U.S. Court for Southern District of Illinois holds its first session, with Samuel Treat on bench. Lincoln has one case, Doyle et al. v. Lewis et al.. He and Stephen T. Logan represent complainants, Stuart and Edwards defendants. Attorneys agree to continuance. Record.

Lincoln writes affidavit of Benjamin Kellogg in Flint v. Kellogg et al. (filed next day). Photocopy.

In Tazewell Circuit Court, in session for fall term, Lincoln writes and files replication in Abbey for use of Barney v. Abbey. Instead of signing his own name, he writes "Saltonstall, p.q." at end of plea. Photocopy.

Lincoln has two cases. Ricketts v. Goings, in which he secured judgment for plaintiff May 8, 1855, only to have it set aside two days later, is dismissed by agreement at defendant's costs. In Opdycke v. Opdycke & Opdycke, also before court in May, he obtains order for sale of real estate, and writes and files order himself. Record; Files.

He writes court order also in Harris Lime Rock Co. v. Harris et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Lincoln's drug store account is charged for three sticks of "Cough Candy." Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.]

Lincoln appears for defendant in Prettyman v. Yacle and Prettyman v. Stoltz. Both are continued on plaintiff's motion. Record.

Lincoln wins divorce case, Matthews v. Matthews, continued from spring term. Jury finds defendant, Josiah Matthews, whom Lincoln represents, not guilty and finds complainant guilty of desertion. Reilley v. Wallace, in which Lincoln appears for defendant, is tried before court, who takes it under advisement. Third case is continued. Record.

Lincoln writes and signs replication in Harris Lime Rock Co. v. Harris et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Clark v. Stigleman et al. comes before U.S. Court for last time. With Stuart and Edwards appearing for plaintiff and Lincoln & Herndon for defendants, jury finds for plaintiff and assesses his damages at $2,700. Record.

Lincoln deposits $198 in his account at Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Co.—first deposit he has made in two years. Marine Bank Ledger.

Lincoln writes John Loughborough, surveyor general at St. Louis, asking for "statement of each quarter Section, and fractional quarter Section, upon which, by Brown's survey, any Peoria French claim is laid?" Lincoln, who wants information for law suit, is answered by return mail, and charged $4. Abraham Lincoln to John Loughborough, 10 October 1855, CW, 2:326.

Lincoln writes and sends to Pekin answer of Alfred B. Harris, guardian, in Harris Lime Rock Co. v. Harris et al.Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln apparently mails $4 fee to St. Louis surveyor general. Photocopy.

DeWitt Circuit Court convenes. By agreement of counsel, ejectment suit which Lincoln filed at May term on behalf of Milton K. Alexander of Paris is continued. In Dungey v. Spencer, he has defendant ruled to plead Tuesday morning. He is for plaintiff in both. Record.

Emery v. Illinois Central RR, in which Moore and Lincoln represent defendant, is continued. In Dungey v. Spencer, defendant, represented by McKinley and Weldon, files demurrer which is sustained as to two counts and overruled as to third. On Lincoln's motion defendant is ruled to plead by two o'clock. Record.

In Allen v. Illinois Central RR, jury finds for plaintiff and awards damages of $762.50. Lincoln and Moore appear for railroad. Lincoln and Moore also represent defendants in assumpsit case, Drybread v. Clearwaters & Lowry. After filing bill of discovery, they move that plaintiff be ruled to answer, and that further action be stayed until he does so. Record.

Lincoln writes and files plea in Spencer v. Illinois Central RR. He and Moore, as usual, are for defendant. Photocopy.

Dungey v. Spencer comes to trial. Plaintiff, whom Lincoln represents, dark-skinned Portuguese married to Spencer's sister, sues for damages because Spencer called him Negro. Jury finds the defendant guilty and assesses plaintiff's damages at $600. By agreement defendant releases all errors in record, and in return plaintiff releases $400 of judgment. People v. Wyant, murder, with which Lincoln is later associated, opens as accused pleads not guilty. Record.

Defendant's affidavit is filed in People v. Wyant, and case continued. Wyant is sent to Tazewell County jail. Record.

Lincoln, representing petitioner, argues divorce case entitled Stout v. Stout. Court grants petition, but orders petitioner to pay all costs. Question of alimony is continued (see May 15, 1856). Lincoln writes decree of court. Record.

In Allen v. Illinois Central RR, Lincoln writes bill of exceptions and instructions to jury. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"The fall term of our Circuit Court is now in session at this place. The Docket is very large and will not be half disposed of. . . . The time for holding the Circuit Court in this county ought to be extended by the legislature and probably will be at another session. The attendance at court is pretty large—a fair amount of lawyers—the usual ones in attendance here." Urbana Union, 25 October 1855.

On behalf of defendant, Lincoln writes plea, which he signs "Coler & Lincoln," in Burgess v. Vannata. Plaintiff claims damages for alleged negligence of defendant in caring for sheep. Lincoln writes and files bill of exceptions and affidavit for change of venue from Vermilion County in People v. High, larceny. He writes two indictments, signing "Lamon Pro tem," in People v. Lyster, larceny, and People v. Percival, cohabitation with daughter. Photocopy.

Litigation is so great that Champaign Circuit Court adjourns at midnight. Urbana Union, 1 November 1855.

Since there is no rail connection, Lincoln must have spent day traveling from Urbana to Danville.

Lincoln has two cases in Vermilion Circuit Court. One is dismissed by agreement; other is continued. Record.

He writes and sends to Paris affidavit of W. M. Snyder in Wolfe v. Snyder. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Eleven of Lincoln & Lamon's cases are called. One is settled when defendants, whom Lincoln represents, agree to pay $150 and costs. In another—McCollom v. Allen—defendant's attorneys, among them Lincoln, file petition to transfer case to U.S. Court at Springfield, and then withdraw petition. Other cases are dismissed, settled, or continued. Record.

Lincoln writes indictment in People v. Griffith, altering agreement, for Lamon as prosecuting attorney, who signs. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes decree of court in Clark v. Hoxworth et al.Photocopy.

Douglas is scheduled to speak before Democratic rally, but illness compels him to break engagement. Lincoln was to have replied. Davis to Rockwell, 27 December 1855, transcript in possession of Mrs. Harry E. Pratt, Springfield, Ill.; Register, 6 November 1855.

Lincoln speaks on political situation. "While I am writing this," says Democratic correspondent of Register, "ex-congressman Lincoln is speaking in the court house by invitation of the fusionists here, who are, that is a few of them, as bitter and unreasonable against Judge Douglas as any can be found in the state. Mr. Lincoln just suits them." Register, 6 November 1855.

Agreement written by Lincoln that parties in Gatling et al. v. Great Western RR agree to submit case to judge in vacation is filed, and case continued. Record.

Lincoln's drug store account is charged for soda, cream of tartar, and bottle of liniment. Pratt, Personal Finances, 151.