John Wilkes Booth's Capture and Death Stories

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http://archive.org/details/johnwilkesboothsmwlinc Accounts of John Wilkes Booth's Capture and Death

Stories of eyewitnesses, first-hand or passed down

Surnames beginning with M-Z

From the files of the

Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection I I

The last surviving: member ot the band of soldiers sent in pursuit of John Wilkes Booth, assassin of Abraham Lincoln, W, A. McDonald, U8, of Westminster, passed away at 0:20 o'clock Sunday, Lincoln's birthday, at the Veterans' home at S>vw telle. Funeral services for Mr. McDon- ald will be held at the chapel at Sawtelle at - o'clock Wednesday afternoon. A full military service will be held. Mr. McDonald was with the squad when Booth was surrounded in a barn near Bowling Green, Va. Tho soldiers set fire to tho building- to force Booth out. One of the soldiers, Boston Corbett, mindful of the $o0,ouu reward for tho assassin, dead or alive, shot through a knot hole. Booth breathed his last as he was carried out ot tho barn into the open. The veteran had made his home, with a son, Marion McDonald, at Westminster, for a number of years. He was a native of Illinois. s. * FEBRUARY 8, 1925.— [PART Il-a.}

J c t - :jr SOLE SURVIVOR OF POSSE WHICH CAPTURED BOOTH DESCRIBES SLAYER'S END

Of the party of troopers, detailed to pursue the fugitive, John Wilkes Booth, assassin of Abraham Lincoln, and who finally captured the slayer and avenged the murder of the, Chief Magistrate of the nation, but one, W. A. McDonald, now a man of 80, and a resident of Long Beach, survives. McDonald, who has been visiting relatives in Central Illinois, tells something of the incidents of that memorable pursuit of sixty years ago. He was a member of Troop F, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, enlisting at St. Charles. Charles. handcuffed, later being hanged for ficer. It was finally decided to killed Lincoln on the night his complicity. Booth set the building on fire, and the of April 14, 1865, while the Presi- Booth refused to surrender and flames disclosed Booth. A mem- argued with the commanding of- dent was occupying a box at ber of McDonald's troop, Sergt. Ford'6 Theater in Washington. Boston Corbett, thrust his gun opening the door the Stealthily of W. A. W II through a crevice in the boards, compartment, Booth shot the and shot Booth, despite the order* then leaped to the President and to take the fugitive alive. Cor- spur his boot, stage below, the of bett was court-martialed. catching In the flag that draped Booth was carried from the the box. avenger, the mute and warehouse to the porch of the assassin fell, fracturing his leg. Garrett homestead, where he died In the confusion, he escaped, an hour and a half later. Mc- horse and, mounting a which he Donald witnessed the end of the had tied in the vicinity, fled to assassin, and is the only survivor Maryland, going first to the home of that group. of Dr. a Southern sympa- Mudd, The body was placed in a wagon thizer, reduced the fracture. who and hauled to the Potomac River, David Harold, a friend of Booth, a short distance away, and then joined and assisted to him him conveyed by steamer to Washing-" escape. Th'j pair finally reached ton. McDonald asserts that the the home of J. E. Garrett, near remains of Booth were first in- Port Royal, Md., and they were terred under a slab in the Federal allowed to sleep In the tobacco arsenal at Washington, but later warehouse. were removed to the Booth family The cavalrymen of McDonald's lot In Baltimore. In the coat of were In clone pursuit, command the dead man was found a letter, and finally, located the fugitives on written by Booth to Garrett, and April 24, about 9 o'clock j»t night. enclosing a ?F> bill to pay him The warehouse was surrounded for his hospitality, Booth, evident- and the two men ordered to sur- ly, planning to depart that night render. Harold was agreeable and for the South in the hope of mak- came out of the retreat and was ing his escape. :-

