It was for such things as these that people gave him the name which clung to him as long as he lived." It was in the summer of 1831 that Abraham Lincoln performed his first official act.

Minter Graham, the school-teacher, tells the story.

"On the day of the election, in the month of August, Abe was seen loitering about the polling place.

It was but a few days after his arrival in New Salem.

They were 'short of a clerk' at the polls; and, after casting about in vain for some one competent to fill the office, it occurred to one of the judges that perhaps the tall stranger possessed the needful qualifications.