A Tale of Pigs: A Statue's Story about Compassion and Character in Lincoln’s Life

 

Abraham Lincoln’s unexpected connection to pigs—a mix of humor, courtroom drama, and heartfelt childhood memories—offers a surprising glimpse into his compassion and character. While Lincoln is often celebrated as a leader and statesman, few stories showcase his down-to-earth nature quite like his encounters with pigs. And nowhere is this quirky yet meaningful tribute more evident than in Taylorville, Illinois, where an imaginative statue honors Lincoln’s humor and legacy in a way unlike any other.

Taylorville’s Creative Tribute 

The town of Taylorville once faced a creative dilemma: How to honor Abraham Lincoln, who had worked as a young attorney in their Christian County Courthouse, in a way that would draw tourists and stand out from the countless Lincoln tributes across the country? An initial idea for a statue of Lincoln on horseback was deemed too costly—at $250,000—and besides, statues of Lincoln on horseback were already common. Taylorville needed something unique. [1]

On May 28, 2005, the town unveiled something that was imaginative, charming - and definitely unique - Lincoln holding his coat casually over one shoulder, gazing down at a pig at his feet. It’s the only statue of its kind in the United States. [1]

This iconic statue - The Last Stop, created by John McClarey - is a witty nod to Lincoln’s humor and recalls his time on the Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit, where Taylorville served as the final stop. Positioned on a granite base in the courthouse lawn, the statue faces northwest toward Springfield, where Lincoln lived at the time. Its design and positioning celebrate Lincoln’s wit and his connection with both towns. [2]

A Courtroom Interrupted by Squealing Pigs 

The statue memorializes - in part - a humorous courtroom story from the 1850s. Taylorville’s courthouse at the time was a two-story wood frame building perched on twelve stone pillars that elevated the floor eighteen inches above the ground—a perfect shelter for local pigs on hot days.

These pigs occasionally disrupted court proceedings with their noisy rummaging beneath the floorboards. On one particularly noisy day, attorney Lincoln humorously rose to demand a “writ of quietus” to silence the hogs. 

However, pigs and Taylorville seemed to be a theme for Lincoln, blending his knack for problem-solving with his endearing, down-to-earth nature. In 1842, he represented James Masterson, whose herd of four hundred pigs escaped when a careless boy allowed the cows he was herding to break down a holding pen fence. Masterson lost seventy pigs worth a total of $350. Lincoln sued the negligent boy’s father on behalf of Masterson. Lincoln lost. A jury (whose members probably had unpredictable children of their own) ruled that the boy’s father was not liable for the son’s negligence. [2]

Is the pig carrying a rolled up copy of Lincoln's "Writ"?
So much for obeying the law.

A Pet Pig’s Poignant Legacy 

Lincoln’s connection to pigs, however, went far deeper than legal cases and humorous anecdotes. One often-recounted story from his childhood highlights his bond with a pet pig—a joyful friendship that showcased his early compassion for animals.[3]

As the story goes, a young Lincoln was given a small suckling pig by a neighbor, and the two became inseparable. Lincoln taught the pig tricks, played games like hide-and-seek, and wandered the woods together. In his reflections, Lincoln said, “We used to play ‘hide and go seek.’ I can see his little face now peeping around the corner of the house to see whether I was coming after him.” [4]

Sadly, this companionship was short-lived. Lincoln’s father decreed the pig would be slaughtered for food—a harsh but unavoidable reality of frontier life. Devastated, Lincoln tried to save his beloved companion but ultimately failed. “To this day, whenever I see a little pig…it all comes back to me,” Lincoln later reflected. [4]

This bittersweet memory stayed with Lincoln, shaping the empathy that became a hallmark of his character.

A Lawyer’s Act of Kindness 

Years later, Lincoln had another encounter with a pig—one he could save. While traveling as a lawyer, Lincoln saw a pig trapped in the mud. Despite his companions’ laughter, Lincoln dismounted and waded into the muck to free the animal. Explaining his motives afterward, Lincoln quipped, “If I had left that little fellow in there, the memory of his squealing would have made me uncomfortable all day.” [5]

This act of kindness reveals Lincoln’s acute sensitivity, possibly rooted in the childhood loss of his pet pig. His ability to balance humor, compassion, and practicality was a hallmark of his leadership and character.

"Liberty" Lives On 

The Taylorville statue’s dedication ceremony in 2005 was memorable. The whole town turned out. A local businessman debuted an original song, "The Ballad of Mr. Lincoln's Pig," to mark the occasion. Adding even more charm, the second grade class from a local elementary school won the contest to name the pig, selecting the patriotic moniker, “Liberty.” [1]

These stories resonate deeply with those who admire Lincoln’s humanity, reminding us of the values he held dear—compassion, justice, and a keen sense of responsibility. These qualities remain the hallmarks by which true leadership should always be measured.

