Not far from New Salem, Illinois, at a place called Clary’s Grove, a
gang of frontier ruffians had established headquarters, and the champion
wrestler of “The Grove” was “Jack” Armstrong, a bully of the worst type.
Learning that Abraham was something of a wrestler himself, “Jack” sent
him a challenge. At that time and in that community a refusal would have
resulted in social and business ostracism, not to mention the stigma of
cowardice which would attach.
It was a great day for New Salem and “The Grove” when Lincoln and
Armstrong met. Settlers within a radius of fifty miles flocked to the
scene, and the wagers laid were heavy and many. Armstrong proved a
weakling in the hands of the powerful Kentuckian, and “Jack’s” adherents
were about to mob Lincoln when the latter’s friends saved him from
probable death by rushing to the rescue.