists, vegelari· Though Lincoln did espouse self­ that the party or Lincoln will not be whole ans, foes or tobacco and by those on both reliance, today's "'Democrats best reflect again until and African 4 Americans sides or abortion, arfinnative action and Lincoln's legacy with regard to an acli\·e use come home to the party or Lincoln... most other big issues. The core reasoning or government for the public good and with On and on this goes, an earnest game is, "'l.incoln wns a righteous thinkel', I am a regard to respect for diversity," he said. "I ""11 call "Steal the Stovepipe Hat" after righteous thinker, therefore Lincoln must would give the nod to the Democrats as a phrase coined in the 1950's by Lincoln ha>·e thought as I do." being closer to the Lincoln legacy." biographer David Donald. emeritus professor "Lincoln would find Indy car racing Most experts interviewed declined to of history at Harvard University. What absurd. but he would hal" been • big ran or award the stovepipe hat to either party­ Donald observed then is just as true now: the NASCAR circuit;• said Gerald ..a ridiculous question,"' said retired Polilicians in America shouldn't even bother 1'1-okopowicz. satiri•ing the sorts or judg­ University of Virginia historian Merrill kissing the first baby until they stake some ments some ask him to make in his role as Peterson, author of Lincoln in American daim to being a political heir or the martyred historian at The Uncoln Museum in Fort Memory - and se1•eral pointed out that savior of the Union and emancipator or the Wayne. Ind. "It's good when people look to Lincoln himself would have been amused at slaw.s, Honest Abe. history for guidance." he added, "but if this game or dress-up. The late U.S. Senator Everett Dirlcsen they're hoping to find what Lincoln would Two things for sure, though: No party called this quasi-religious obligation have done or thought aboul particular con­ today is fully worthy of him, and were he "get(ting) right with Lincoln," an expression temporary issues. they're not going to find still alive, he would be an avid reader and Donald borrowed for the title of an essay those kinds of answers readily." admirer of my columns. in which he traced the pmctice back to Times have changed. after all. Lincoln the post-Civil War era, which saw · a ghoulish was more or less a big go\'emment guy in tugging at ljncoln's shroud" as Democrats his day - before he helped form the Reprinted courlt$)' or rhe Chicago Tribune. both did in ract find the rererences), and played the 'Jews harp' too, but no one's other end or the telephone. Since this one had heard the question berore, but not ever looked."" research deals with the minutia or the answer. Several pointed oul thai play­ My point is not to call attention to Lincoln's lire, there is no reason to expect ing billiards was consistent with their what these scholars do no! know; they scholars with more substantive interests understanding or ~in col n and the world in have undoubtedly been exploring more to have encountered lhe idea. But it which he lived, particularly lire on the cir­ meaningful and substantive questions or is worth noting that unlil now, Lincoln cuit " None of them, howe1•er, had a defin­ this great life. My topic is considerably scholars have not generally acknowledged itive ans1ver. As Lincoln collector frank more modest in scope. More than once, !hat billiards played a role in Lincoln's life. Williams put it, ''he's supposed to have my inqu iry produced chuckles on Lhe

:.t • ' € • Conclusion 1-ery shallow, and so on. On no one It ought to be possible to assemble trait, did e1·en those who saw him One of my earliest phone calls to a this complete image. but it isn't. daily, for t1venty years, agree." Lincoln scholar roquesting an interview So why do I care? I care because as resulted in the inquisitive response ''Why Herndon likewise sought the input historians and others interested in the do )"OU care?" I am surprised more people of many who knew Lincoln. but found that presidents set out to unlock the mysteries didn't ask that question. no 1\1-o ·agree in their estimate of him. or their subjects, they need "1lole and com­ The fact was that he rarely sho"'ed more plete sets of infonnation " ith which to ~tmions of people around the "-orld than one aspect of himself to one man. He share the blessing of a love of billiMds, \\"Ork. In this instance - happily fo r me ­ opened himself to men in different direc­ pool, , and the other . the issue has to do with a recreational tions.'" 