From: The Oakland Tribune, 12 February 1912
Two Out of Forty Knew of Lincoln
Out of 40 drunks arrested in the past 24 hours whose release on recognizance was authorized by Judges Mortimer Smith and George Samuels this morning only two were able to tell who Abraham Lincoln was and for what he was famous.
Captain J. F. Lynch received the authorization from the two judges to release the prisoners arrested for drunkenness on their own recognizance. Captain Lynch decided to put his inebriates through a short examination before releasing them.
"Whose birthday is this?" was the first question. It was met with blank surprise.
"Who is Abraham Lincoln?" Lynch demanded of each of the long line as they stood ready for release.
"He was a great general and father of this country," responded a Swede.
"I don't know," answered an ordinary American when cross examined. Several ventured guesses, and one man suggested that the great Liberator was an aviator.
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