Festivities are planned throughout 2009 in my home county. Scott Summers is writing a regular column "Thinking of Lincoln" at the county's website. See alincoln-200.com.
The McHenry County Board is planning a special dinner at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake on Feb. 21st with authentic cuisine.
LINCOLN'S LINKS TO MCHENRY COUNTY
Well, actually he never visited here, but his political rival, Stephen A. Douglas, did. He gave a speech while campaigning for his first term in Congress at a tavern in McHenry while standing on a whiskey crate.
Accounts say he rode into town on a really big horse and looked ridiculous as "his legs were so short."
Also, James Wallace Coquillette enlisted in the 8th Illinois in 1864 and searched for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination.
Dr. Samuel R. Ward of Richmond, Illinois, witnessed the Gettysburg Address and was in Ford Theater that fateful night.
Lincoln DID NOT Sleep Here. --B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