01·cr 125 years later, with all the f'or us, the cue sports are a gift more than interest that I share with a great man and scholarly \\"Ork that has transpired. Merrill a game, a purpose more than a play time, presidenl This 11-ork is yet another tree Peterson can still write of the impossibility a means more than an end. John Grissim (and a 1-ery )"Oung one. at that). to return to subtitled his book on billiards "The Search of producing a definitil-e picture of Lincoln: the metaphor of Peterson. But it is a tree fo r Higher Truth on the Felt." Corny Paradoxically, the more 1scholars 1 which until now was a mere seed, below the as il will sound to the unindoctrinated, I wrote about Uncoln the more blurred, surface and out of sight. Nothing I have am confi dent that he meant it literally. By confused, and problematic the image written will define the broad forest, of one accoun~ the origin of aU ball and stick became. It almost seemed as if the course. Still, by uncovering this, the next games is in religious ceremony." For some modus operandi was to disagree•... All tree. 1\'e are one small sapling closer to see­ 500 years the C~Je sporu ha1-e held the fas­ the worlc dei'Oled to iDuminating and ing the parameters of the woods, e.-en if"-e cination or people across time, geography elucidating particular subjects tended can IJCI'Cr truly know the forest itself. and culture. The cue sports are a vehicle to to ob.'ICure the forest for the trees.• That's enough for me ... beauty and meaning. At their best, they bringS)mmetry. perspective, and insight to those of us who ha1-c receil-ed this gift of joy. BiUiards enthusiasts want to know the Aclrn ;, ter complete history of our sport ... and " 'C Cullom Oa\is (Lincoln Legal Papers) Forum and U.S. Grant Association), want to know if l.incoln was ·one Q( us." showed me where to begin and offered Richard Current (l.incoln f'orum). and I also care because as a student oft he advice along the way. Tom Schwartz Mike l'anou.o (Billiards Oigest) all shared American presidency who lil•es and works (Illinois State Historian) spent approxi­ their opinions and offered 1'1Uying degrees in the hometown of arguably our greatest mately eight hours 11ith me, lending of guidance at the outset to the project the presiden~ I \\"Ould like to know more of his expertise on Uncoln and Lincoln late James Hickey (fanner Illinois State the ·rear Lincoln. After three years of resources and coaching me on the llistorian) was also helpful. research, I am more baffled than ever. vagaries or Lincoln research. Bill Beard I roceived help from many sources I now see that there is a perplexing duality (Lincoln Legal Papers) plunged headlong in lrncing the newspaper articles on file to Lincoln. In the proface to his l.incoln into the project, not only helping me make with the Illinois State Uistorical Library. biography Whitney explained that after sense of tilt rich original data bases a1·ai~ The author of one article. Ms. Bazy Miller Unrom 's death. Or. J. G. Holland spoke 1\ith able for Uncoln resean:hers. but also ded­ (La Salle Nell'S Tribune). was found to Uncoln's neighbors and others who knew icating the time to personally comb the ha•e a retirement home in the West. for him \\'ell, for the purpose of detennining Herndon papers in a fruitful search for the other:s, thanks to officials of the "what manner or man he was." What evidence of Lincoln's billiard playing. The Atchison (Kansas) County Historical It olland found. Whitney roported, was assistance of these scholars was invalu­ Society (Ms. Anne C. Grego-Nagel) and able and is deeply appreciated. the queer result that the more he the Kansas State Historical Society (Or extended his inquiries and the deep· Other scholars readily jooned in as Virgil Dean): the Champaign County er his research. the more entangled \\'ell Rodney Oa1is (Knox College). Oalid flistorical Archi1-es of the Urbana Free and obscure became his knowledge, H. Donald (llarvard University), Michael Library (Or. frederick Sehlipf and Ms. and the more hopeless the diffi culty Burlingame (Connecticut College), Gerald Jean Gordon); the La Salle County or gaining any intelligent and sat is· ProkOJJOwicz (The Uncoln Museum). and Historical Society (Ms. Susan Martyn): factory data upon which to base an Mike Shamos (BiUiard Archil-e) shared the Springfield Uncoln libraJ)' (Mr. Ed analysis of his subject ... he found their rich data bases \\ith me. John Russo); and the staff of the Illinois State out that Mr. l.incoln was an able man. Hoffmann (Uni1-ersity of Illinois at llistorical Ubrary and Reading Room. and also that his ability was meager: ChampaigrVUrbana) spent an afternoon Ms. Kathryn l'yke served as that he was a profound, and likewise reviewing Cart Sandburg's notes in Research Assistanl and Ms. Ruth a SUIJC rficial, lawyer: that he was a support of my project. John Y. Simon Mullenix (both of the University of Christian and also an atheist: that he (Southern Illinois Uni1-ersily at Illinois at Springfield) ~f\-ed as original possessed a refined. and like\\ise a Caroondale). ll'a)TJC Temple (Illinois State manuscript editor: their assistance has coarse, nature: that he was a prooo Archi1-es). Marl< Plummer (IUinoos State been in1'aluable. fou nd dialectician, and that he was Uni1-ersity). Frank Williams (Lincoln

