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On Sunday afternoon, Lincoln Mayor
Tracy Welch and Abraham Lincoln performed a reenactment of the
christening of the city of Lincoln. This is an annual event at the
National Railsplitting Festival, held on the front lawn of the
Postville Courthouse.
Welch read the narrative of the story while Lincoln stood by,
prepared to perform the actual christening.
Welch began speaking about the
founding of the town in 1853. He explained the relationship between
Lincoln and one of the city founders, Robert Latham. Welch explained
that Virgil Hickock and John D. Gillett also played a role in the
venture.
After choosing to name the town after Latham’s good friend, the
three asked Lincoln to christen the city “Lincoln.” The four were at
a celebratory gathering, and the best item on hand for the
christening was a watermelon.
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Lincoln cut open the watermelon,
took a piece of the heart and squeezed the juice into a cup. He then
christened the town. Thus the city of Lincoln Illinois became the
only Lincoln in the United States to be named after the 16th
president before he was elected.
Following the reenactment, Welch
asked everyone to turn toward the flag mounted on the front of the
Postville Courthouse while Austin Garrett sang the National Anthem.
Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch and Abraham Lincoln christen the city of
Lincoln video
[Nila Smith] |
