Springfield's Old Second Presbyterian Church

[RJNorton]

In 1840 Lincoln made an unusual move while the Illinois House of Representatives was using the Second Presbyterian Church as a temporary location for its meeting. What did he do?

Springfield's Old Second Presbyterian Church

[J. Beckert]

Does it have something to do with jumping out a window for some reason I can't recall?

[RJNorton]

Does it have something to do with jumping out a window for some reason I can't recall?

You win, Joe. The motive for jumping out the window, for which Lincoln suffered considerable humiliation, was to break a quorum when Democrats called for a vote to cripple the Whig-favored state bank. Two other legislators, Joseph Gillepsie and Asahel Gridley, jumped with Lincoln. As his life went on, Lincoln became embarrassed at what he had done, and he avoided discussing it with people in the future.

[LincolnMan]

Is the church building still standing today? If so, I've missed it during my Springfield trips.

[RJNorton]

Bill, it's gone, but the location is marked with a tablet.

[LincolnMan]

Thanks Roger-that was informative.