a • • , ~ command or the Department or Virginia 67. Emanuel flrrtz (rd.) Lincoln Talks: A Notes and North Carolina, relieving General B1ography m Anecdote (New York: Viking Fosler. En route lhrough Washinglon Press, 1939). 89; Harold Holzer. Dear Air. 47. W. W. Woody. Buddy Hall: Rags w I called upon lhe Presidenl and thanked Lincoln Letters to tM l'rt>1dtnt (Reading. R1fltman. Tlltn llhat' (Lebanon. Tenn.: him for lhis marie or confidence. and he Mass: Addison Wesle), 1993). 148. Huckleberry Publishing, 199:>). XVI. Much said: 'Yes, General. I belie\-e in you, but nol 68. Ray B. Browne (ed.) Llncoln·lore: has been wrinen or the "decepth-e art" in shooting deserters. As a commander or or hustling in the pool and sports worlds. Lincoln i11 the Popular Mmd (Bowling a departmenl, you can now shool them ror Green, Oh.: Popular Pr1!M, 1974). 266. Three or the classics from the cue yourself. Bul lei me advise you not lo sports ar1!: Danny McGoorty and Robert amuse yourself by playing billiards with a 69. Alexander K. McClure. "Abe· lincoln's Byrne, McGoorty: A Billiard Hustler's Life rebel officer who is a prisoner or war: And Yams o11d Stories (l'hiladelphia: lntemalional (Secaucus, N.J.: Citadel Press. 1972); Willie il was lhus that I learned one or lhe causes Publishing, 1901),466. This phra.~ing is from Mosconi and Stnnley Cohen, Willie's Game: for General f'osle r's being relie1·ed, which a longer attounl in Herndon and Weik, An Autobiogroplty (New York Macmillan, was for playing billiards with General Filz Hemd011's Lincoln, 1:117. 125·26. 1993); David McCumber, Playing Off the Hugh Lee, then a prisoner of war.. See 70. See Suppiger, TM llllimate M11coln, Roil: a Pool/lustier's Journey (New York: Benjamin F. Butler in Allen Thorndike Rice 43-45. Random House, 1996). From the world or (ed.) Reminisce/Ices of Abraham Lincoln baseball see Bill Veeck and Ed l.inn, The 71. \Va)ne Temple, inlerview conducled in By Distiii,(Uished Men of His Time (New Springfield, Illinois, No1-ember 12, 1996. Hustler's llandf)C(}k (New York: G.P. York North American Publishing. 1886), Putnam's Sons. 1965). 145. This author is presenlly esploring Also. see McClure, "Abe Lincoln's Yams" this matter in more detail. 271 and Emanuel llertz. Tht Hidden 48. Miers. Lincoln /Jay by /Jay, 2:231·34. Lincoln (New York Blue Ribbon Books. 49. Ibid. 59. Shamos, Pool, 23·25. 1940),380.382.384. 50. \liers, Lincoln /Jay By /Jay. 2:225. 60. Sprmgf1tld Clly D1rtctory, 1857·58 72. Much has been wrillen on this theme in (SJ. Jameson. 1857). 89. 51. Or course, the 1.a Salle article does not 56. the cue sports. See. ror instance Richard 0. contend that the Ottawa SJ>Ci!Ch was part or 61. Spri11gfielrl C11y Dim:tory, 1859, 14. Smith, ·rrs Menial Self Confidence,-Pool lhe Lincoln·Douglas Debates. While il is An inleresling nole here is lhal while the and Billiard Mago;me, N01·ember. 1993. lhe ca~e lhal Lincoln and Douglas did have billiard saloon in the St. Nicholas Hotel is 73. William Barton, The Life of Abraham other joinI speeches during I heir e<~reers, il lisled in the 1857·58 City DircciOry, it is nol Lincoln (Indianapolis: Bobbs·Merrill, is highly unlikely that I hey did so in Ottawa listed in the 1859 l)ireclory; The Billiard 1925) 1:428. in0clober, l858. Thiswas duringthe same Saloon in lhe S1. Nicholas reappears in the Cily Directory for 1866. 74. Merrill 1). l'cterson, Lincoln i11 lime period as lheir famous debates, in a Americn11 Memory (New York: Oxford lown lhey had previously mel and debaled 62. As in the modem era, a ta1-em wilh one Uni1·ersily l'rcss. 1994). 132. in, )'el is unnoliccd by Miers. Lincoln /Jay or lwo lables almost always considers ilself a 75. \Vhilney. Life on the Circuit witlt by /Jay. In racl, such a join I speech would 1a1·em ralher lhan a billiards racilily. Lincoln, 121-22. ha1·e amounled 10 an eighth greal debale. Similarly, a modem bus lenninal 1\ith a 52. !lazy Miller. personal communicalion darts machine \\ill be adl-ertised as a bus 76. Ibid., 69. lo the author. Seplember. 