⚖️ Abraham Lincoln’s Last Murder Trial: A Knife, a Grudge, and a Political Storm

Abraham Lincoln, the Lawyer
Waterfront Park in Louisville Kentucky
 (Statue by Louisville artist Ed Hamilton)

🧨 The Drama: Family, Politics, and Reputation

In the summer of 1859, Abraham Lincoln stepped into a Springfield courtroom for what would be his final murder trial—just two years before he became President. The case was The People v. Simeon Quinn Harrison, and it had all the makings of a frontier tragedy: a fatal stabbing, a tangled family feud, and a defense team led by Lincoln himself.

But this wasn’t just any murder trial—it was a social powder keg.

• The victim’s brother was married to Harrison’s sister, and their relationship was already strained by allegations of abuse.
• Both families were well-known in Springfield and longtime Lincoln supporters.
• The community was deeply divided, and the trial drew intense public attention.
• And the two newspapers in Springfield only added to the chaos.

🔪 The Incident: A Picnic, a Grudge, and a Knife

The trouble began in Pleasant Plains, Illinois, where Greek Crafton and Simeon Q. Harrison—two young men with a long-standing grudge—crossed paths at a Fourth of July picnic. Tensions flared, allegedly over a girl, and the animosity carried into the following weeks.

On July 17, the feud exploded. In a violent confrontation at Richland, Harrison stabbed Crafton across the abdomen, slicing from rib to groin and exposing his intestines. Crafton’s brother John tried to intervene and was slashed across the arm. Harrison fled the scene and evaded arrest for weeks.

Crafton died two days later from his wounds. The newspapers buzzed with outrage and speculation. The Illinois State Journal and the Illinois State Register—Springfield’s rival papers—competed fiercely to cover the unfolding drama, often contradicting each other and accusing one another of bias.

📰 Media Mayhem: The Press Takes Sides

The Journal reported that Harrison had “taken leg bail,” evading the coroner’s inquest and burial formalities. The Register countered with claims that Harrison had already been arrested. Both papers agreed on one thing: the community was inflamed, and the case was politically charged.

By early August, Harrison surrendered voluntarily. His preliminary hearing was set before Justices Adams and Hickman. Seventy-five witnesses were subpoenaed. The prosecution team included J.B. White, Col. John A. McClernand, and Broadwell. The defense was stacked: Stephen Logan, William Herndon, Milton Hay—and Abraham Lincoln.

🏛️ The Preliminary Hearing: Packed Courtrooms and Fierce Testimony

By early August 1859, Quinn Harrison had surrendered and was brought before Justices Adams and Hickman for a preliminary hearing. The courthouse was packed—Springfield’s citizens were riveted by the case. Over seventy-five witnesses were subpoenaed, and the testimony painted a picture of long-standing animosity between Harrison and Greek Crafton.

The confrontation that led to Crafton’s death occurred in Short’s Drug Store. Witnesses testified that Crafton followed Harrison inside and initiated the attack, with his brother John joining in. In the chaos, Harrison fatally stabbed Greek. The defense argued self-defense, citing threats from Crafton to “throw him down and stamp him in the face.”

 🎭 Deathbed Drama: Cartwright vs. Million

One of the most dramatic moments came from Reverend Peter Cartwright—Harrison’s grandfather—who testified that Crafton, on his deathbed, absolved Harrison of blame. Reverend John Slater echoed this account. But Dr. Million, who had also spoken with Crafton in his final hours, disputed it, stating that Crafton had in fact censured Harrison.

This conflicting testimony added emotional weight to the proceedings and underscored the complexity of the case. The defense leaned heavily on the idea that Harrison had acted out of fear and necessity, not malice.

🎤 Lincoln’s Summation: Calm, Clear, and Strategic

On August 4, the lawyers presented their closing arguments. Mr. Broadwell opened for the prosecution, followed by Judge Logan and Abraham Lincoln for the defense. Lincoln’s summation was described as calm, clear, and persuasive. He didn’t rely on theatrics—he relied on logic, character, and the credibility of the witnesses.

Mr. McClernand closed for the prosecution, arguing for a murder charge. But Lincoln and Logan suggested that Harrison be bound over for manslaughter, not murder, to avoid the appearance of a rushed dismissal. The court agreed, setting bail at $10,000.

📜 The Indictment: A Political Storm Brews

Later that month, the grand jury returned a bill of indictment for murder. The Illinois State Journal expressed disbelief, calling it “a mystery” and suggesting the case clearly pointed to self-defense. The Illinois State Register fired back, accusing the Journal of politicizing the judicial process and undermining the integrity of the courts.

The press war intensified. The Journal’s defense of Harrison was seen by some as partisan meddling, while others viewed the indictment as judicial overreach. The trial was set for the next term of the Sangamon Circuit Court, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

🔨 Gavel Down: The Trial Begins

On August 31, 1859, the trial of Quinn Harrison officially commenced in the Sangamon County Circuit Court. The courtroom was packed, and anticipation ran high. Yet the proceedings got off to a slow start—many witnesses were absent, and by mid-afternoon, only three jurors had been empaneled. The defense team included Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Logan, and Shelby Cullom. The prosecution was led by J.B. White, John A. McClernand, Charles Broadwell, and B.S. Edwards, though Edwards’s illness threatened to sideline him.

To ensure a full and accurate record of the trial, the court retained E.B. Hitt, a respected law reporter from Chicago. His presence underscored the significance of the case—not just legally, but socially and politically.

⚖️ Scales of Justice: Press Wars and Political Accusations

As the trial unfolded, Springfield’s two rival newspapers—the Illinois State Journal and the Illinois State Register—continued their editorial sparring. The Journal criticized the grand jury’s decision to indict Harrison for murder, suggesting the panel was politically motivated and packed with Democratic partisans. The Register fired back, accusing the Journal of prejudging the case and injecting partisan bias into a judicial matter.