ISOLE SURVIVOR OF POSSE i WHICH CAPTURED BOOTH DESCRIBES SLA^ER^S END I I " '. ! "~"~., if ;, •. > I Of the part/ of troopers, detailed to pursue the fugitive, John Wilkes Booth, assassin of Abraham Lincoln, and who finally captured the slayer and avenged the murder of the Chief Magistrate of the nation, but one, W. A. McDonald, now a man of 80, and a resident b{ Long Beach, survives. McDonald, who haa been visiting relatives In Central Illinois, tells something of 'the Incidents of that memorable pursuit of sixty years ago. He was a member of Troop F, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, enlisting at St. Charles. Charles. handcuffed, later being hanged for l fleer. It was finally decided to killed Lincoln on the night his complicity. Booth set the building on fire, and the of April 14, 1866, while the Presi- Booth refused to surrender and flames disclosed Booth. A mem- argued with the commanding of- dent was occupying a box at ber of McDonald's troop, Sergt. Ford's Theater in Washington. Boston Corbett, thrust his gun the Stealthily opening the door of through a crevice In the boards, the compartment. Booth shot and shot Booth, despite the' orders to the President and then leaped to take the fugitive alive. Cor- stage below, the spur of his boot, bett was court-martialed. catching In the nag that draped Booth was carried from the avenger, the box. mute and the warehouse to the porch of the assassin fell, fracturing his leg. Qarrett homestead, where he died confusion, he escaped, In the an hour and a half later. Mc- horse and, mounting a which he Donald witnessed the end of the

tied In the vicinity, fled . to had assassin, and is the only survivor Maryland, going first to the home of that group. Southern of Dr. Mudd. a sympa- The body was placed In a wagon thizer, who reduced the fracture. and hauled to the Potomac River, David Harold, a friend of Booth, a short distance away, and then assisted to joined him and him conveyed by steamer to Washing- escape. The pair finally reached ton. McDonald asserts that the the of J. E. Garrett, near home remains of Booth were first in* Port Royal, MJ-, and they were terred under a slab m the Federal allowed to sleep in the tobaooo arsenal at Washington, but later warehouse. were removed to the Booth family •» McDonald's The cavalrymen of lot lq Baltimore. In the coat of In close pursuit, command were the dead man was found a letter, and anally, located the fugitives on written by Booth to Garrett, and April 24. about S o'clock at night. enclosing a $5 bill to pay him * The warehouse was surrounded for his hospitality, Booth, evident- the two ordered to sur- and men ly, planning to depart that night render. Harold was agreeable and for the South in the hope of mak- came out of the retreat and was ing his escape. - MHHm IX J. R

-, HhaxL^j \ \ > (1s>-

FEBRUARY 8, 1925.— [PART IJ-a.] :.

%o another boat and brought 1c Hamilton. There we found an epidemic of cholera raging, not only SIFTINGS In Canada, but also all over the [United States. My mother died of this disease on the boat, and my Gleaned from Hither baby sister died a few days afier Jve landed. Father and I and my and Yon -and Now Cider sister were placed in a detention camp, where people were -- and Then and Way dying like Hies. After being- there Borne time, father escaped with us .*. V Back When ttnd started for Chicago. We walked every step of the way, and finally father got work for a farmer BY A. J. BOWSER. by the name of Shinebarger, who massacre. His is a story PROGRAM TOR THE WEEK the Page then lived in a log cabin located the ground—first Today, Sept. 17—Jake Mooker. of the man on about three-fourths of a mile north /; Jake Mooker His story telling the death of hand. Hats off to old Of the Lincoln Highway, on Crook- him silting on -a \Booth, the assassin of Abraham 'And when you see ed Creek marsh. ^Lincoln, and the story of the Page bench in the court yard, visiting "We left Hamilton in August ana massacre. with one or tv,x> of his old com- reached Valparaiso in late Novem- rades, just give him the salute that Tuesday, Sept. 13—The Story of ber. How father managed to feed is his Cue. Give him a kind word The Lake-O-The-Woods Club, a.-: and care for us children I do not and a pleasant smile. And watch told Siftings by club officials. know, but he did somehow. Father nis face light up. Some day he will Wednesday, Sept. 19—Kankakee .worked for twenty-five cents a day. not be in the familiar places for River. Stories by old time pushers. splitting rails during the winter you to greet. Do it now, and while Thursday, Sept. 20—University months, and doing farm work dur- Memories. Speeches by H. J. Thorpe Jng the spring, summer and f>lf and Mrs. Patterson. months. My sister got work as a Friday, Sept. 21—Gloom Chaseis hired girl for her board. We had Speech by Lemuel, the Kulak. to live entirely on cornmeal and a Saturday, Sept. 22— Pan Day. Old piece of pork rhine to grease the timer spins yarn of early days in pan with, cooked in a fireplace Portage township. We lived there about a year and a half, when we moved to Snake LIFE STORY OF JACOB MOOKER Island, on the Jake Fleming place. On Thursday, August 23, Siftings "Father got wont on the old Fort made a little journey to the home Wayne and Chicago railroad, which of Jacob Mocker, one of the five .was then in the course of con- survivors of Chaplain Brown Post, struction. John Skinner and Ruel

