It was shortly after the Black Hawk War.

She was a winsome girl, with fair hair and blue eyes, and Lincoln's heart was captivated by her sweet face and gentle manners.

So attractive a girl was not, of course, without suitors, and Anne had been wooed by one James McNeill, a young man who had come to New Salem soon after the founding of the town.

He had been more than ordinarily successful, and had bought a large farm a few miles north of the village.

He was unmarried--at least he so represented himself--and paid devoted attention to Anne.