On October 15, 1860, a few weeks before being elected as the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln received a letter by an 11-year old girl from New York encouraging him to grow a beard. Why? Because, as stated in the letter, all women like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for him!
A few weeks later, Abe responded to the letter and grew a full beard. After a month, he won the elections to become one of the most beloved US Presidents to date.
In October 1860, 11-year-old Grace Bedell was inspired when she saw a campaign picture of the candidate Abraham Lincoln. But because his face looked “so thin” and in an effort to improve his appearance and win the elections, she wrote him a letter: (the article continues after the ad)
Hon A B Lincoln…Dear Sir
My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York.
I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye
Grace Bedell
A few weeks later Lincoln replied:
Miss Grace Bedell
My dear little Miss
Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received – I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters—I have three sons—one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age—They, with their mother, constitute my whole family—As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?
Your very sincere well wisher,
A. Lincoln
Even though he didn’t promise to grow his whiskers, it turns out the Lincoln gave some serious thought to the idea. After all, political enemies had made fun of Abe’s smooth chin, at a time when most men wore some sort of face foliage.
When he won the elections and on his inaugural train ride from Illinois to Washington, D.C., as the train pulled into Westfield, NY, the Rail-Splitter announced: “I have a correspondent in this place and if she’s present, i would like to see her”
“Who is she Abe?” the crowd asked.
“Her name is Grace Bedell“.
The girl was found and brought up to the train. “You see Grace, i let these whiskers grow for you”.
A statue depicting their meeting was erected in Westfield and along Highway 81, a billboard was placed outside of Delphos, advertising the home of “Lincoln’s Little Girl”.
If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: This Is Why People Wore Those Funny Wigs
Main Article Photo: Bettmann / CORBIS
Photoshop: I’m A Useless Info Junkie
Sources: Kansas Honors Girl Who Urged Lincoln To Grow Whiskers | ‘All the ladies like whiskers!’ Revealed, the girl, 11, who convinced Lincoln to grow his iconic beard | The Girl Who Grew Lincoln’s Beard |
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