Clinton

During his twenty years on the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Abraham Lincoln tried numerous cases in the DeWitt County courthouses, including a slander case involving William Dungey.  In 1851, Dungey, "a dark-skinned man of Portuguese descent," married Joseph Spencer's sister.  The brothers-in-law had a dispute that became so bitter that by 1855, Spencer was making a serious accusation:  "Black Bill" Dungey, as Spencer was calling him, was a "negro."  In this time and place, if Dungey were indeed proven to have one-fourth African blood, he stood to lose his good reputation as well as his legal rights to his marriage, property ownership, his vote, and Illinois residency...

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas were co-counsel for the defendant in DeWitt County's first murder trial, People vs. Spencer Turner, one of the very few times Lincoln and Douglas worked as partners.  Turner was charged with causing injuries that led to the demise of Mathew Martin.  Proving the deceased came to his death from lying out in the harsh elements rather than blunt force to the head, the two won their case... 

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.    

DeWitt County was part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit from its beginning, and so was Abraham Lincoln, who attended the first session of DeWitt Circuit Court in Clinton on October 24, 1839....  

Lincoln always welcomed an opportunity to match his great strength (mental or physical) against others.  In the evenings, one of the favorite pastimes of the lawyers - and men who came to court week - was being with each other in jumping long distances on the courthouse lawn...  

Although he had no law partner on the circuit, Lincoln worked more cases with Clinton's resident lawyer, C. H. Moore, than any other lawyer, and he also argued more cases against Moore than any other...

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.    

Not everyone in DeWitt County personally befriended or politically supported Lincoln.  DeWitt County was home to numerous Copperheads.  in March 1863, a disgruntled group met at Eads Schoolhouse in Barnett Township.  It was written, "The meeting was composed of some seventy opposition and ten or twelve true and law abiding citizens.  Thus you see the matter was carried on like a jug handle-all on one side."  The Lincoln antagonists compiled a long list of strong worded anti-Lincoln, anti-war, anti-Union resolutions.  These were printed in The Clinton Public newspaper...

In 1860, Thomas Snell, a wealthy and influential Clinton businessman and staunch Lincoln adversary, was a candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor on the pro-Southern Breckenridge ticket.  After the election, however, and much to his friend's astonishment, Snell's political allegiances changed.  He was outraged by the attack on Fort Sumter, which proved a catalyst for the Civil War -- and Snell's newfound Unionist loyalties..

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.    

A proper Presbyterian Church was under construction in the summer of 1859.  A floor was laid, walls, roof, and belfry nearly completed, when "a halt due to lack of funds" occurred.  In October 1859, money was urgently needed to complete construction.  The view from the building site to the DeWitt County Courthouse on the public square was unobstructed.  Recognizing opportunity, the church ladies held a festival during court week to take maximum advantage of the generosity of visitors to town on legal business.  Lincoln, wearing his stovepipe hat, was among those in attendance.  Two church ladies, Mrs. Elizabeth Kent and Miss Roberts, greeted him at the entrance -- for there was no door -- and politely offered to take Lincoln's hat.  Lincoln declined the offer, stating he had some important papers in it.  Instead of handing the hat over, Lincoln placed it high on an unfinished beam, safely out of reach of others...

Lincoln's hat is an historical icon.  At the Presbyterian Church event in October 1859, Lincoln was cautious about letting his hat out of his sight.  There was one instance, however, when Lincoln was not so hesitant to part with it.  In August 1864, Lincoln confided the following to his good friend, Ward Hill Lamon, with whom he spent many evenings in DeWitt County during their days on the Eighth Judicial Circuit:  "I went to the Soldiers' Home alone, riding Old Abe... jogging along at a slow gait., immersed in deep thought... when suddenly I was aroused... by the report of a rifle."  The shot caused Lincoln's horse to start, and, in Lincoln's words, "with one reckless bound he unceremoniously separated me from my eight-dollar plug hat." A soldier on guard duty heart the shot...

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.    

Clifton H. Moore, DeWitt County's first resident attorney, built this stately brick home in 1857 - 58 on an eighty-acre tract of land purchased from Judge David Davis.  The original house suffered damage from a windstorm and now lacks the west wing as pictured.  In 1880, Moore purchased and moved into another large Clinton home known as "The Homestead."

Clinton's newspaper, The Central Transcript, strongly supported the Republican Party and Lincoln's participation in his campaign for President, including his four speeches delivered in Clinton, 1856-59.  The paper publicized and urged attendance to Clinton's Lincoln Club and parades of the Wide Awakes organized prior to the 1860 election.  Phrases such as "old familiar face is again amongst us" and "he never fails to receive a hearty welcome," even "Old Abe" reveal a friendship between the editor and Lincoln...  

Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois.  Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story.  Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with.  There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.