Hello and welcome to this day an esoteric political history from Radiotopia.

My name is Jody Abergan.

This day, September 22nd, 1842, the banks of the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois

are crammed full of spectators awaiting a highly anticipated dual, a showdown between a man named

Jane Shields, who you probably have not heard of, and another man, his chief political rival,

a guy by the name of Abraham Lincoln, who I hope you have heard of. So what in the world is a young

Abraham Lincoln doing standing on what is known as Bloody Isle in the middle of the Mississippi River about to duel with arrival.

Let us find out the answer to that question.

I'm joined as always by Nicole Hammer of Columbia.

Hello Nicky.

Lincoln is getting known more and more every day more and more famous.

Thank you, fairness.

Hello, Jody.

And Alexis Koh is back with us, author of the New York Times Best Seller,

you never forget your first and repeat guest on this show thank you for joining us Alexis.

Yeah I'm so excited people are starting to talk about Lincoln too it's it's really great

little known fact guys he was a Republican people don't know that you don ever hear that. It's not in the history books, but it's true.

Okay.

Republicans are, okay, never right. Can we stick to the actual little non-facts about Lincoln,

which was that he almost got in a

dual which to me at least was is relatively new so Alexis I will start with the

question I asked an angel what in the world is young Abraham Lincoln doing

...