In the far-away days when “Abe” went to school in Indiana, they had
exercises, exhibitions and speaking-meetings in the schoolhouse or the
church, and “Abe” was the “star.” His father was a Democrat, and at that
time “Abe” agreed with his parent. He would frequently make political
and other speeches to the boys and explain tangled questions.
Booneville was the county seat of Warrick county, situated about fifteen
miles from Gentryville. Thither “Abe” walked to be present at the
sittings of the court, and listened attentively to the trials and the
speeches of the lawyers.
One of the trials was that of a murderer. He was defended by Mr.
John Breckinridge, and at the conclusion of his speech “Abe” was so
enthusiastic that he ventured to compliment him. Breckinridge looked at
the shabby boy, thanked him, and passed on his way.
Many years afterwards, in 1862, Breckinridge called on the President,
and he was told, “It was the best speech that I, up to that time, had
ever heard. If I could, as I then thought, make as good a speech as
that, my soul would be satisfied.”