I began writing this series of posts thinking it would be pretty simple. What I have discovered is that I can get lost in the weeds trying to uncover what seemed a “simple” quest.
The story of how Speed met Lincoln was recounted by Joshua on multiple occasions. Some of the narratives vary in small degrees but they generally agree on the basic facts.
In the spring of 1837, Lincoln was just beginning his career as an attorney and decided to move to Springfield, Illinois. He also was serving in the state legislature of Illinois. As it happened, the state capital was being relocated to Springfield. At that same time, Lincoln was becoming a partner in a law firm with John Todd Stuart who practiced in that city. Lincoln had been a strong advocate for moving the capital to Springfield.
Most accounts of the first meeting of Lincoln and Speed claim that it took place on April 15th, 1837, but there is no absolute evidence to guarantee that date. At any rate, Lincoln had hired a carpenter to construct a bed for him and he planned to stay in a room attached to his new law office. According to Joshua, Lincoln rode into Springfield on a borrowed horse with all of his possessions stuffed into saddlebags.
Speed was the proprietor and part owner of a general store on the courthouse square. Lincoln came into the store that spring day and told Joshua that he was in need of items to outfit the bed. According to Speed this is what happened.
Lincoln came into the store with his saddle-bags on his arm. He said he wanted to buy the furniture for a single bed. The mattress, blankets, sheets, coverlid, and pillow, according to the figures made by rne, would cost seventeen dollars. He said that was perhaps cheap enough; but, small as the sum was, he was unable to pay it. But if I would credit him till Christmas, and his experiment as a lawyer was a success, he would pay then, saying, in the saddest tone, ” If I fail in this, I do not know that I can ever pay you.” As I looked up at him I thought then, and think now, that I never saw a sadder face.
I said to him, “You seem to be much pained at contracting so small a debt, I think I can suggest a plan by which you can avoid the debt and at the same time attain your end. I have a large room with a double bed up-stairs, which you are very welcome to share with me.”
“Where is your room?” said he.
“Up-stairs,” said I, pointing to a pair of winding stairs which led from the store to my room.
He took his saddle-bags on his arm, went up stairs, set them down on the floor, and came down with the most changed countenance. Beaming with pleasure he exclaimed, “Well, Speed, I am moved ! ” 1
This account could, indeed, lead a reader to believe that Joshua and Lincoln had met for the first time that day. In our next post, we will see how this humorous story about the first meeting MAY BE a bit misleading.
Until then, all my best to you.
David
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1 Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln: and notes of a visit to California, two lectures by Joshua F. Fry. pp 21 and 22. https://archive.org/details/reminiscencesofa01spee/page/22/mode/2up