"Herndon was born mediocre"

[Jim Garrett]

Herndon was a little rough around the edges. I think he was probably a somewhat typical middle class frontiersman. His legacy is that he did shoot from the hip. I think I remember that as far as a researcher and legal mind, he was top notch and that is why the Lincoln Herndon relationship endured. Herndon would prepare a case and Lincoln would argue it.

With the wealth of writings about all of AL superior skills, intelligence, compassion, etc, Herndon allows us a balance, warts, moles, and all.