Fred Antil - A Lincoln Treasure Trove

Table of Contents

Prologue

One Mans Search for Abraham Lincoln

and so did Abraham Lincoln. Thus ended a long forgotten speech delivered by a nervous high school student in an oratorical contest decades ago. It not only helped me win the contest it indicated my early interest in Lincoln.

Many years later, some 25 years ago, I was invited by a granddaughter to read to her class on grandparents day. My Lincoln interest kicked in and I brought Lincoln books to read to the children. Soon other grandchildren began making the same request. After a few such readings I figured that since I was about Lincolns size, and about as handsome, why not dress up like him and try to make it a little more real for the children. A costume shop provided the top hat, vest, long black coat, bow tie, and fake beard.

It wasnt long before I began to get invitations from adult audiences. I knew that while my makeshift costume and limited Lincoln knowledge might work with the children, both had to change dramatically if I were to properly serve adult audiences. I got an authentic period suit and hat. I also grow, and darken, my own beard when asked to perform. To finalize my transformation I add a prominent mole (the tip of an eraser) to my right cheek. Once, in a fourth grade class, an excited young girl looked up and asked, Can I touch your mole? Knowing it was my last event that day I replied, You can do better than that, you can have it. I pulled it off and handed it to her. She was startled but took it. Later, when the class sent a thank you note she signed it, Your friend, the mole girl.

More important than the physical transformation, my study of Lincoln began in earnest. Ive accumulated an extensive Lincoln library, collecting and reading everything possible about this remarkable man. I also have visited every place that Lincoln lived or spent much time, and many Civil War battle sites. Traveling light, but never without my journal in which I take notes, Ive visited his two homes in Kentucky; the farm in Indiana where he spent his teen years; New Salem, Illinois, where he spent his twenties; and Springfield, Illinois, where he spent much of his adult life. Visiting his home, his third law office, the Legislative building in which he served, the Depot where he gave his farewell on his departure for DC, the family burial site, and, of course, the wonderful Lincoln Museum, make Springfield a Lincoln treasure trove. But no study of Lincoln would be complete without a visit to Washington, DC. The White House; the Soldiers Home, where the family spent summers; Fords Theatre, where he was shot; and the Petersen Boarding House, where he died all are moving and memorable. Also unforgettable is the Lincoln Memorial, a fitting tribute to an outstanding man.

While my focus was on Lincoln I also try to learn as much about the Civil War as possible. Visits to Fort Sumter, South Carolina, where it started, and to Appomattox, Virginia, where it essentially ended, and many of the major battlefields in between Manassas, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Atlanta, Richmond, Antietam, Shiloh, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Fort Donelson, New Orleans, and Nashville provided graphic reminders of the bloody and terrible price paid to preserve the Union.

I tailor each talk to the audience I will be addressing so am constantly researching different aspects of Lincoln history to meet the interest of each particular audience.

At one Lincoln Day dinner in upstate New York I was to introduce the main speaker, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. I said, Mr. Mayor, you represent one of my favorite cities. My hero, George Washington, was sworn into office and gave his farewell address there. That makes your city special for me, but in addition I once gave a speech there that some say won me the election. Tell me, sir, is the Cooper Institute still there? Looking up at me he bellowed, Mr. President, it is not only still there but I was there last week and they still talk about your speech!