Lincoln in Hancock County - Carthage, Il, USA - Illinois Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This "Looking for Lincoln" historical marker stands near the entrance to the Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum on Walnut Street, directly across from the historic Carthage Jail. The marker reads:

LINCOLN IN HANCOCK COUNTY

HANCOCK COUNTY WAS OFF THE BEATEN TRACK FOR ABRAHAM Lincoln. County residents were more familiar with his senatorial opponent, Stephen A. Douglas. In October 1858, Lincoln addressed an enthusiastic audience on the Carthage square. Afterward, he walked a few blocks to this local lodgings with boyhood friend Alexander Sympson. He then obliged those who followed him with spirited oratory from the doorway. The Wide Awakes, a political club, strongly supported Lincoln, and engaged in ceremonial marches in honor of their chosen candidate. Impressive maneuvers like the "worm fence march" can only be imagined but their "split rail" routine was an obvious nod to Lincoln's early days. Many able bodied young men wanted to be counted among the popular Wide Awakes, whose Fountain Green contingency won first prize for having the largest, best-disciplined marching unit in October 1960. Although he was from Springfield over a hundren miles away, Lincoln was optimistic during the 1858 senatorial election. He campaigned vigorously in Hancock County, where he had relatives and close friends. Although Lincoln won many popular votes, the final victory went to Stephen Douglas.

RARE LINCOLN-RELATED artifacts exhibited in the Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum include a Wide Awakes ceremonial torch and oilcloth uniform in red, white and blue, plus the famous Sympson Doorway where Lincoln spoke while staying at his friend's residence in Carthage. This Lincoln ambrotype may have been taken in Carthage by traveling photographer Charley Frost in October 1858, showing Lincoln as he looked at the time of his speech in Hancock County.

This unusual eighteen-star flag aligned Illinois with anti-slavery states. It was sewn by local Carthage ladies and hung over a hotel balcony to show support for Lincoln when he addressed supporters on the Carthage courthouse square in 1858. Along with many other local antiquities, these artifacts document the importance of political pageantry in the lives of nineteenth-century Americans and attest to the fact that Lincoln had many loyal supporters in Hancock County.

AMONG LINCOLN'S STRONGEST supporters in Hancock County, the Wide Awakes were showy but functional. Local political sentiments, however, were strongly Democratic in this part of the state. The Wide Awakes served as official escort for the prominent Republican speakers like Abraham Lincoln, and as a security force keeping order in the often unruly political climate of the era.

County: Hancock Historical Society: Looking for Lincoln Heritage Foundation Location: Kibble Hancock Heritage Museum @ 306 Walnut Street Dedication Date: Not listed Website: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/23/2012 Chasing Blue Sky visited it