Abraham Lincoln at Postville

Abraham Lincoln at Postville. . , (above title:), This exhibit was donated to Postville Courthouse, State Historic Site by Bernard and Anastasia Behrends , May 2008, (below title:), Judge Treat, Sheriff Deskins and Abraham Lincoln are shown conversing in front of the Postville Courthouse in Postville, now Lincoln, Illinois. The Postville Courthouse was the oldest courthouse on the old eight judicial circuit which Lincoln traveled for a quarter of a century. In The History of Logan County written by Judge Lawrence B. Stringer, an account of an 1843 trial at Postville is given. According to this account, Lincoln discovered about halfway through a trial that his client was trying to collect a note for a second time. The judge called a recess and upon reconvening could not find Lincoln. He sent sheriff Deskins to find him and subsequently found him in the Postville Park playing town ball. When told that the judge wanted him Lincoln was to have remarked, "Doc, tell the judge I can't come, my hands are dirty and I want to clean them." When told this, Judge Treat was to have simply remarked, "Honest Abe." , Court was held in this courthouse from its completion in 1840 until the county was seat was removed to Mt. Pulaski in 1848., This original work by Lloyd Ostendorf was sponsored by the Lincoln Radiator and Power Equipment Company of Lincoln with the Logan County Abraham Lincoln Heritage Foundation.