G. A. fi. This man is ninety-two Starr had a sub-contract to build years old. He lives in a little house the grade east of town. Dirt was in the rear of 556 Chicago street. taken out of the ditch and wheeled It is a little one-room house, where on the grade with wheelbarrows Cor the aged veteran is monarch of all twelve cents a yard. I was then he surveys. And the mind of tins ten years old and could wheel two old man is marvelously clear, and yards of dirt a day. Father tootc his memory is unusually good. out three or four yards a day. We Vision, if you pleas.', that little got no money, only store orders on six-year-old lad, with his fa the, Skinner and Starr. This was in mother and two sisters making that JACOB MOOKER 1852. We stayed on this job until long and perilous voyage on that the road was built into Valparaiso you may. Here is the remarkable heart-breaking old sailing ship to and worked about four years. When story of Jacob Mooker, told August America, and running into a chol- we quit Skinner and Starr owed 23, 1934: era epidemic that took two of the Us $250. "I was born in a province in Ger- members of that little family. Then "They offered to sell father an many on July 3, 1842. My parents the detention camp, the escape, the eighty acres located where foui were farmers who lived in a village, long journey on foot of the thre township corners meet.—Porter, as was the custom in the old coun- survivors to Valparaiso, and ihz Union, Liberty and Portage—for the try in those days. The new lands struggle for a footing in this land debt and $200, which debt father of America beckoned my father 10 of the free and the home of the assumed. Here we built a log cabin come to them, and on April 1, brave. And then the battle with and cut the timber and hauled it 1848, he with his little family, con-j the wilderness, and now the battle to the railroad, where the Bushore sisting of my mother, my fourtaen- against the feebleness of old age. crossing is, for $2 a cord. Before years old sister, myself, then six Sitting in his little self-kept home, we* moved from Snake Island fa- years old, and my baby sister, two Siftings saw the courage that sus- ther bought a yoke of oxen and and one-half years old, took pass- tained that old man in his youth hauled much of the wood with age on an old sailing ship bound and manhood was still undimmed these animals. We lived on the for the port of Hamilton, Canada. and was sustaining him now in his place until father died in the fall reached Hamilton on the last ninety-second year. We or 1896. "I then left and went to day of July, being three months on Read the story, you folks who Hubbard county, Minnesota, and the ocean. think you have a hard row to hoi! took up a homestead. I returned "When our ship reached the St. Read his account of the capture a.i:! to Porter county, January 7, 1920, Lawrence river we were transferred the death of the murderer of Ab- and have lived here continuously raham Lincoln. Read his story o: since. "I enljlsted in the service of the dled with bullets. Tne yarn of :iis way to Wheeler. The night of Onion forces and served as a pri- Booth's escape is all foolishness. I ,he murder Page bought a railroad vate in Company H., 128th Regi- saw his dead body, and with me ,icket from Valparaiso to Chicago ment, "Indiana Infantry, and was was a German drummer who was :rom the Pennsylvania station enlisted for three years. From that in the theatre and saw Booth shoot igent. When the train reached the regiment I was afterwards trans- Lincoln. He fully identified the 3ushore Crossing which was a flag ferred to Company D, 18th Regi- body. :top for local trains at that time, ment of Veterans Reserve Corps, as Rebecca Henry, "I was married to stopped a musician, and was discharged le pulled the bell cord and Oct. a daughter of William Henry, in ,he train. Miss Ludolph managed 26, 1865. I was in two major bat- had three children, 1871. We out of the tles, one the battle of Buzzard's ,o roll off the pile and Agnes, who died in 1897; Mrs. louse. The Bushores were holding Roost, and the other the battle of Ludolph, and John Mooker, Myrta that night, and those pres- Kenesaw Mountain. i party This latter I have nine grand both living. the burning battle was fought on ent saw the flames of June 27 and children, and sixteen great grand and Bushore cul B£, 1864. the lome. I Tom On second day I was children. icross the fields to the scene, and kayonetted, and sent to the hos- A. R. post "I joined the first G. girl carried her to pital, where I remained ound the and until the back organized in Valparaiso, way Miss Ludolph eventually following November. Then 1 was ler home. in 1868 or 9. When I left here 1 until five or tent home to vote for Abraham ecovered and lived joined a post in Park Rapids, Lincoln, and then joined my regi- ix years ago. Minn., and when I returned home massacre ment in Knoxville, Tennessee. "After committing the I joined Chaplain Brown Post. where he Prom there we went to Washington. 'age walked to Wheeler, of There are only five survivors freight train bound for When Lincoln was shot I, with the aught a that post now living. 18th and 19th Reserve Corps were Chicago. I notified the officers in the great sensa- them who had Sent to hunt Booth. I saw where "I recall vividly /alparaiso, and told Bush- Booth was killed. He had shot tion of the Cherry Glenn country— ommitted the murder. Tom Lincoln, and in leaving the stage the Page massacre. Chauncey F. ire and I also got the axe and of Valparaiso. other evidence his spur caught in a flag, tripping Page was a jeweler >ieces of board and 1866 married a daughter of Ludolph was able to him and breaking his leg, when he In he ogether. Miss lived to- done. Word jumped. He had a horse in the John Long. The couple ell us what Page had police at alley, which carried him to across gether until about six months and vas sent to the Chicago sent Long Bridge. There a confederate to the end of that year, when Page mce, and a general alarm was went to was waiting for him with a fresh left his wife. He was jealous of a out. Valparaiso officers horse. He took that animal and former lover of his wife, John Chicago with photographs and an followed a road running south Brewer. The wife tnen went to live accurate description of Page and found in fepout two miles, where he came lo with her mother iq the fust house the next day Page was

