[Illustration: THE RAIL-SPLITTER] FOOTPRINTS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESENTING Many Interesting Facts, Reminiscences and Illustrations Never Before Published BY J. T. HOBSON, D.D., LL.B., _Author of "The Lincoln Year Book."_ Nineteen Hundred and Nine THE OTTERBEIN PRESS DAYTON, OHIO COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY J. T. HOBSON [Illustration: THE AUTHOR.] DEDICATION _To all my Kindred, Friends, and Acquaintances among whom are Fellow Ministers, Teachers, Students, Pupils, Parishioners, though Widely Scattered, and to All Who Cherish the Memory of_ =Abraham Lincoln= _The Apostle of Human Liberty, Who Bound the Nation and Unbound the Slave, This Little Volume is Respectfully Dedicated by_ =THE AUTHOR= INTRODUCTION Everything pertaining to the life of Abraham Lincoln is of undying interest to the public. It may at first appear unnecessary, if not presumptuous, to add another volume to the already large number of books in Lincoln literature. Hitherto efforts have been made by the biographer, the historian, and the relic-hunter to gather everything possible connected with the life of Lincoln. If an apology is needed in presenting this volume to the public, it may be said that it has fallen as a rare opportunity to the author, during the passing years, to gather some well-authenticated facts, reminiscences, and illustrations which have never before appeared in connection with the history of this great man. Like many others, I have always taken great interest in the life and work of Abraham Lincoln. There are some special reasons for this, upon my part, aside from my interest in the lives of great men, and the magnetic charm which surrounds the name and fame of the most eminent American and emancipator of a race. The name, "Abraham Lincoln," is connected with my family history, and with one of my first achievements with pen and ink. Because of an affliction in early life, I was, for two or three years, unable to attend the public schools. At home I learned to make figures and letters with slate and pencil, as other writing material was not so common then as now. The first line I ever wrote with pen and ink was at home, at the age of ten, under a copy on foolscap paper, written by my sainted mother, "Abraham Lincoln, President, 1861."