a rapid and dangerous stream, and when it came to a question of who could pilot it out, all were afraid to venture the hazardous feat. But as in all his subsequent life Logan never hesitated to accept responsibilities, so now the fearless boy jumped aboard and steered her out in safety.*

It was shortly after this characteristic incident that, at the age of sixteen, the youth entered Shiloh College, where he remained some three years.

Thus passed the years of John A. Logan's life, from childhood to youth and to young manhood, alternating the duties of Western farm-life with its innocent amusements and sociality, and with such intervals of more or less serious study as could be spared from more pressing calls—at times, no doubt, his mind perturbed by vague questionings whether he were not intended for more stirring work in life than that, and doubtless wishing for a change.

The change was near at hand.

It was the year 1846. The relations between the United States and Mexico were growing strained. Then came the declaration of war, which stirred the martial blood in his veins. At the call for troops, fired with patriotic zeal, young Logan, then but twenty years of age, abandoned farm and studies and entered the American army as a lieutenant of Company H, First Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Young as he was, he served his country in Mexico with distinction from the beginning to the end of the war-which found him acting quartermaster of his regiment.

His many and varied experiences in this war, the larger knowledge gained by him of men and things,-unquestionably had much influence in shaping Logan's brilliant subsequent career.

* For this and other incidents of the General's boyhood, together with other valuable information, the writer is indebted to Professor Thomas, entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution, a companion of Logan's youth, who subsequently married one of the General's sisters, now deceased.

HIS RETURN FROM MEXICO TO PEACEFUL PURSUITS-IS ELECTED TO AND RESIGNS HIS FIRST PUBLIC OFFICE-READS LAWGRADUATES FROM LOUISVILLE UNIVERSITY-COMMENCES THE PRACTICE OF LAW-AN INCIDENT OF HIS PERSONAL COURAGE -SERVES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

Returning home after the declaration of peace, our young hero determined to embrace the profession of the law, and resigning the county clerkship of Jackson County, to which the people had in 1849 elected him, he became a student in the Law Department of Louisville University. Here, by his rapid progress, he sustained, in an eminent degree, the sanguine expectations of his friends. After graduating with honors, he returned to his old home at Murphysborough, formed a copartnership with his uncle, ex-Governor Jenkins, and at once began to acquire a lucrative practice, meeting at the bar some of the first lawyers of the State-men who have since made national reputations as eminent jurists.

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It was about this time occurred an instance of his sonal courage, which was then much talked of and made him many friends. The farmers of Southern Illinois had been much troubled by the incursions of a desperate gang of horse-thieves that rendezvoused in the swamps of Southeastern Missouri. They had recently made a new foray, and had stolen a number of horses from his neighbors. The sufferers held the gang in terror, and were afraid to follow and attempt the recovery of their recovery of their property. Young Logan heard about this outrage, and taking two men with him, followed the outlaws into the swamps of Missouri, and soon returned with his neighbors' horses. Acute rheumatism-the seeds of which had doubtless been sown in his system by exposure during the war with Mexico-seized him on his return, sixteen miles from home; but he had accomplished his mission.

In 1852, the people of the legislative district comprising

the counties of Jackson and Franklin determined to run young Logan for representative in the State Legislature—a position occupied years before by his father; and, although his competitor was well known, highly esteemed, and of great experience, Logan defeated him, and was elected by a large majority.

ELECTED DISTRICT ATTORNEY-HIS UNIFORM SUCCESS IN PROSECUTION AN INCIDENT OF HIS REMARKABLE SKILL IN DEFENCE HIS MARRIAGE-AGAIN IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

At the expiration of his legislative term, Mr. Logan resumed the active practice of his profession-one for which he was admirably fitted, and which he greatly enjoyed, his specialty being criminal jurisprudence; and so successful was he in it that he was soon elected prosecuting attorney for the Third Judicial District. During his incumbency of that office Mr. Logan tried and convicted some of the most famous cases on the docket of that district; and it is a remarkable fact that there is not a single instance in which he prosecuted that the guilty escaped conviction, nor was any one of his indictments ever quashed.

On the other hand, an instance may be given of his skill in defence. It was while Mr. Logan was practising law at the bar of the same district. He was defending a man who with a knife had killed another in a dining-room, and who was indicted for murder. There was so strong a prejudice against the prisoner that he had taken a change of venue from Union to Polk County. The persons involved being prominent men, there was immense excitement as the time of trial arrived. The court-house, which stood in a large grass-covered square upon which some sheep stood browsing, was crammed with eager spectators. The evidence was all in, and the prosecution had finished its opening. As Logan arose to make his speech for the defence, a dog got among the sheep, and one of them bolted away from the