Click Here to Return To Milestones Vol 11 No 3
The election of Abraham Lincoln to the
office of President of the United States in 1860 was destined
to lead to the splitting of the nation and to a long and bloody
Civil War. Lincoln had defeated Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge,
& John Bell with a clear majority of electoral votes but with
less than half of the popular vote. Nevertheless he had strong
support in the State of Pennsylvania and in Beaver County.
In Feb. of 1861, Lincoln traveled by train from his home in Illinois to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration. By this time, the state of South Carolina had already seceded from the Union and others were threatening to. At each station crowds gathered hoping to see their new leader and hear him speak. One of his stops was in Rochester, Pa. It was a brief stop and no formal speech was delivered by Lincoln. Later in the day he did give a longer address at Pittsburgh. Nevertheless the citizens of BeaveCounty were enthusiastic about the chance to see Mr. Lincoln.
"The President elect passed Rochester station on Thursday at 4 o'clock, on his way to Pittsburgh. Long before the time for the arrival of the special train which contained the President and his suite, the Depot and platforms around it were crowded with persons of all ages, and both sexes, anxiously waiting the arrival of the cars. The citizens of the neighboring villages were out in full force, with music, flags, and cannon.
At the appointed time the booming of the cannon announced the approach of the train, which came up to the station and stopped for about twenty minutes. Mr. Lincoln, in obedience to the cheers and repeated calls of the multitude, which had now increased to a great degree, appeared on the platform of the rear car, and bowed in acknowledgment of the testimonials of regard shown him by the citizens of the Keystone State. He remarked that he had no speech to make, as it was impossible to speak at every point where his fellow citizens greeted him, and thanked them for this expression of their wishes towards him. He was now on his way to Washington, and about the 4th of March he would speak to all who chose to hear him. A voice in the crowd enquired "What will you do with the successionists then?" - Turning toward the direction of the voice, Mr. Lincoln replied, "My friend, that is a matter which I have under very grave consideration." Mr. L. continued for some time longer conversing with various persons who approached the car.
An amusing incident occurred at this time which will serve to show the character of the man perhaps as well as anything else. Mr. Henry Dillon, a very enthusiastic Republican, and being a most excellent fellow, who stands some six feet three or four inches in his boots, cried out to Mr. Lincoln that he (Dillon) was taller than the President. "Let us see about that," responded Old Abe, reaching forth his hand to Mr. Dillon, who in a moment was by his side; then turning their backs to each other, while prolonged and enthusiastic cheers rent the air, Old Abe demonstrated that he was a little the tallest man in the crowd yet. However, some of Mr. Dillon's friends maintain that the President was not quite as tall as Mr. Dillon. Perhaps this, like many other vexed questions, will remain an unsettled one; but if one thing we are sure, that Mr. Lincoln has not a stronger supporter in the State."