Every thing was cheap and so we made a nice and happy living, and as our little family increased by beginning of the fall season and we all were well so there was nothing in the way of our happiness.

In November 1860 came on the Presidential Election. The Republican Party had by this time been very well developed. The main principal in their platform was the emancipation of slavery and their candidate for president was Abraham Lincoln of Illinois.

The Democrats had split up in two factions, the Southern Wing had nominated John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky for President, and the Northern Wing had nominated Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois as their Presidential candidate, and the old native element had nominated Bell as their candidate. This however was the last appearance of that party.

On the fourth of November the election came off, and Abraham Lincoln was elected by a large majority for President.

This created an excitement in the Southern States and South Carolina soon passed an ordinance of secession. Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, soon followed the example of South Carolina. They now went on and formed a government of their own, equipped their Militia and prepared in bitter earnest.

James Buchanan a Democrat was President, he did not recognize them but did not do anything against them, so they had ample time to prepare themselves. They formed the Southern Confederation of North America as they called it, with the seat of government at Montgomery, Alabama, drafted a Constitution and elected officers.

An awful excitement came over the whole country and business become stagnant. In the Steinway Piano Factory we were placed on half time and plenty men went out of employment altogether. So the winter went on in excitement until finally an agreement was made to elect commissioners to convene in Richmond to see if they could not settle the matter peaceable, this restored confidence for a little while. Anyway we worked for four weeks full time again.

During the session of this commission, the newly elected President was installed in office in Washington and his inauguration message was declared by the Southern States as a declaration of war because he declared he would have the Forts occupied and collect the revenue. This broke up finally the "Peace Convention" and Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia seceded also.

The only Forts in the South that were occupied by United States Troops was Fort Pickens in Pensacola Bay and Fort Sumpter in the harbor of Charleston South Carolina. On the 13th day of April 1861, the South went to work and bombarded Fort Sumpter in two days. Major Anderson with his 69 men only had to surrender.

Now was jubilee in the South! A certain "Walker" held a speech in Montgomery, and said, "Our flag will soon overshadow the Capital in Washington, yes, and even Tannuel Hall in Boston."