The Shadows Rise

[maharba]

from the Virginia Illinois Enquirer March 1879
John McNamar was buried last sunday, near Petersburg, Menard county...was assessor and treasurer of the county...an early settler in that section...was in business at Old Salem...Abe Lincoln was then postmaster of the place and sold whiskey to its inhabitants. There are oldsters yet living in Menard who bought many a jug of corn juice from old Abe when he lived at Salem. It was here that Annie Rutledge dwelt...Lincoln went on to Springfield...Mr.McNamer was always an admirer of Mr. Lincoln...kept in his possession many letters written to him."

John McNamar was a fairly close-mouthed fellow, and I think he was surprised to hear from William Herndon, and to have him ask him close questions such as the locations of Ann Rutledge and other graves. I wonder where those letters from Lincoln went to, what was in them may be of historical interest?