Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

You nailed it, Gene. The Dill brothers, who had exclusive ferry rights on that part of the Ohio River, took Lincoln to court. They argued that Lincoln and his small boat were in violation of their exclusive rights. Judge Samuel Pate ruled that Lincoln was not taking his passengers across the river; he was only taking them partway to the steamers traveling on the river, and therefore had not violated the law. Lincoln had never ferried any passengers totally across the river. This was in c. 1827.

And it seems that Judge Pate was impressed with Lincoln's mind in court, and the two became friendly after the case was over. Lincoln also may have had a crush on Pate's niece, Caroline Meeker.