Lincoln attends preliminary examination in case which has aroused wide interest, People v. Harrison. Harrison is accused of murder of Greek Crafton, Sangamon County ne'er-do-well. White, McClernand, and Broadwell appear for prosecution; Lincoln, Herndon, Logan, and Hay are for defense. Because of absence of two important witnesses, examination is adjourned. Illinois State Journal, 2 August 1859.

In a pre-trial hearing of the Sangamon County Circuit Court case of People v. Harrison, Lincoln and several other attorneys represent Peachy Quinn Harrison, whom the state's attorney indicted for the murder of Greek Crafton. On July 16, in Pleasant Plains, Harrison and Crafton fought; Harrison pulled a knife and stabbed Crafton. Crafton died two days later. On this day, the attorneys for both sides question "[q]uite a number of witnesses." A newspaper reports, "The case excited unusual interest and the Court House was densely crowded . . . [T]he defence urge the plea that Harrison acted wholly in self defence . . . The examination closed about six o' clock [in the] evening." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 20 July 1859, 3:1-2; 3 August 1859, 3:1; Trial Transcript, [August 1859 Term], People v. Harrison, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Robert buys blacking brush at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 158.

Attorneys occupy day in summing up evidence in Harrison case. Broadwell makes opening statement for prosecution; Logan and Lincoln follow for defense, and McClernand closes for state. Harrison is bound over for trial, bail set at $10,000. Illinois State Journal, 4 August 1859.

Robert buys two dozen nutmegs at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 158.

Lincoln writes $92.66 check to "Ruckel & Johns," dealers in wallpaper, paint, and glass. DLC—Original.

Mrs. Lincoln buys dozen buttons at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 158.

Lincoln pays $24 by check to George W. Chatterton, jeweller. DLC—Original.

He buys and charges ($1.50) toilet powder and soap on his drug store account. Mrs. Lincoln buys shoes, buttons, comb, and brush at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 152, 158.

Mrs. Lincoln buys goods and thread at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 152, 158.

Lincoln and O. M. Hatch leave on business and pleasure trip to Iowa. Speech at Council Bluffs, Iowa, 13 August 1859, CW, 3:396-97.

Lincoln's business is examination of land in Council Bluffs owned by Norman B. Judd, who apparently proposed to convey this land to Lincoln as security for debt, and Lincoln wanted to see property before consenting. [Mrs. Lincoln buys $3.75 hoop skirt at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 158.]

[If Lincoln and Hatch go to Council Bluffs by route of return, they travel to Quincy by rail, cross river there and proceed by rail to St. Joseph. Probably they stay night at St. Joseph.]

Lincoln and Hatch take steamer Campbell for Council Bluffs.

Lincoln and Hatch reach Council Bluffs and stop at Pacific House. They go sightseeing with N. S. Bates and W. H. M. Pusey, formerly of Springfield. At Cemetery Hill north of town they view countryside north, south, and west. Lincoln, learning that Grenville M. Dodge, railway construction engineer, is registered at Pacific House, chats with him for two hours on hotel porch about western railroads. Lincoln accepts invitation to speak on "the great political issues of the day" following evening. Chicago Tribune, 20 August 1859; Annals of Iowa, IV, 460-62; Union Pacific Railroad Company, History of the Union Pacific Railroad, Issued by the Union Pacific Railroad on the Occasion of the Celebration at Ogden, Utah, May 10, 1919, in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Driving of the Golden Spike (New York: n.p., 1919), 22.

Lincoln addresses large audience at Concert Hall. Council Bluffs "Nonpareil" comments: "The clear and lucid manner, in which he set forth the true principles of the Republican party—the dexterity with which he applied the political scalpel to the Democratic carcass—beggars all description at our hands." Following Lincoln, Judge Test of Council Bluffs, formerly of Indiana, speaks, followed by reception at home of W. H. M. Pusey, which virtually everyone in town attends. Council Bluffs Nonpareil, 20 August 1859; Speech at Council Bluffs, Iowa, 13 August 1859, CW, 3:396-97; Annals of Iowa, IV, 260-62.

[Lincoln's drug store account is charged for soap and "Hair Balsom," and Mrs. Lincoln buys six handkerchiefs at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 152, 158.]

Lincoln attends First Presbyterian Church services in Concert Hall. He dines at home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Officer, former Springfield residents. Council Bluffs Nonpareil, 14 August 1921.

[Lincoln and Hatch must have left for St. Joseph in late afternoon or evening. Their stay is longer than planned, as steamboat runs aground up river.]

Lincoln and Hatch arrive on steamer Campbell and stop at "Planters." Citizens call to pay their respects. In evening Lincoln visits office of St. Joseph "Journal." "In personal appearance," writes editor, "he looks like any other 'six-foot' Kentuckian, and is very affable in manners." Journal, 19 August 1859.

[Mrs. Lincoln buys yard goods and 11 pounds of sugar at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 158.]

Lincoln and Hatch start on their return trip, leaving St. Joseph by rail.

Lincoln writes to David J. Powers, of Madison, Wisconsin, regarding Powers's invitation to speak on September 30, at the Wisconsin Agricultural Fair in Milwaukee. Lincoln explains, "Two difficulties were in the way—first, I could not well spare the time, from the courts; and secondly, I had no address of the sort prepared; and could scarcely spare the time to prepare one . . . I was waiting, before answering you, to determine whether these difficulties could be surmounted. I will write you definitely on the 1st. day of September, if you can safely delay so long." Abraham Lincoln to David J. Powers, 18 August 1859, CW, 3:397.

Lincoln's account at John Williams & Co. is charged $2.50 for two pairs of "Heavy Drawers," and Mrs. Lincoln buys table cloth, napkins, and handkerchiefs at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 140, 158.

Lincoln writes Daniel Rohrer of St. Paul that he must regretfully decline invitation to take stump in Minnesota, for he must spend fall in courts. Abraham Lincoln to Daniel Rohrer, 19 August 1859, CW, 3:397.

He tells his friend D. A. Cheever that he cannot recommend editor for Tremont Republican paper, and suggests he inquire at Bloomington and Chicago. IU—Original.

Lincoln and Ozias M. Hatch are in Hannibal on railroad business. Quincy Herald, 22 August 1859, 2:4.

[Another pair of heavy drawers is charged to Lincoln's account at John Williams & Co. Mrs. Lincoln exchanges napkins at Smith's, and buys pair of gloves. Pratt, Personal Finances, 149, 159.]

Lincoln and Ozias M. Hatch pass through Quincy on their way home from Hannibal, Missouri. Quincy Herald, 22 August 1859, 2:4.

Robert buys pocket knife and yard goods at Smith's. Pratt, Personal Finances, 159.

Lincoln's account at Williams & Co. is charged $2.10 for six "French Towels." Pratt, Personal Finances, 149.

Lincoln, Dubois, and Browning discuss rumor that Miller, treasurer, contemplates resigning. He has promised not to, but Dubois and Lincoln have little faith in that, and suspect governor already has his resignation. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes answer of Caleb K. Lucas in Reed et al. v. Mann et al., Logan County case, signs "Lincoln & Herndon, for Respondent," and dispatches it to Lincoln. Photocopy.

Trial of P. Q. Harrison for murder commences in Sangamon Circuit Court. Counsel has changed since preliminary examination. White, Palmer, Broadwell, and Cogdale appear for prosecution; Lincoln, Herndon, Logan, and Cullom are for defense. Afternoon is spent examining prospective jurors. Illinois State Journal, 1 September 1859.

Mrs. Lincoln buys buttons at Smith's store. Pratt, Personal Finances, 159.