Everything pertaining to the life of Abraham Lincoln is of undying interest to the public.

It may at first appear unnecessary, if not presumptuous, to add another volume to the already large number of books in Lincoln literature. Hitherto efforts have been made by the biographer, the historian, and the relic-hunter to gather everything possible connected with the life of Lincoln.

If an apology is needed in presenting this volume to the public, it may be said that it has fallen as a rare opportunity to the author, during the passing years, to gather some well-authenticated facts, reminiscences, and illustrations which have never before appeared in connection with the history of this great man.

Like many others, I have always taken great interest in the life and work of Abraham Lincoln. There are some special reasons for this, upon my part, aside from my interest in the lives of great men, and the magnetic charm which surrounds the name and fame of the most eminent American and emancipator of a race.

The name, "Abraham Lincoln," is connected with my family history, and with one of my first achievements with pen and ink. Because of an affliction in early life, I was, for two or three years, unable to attend the public schools. At home I learned to make figures and letters with slate and pencil, as other writing material was not so common then as now. The first line I ever wrote with pen and ink was at home, at the age of ten, under a copy on foolscap paper, written by my sainted mother, "Abraham Lincoln, President, 1861."

After the birth of John the Baptist, there was considerable controversy among the kinsfolk as to what name he should bear. The father, old Zacharias, was appealed to, and when writing material was brought him, he settled the matter by writing, "John." On the 7th of May, 1863, when a boy baby was horn in our old home, the other children and I were very anxious to know what name would be given the little stranger. We appealed to father. He did not say, but called for the old family Bible, pen and ink. He turned to the "Family Record," between the Old and the New Testaments. I stood by and saw him write, with pen and blue ink, the name, "Abraham Lincoln Hobson."

I was born in due time to have the good fortune to become acquainted with a number of persons who personally knew Mr. Lincoln in his early life in Indiana, and heard them tell of their associations with him, and their words were written down at the time. I am also familiar with many places of historic interest where the feet of Abraham Lincoln pressed the earth. I resided for a time near the old Lincoln farm in Spencer County, Indiana, on which the town of Lincoln City now stands. I have often visited the near-by grave of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the "angel mother" of the martyred President; have stood by the grave of Sally Grigsby, his only sister, at the Little Pigeon Cemetery, one mile and a half south of the Lincoln farm; have been in the Lincoln home at Springfield, Illinois; have seen Ford's Theater building, in Washington, where he was shot; have stood in the little rear room, in the first story of the house across the street, where he died; have been in the East Room of the White House, where his body lay in state; and have reverently stood at his tomb where his precious dust rests in peace in Oak Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield, Illinois.

This volume can hardly claim the dignity of a biography, for many important facts in the life of Mr. Lincoln are omitted, the object being to set forth some unpublished facts, reminiscences, and illustrations to supplement larger histories written by others. However, it was necessary to refer to some well-known facts in order to properly connect the new material never before in print. It was necessary, in some instances, to correct some matters of Lincoln history which later and more authentic information has revealed.

The illustrations were secured mainly for this publication, and none, so far as I know, except the frontispiece, has ever appeared in any other book on Lincoln. I am indebted to a number of persons who have assisted me in securing information and photographs, most of whom are mentioned in the body of the book.

This being the centennial year of Abraham Lincoln's birth, it is with feelings of genuine pleasure and profound reverence that the opportunity is here given me to exhibit some "footprints" from the path of one whose life is imprinted in imperishable characters in the history of the great American republic. The excellent principles and noble conduct that characterized his life should be an inspiration to all. As Longfellow says: