Lincoln Letters Reveal Mary Owens Affair and Reflections
Lincoln chronicles his courtship with Mary Owens, his ill fated betrothal, and the emotional toll of Springfield life. He recounts negotiations with Owens’s family, misgivings about marriage, and a bold yet rebuffed proposal, then shifts to continued letters detailing his struggle with affection, judgment, and loneliness in 1837.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Mary S. Owens
Mary
Slater
Lincoln
Springfeld
Kentucky
Fur
Vandalla
Lincoln in Illinois Legislature and Douglas clash
In 1836 Lincoln travels to Vandalia for the Illinois legislature and meets Stephen A. Douglas for the first time. The piece details legislative logrolling, bank charters, and internal improvements as Lincoln aligns with Whigs. It recounts campaign scenes, duels threats, and Lincoln’s lightning rod retort shaping a famous exchange and his interest in electricity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lincoln
New Salem
Vandalia
Coleman Smoot
Duncan
Congress
Finois
Chicago
Shawneetown Bank
Wilneis and
Michigan Canal
James M. Strode
Stillman
Ford
Mar Lincoln
Board of Canal Commbelopers
Wis
Stephen A. Douglas
Douglas
Vermont
Ilinots
Sangamon
John Dawson
William F. Elkin
N. W. Edwards
Andrew McCormick
Dan Stone
R. L. Wilson
A. G. Herndon
Job Mletcher
John Calhoun
Hugh L. White
A. Lincoln
Sangamon Journal
State Register
James Gourly
Mechanicsburg
Sangamon County
John Neal
Green's
Statehouse
Achilles Morris
Gonurly
Wilson
Gramme
Marly
Theri
Speed
George Forquer
Forquer
Springfield
Porquer
Illinois
Morgan County
Hardin
Peoria
Syste
Stephenson
Ebenezer Peck
Peck
Vandalla
Ife
Do Avitt Cluton of Mines
Mr. Lincoln
Mr. Douglas
Laboriata
Hutmot
Springfeld
Lidcott
Clinton
Lincoln and the Long Nine push Springfield seat arc
Dick Taylor sparks a democratic clash as Abraham Lincoln uses humor to expose aristocracy. The 1836-37 sessions see the Long Nine propel Springfield as state capital, with Lincoln shaping finance and strategy while Dems and Whigs circle for power and convention rules.
When Love Dies Lady Speaks On Spaghetti Etiquette
A playful verse laments table manners and culinary quirks in love. The speaker contrasts graceful kitchen scenes with clams that derail romance, admitting inability to express deeper feelings when steamed seafood appears. Strong imagery and humor highlight romance versus etiquette.
Wandering seeker seeks work but refuses job offer
A wanderer named Weary asks for work at a house, stating a hearty meal would help him. The kind housewife questions his occupation, and he replies that accepting a job would interfere with his work. The exchange appears in Harpers Weekly.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harper’s Weekly
Maiden’s quip stuns barber caper over Skye dog
A playful verse from a Chicago newspaper fragment recalls a maiden and a barber dispute over shaving a Skye terrier. The dog’s owner taunts the barber with a joke about limits and caper style, while the barber declines, claiming he won’t shave a Skye.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Skye
Chicago
Newa
Rainy Day Experiences
A rustic quip about planning for a rainy day. Farmer Corntossel laments his umbrella repeatedly being borrowed, sharing a lighthearted tale of misplaced preparedness. The exchange, set in a Northern town, captures a cheeky humor about reliance and misfortune.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmer Corntossel
Also Mentioned on This Page
Incoln
Ward Hill Lamon
Edward
Mary Owens
Taylor
Morgan
United States
van Buren
Satan
Mrs.Able
QO. EL. Browning
Brownings
Mr. Browning
O. H. Browning
Early
Edwards
Aghtington
Mim Eigcela
Mr. Speed
Ninian W. Edwards
Dick Taylor
Abe
Dick’s Falls
Jim Matheny
Colonel Taylor
Abe Lincoln
Batigaton County
Judge White
Tennessee
Ite
Alton
Decatur
Jacksonville
Wuliapolis
State of
Josuua F. Speed
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