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"NO MOON AT ALL."
One of the most notable of Lincoln's law cases was that in which he
defended William D. Armstrong, charged with murder. The case was one
which was watched during its progress with intense interest, and it had
a most dramatic ending.
The defendant was the son of Jack and Hannah Armstrong. The father was
dead, but Hannah, who had been very motherly and helpful to Lincoln
during his life at New Salem, was still living, and asked Lincoln to
defend him. Young Armstrong had been a wild lad, and was often in bad
company.
The principal witness had sworn that he saw young Armstrong strike the
fatal blow, the moon being very bright at the time.
Lincoln brought forward the almanac, which showed that at the time
the murder was committed there was no moon at all. In his argument,
Lincoln's speech was so feelingly made that at its close all the men
in the jury-box were in tears. It was just half an hour when the jury
returned a verdict of acquittal.
Lincoln would accept no fee except the thanks of the anxious mother.
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Stories and Anecdotes About the Life of Abraham Lincoln
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