1996. terminal (1\ilh no menloon or darts). bullhe n. Allhough lhe poinl has nol been 1-ery machine is lhere ne~-ertheless. 53. Miers, Lmcoln /Jay by Doy, 2:181. fully de\-eloped in lhese pages, the idea of a 63. Ed Russo. Springfield Cily Hislorian. billiards lable as cenler stage to Lincoln ·s 54. John Grissim. Billtarrls: Hustlers & explains that ·springfield though I or ilself story·telling is ronsistenl wilh both f/erotS, Legends & Lies and Tile Search for Lincoln's nalure and life in 1850's Illinois. 1/igher Troth 011the Green Felt (New Yorlc as a cily. ralher I han a village. in the 1840's See Hawke (ed.), Herndon's Lincoln, St. Martin's Press, 1979), 38. .... I would say if il's likely there \\'ere billiards tables in 'lhc Philadelphias·, lhey 113·14; Browne (ed.), Uncol11·lore, 65; Ida 55. John Grissim. personal communicalion were here In Springfield, too." lnlerview M. Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln lo lhc nulhor, Scplember, 1996. held at lhe Lincoln Li brary, Springfi eld, (New York: S.S. McCiur1!, 1899) 1:241-46. 56. Thomas F. Schwartz, inlerview with Illinois, Scplcrnber 27, 1996. 78. Frank Williams. inlcrview conducled lhe aulhor, Springfield. Ill., August 29, 1996. 64. William G. Allman (Assistanl Curalor, November 10, 1996. 57. J.llubert Ashton, "A Glimpse ofl.inooln The White House), personal communicalion 79. Slein and Rubino, The Billiard in 1864," Joumol of the Illinois State lo lhe aulhor, June 6, 1994. For a more Encyclopedia, 9-46. lfistoricol S«iety 69 (Febrwuy 1976): 68· complele and delighlful discussion or the politics or lhe billiards Iallie in the Adams­ 80. \Vhilney, L1ft on tht Cm:u1t with 69. S!>Ci!ial thanks lo David H. Donald for Lincoln. 10. his assislallC'e 1\ilh this titalion. Jackson dispute. see Stein and Rubino. Bt111orrl EncyciO{Jftllo. 143..50. 81. Herndon and Weik. Herndon's Lincoln. 58. So popular. in fatl. thai Lincoln 3:582. is reported to hal'e fired a General Fosler 65. C.l. Barnhart (ed.). TM American during the Civil War 01-er a malter or Col/~ IJtCtiOnai'J (New Yorlc Random 82. Pelerson. Lmcoln tn American billiards. Benjamin F. Buller reported, "In House. 1967), 401. Memory, 332. No>·ember. 1863, I recei1'ed an order to 66. Whilney. Ltft on the C1rcuit with proceed to Fori Monroe and resume Lincoln. 40, 55.

• • • "f,.~~,,/n /," f,:1,1/,, 1 \) '1 e • • 11 At The Lincoln Museum Upcoming Exhibit: Special Event:

Grand Presidential Ball and Gala Saturday, October 18, 1997 Celebrate the opening of The Lincoln Museum's spectacular temporary exhibit, "White liouse The Eighteenth R. Gerald McMurtry Lecture Style: Fonnal Gowns of the First Ladies," al Saturday, September 20- 7:30p.m. lhe annual Presidenlial Ball. Enjoy waltzes, schottisches. and squares led by vinlage dance mistress Cathy The Uncoln Museum Auditorium Stephens, with music by The Queen's Quadrille and Quickslep Professor Paul Simon or Southern Illinois University wiU Sociely Orchestra. Historical Lincoln-era attire is welcome, present "lincoln the State Legislator" as the Eighteenth R. bul optional. Gerald McMurtry Lecture on Saturday. September 20, at 7:30 p.m. l'roressor Simon, who represented Illinois in Proceeds from this fundraising evenl will benefit the educational the United States House or Representatives for ten years programs of The Lincoln Museum. Por licket infonnation and and in the Senate for twelve, is currently the director reservalions, please call (2 19) 455·3864. I!J or the l'ublic Policy Institute at SIU. llc is the author or sixteen books, including Lincoln's Prtporotion for White House Style: CrttJtn~: The Illinois legislotu~ Yeon. The cost of the evening lecture and re<:eplion is $10 for Museum Formal Gowns of the First Ladies members. $15 for non-members; call (219) 455-7494 for Odober 19, 1997- January 4, 1998 resenations by September 6. I!J Fonnal gowns of America's First Ladies are showcased in an exhibit organized by McMurtry Lectures Available The Lincoln Museum. Fealured are several originals on loan from various presidenlial museums, as well as A• or August 1997, the fo llowing McMurtry Lectures are still in stock: a special collection of reproduction gowns (made from authentic period fabrics) from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential llarold M. H~man. Lincoln Rffl!mtrorrmn :Vt~lher s Library and Museum. Fotlurr of IlSton nor Vmon offotlufl' (191\0) I!J Rnbtrt \' 8rut:e.Linrolnond lht Rtddleo/Otolh (1931) frank E. \'andin:r, 'I'M long loom of I.Jnroln (1986) The Lincoln Highway Mrmtl D. Peter.100. 'This CrtJ!Id P