Humorous Moments

Barnett Tavern, owned and operated by Alvin and Rebecca Barnett at 200 South Center Street, was a two-story stopping place for weary travelers, circuit lawyers, and judges crossing the Illinois prairie, and when in Clinton, Lincoln and his associates were often guests. Lincoln once jokingly commented on Mrs. Barnett’s custard, and after overhearing him, she never served him custard again. On another occasion, as Lincoln approached the tavern on horseback and asked about accommodation, a mischievous boy told him the innkeeper was nearly deaf and that he should speak loudly, while telling Barnett that Lincoln was hard of hearing; when the two men then addressed each other in loud voices, they eventually discovered the prank and shared a good laugh. In another incident, while defending the Illinois Central Railroad in Wilson Allen’s suit over a ditch that allegedly caused water to back up on Allen’s rural property, Lincoln visited Allen’s home during Allen’s absence, saw water being carried from the ditch and Mrs. Allen washing clothes in it, asked for a drink, and was given water drawn from the ditch because the well was dry and the family was also hauling that water for livestock. Returning to the Hill residence where he was staying, Lincoln invited George Hill to court, promising “something rich this afternoon,” and then put on quite a show by proving the ditch to be a blessing.

Clinton, Illinois · United States