on the north side of the road, west i his room In the Grand Pacific hotel a fork in the road, one going to the of the Cherry Glenn school house. reading an account of his crime in right, called the "Swamp Road," On the night of February 13, 1867, the Chicago, Times He was brought and the other straight south. Booth Page came to the home of his back to Valparaiso, and kept in should have turned down the mother-in-law, and with an axe jail until Miss Ludolph had re- Swamp Road, where another horse bursted open the door. In his hand covered sufficiently to appear in was waiting for him. But he did was a six shooter. With one shot court. The case was venued tc not. He took the straight road, he killed her. On her knees, beg- LaPorte, where Page was convicted and this mistake cost him his life. ging for her life was his wife. on the testimony of Miss Rudolph About a mile down from the forks Grabbing her by the right hand, and the railroad conductor. He he came to the home of Doctor he swung her around and shot her was given a life sentence in the Budd, whom he forced to set his through the heart. Then he drag- Michigan City pententiary, and pu: broken limb. Booth held a gun to ged the bodies of the two women to work in the cooper shop. Sev- j the doctor's head while the leg was to the center of a room in the back eral years alter he was found dead | being set. Booth then laid dovui on cell. He had nuns himself | end of the house, and adjoining in his a lounge and made the doctor's wife the woodshed, and piled them up. with his suspenders to a cross bar | put put his horse. Just as the day Just then he heard a sound in a in his cell door. This crime was was ( breaking the doctor told Booth bedroom. There he discovered th^ sensation of the year and is the cavalry was coming. They were Rickey Ludolph, the daughter of one of the outstanding events that then in sight. Booth took for the Martin Ludolph, a neighbor, in the I remember. In another story I barn. The soldiers surrounded that bed. He shot at her, hitting her in will tell you about the changes 1 barn. Our two regiments were the leg. Then he leaned down and have lived to see in Porter county thrown out in fan shape, and start- heard her breathe. Site was alive. and how they came about." ed down the road from the bridge. The fiend shot again, this time the When we got to the forked road, bullet went through her upper arm. two miles from the bridge, we heard Again he learned over her and the sound of a bugle. This was the heard signs of life. Then he shot signal to follow in the direction the her through the head. In all he sound came from. We went as fast fired four bullets in the child's body, as men could travel, and soon saw and the last one he had. The girl thejiatfiv on fire. held her breath and he concluded "When Booth got to the bain, she was dead. To be sure he he began to fire, and one of his smashed a" chair over her head. shou struck a cavalry man in the Then he placed her body on top arm kero- at the shoulder, almost t?ar- : of the others and poured ing the limb off. One of the sol- sene on them. Inflammable mater- diers crawled through the tall ial was added to the pile, and a

grabs to the barn and set It on match set it in a blaze. Page then Arc. | When the flames got to Booth he ran out of the house, and was on opened the barn door, and as he I was coming out his body was rid- —

HELPED TO KILL BOOTH. Valparaiso, Ind., July 2.— (Spe- cial) Jacob Mooker, who took part in the capture and slaying of John Wilkes Booth, slayer of 'Presi- dent Lincoln, celebrated his 99th birthday here today.' He was born in Germany and came to Valparaiso in 1848. He plans to attend the G.A.R. encampment at Columbus, O., in

' l v"j September. *\ ^ ^« > v-^-v < - 1 " '

AuntJ^SS MARY MURAT. THE WOMAN ON WHOM WILKES BOOTH CALLED.

