Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lincoln and Animals

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed By James Hulse, October 26, 2021

1. Lincoln and Animals Marker

Inscription.

Lincoln and Animals. Looking for Lincoln. Treatment of Animals in Lincoln's Era sometimes reflected rough frontier attitudes.. Pioneers saw them as threats to crops, gardens, and livestock; wild game was an important source of food. Lincoln, however, did not share the passion for hunting and fishing common to his generation. Nor did he often participate in such pursuits as cockfighting, gander pulling (wringing the head off a live goose), or cooking wild pigs alive. His stepmother said he generally loved animals and "treated them kindly." Stories illustrating this abound. He once saved a piglet by beating its mother who was tying to eat it. Another time he passed by an old hog mired in the prairie mud. Compelled to look back, he seemed to hear it sigh, "There now! my last hope is gone." Guilt-stricken, he returned and freed it. Several lawyers were once riding across the prairie with Lincoln when he astounded (and amused) them by spending the better part of an hour searching for the nest of two baby birds who had been blown out during a windstorm. , "Menagerie and Circus United" Exotic animals invaded Springfield whenever the circus came to town. Lincoln enjoyed taking his sons to see the animal menageries. This inspired young Bob and his friends to play "lion tamer" by having dogs stand on their hind legs and growl like lions. When the dogs refused, the boys proceeded to tie their front paws to a shed rafter, causing the dogs to sound a noisy alarm. Mr. Lincoln came running to the rescue - barrel stave in hand - and the would-be young showmen scattered. , The Lincolns Had Their Share of Pets. Little Eddie, in particular, loved kittens a trait shared with his father. Mary joked that cats were her husband's "hobby." The boys used to harness dogs and cats to small wagons and drive them around Springfield's dirt streets or out into the woods to collect nuts. When the Lincolns left for Washington, D.C., in 1861, they had to leave their dog Fido behind. Fido stayed with the John Roll Family, who, like the Lincolns, had young boys. One of the boys later recalled:, ...One day the dog, in a playful manner put his dirty paws upon a drunken man sitting on the street curbing [who] in his drunken rage, thrust a knife into the body of poor Fido....So Fido, just a poor yellow dog, met the fate of his illustrious master - Assassination.

Treatment of Animals in Lincoln's Era
sometimes reflected rough frontier attitudes.
Pioneers saw them as threats to crops, gardens, and livestock; wild game was an important source of food. Lincoln, however, did not share the passion for hunting and fishing common to his generation. Nor did he often participate in such pursuits as cockfighting, gander pulling (wringing the head off a live goose), or cooking wild pigs alive. His stepmother said he generally loved animals and "treated them kindly." Stories illustrating this abound. He once saved a piglet by beating its mother who was tying to eat it. Another time he passed by an old hog mired in the prairie mud. Compelled to look back, he seemed to hear it sigh, "There now! my last hope is gone." Guilt-stricken, he returned and freed it. Several lawyers were once riding across the prairie with Lincoln when he astounded (and amused) them by spending the better part of an hour searching for the nest of two baby birds who had been blown out during a windstorm.

"Menagerie and Circus United"
Exotic animals invaded Springfield whenever the circus came to town. Lincoln enjoyed taking his sons to see the animal menageries. This inspired young Bob and his friends to play "lion tamer" by having dogs stand on their hind legs
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and growl like lions. When the dogs refused, the boys proceeded to tie their front paws to a shed rafter, causing the dogs to sound a noisy alarm. Mr. Lincoln came running to the rescue - barrel stave in hand - and the would-be young showmen scattered.

The Lincolns Had Their Share of Pets.
Little Eddie, in particular, loved kittens a trait shared with his father. Mary joked that cats were her husband's "hobby." The boys used to harness dogs and cats to small wagons and drive them around Springfield's dirt streets or out into the woods to collect nuts. When the Lincolns left for Washington, D.C., in 1861, they had to leave their dog Fido behind. Fido stayed with the John Roll Family, who, like the Lincolns, had young boys. One of the boys later recalled:

...One day the dog, in a playful manner put his dirty paws upon a drunken man sitting on the street curbing [who] in his drunken rage, thrust a knife into the body of poor Fido....So Fido, just a poor yellow dog, met the fate of his illustrious master - Assassination.

Erected 2004 by State of Illinois Historic Preservation Agency & Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 39° 47.903′ N, 89°

The Lincoln and Animals Marker is located on the left side of the courtyard, looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 26, 2021

2. The Lincoln and Animals Marker is located on the left side of the courtyard, looking south

38.701′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. Marker is at the intersection of East Capitol Avenue and South 8th Street, on the left when traveling east on East Capitol Avenue. The marker is located in a courtyard next to the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 East Capitol Avenue, Springfield IL 62701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kenneth Belton (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln's Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); William Beedle House (within shouting distance of this marker); Boyhood Home of Julius Rosenwald (within shouting distance of this marker); Henson Lyon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriett Dean House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Long Road to Washington (about 300 feet away); What Did Abraham Lincoln Eat? (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

The Lincoln and Animals Marker is on the right side looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 26, 2021

3. The Lincoln and Animals Marker is on the right side looking north

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.