A Learning On-Line Learning Activity by Howard Taylor

Click the hat for Index

 

Abraham Lincoln,  Lawyer:  The Tall Hat Activity

 

1

How About all Those Tall Hats, with me in the middle?
The Lincoln Presenters are, from left:  Jim Conine 
Larry Givens, H. Taylor (Guest of the Lincolns), Jim Rubin, Ralph Borrer,
far right, our own  B.F. McClerren

Abraham Lincoln, The Lawyer. . .

 "Tall Hat Activity"


. . .The Abraham Lincoln Lawyer "Tall Hat Activity"

. . . Abraham traveled around the countryside on his horse, Bob, or later would have the comfort of a "not so fancy" buggy.  He didn't take a large trunk of clothes, books or supplies, didn't have an S-U-V, or such convenience to carry his papers and necessary books.  He would have to pack the books and larger items in smaller sized saddle bags
. . .but legal documents and papers were stored in the lining of his tall hat.  This was a safe place and very convenient.   This Activity is Dedicated to Abe Lincoln's tall hat, and all cases that he won, or lost.

. . . In this activity, you are to choose an actual court case from Abraham's tall hat file

. . . Choose as many cases as you would like to hear, and then be the Judge.  Judge Davis was the judge of the 8th Circuit, in which most of these cases were heard.  Some cases are about business dealings, some about property ownership, some about Murder!  You need to make sure the trial is fair, only the truth is said, and that the jury (if there is one) decides on their own.  You don't want any outside influence on the Jury's decision.  In some cases you, the Judge, will have to decide guilt or innocence, or who gets the property.  Remember:  a person is innocent until proven guilty.
The state has to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS: Lincoln's Friends and Associates on the 8th Circuit
Abe's Competitors

 		John Palmer

 		John Stuart
Judge David Davis

 		Judge John Reynolds

 		Judge Lawrence Weldon
Judge Stephen Douglas

 		Samuel Treat

 Stephen Logan
William "Billy" Herndon


 		Abraham Lincoln


 		(Left) The last living man to be
cross-examined
by Lincoln:  James Hobbit


(Right)  Robert Hitt, the first official stenographer
 in Illinois, and would report some of Lincoln's
arguments

Lincoln Hat File Activity
Click Here for a Form to Record the Decision:

Choose Your Case

CASE # 1
 William  "Duff"
Armstrong Moonshine Murder Case

CASE # 3
"Chicken Bone" Case
CASE # 2
Mrs. Goings Murder Case



CASE #4 
Matson Slave Trial

 

To Give Your Case a True Lincoln Feeling, these photos are from the old
Macon County Courthouse (Log) with really nice furniture ready for Judge, Defense and Prosecuting Attorneys, and audience.  Abraham Lincoln was very popular with area people when he would hold court.  The room would be filled.  He was a very serious lawyer, very smart, a good detective, and knew the law.  He was known to tell a story that directly related to the case and people involved.

 
During the recesses, and lunch Abraham was known to visit with the young people outside the courthouse and play a little stick ball.  No wonder most people loved and respected this unusual country lawyer.

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