Once a Reigning Favorite, Now Living In Ob- scurity and Almost Poverty—Inci- dents of Her Stage Career Recalled. *1^^ « r

From the Washington Post. - I Living in obscurity and almost poverty in one of South Washington's numerous alleys is a woman who was once a supreme favorite before the footlights of ' the leading theatres in this country. Her name is Mary Murat, and her residence a humble frame tenement in the little alley on Maine averjue, near Third street, southwest. She still retains traces of her former beauty, and delights to talk of the days when she was the idol of the bald-head rows. Mary left the stage soon after the war and never returned to it. She is now about 57 years of age, although still active and vivacious. Her humble home, a somewhat dilapidated two- story frame, is decorated with pictures of noted actors and actresses, showing that her thoughts still drift backward to her palmiest days. Mary derives her support from a son, who has daily work and nobly supports his mother in her declining years. She is a talented woman and has travelled in nearly every part of the globe. She showed the Post reporter a scar on her head caused by a cocoanut thrown at her from a tree by a monkey while she was travelling on the island of Madagascar with a party of ' English tourists in 1853. After she had re- covered consciousness Mary asked a young

English aristocrat, who had become deeply I enamored of her, to catch one of the mon- keys, as she desired to make a pet of it and teach it better manners. In describing- the. efforts of the young man to accomplish this purpose, she laughed heartily. "Why," 6he said, "the mischievous ani*' iimls -would wait until ho got within -a-feW^ feet of them, when away they would go helter-skelter. And oh, my, how the little rascals did bombard my English friend with cocoanuts, until he was finally forced to retreat and give up the chaso. ' While performing in England early in the '60s a Colonel of the Coldstream Guards became enamored of her, and an engagement followed. The match was broken off, however, owing to a jealous quarrel brought about by the Colonel. Mary Murat enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln. She still speaks of him endearingly and calls him"Wilky." She maintains with earnestness that Booth is still alive, and that the man who was shot by Boston Corbett was some other person. "Wilky was in my room only a few min- ' utes before he shot, the President," she I said. "He came in hurriedly and was much excited. I asked him what the trouble was

j and he replied: 'Oh, nothing; I am not feeling well.' He then asked mo if I had any liquor in my room. I replied yes, and produced a bottle of cognac. I noticed that he was shaking like an aspen as he poured out a goblet brimming full of the liquor. I said: 'Why, Wilky, you must be trying to get drunk. ' 'Oh, no, ' said he, 'this won't hurt me.' We had a few moments' conversation, when he arose and went out. It was not long after he left that I heard people on the street shouting, 'The

President's shot. ' I did not dream for an instant that he had committed the act, and did not learn the truth until the following morning. At the time of the assassination Mary Murat had rooms on F street, between Ninth and Ti;nth streets, and they could be easily reached from the alley in the rear of the old Ford Theatre. Her apartments were then the resort of many leading actors and actresses. She was acquainted with the 1 elder Booth, and referred to him as "Pap Booth." Mary is now Hearing the horizon of her life, and in the dim twilight she can, no doubt, see the forms and faces of i many of those who shared her former glories, but who have gone *;:,- before. i r. r . :

Capturb of ths Man Sopfqsbd to bb Booth. Reading, Pa„ 20**. To S. Bradford, Eiq. : On my, return ftwa gottevilla tli* representations to mo last evening were such, that I aent a special engine to Pottsvfile after the up evening passenger train, bnt the man had left the train at Auburn before the telegram could reach it. He then walked back to Port Clinton after dark and paid his passage to Tamaqua on one of our coal trains last night. He is. now caught

, at Tamaqua, where ire telegraphed to look out for 1 him, and he will be held until identified. There has been some, ground for suspicion that It is Booth.

