It was a jury trial, and Lincoln waived the opening argument to the jury, leaving Mr.Conkling to sum up his case for the defense.

The latter spoke at considerable length, in a sophomoric style, laboring under the impression that unless he made an extraordinary exertion to influence the jury he would be quite eclipsed by Lincoln in his closing speech.

But he was completely taken back by the unlooked-for light manner in which Lincoln treated the case in his closing.

Lincoln proceeded to reply but, in doing so he talked on without making the slightest reference to the case on hearing or to the argument of Mr.Conkling.His summing-up to the jury was to the following effect: "Gentlemen of the jury: In early days there lived in this vicinity, over on the Sangamon river, an old Indian of the Kickapoo tribe by the name of Johnnie Kongapod.

He had been taken in charge by some good missionaries, converted to Christianity, and educated to such extent that he could read and write.