On 22 January 1866, agnostic Robert G. Ingersoll wrote his friend Richard J. Oglesby. Even in making fun of Scripture, he showed a great deal of familiarity with it, as well as with the personalities and peculiarities of Midwest politics.

? I deplore the spread of knowledge—Science I abhor. Art is an abomination, because they deny the word of God. And therefore allow me to say in conclusion that I am rejoiced to learn that you are in favor of the good old times, when Moses was God's clerk and geologist, when Joshua was his General and Astronomer. When the Earth was flat. When the sky was a solid vault. When the stars moved in grooves and were boosted by Angels. When the sons of God came down and cohabited with the daughters of men. When children were born who grew to be Eight...