' . Sap'tPhilftdelphia'and Beading Railroad. Beadt*g,Pa.,20th. The citizen who recognized Booth' was, taken before a Justice of the Peace this afternoon to make affidavit ot bis knowledge. He swears now that he has only seen Booth onee, and that seres years ago, and that he does not baileve the person pursued 1b Booth. Heretofore he stated positively that it wa* Booth, *nd that he, knew him

' > Ultimately. . Philadelphia. 20th. Gov. Cm-tin has Issued a proclamation offering a reward of $10,000 tor the arrest of Bootu, when* reported to have been seen In this State, if arrested in Pennsylvania. The following despatch was receded this evening

~ • from a lawyer at Beading » , .

' ' "The despatch of yesterday was somewhat errone- ous. The statement given by the citizen of Beading referred to is that he has no acquaintance with Booth, having Men' him but once, seven year* ago, In a theatre In Baltimore, and not being able to identify him

now. I He saw the suspected person in a saloon on Tuesday nlgbt, in company with another, drinking freely. learning; that the man intended to leave town for PotteviUe at 6 P. M., he got upon the train after it had started, and recognized the- individual, who appeared to bo very much confused at meeting him. Ho asked the citizen whether he was going up in the train, and upon his answering the man said he was not, the man said that he would be back in Beading in a day or two. The citizen then left the train and oommunicated these mots to a Government detective of this place, by whose agency he has since been arrested, and is now awaiting recognition at Ta-

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The Assassins. No vessels are permitted to while the go to the Western shore of Maryland starch for Booth is being made. The Portland Advertiser says that a person, evi- the disguised, was arrested on the train on dently Mon- Grand Trunk Raiuoad at Paris, Me. on of Booth a. day, buspected to be au accomp lice

Booth's Tbail. A correspondent of the New Yoik Times writes from Washington that the the 22d instant, trail of Booth was so positive on greatest -conH- that the detectives expressed the of his con- dence of speedily unearthing the place k'oto cealment, which is on the npph » A w tm mac. tf is — Since the crime of John Wilkes Booth, who moral- reported to be physically handsome, although the Philadelphia ly he is a frightful monster, says country Inquirer, every good looking fellow in the | has been in danger. — A good Union woman of Cleveland, Ohio, for whose husband has been in the army fighting spider his country, was in the kitchen cleaning a and on Saturday, when a woman neighbor came in, of the alter telling the news of the assassination soldiers President, raid she was "glad of it." The the spider. wife Immediately knocked her down with THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE. DECEMBER 7. 1930

A NEW VERSION OF THE GREATEST MAN HUNT Major O'Beirne's Diary, Recently Brought to Light, Describes The Difficulties of the Chase After Lincoln's Assassin

