The 3rd of 7 Lincoln-Douglas Senatorial Campaign debates took place in Jonesboro, Illinois, on September 15, 1858.
We decided to visit this historic site while visiting Jonesboro.
The debate format was as follows:
1. Speaker 1 talks for 60 minutes.
2. Speaker 2 talks for 90 minutes.
3. Speaker 1 talks for 30 minutes.
Speaker 1 at the odd numbered debates was Douglas while Lincoln spoke first at the even numbered debates.
Here is the commemorative dedication stone. I think we may assume that the statues of the candidates that border the stone are proportional to their actual heights.
A close up of the commemorative stone.
Another commemorative park at Alton, Illinois.
The press recorded the full contents of the debates which were published across the nation.
It was easy to look around Jonesboro (which is still a small town) and imagine what it was like that day in 1858.
These debates gave Lincoln national exposure which helped him become president in 1860.
Until next time.
Fifth Wheel Follies! 