historians such as donald point out it was not unusual at that time for two men to share even a small bed due to financial or other circumstances, without anything sexual being implied, for a night or two when nothing else was available. lincoln, who had just moved to a new town when he met speed, was also at least initially unable to afford his own bed and bedding. a tabulation of historical sources shows that lincoln slept in the same bed with at least 11 boys and men during his youth and adulthood.