"Herndon was born mediocre"

[Rob Wick]

Quote:Rob, I understand your question on "evidence." (And, let me also note your poignant comments on your life experiences. I'm sorry for your losses).

Thanks Tom. I sincerely appreciate that.

Quote:Let me ask your opinion on this: do you think Herndon was trying to examine all evidence to come up with a balanced finding? Or, was he trying to prove a notion, just because he hated Mary?

To be honest, I don't know what Herndon's motivation was. But again, even if he hated Mary to the depths of hell (which before 1866 I'm not convinced he did) it still doesn't refute evidence of a romance. I believe Herndon was trying to pull Lincoln from what he saw as hagiography and did that in every aspect of his life, including his romances.

Quote:My main gripe, though, is the way Herndon, and plenty of others, have blown the romance out of proportion.

What hurt the studies of this question was Wilma Minor. Of course, had Sandburg (and to a lesser extent, Tarbell) not lent their names to the credibility of the letters, she would have been more of an odd footnote than she was. But regardless of how other writers have handled it, to me it still doesn't prove negativity where a romance is concerned.

I have a feeling that east is east and west is west on this question, which is, of course, OK. I appreciate the give and take.

Best
Rob