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Little girl admonishes Lincoln to let his whiskers grow...
Little girl admonishes Lincoln to let his whiskers grow...
Item # 702431
February 18, 1861
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 18, 1861
* Grace Bedell encourages him to grow a beard
* President-elect Abraham Lincoln en-route
Over half of page 5 is taken up with fine and detailed coverage of Lincoln's continued trip from his home in Illinois to Washington, D.C.
The heads include: "THE PRESENT ELECT EN ROUTE" "Incidents and Casualties" 'Old Abe Kissed by a Pretty Girl" "His Reception at Buffalo" "Accident to Major Hunter" "The Speech in Buffalo".
The best content is the famous story (pg. 5, col. 4) of the little girl who told Abraham Lincoln he should grow his whiskers, reading: "...he had received a letter from a young girl of this place in which he was kindly admonished to do certain things, and among others to let his whiskers grow, and that, as he had acted upon that piece of advice, he would now be glad to welcome his fair correspondent, if she was among the crowd. In response to the call a lassie made her way through the crowd, was helped on the platform, and kissed by the President...".
This event was reported by very few newspapers of the day.
Eight pages, reglued at the spine, some very discrete archival strengthening at inside central folds, nice condition.
AI notes: In October 1860, 11-year-old Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, wrote a charming letter to Abraham Lincoln, who had just been nominated as the Republican candidate for president, suggesting he grow a beard to improve his appearance and appeal to voters, particularly noting that “all the ladies like whiskers.” She believed it would make him look more distinguished and handsome, and even implied it might influence men to vote for him. Lincoln, amused and thoughtful, began growing a beard during the remainder of his campaign. When he passed through Westfield on his way to Washington for his inauguration in February 1861, he personally met Grace and thanked her, noting that he had followed her advice, and she enthusiastically approved of his new beard. This story has endured as a delightful example of Lincoln’s humility, approachability, and the unexpected influence of a young girl on a future president.
Category: Pre-Civil War
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