An Ideal Stop for History and Lunch

For those eager to see this unique tribute in person, Taylorville’s Christian County Courthouse is a must-visit destination. The Last Stop statue, depicting Lincoln with his coat slung over his shoulder as he gazes at a pig, is the only one of its kind in the nation. Beyond this statue, visitors can explore the historic courthouse where Lincoln practiced law, stroll through Taylorville’s charming town square, and even take a short trip to nearby Springfield to see more landmarks tied to Lincoln’s life. Whether you’re a history buff or just a curious traveler, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into Lincoln’s legacy—with a little humor thrown in for good measure.

And maybe a good sandwich!

These are more stories from Abe Lincoln, Storyteller.

Mac

Works Cited

[1] "Abe Lincoln and Pig Statue Recall Write of Quietus". Roadside America website - June 2, 2005. Retrieved March 25, 2025.

[2] "The Last Stop statue in Taylorville". Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl - April 4, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2025.

[3] Presidential Pet Museum website. Retrieved March 25, 2025. 

[4] Iglehart, Ferdinand C. (1902). The Speaking Oak (New York City, NY: Christian Herald). pp. 176-180.

[5] Gross, Anthony (1912) Lincoln's Own Stories. New York City, NY: Harper and Brothers Publishers. pp. 31-32.

The kittens - A story about Abe Lincoln

 

An excellent example of President Abraham Lincoln's tenderness occurred near the end of the Civil War.

Lincoln and his family had been invited to visit General Ulysses S. Grant's headquarters at City Point, Virginia. The trip took place in late March of 1865 about three weeks before he was assassinated. [1]

One morning during his visit, Lincoln wandered into the telegraph tent where several of of General Grant's officers were sitting. He spotted three tiny kittens crawling about the tent at the time. 

General Horace Porter described the scene:

The mother had died, and the little wanderers were expressing their grief by mewing piteously. Mr. Lincoln picked them up, took them on his lap, stroked their soft fur, and murmured: “Poor little creatures, don't cry; you'll be taken good care of,” and turning to Colonel Bowers, an officer on Grant's staff, Lincoln said: “Colonel, I hope you will see that these poor little motherless waifs are given plenty of milk and treated kindly.” 

Bowers replied: “I will see, Mr. President, that they are taken in charge by the cook of our mess, and are well cared for."[2] 

Several times over the next few days of his stay, Mr. Lincoln was found playing with these kittens. He would wipe their eyes tenderly with his handkerchief, stroke their smooth coats, and listen to them purring their gratitude to him. 

Porter was amazed - and touched.

"It was a curious sight at an army headquarters, upon the eve of a great military crisis in the nation's history, to see the hand which had affixed the signature to the Emancipation Proclamation, and had signed the commissions of all the heroic men who served the cause of the Union, from the general-in-chief to the lowest lieutenant, tenderly caressing three stray kittens."[2]

Untouched by the callousness of life and war - or perhaps because of it, "Lincoln," Porter marveled, 

well illustrated the kindness of the his disposition, and showed the childlike simplicity which was mingled with the grandeur of his nature. [2]

This is another anecdote about Abe Lincoln, Storyteller.

Mac

Works Cited

[1] Sandburg, Carl (1939) Abraham Lincoln: The War Years, Volume IV. New York, NY:  Harcourt Brace. p.146.

[2] Porter, Horace (1697) Campaigning with Grant. New York, NY: Harcourt, Brace. p.410.

On the Journey to Illinois: The Story of Young Abe and the Dog

 

In the 19th Century, unlike today, the nature of the human-dog relationship was not a close one. Dogs - especially in rural areas or on the frontier - were chosen and tolerated for their usefulness to the family, mainly as hunters, guards, or even for transportation and hauling.

But as "pets" or "companions" - only the very rich bothered to indulge.

In his biography of Abraham Lincoln, William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, told this story about a dog and Abe during the Lincoln family's move to Illinois from southern Indiana in March 1830, when Lincoln was twenty-one years old. 

Mr. Lincoln once described this journey to me. He said the ground had not yet yielded up the frosts of winter; that during the day the roads would thaw out on the surface and at night freeze over again, thus making travelling, especially with oxen., painfully slow and tiresome. There were, of course, no bridges, and the party were consequently driven to ford the streams, unless by a circuitous route they could avoid them. In the early part of the day the [streams] were also frozen slightly, and the oxen would break through a square yard of thin ice at every step. 

