[On September 20, 1857 Mrs. Lincoln wrote: "Mr. L. is not at home, this makes the fourth week, he has been in Chicago. Sandburg & Angle, 201.

Lincoln must have been in Chicago during first week of Sept.]

Trial of "Effie Afton" case—Hurd et al. v. Rock Island Bridge Co.—commences in U.S. Circuit Court before Judge McLean. Plaintiffs' attorneys are H. M. Wead, T. D. Lincoln, and Corydon Beckwith; N. B. Judd, Joseph Knox and A. Lincoln represent defendant. Wead opens case, Judd replies, and T. D. Lincoln answers Judd. Chicago Press, 9 September 1857.

Lincoln represents the defendants in the U.S. Circuit Court case of Hurd et al. v. Rock Island Bridge Co. On this day, the plaintiffs' attorneys present "voluminous depositions" regarding the steamboat "Effie Afton," which was traveling on the Mississippi River to St. Paul, Minnesota, when it tried to pass under a newly-built railroad bridge at Rock Island, Illinois. The steamboat hit two piers, caught fire, and sank into the river. The plaintiffs are suing the Rock Island Bridge Company for damages to recover the value of the lost ship and cargo. Chicago Daily Democratic Press (IL), 10 September 1857, 1:2-3; Chicago Daily Tribune (IL), 10 September 1857, 1:4-5.

Presentation of depositions by T. D. Lincoln takes up most of day. Chicago Press, 11 September 1857.

In Eddy, Jameson & Co. v. Handshy & Logan, case in which plaintiff sues for collection of note for $1,384.21 and damages of $1,500, Lincoln files power of attorney and confesses judgment for $895.21. Judgment Record.

T. D. Lincoln continues to read depositions. Chicago Press, 12 September 1857.

Plaintiffs' attorneys continue to present evidence, adding oral testimony to depositions. Capt. Orrin Smith of Galena, one of their important witnesses, testifies and is cross-examined by Joseph Knox. Lincoln takes little part in proceedings, merely interrupting one witness to ask him to explain part of his testimony by referring to map. Chicago Press, 14 September 1857, 15 September 1857.

Lincoln writes Jesse K. Dubois, auditor, that several people have complained about Dubois not enforcing banking laws. He hopes Dubois will explain. Abraham Lincoln to Jesse K. Dubois, 13 September 1857, CW, 2:414.

T. D. Lincoln reads depositions throughout morning. In afternoon oral testimony is presented. Chicago Press, 15 September 1857, 16 September 1857.

Plaintiffs' testimony is concluded during morning. One defense deposition is read, but owing to defense not being fully prepared, court adjourns early. Several defense witnesses testify. Chicago Press, 16 September 1857.

Defense witnesses continue to offer testimony. Chicago Press, 17 September 1857, 18 September 1857.

Defense occupies day in presentation of testimony. Chicago Press, 18 September 1857.

Defense presents depositions in morning, oral testimony in afternoon. Chicago Press, 19 September 1857.

T. D. Lincoln objects when Judd offers in evidence comparative statement of business done on railroad and river. T. D. Lincoln, Knox, A. Lincoln, and Wead argue question. McLean decides that no evidence of this kind can be offered to impair right of navigating river. Plaintiffs offer rebutting testimony. Chicago Press, 21 September 1857.

Mrs. Lincoln writes to Emily Todd Helm about her trip to New York. "I often laugh," she says, "& tell Mr. Lincoln that I am determined my next husband shall be rich." This throws light on Lincoln's mysterious eastern trip, suggesting pleasure tour taken on strength of large fee won from Illinois Central. Sandburg & Angle, 201; Helm, Mary, 122-23.

Judd offers to let case go to jury on instructions of court without argument, but McLean requests it be argued. Wead makes opening argument for plaintiffs, taking up most of day. Knox follows, but court soon adjourns. Chicago Press, 22 September 1857.

Knox continues his argument throughout morning. In afternoon Lincoln commences and speaks for balance of day. Chicago Press, 23 September 1857, 24 September 1857; Speech to the Jury in the Rock Island Bridge Case, Chicago, Illinois, 22 September 1857, CW, 2:415-22.

Lincoln concludes his argument. T. D. Lincoln, for plaintiffs, speaks balance of day. Speech to the Jury in the Rock Island Bridge Case, Chicago, Illinois, 23 September 1857, CW, 2:415-22; Chicago Press, 25 September 1857.

T. D. Lincoln speaks most of morning, and Judge McLean's charge takes up most of afternoon. Jury retires. At eight o'clock they report that they stand nine to three, and that there is no prospect of agreement. Court dismisses them. Chicago Press, 25 September 1857.

Lincoln deposits $400 in his bank account. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln gives his partner, William H. Herndon, check for $23. Original owned by Mrs. Mary Edwards Brown, Springfield, Ill.

Lincoln writes three more checks—one for $11 to John Hutchinson, another for $10 to Bailhache and Baker, publishers of Illinois State Journal, and a third to furniture dealer J. A. Hough for $8.50. Photocopy.

In complex financial transaction, Lincoln loans Jacob Ruckel $500 and takes mortgage, which he draws himself, on parts of four lots in Springfield to secure debt. With part of money, Ruckel pays $300 debt his deceased brother Daniel Ruckel owed Lincoln. Interest is 10 per cent per annum, and loan is to run one year (see November 27, 1858, November 18, 1860). Mortgage and Note Drawn for Jacob Ruckel, 28 September 1857, CW, 2:422-23; Receipt of Abraham Lincoln to Jacob Ruckel, 28 September 1857, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).

To conclude financial transaction begun the previous day, Lincoln releases mortgage that Daniel E. Ruckel had given him August 15, 1851, to secure promissory note of $300. Lincoln writes check to Jacob Ruckel for $200 and files mortgage Jacob Ruckel provides to secure $500 debt. Record; Check of Abraham Lincoln to Jacob Ruckel, 29 September 1857.

To Samuel Briggs, Lincoln writes legal opinion concerning organization of town of Delavan. "The five dollars is a sufficient fee." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Briggs, 29 September 1857, CW, 2:423.

In letter to Richard Yates, Lincoln recommends J. O. Johnson as competent political organizer. "And now, let me say," he concludes, "I wish you could make up your mind to come to the Legislature from Morgan next term. You can be elected, and I doubt some whether any other friend can. It will be something of a sacrafice to you; but can you not make it?" Abraham Lincoln to Richard Yates, 30 September 1857, CW, 2:424.

Lincoln receives $500 legal fee for services to Mississippi Bridge Co. in "Effie Afton" case. John W. Starr, Lincoln and the Railroads: A Biographical Study (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1927), 114.