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for searching only. 584 april 1874
470. Chauncey F. Black to WHH 1
York Apl 30. 1874 My dear Sir. I send you herewith [a clip?] sent me by Mr Dana of the New York Sun. The writer is evidently on the wrong scent, or else given to much lying.
I met the other day in Washington Col Dick Wintersmith,2 born and raised down there Ü His theory is that Ben Hardin was Mr Lincoln's father and gave facts and incidents which go far to support it. He says he will come here to see me and I shall then write down what he says. In the meantime I hope you will ‚nd out that fellow you heard about in Kentucky.
But have you heard nothing from Lamon or anybody else? Have you consult‚ed with any publisher?3 Or making any progress? This letter of inquiry has been on my mind a long while, but I have been so very busy that I couldn't get it done. Mr. Dana offered me a large salary to go to New York and take charge of the Sun
Ü I declined chie‚y because I have some prospect of going to Congress from this District4 Ü and at all events can't abide the thought of living in a city Ü He then offered me a smaller salary for six articles a week & to remain at home Ü I have accepted that and it keeps me as busy as a [nailor?] But I shall never die happy unless we get something done about the Life of Lincoln. Do you see that John Hay and Nicolay are said to be preparing a Life.?
Most truly / as ever Chauncey F Black
[Enclosure]
471. Newspaper Clipping
The Question as to the Marriage of Abraham Lincoln's Father and Mother.
The following letter from an octogenarian to one of our citizens upon a mooted question as to the paternity and birth of the late President Lincoln, is not without interest:
DEAR SIR: In the Louisville Courier-Journal of February 20, 1874, is a com‚munication about Mr. Lincoln's family, copied from the Indianapolis Journal. which bears the impress of truth. I knew Mordecai Lincoln, Thomas Lincoln and the Berry's. I will try to copy it for you:
To the editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Some time since, by chance, there fell into my hands an Evening Journal con‚taining a letter from the Louisville Commercial, in which it was hinted that there
1. Marginal note: C.S.H.V. is Mr. C. S. Hobart Vawter of Indianapolis.
2. Presumably Richard M. Wintersmith.
3. Black and WHH were contemplating collaborating on a revision of Ward H. Lamon's Life of Lincoln, which Black had ghostwritten.
4. Marginal note: Con‚dential.
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