Among other things which the party brought with them was a dog, which trotted along after the wagon. One day the little fellow fell behind and failed to catch up till after they had crossed the stream. Missing him they looked back, and there, on the opposite bank, he stood, whining and jumping about in great distress. The water was running over the broken edges of the ice, and the poor animal was afraid to cross. It would not pay to turn the oxen and wagon back and ford the stream again in order to recover a dog, and so the majority, in their anxiety to move forward, decided to go on without him. 

"But I could not endure the idea of abandoning even a dog," related Lincoln. "Pulling off shoes and socks I waded across the stream and triumphantly returned with the shivering animal under my arm. His frantic leaps of joy and other evidences of a dog's gratitude amply repaid me for all the exposure I had undergone."

Abraham Lincoln's stubborn attitude and behavior about all living things stood out in relief against the callousness of life on the American frontier. They also demonstrated his willingness to take the unpopular path against the opinions around him - if he felt that it was right.

This is another anecdote from Abe Lincoln, Storyteller.

Mac 

FYI: The painting used as the featured imager for this post is titled: "Lincoln Moves to Illinois - 1830". It was copyrighted and printed in 1939 by R.L. Parkinson, Chicago from a painting by Louis Bonhajo (1885-1970).

Works Cited

Herndon, William H. and Weik, Jesse W. (1921). Herndon's Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life. (2 vols., Springfield, IL: The Herndon's Lincoln Publishing Company). Vol. 1: p.68.

'a pig's tail' - Abe Lincoln's lesson about 'duty'

 

In his Personal Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln (1928), Smith Stimmel – a member of the Union Light Guard that served as the President’s personal escort – related an incident on the grounds of the Old Soldiers’ Home [**] in the summer of 1864.

Apparently, while strolling the grounds one evening, the President was spotted by one of the soldiers in his escort unit. Emboldened by Lincoln’s kindly manner, the young man decided to approach Lincoln on behalf of the rest of the Union Light Guard unit, “stating in substance that the men felt that they were not needed where they were, and that there was greater need of their services at the front."

Lincoln patiently listened to all the young soldier had to say, and the said:

Well, my boy, that reminds me of an old farmer friend of mine in Illinois, who used to say he ever could understand why the Lord put a curl in a pig’s tail; it did not seem to him to be either useful or ornamental, but he guessed the Lord knew what he was doing when he put it there.

 Lincoln went on to agree with the Stimmel that he also didn't see any reason for having soldiers "traipsing around" after him, but that his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton - "who knows a great deal more about such things than I do" - thought it necessary. Then using his courtroom logic, he finished the conversation with a mild rebuke and a grin:

If it is necessary to have soldiers here, it might as well be you as some one else . . It is a soldier’s duty to obey orders without question, and in doing that you can serve your country as faithfully here as at the front, and I reckon it is not quite as dangerous here as it is there. 

With a gentle wave of his hand, the President walked on. 

The other men in his unit had a good laugh at Lincoln’s story, Stimmel continued, and they admired the way the President handled the brashness of their comrade. However, Stimmel noted, “you can rest assured that no other member of that Company ever ventured to carry any further complaints to the President about their service.”

Humble, kind, funny – and when he found it necessary – tough. Another of the many facets of our Sixteenth President.

This was another tale from Abe Lincoln, storyteller.

Mac

Works Cited

[**] The Old Soldiers’ Home (now the Armed Forces Retirement Home) in Washington D.C. has quite a history. First of all, it was founded in 1851- a decade before the Civil War – by the combined efforts General Robert Anderson (of Fort Sumter fame), General Winfield Scott, and, ironically, Senator Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, as a retirement home for Mexican-American war veterans. The home has remained in continuous use since its founding!

Situated on a hilltop overlooking the U.S. Capitol and just three miles from the White House, the 250-acre wooded grounds included several two-story “cottages” [the red-roofed building to the left of the Old Soldiers’ Home in the postcard], one of which also served as the site of President Lincoln’s “Summer White House“. The Lincoln family used the cottage as a get-away from the sweltering heat of the summer. The peaceful wooded surroundings offered refreshing breezes and a relief from office seekers and White House protocol. Adjacent is the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery – the first federal military cemetery in the United States. (Yes, it predates Arlington National Cemetery).

~ Information on The Old Soldiers’ Home is from President Lincoln’s Cottage website

[1] Stimmel, Smith (1928). Personal Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln. Minneapolis, MN: William H.M. Adams. pp. 25-27.