In addition to the foregoing interesting reminiscences, the captain related to me other important items, some of which are here given as he related them:
"Old Si Crawford, the man who loaned Lincoln the book which was damaged, was my uncle. I remember one time Lincoln came to our place when my father was sitting on a shaving-horse, doing some work. Other boys and I were standing near by. Mr. Lincoln, addressing us, said, 'Well, boys, what have you learned to-day?' No one answering, he said, 'I wouldn't give a cent for a boy who doesn't know more to-day than he knew yesterday.' This remark greatly impressed me, and I have never forgotten it.
"Old Uncle Jimmy Gentry, who founded the town of Gentryville, kept a store there. He was somewhat illiterate. I remember hearing him and Major Daniels talking, when the major asked him what per cent. he was making on the sale of his goods. Uncle Jimmy replied, 'God bless your soul, I don't know anything about your per cent., but I know when I buy an article in Louisville for a dollar, and sell it in Gentryville for two dollars, I double my money every time.'"
Captain Lamar died November 4, 1903, a little more than two months after my visit to him, at the age of eighty-one. Mrs. Lamar is still living in Spencer County.
The same day, after leaving the Lamars, I called upon the Honorable James Gentry, at Rockport. He was the son of James Gentry, the founder of Gentryville. He was born February 24, 1819, and was ten years younger than Lincoln. He related much about Lincoln, some things which will be found in another chapter. He repeated the story about his brother, Allen Gentry, and Lincoln taking a flatboat, loaded with farm products, down the Ohio River to New Orleans, the attack of the negroes and how they were driven away. Mr. Gentry said, "If ever a man was raised up by Providence, it was Lincoln, for he had no chance." Mr. Gentry was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Indiana Legislature of 1871. He gave me his picture, reproduced herein, but it represents him much younger than when I saw him. He died May 3, 1905, at the age of eighty-six.
The Double Wedding—One of the Brides Interviewed—"The Chronicles of Reuben"—Josiah Crawford's Daughter—The Lincoln-Brooner Rifle Gun—David Turnham, the Indiana Constable—The "Revised Statutes of Indiana."