05/06/08

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One of our own;

               linked to Sixteenth US President

 

WBro Duncan MacFarquhar (1957)

After reading the Alberta Freemason

(Vol. 72. No 2 February 2007) Abe Lincoln’s Axe, by Jim Tresner ,

 realized there was a connection with Rosetta, his good ladies family,

and the Axe.

In the event you have not read this article,

the following is a short exert from above reference: 

 

Abe Lincoln’s Axe

by Jim Tresner 

The story is told of a historian, recording folk history in Illinois in the 1970’s.  Several people in the countryside had told him of a farm family which possessed the axe Abraham Lincoln had used when splitting logs for a living as a young man.  The historian finally found the farm, and found the farmer in the yard splitting wood for the living room fireplace.  He asked him about the story.

“Yes” said the farmer, “it’s true.  Abraham Lincoln loved around here as a young man, and he worked for a while splitting wood for my great-great-grandfather.  Happened he’d bought a new axe from a peddler the day before Abe Lincoln came to work here, and he gave it to Lincoln to use.  We’ve kept it ever since.”

“That’s a real historical treasure,” said the historian.  “It really ought to be in a museum.  Would you mind going into the house and bringing it out so I could see it?”

“Oh we know its importance,” said the farmer, “I take it to the school: from time to time and tell the kids about it and Lincoln.   Seems to sorta make it real for them.  But I don’t have to go into the house, I’ve got it here.” He handed the horrified historian the axe he had been using.

“You mean you’re still USING IT!?”

“Sure thing.  An axe is meant to be used.”

The historian looked it over carefully.  “I must say your family has certainly taken good care of it.”

“Sure, we know we’re protecting history.  Why, we’ve replaced the handle twice and the head once.”……  

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 Here are two stories received from WBro Duncan and his daughter Dorothy.  

 

Abraham Lincoln 

 

 Rosetta MacFarquhar's parents and her maternal grandparents came from
Kansas.  The great grandparents (we're assuming it had to be them because
of the time frame, could have been grandparents) came from Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln split rails for them.  He sent them a photo postcard of him
with his family at Christmas time.  Apparently there were 6 tin type photos
taken at this sitting.  A family member from California had contacted Rosetta
20+ years ago to inquire if this photo was a tin type as one of the ones taken
was unaccounted for. 

Elections

Another family keepsake with political ties that came up from Kansas was a
small sherry decanter and glasses made of clear decorative glass.  It was
apparently given out during the elections during President McKinley's time in
office as the 25^th President of the United States of America.  It was given out
filled with liquor of some type to encourage people to vote in a favorable
manner. 

 We never heard whether it was the Republicans or the Democrats who gave
it out!

 

Many thanks to W.Bro. Duncan and Dorothy for their input and sharing of
this little time in history.

Bro. Vic
webmaster

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