I was told by a fellow from Petersburg, Illinois (the town that survived when New Salem, Illinois--where Abe lived--ceased to exist) that it is gnerally "common knowledge around there" that Abe had a sexually transmitted disease, and that was why there was a near breakup between he and Mary. Abe went away then, and had a "cure" of sorts---folks say. This period was/is usually ascribed to Abe's melanchilia. If he did have this disease, and if he gave it to Mary, it might explain a lot----including her mental disease.

Probably just local folk tales though, right???

;-)

Art Thieme