Both papers claimed to defend fairness, but their coverage reflected the deep political divisions of the time. The Journal’s defense of Harrison was seen by some as an attempt to sway public opinion, while the Register insisted that justice should proceed without editorial interference.

📝 Ink and Evidence: Reporting the Trial

Despite the press feud, both papers committed to covering the trial in detail. The Journal arranged for Hitt to provide a full transcript, though space constraints led to a condensed abstract in its daily editions. The Register noted delays in jury selection due to illness and reported that the defense had begun presenting its witnesses.

Among the most anticipated testimony was that of Reverend Peter Cartwright, who reiterated his claim that Greek Crafton had absolved Harrison on his deathbed. This statement, already contested during the preliminary hearing, remained a focal point of the defense’s strategy.

⚖️ Scales Tip: The Final Arguments

As the trial entered its final phase, the courtroom remained packed with spectators. Reverend Peter Cartwright was recalled for further examination, and after legal wrangling, his testimony about Greek Crafton’s dying declaration was admitted. The defense then presented a series of witnesses who testified to threats made by Crafton in the days leading up to the fatal encounter—some within mere hours of the stabbing.

The prosecution attempted to rebut this with additional testimony, but ultimately withdrew further evidence. The courtroom was tense as the lawyers prepared their final arguments.

🖋️ 🗣️ Ink and Oratory: Lincoln’s Last Summation

The closing arguments began with Mr. Broadwell for the prosecution, followed by Judge Logan for the defense. When Shelby Cullom fell ill from the heat, Logan stepped in and delivered a powerful address, marked by earnestness and eloquence.

Then came Lincoln.

He spoke for two hours, dissecting the evidence with clarity and precision. His argument was described as subtle, logical, and deeply persuasive—delivered in a natural and energetic style that captivated the courtroom. He responded point-by-point to the prosecution’s claims, using vivid illustrations and legal reasoning to frame Harrison’s actions as self-defense.

After a final rebuttal from Mr. Palmer, the jury retired.

❎ Verdict Reached: Not Guilty

At 5:21 p.m., after just over an hour of deliberation, the jury returned with their decision. Judge Rice read aloud: “We, the Jury, find the defendant Not Guilty as charged in the indictment.”

The courtroom erupted in applause. Harrison was immediately discharged and greeted by friends with joy and solemn dignity. The trial had lasted four days, and throughout, the courthouse had been filled to capacity—testament to the public’s deep investment in the outcome.

🔚 Legacy: Lincoln’s Final Defense

This trial marked the end of Abraham Lincoln’s career as a criminal defense attorney. His performance—measured, strategic, and deeply human—reflected the qualities that would soon define his presidency.

But Lincoln’s final murder trial wasn’t just a legal milestone—it was a public spectacle. Springfield’s rival newspapers, the Journal and the Register, turned the courtroom into a battleground of ink and ideology. Their dueling editorials, partisan accusations, and blow-by-blow coverage amplified the stakes and shaped public perception long before the jury was sworn in.

From the packed courthouse to the fevered press gallery, the trial revealed not only Lincoln’s mastery of the law, but his ability to navigate the volatile intersection of justice, politics, and public opinion.

From his first murder trial in 1838 to this final one in 1859, Lincoln’s courtroom legacy reveals a man who understood not just the law, but perhaps more importantly, the people behind it—and the power of the narrative that surrounded them.

A final defense, a lasting impression—another anecdote from the archives of Abraham Lincoln, Storyteller.

Mac

🎩 Hooked on Honest Old Abe’s courtroom drama? Here are two more tales from the docket on Abraham Lincoln, Storyteller:

Abe's first murder trial back in 1838 was a surprise to the courtroom spectators—and to Lincoln himself! [Read: A Rookie's Bold Debut]

An abused woman and a murder charge—how did Lincoln help poor, old Mrs. Goings? [Read: The Day his Actions Spoke Louder Than His Words]

📚 Works Cited

Newspaper Articles:

• Illinois State Register. “Affray at Richland—Probable Fatal Stabbing.” 18 July 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “Death of Greek Crafton.” 20 July 1859, ed. 2. 
• Illinois State Register. “The Richland Homicide.” 20 July 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Crafton Stabbing Affair.” 21 July 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. Untitled. 22 July 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Harrison Case.” 27 July 1859, ed. 2. 
• Illinois State Register. “The Harrison Case.” 2 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “Surrender of Harrison—Examination Set for To-Day.” 2 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “Examination of Harrison for the Murder of Crafton.” 3 Aug. 1859, ed. 2. 
• Illinois State Register. “The Harrison Case.” 3 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Harrison Case.” 4 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Register. “Conclusion of the Examination of Harrison.” 4 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “Indictment of Harrison.” 29 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Register. “The Harrison Indictment.” 30 Aug. 1859. 
• Springfield Evening Independent. “The Harrison Case.” 31 Aug. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Harrison Case.” 1 Sept. 1859, ed. 2. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Harrison Case.” 1 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Register and the Grand Jury.” 1 Sept. 1859, ed. 2. 
• Illinois State Register. Untitled. 1 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. Untitled. 2 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “Trial of P. Quinn Harrison, Indicted for the Murder of Greek Crafton.” 2 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Register. “The Harrison Case.” 2 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Harrison Trial.” 3 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Register. “The Harrison Case.” 3 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Journal. “The Harrison Trial—Verdict, Not Guilty.” 5 Sept. 1859. 
• Illinois State Register. “Harrison Acquitted.” 5 Sept. 1859.

Secondary Source:

Abrams, Dan, and David Fisher. (2018) Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to the Presidency. New York City, NY: Hanover Square Press.