I have a few opening words for you: Pretzel City, U.S.A.  Seriously, are you kidding me?  How much better can it get for me?  Well, it could be Salmon City, but hey, I’m not complaining.  Okay, enough of that, if my stomach growls any louder, I won’t be able to think at all.

The second debate took place in Pretz… I mean Freeport, Illinois.  Freeport sits even further north than Ottawa.  Arguably, or maybe not so arguably, this was the most important debate because of Lincoln’s “Freeport Question.” Don’t worry, Phineas will get to that soon enough, trust me.  Let’s talk about Freeport today and how it was in 1858.

Over 26,000 people call Freeport home today, compare that with around 7,000 in 1858.  It sits just south of Wisconsin, 120 miles from Chicago.  Major companies in Freeport include Honeywell and MetLife.

In 1858, the crowds surged on Freeport much like they had on Ottawa.  Crowds estimated around 15,000 packed the city.  After all, Lincoln had stated that he would respond to Douglas’ questions.  People were anxious to hear the responses.  Freeport, like Ottawa, did not cater to the audience.  There was no seating set up, and the debate took place in a vacant lot behind the Brewster House, the hotel where both Douglas and Lincoln stayed.  Both politicians made grand entrances.  Lincoln came by simple Conestoga wagon.  Douglas was supposed to enter by carriage, but thought better of it after Lincoln’s entrance, and walked to the stage.  The second debate was on.