Saga of Lincoln era lovers in New Salem and Sangamon
A sprawling tale follows Sameon Traylors family from Vergennes Vermont to Illinois frontier towns. Immigrant John McNeil joins at Niagara Falls, and Harry Needles dies. Abe Lincoln mentors friends Kelso and Bim Kelso while romance and political intrigue unfold across New Salem, class conflicts, the Black Hawk War, and the Underground Railroad. Lincoln rises, Traylor moves, and Bim faces love, wealth, and peril as the saga closes with Lincoln’s enduring legacy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Niagara Falls
John McNeil
Sarah
Harry Needles
New Salem
Ilinois
Abe” Lin
Abe Lincoln's Early Ambition Read Before Friends
In a tavern diary scene, Abe Lincoln shares his legislative ambition to Sangamon County voters. Conversations spin about Internal Improvements, one-book wisdom, and life beyond reading as Kelso, Samson, Sarah, and others toast Abe while recalling politics and friendships.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harry
Sarah
Attie
Samson
Abe
Alexander Ferguson
Henry Clay
James Rutledge
Ann
Abe Lincoln
Doctor Allen
Kelsos
Kelso
Aristotle
Kelao
America
Ud Ike
Sangamon County
Abe Renfro and the Sangamon River plan amid Indian scare
A historical excerpt follows Abe Lincoln era debates about county progress with railroads and river improvement. Abe joins a volunteer regiment under Governor Reynolds during Black Hawk alarms. The piece sketches personal ties, school ambitions, and romances including Abe's unspoken love for Ann as he and Harry Needles travel toward Springfield for gear, with a farewell letter written that night.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sungamon
Santamon
Kelso
Abe
Apri
Black Hawk
Mississippi
Rock River
Reynolds
Sangamon Journal
Harry Needles
Richland
Samson
Bim Kelso
Harry
Ann
John McNell
Barry
In Which Bim Kelso Makes History in New Salem
In springtime Vermont news reaches New Salem as Sampson learns of a planned visit by a brother and the Kelso family drama unfolds. Bim Kelso’s marriage to Biggs’ candidate creates concern for Abe and Harry as they face frontier life, fever and the march toward St Louis while awaiting letters from home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bim Kelso
Abe
Harry
New Salem
Vermont
Sarah
Beardstown
Samson
Star of the North
Eliphalet Biggs
Biggs
Darky
Jack
The
Republic
Samson Rmne
Iman
Bim
Bin
Eardstown
St. Louis
Mrs. Waddell
Zachary Taylor
Harry Needless
Kelso
McNeil
Mes
Early
Whitewater
Wisconsin
Uarry
Bud Ax
Peoria
Ilinois
Campign
Abe Lah
Butt
Also Mentioned on This Page
Irving Bacheller
Sameon
Sarah Tray
Josiah
Vergennes
Illinois
Traylors
Lincoln
Dealdey
Jack Armatrong
Armstrong
Harri
McNell
Jo McNell
Rutledge
Chaptor
Traylor
Hiphalst Biggs
Eye
Chapthh
Blas
Mary
Bises
Voluteer
Salem
Chapth
Hasry
Linoln
Chapth X.—Lincoln
Chapth XI
Isiatura
Ann Rutledge
Withohn McNeil
Bnell
McNamar
Thade
McNamer
Chapr
Wiljah Beaverseier
Byter
Secepin
Delong
Eart
Tray
Bim We
Jelty
Chadr
Fabe
Heriside
Abraham Lincoln
Chaer XVI
Reths
Cher Xviia Traylor
Fern
Springfield
Harry Needies
New Salet
Chicago
Lonavis
Cher
Davis
Fila
Te‘arry
Brimmas
Bercy
Traya
Lincoln Mets
Bparty
Pim
Harry Tateach
Stephen Nuckles
Elm
Abraham
Bs Traylor
Sman
Aston Ara
the Builders
Democracy
TRYING_BACHELLER
Springield
Globe Tavern
Ion Law
Ark
C. Boyles Business College
Omaha
Nebraska
Ichunt
H. B. Rhoads
J. H. Bremmer
JH Bremmer
H. M. Ramsay
Bedford
Iowa
JSP
Holland
Sizeu
Avery Box
Free Press
Prince Albert
Perans
B. J. Reynal ‘Tobacco Co
Jimmy
P. A
Heuier
Ston Sunni
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!