The Appellate Court House
The Supreme Court records, Illinois Reports, Vol. 27, page 64, shows that
on November 18 and 19, 1859, Abraham Lincoln appeared in the Southern Division
of the Supreme Court at Mt. Vernon as the attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad
Company in the case of The State of Illinois vs. Illinois Central R.R. Company. The
case was heard on Friday and Saturday during which time Lincoln remained in Mt. Vernon.
Pictures on this page and the following information has been submitted
By: Allen Moore
In mid 60s I lived in Mt. Vernon and attended Lincoln Elementary. My best
friend was the son of the County Clerk. They lived in the Appellate Courthouse
and my friend's room was the same room that Lincoln stayed in... in fact, the
bed he used was supposedly the same bed that Lincoln slept in. That memory inspired
a poem which I wrote many years ago.
Lincoln's Bed
I once slept
In Lincoln's bed
His pillow lay
'Neath my head
His lanky figure
Roamed the halls
His portrait proudly
Graced the walls
The courthouse rang
His stately word
A giant man
The nation heard
Where would we be
For naught this man
Of firmest spirit
And gentle hand
Yes, I once slept
In Lincoln's bed
The very place
He laid his head.
|