Where Is It?

[RJNorton]

That is a really good guess, Juan, but the correct answer is a country located in South America.

[RJNorton]

I do not think anyone is going to get this one. This statue is in the Abraham Lincoln Plaza in Quito, Ecuador.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidberkowitz/4870584670

[Anita]

I was in Quito and didn't know there was an Abraham Lincoln Plaza. I would love to have seen it.

When I saw your first post photo I thought Lincoln was coming out of a chimney.

[RJNorton]

Where is this statue of Abraham Lincoln located?

[Rob Wick]

If I am not mistaken, this is the statue of Lincoln meeting Grace Bedell in Westfield, N.Y.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Right on, Rob! You are correct.

Many years ago Ed Steers was kind enough to send me the photos below. The photos themselves were taken by Kieran McAuliffe.

There is a Roadside America web page here:

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/32128

[David Lockmiller]

Hon A B [sic] Lincoln...

Dear Sir My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin's. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have yet got four brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to [sic] but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York. I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye

Grace Bedell

Lincoln made no promises in his reply to Bedell's letter:

Springfield, Ill Oct 19, 1860

Miss Grace Bedell My dear little Miss Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons – one seventeen, one nine, and one seven, years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a silly affectation if I were to begin it now? Your very sincere well wisher

A. Lincoln

[AussieMick]

I see that Lincoln writes that Grace's letter is "of the 15th ". I think it fair to assume that Grace dated it correctly ...even if she didn't Lincoln probably had it handed to him on 18th ... or 19th. His letter is dated 19th.
Anybody know how prompt delivery was those days ? .... that's by the by , anyway...

My main point is that Lincoln must have , I suggest, responded immediately. Placing her letter aside would have resulted in it being lost or forgotten. .... must look to see what was happening around that date. And was it a Sunday.
From a cynical point of view, Lincoln's action vis a vis electoral popularity, in responding and growing a beard, is up there with Nixon "we're keeping the dog".

---

19 Oct 1860 was a Friday.

[RJNorton]

Where was this photo taken?

[Rob Wick]

Ummm, in somebody's house?

Seriously, I am going to guess this is where Abraham and Mary were married in Springfield. The Edwards' house.

Best
Rob

[Anita]

The Edwards home?

[RJNorton]

Excellent, Rob and Anita. Yes, it is the Edwards' parlor where the Lincolns were married on November 4, 1842.

[RJNorton]

Where is this statue located? (not in USA)

[Rob Wick]

Really wild guess, but considering the background, Italy?

[RJNorton]

Nope, not Italy, Rob.