Lincoln at New Salem, Illinois 1834
Two miles southeast of Petersburg, Illinois, the Sangamon River makes a
sweeping bend at the foot of a high bluff. On this bluff, a century ago,
stood the pioneer village of New Salem. Today, after decades of desertion, the
village stands again, its log cabins rebuilt and its original surroundings
restored by the State of Illinois.
For here, from 1831 to 1837, lived Abraham Lincoln, who, though he came to the town as an obscure youth, had the courage to run for election to the state legislature within a year of his arrival. Defeated, he made a second attempt two years later. This time he succeeded.
In that summer of 1834—the year of Lincoln’s
second campaign—the residents of New Salem may well have become familiar
with the scene which the artist, with vivid historical imagination, has
presented here—a picture of Lincoln, about to ride away to lay his case
before the voters of the county; saying farewell to Ann Rutledge.
PAUL M. ANGLE, Librarian,
