Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[RJNorton]

Lewis, I am curious if you have an opinion about Lincoln's life on the circuit. I did read Dr. Tripp's book, but that was around 8 or 9 years ago, and I have forgotten if "the circuit" is addressed. Although Herndon did not travel the circuit often he apparently did on at least a few occasions. One thing Herndon says is that he once slept with 20 men in the same room. I realize the group was not always this large, but I think if Lincoln were looking for "opportunities" the circuit would have been one major place to look as he spent 20+ weeks absent from home each year traveling with other men. I know some of the men noted that Lincoln did not go home on weekends when the others did, but as far as I know, none ever said Lincoln was interested in other males in a sexual sense. Did Dr. Tripp comment on Lincoln's circuit riding days?