The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Abraham Lincoln was known for his quick wit as evidenced by an occurrence when he was a guest of S. S. Phelps.
Mr. Phelps resembled Lincoln very much.
After dinner as they were talking at the home of Mr. Phelps, Lincoln took from his pocket a very dilapidated looking pocket knife.
Mr. Phelps said to him, "Abe, it seems to me that is rather a poor pocket knife that you have."
Lincoln replies, "Sumner, it is.
That knife was given to me and there was a rather peculiar condition attached to the gift." "What is it? said Mr. Phelps.
Lincoln replied, "That knife was given to me on the condition that if I ever met a homelier man than myself, I was to give him the knife; fulfilling that condition, I now present the same to you.
Mr. Phelps, however, did not accept the gift.
1911 History of Henderson County