Celebrating Abraham Lincoln's birthday in Mount Pulaski

Brian 'Fox' Ellis to portray William Herndon, Lincoln's law partner

Saturday, Feb. 9, at Mount Pulaski Courthouse

[January 26, 2013]  MOUNT PULASKI -- On Feb. 9 at 11 a.m., William Herndon, Abraham Lincoln's law partner, will be portrayed in Mount Pulaski by acclaimed storyteller, author and educator Brian "Fox" Ellis, from Peoria. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a unique look at Abraham Lincoln through the eyes of his law partner.

Everyone is invited to attend this remarkable portrayal in the Mount Pulaski Courthouse courtroom, where Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis, Stephen A. Douglas, Leonard Swett, William Herndon and other lawyers who traveled by horse and buggy in the mid-1800s Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit heard cases in the Logan County seat of Mount Pulaski (1848-1855), an Illinois Historic Site since 1936.

Complimentary servings of Mary Todd Lincoln's cake will be provided throughout the day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the afternoon from 1 to 3:30, there will be multiple activities for children. Craft supplies will be available for making cards, bookmarks and pictures for Lincoln's Birthday or Valentine's Day. There will also be an Abraham Lincoln scavenger hunt.

The previous day, Feb. 8, two other historic individuals associated with Abraham Lincoln will be portrayed by Ellis at the Mount Pulaski schools. For students of the Mount Pulaski Grade School and Zion Lutheran School, Mr. Ellis will portray Austin Gulihur, one of Lincoln's boyhood friends. Fourth-graders will begin the morning program with a presentation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. In the afternoon, for the Mount Pulaski High School, Ellis will portray American poet Walt Whitman, who was a contemporary of Lincoln and wrote poems in praise of him soon after the president's assassination.

The funding for these events has come from the Tomlinson Trust, the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County and the Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation. Mary Todd Lincoln's cake will be donated by Hilltop Catering of Mount Pulaski.