Sunday, April 16, 1865, Ed- set Booth's leg—broken as his spur another entry in the O'Beirne note- ONwin M. Stanton, Secretary of caught in the flag that draped the book; "Boy at Mrs. Lewis's states War, sat in his offices in the President's box. O'Beirne's note- to the detectives that the two men old War Department Build- book contains a preliminary refer- landing at White Point started off ing in Washington. Still shaken by ence to Mudd, which indicates the In the direction of King George's the terrible event of two days be- mood of the pursuers. "Mudd. near Court House on Sunday after land- fore, he 'drew a sheet of War De- Bryantown." he jotted down. "Son ing." These men were, in fact, partment stationery toward him, of William A. Mudd. A wild, rabid Booth and Herold. Meanwhile, as plunged his pen in the inkwell with man. Served more than two years David Miller Dewitt puts it in his such energy that when he started in the rebel army. Is a black- account of the assassination, "that to write three drops fell on the hearted man and possibly was a veteran sleuth, La Fayette C. paper, and indited in his own agi- conspirator. See after him." The Baker, chief of the national detec- tated scrawl an order to Major detectives saw after Mudd, and he tive police, descended into the James Rowan O'Beirne, Provost served several years in the prison arena." Baker was destined to take Marshal of the District of Colum- of the Dry Tortugas before his for himself much of the credit bia. O'Beirne was a veteran of the heroic services in a yellow-fever which should have gone to O'Beirne. Thirty-seventh New York Volun- epidemic won him a pardon. The Baker sent his men, with a tele- teers, the Irish Rifles. He had been trail grew warmer; but it was not graph operator, to Port Tobacco, desperately wounded at Chancel- Md., which was O'Bierne's head- lorsville. after fighting his way up quarters. There he learned all that from the ranks, and incapacitated O'Bierne had found out, leaving it for field service. to be understood that his own men were responsible. "Major O'Beirne" -so ran Stan- • • • ton's note- "you are relieved from story of Major O'Beirne's all other duty at this time and di- rlE success and failure now be- rected to employ yourself and your comes clear. He had two con- detective force in the detection and flicting theories to unravel. He had arrest of the murderers of the been sure that Booth and Herold President and the assassins who were safe in Virginia. Yet he writes attempted to murdei Mr. Seward, on April 25: "Herold and Booth and make report from time to came out of a belt of cedars within time." The Secretary folded the 150 feet of Turner's house in the paper, his hand or sleeve brushing morning of April 25. between the across and blotting the heavily hours of 6 and 7 Spoke to a colored inkt'd 'Yours" as lie did so. and girl at Turner's house. Asked for gave it to an orderly. So began food. * * * They asked if there was Majoi O'Beirne's part m the pur- any one in the house and if they suit of the a.-wassin of Abraham could get some water. They were Lincoln. Some heretofore unre- N told to come up to the house but did corded details of one of the greatest "fP^nHlMfttif not do so. The last seen of them was man huntb of American history are tending in an easterly direction set forth in the Stanton order and Major James R. O'Beirne. from Turner's house about four other original documents which miles northwesterly from Bryan- have recently come into the pos- yet certain whether Booth and Her- town. • * • The two men are Booth session of John J. Madigan of 13 old had succeeded in escaping to and Herold, beyond doubt." East Forty-seventh Street, New the Virginia side of the Potomac. York. It was this mistake that took "Cob Neck," wrote O'Beirne, "is glory of the cap- O'Beirne had already from O'Beirne the played an the section land whole of between ture and gave It to Baker and his important role in the tragic drama. the Potomac and Wicomico River. assistant. Lieutenant Edward P. It was he, on the night of the as- Pope's Creek has been a crossing. Doherty, who had come on the sassination, who had conducted The conspirators are there if they last moment. Yet the Vice President Andrew Johnson scene at the have not crossed over to the Vir- report which O'Beirne received was from the Kirkwood House, where ginia side, which examine into and one that he could not have neglect- Johnson lodged, to the house op- follow up." He underlined the last ed without being false to his duty. posite Ford's Theatre, where the five words. The irony of the situation lay in President lay unconscious and • • • the fact that he had actually been dying. That same night a murder- Atzerodt's room at the Kirk- within ten miles of the spot where ous attack had been made on Wil- ri wood House had been found a the fugitives lay. Following the liam H. Seward, Secretary of map of lower Maryland. O'Beirne traces of the two men who had State, and it was believed that a telegraphed for the map. The clues crossed Into Virginia on Saturday great conspiracy had existed to accumulated. "A boat passed over night, he had landed on the Vir- wipe out the higher officials of the the river Sunday evening. Young ginia shore, found the boat which government. Vice President John- Claggett can tell all about it." "Mr. they bad used, and pursued them son had, in fact, been saved from ^! !

S SHYER

FIFTH In describing the search for Booth, Gen- eral O'Balrne said yesterday:— "When I Informed Vice President John- eon that Lincoln had .been shot he told me YEARS RGOTDDfcY his suspicion had been aroused that night at the Kirkwood House, where he lived. In the morning I went to the hotel again, After and. Mr, Johnson and his negro servant Booth Trapped in Barn said they had heard footsteps for hours in the room above them. The room, how- Being Tracked Ten Days ever, showed no evidence of recent occu- pancy, but the search of the hotel caused Through Swamps. nie'to establish the plot to slay the high » government officials and also Booth's Identity,- which .until then was uncer- GENERAL O'BEIRNfi tain. : i TELLS OF PURSUIT Flnda Booth's Hunk Book. "In ^ room which hud been let to George Atzerodt I found Booth's bank book, a large bowle knife, a Colt's navy revolver Only Living Person Who Was in and a handkerchief with the Initial 'H' epibroldered on It. This evidence of the with Dying President . Room complicity 'of Booth, Harold and Atzerodt, with the fact that Payne, the supposed Describes Search. assailant of Secwetary Seward, had been a frequenter of the room, I at once laid before Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War. I Wilkes Booth, assassin of Abraham 3. also told him .that Booth and Harold had Lincoln, was shot and. killed fifty years got into Maryland or Virginia before out- ago to-day. The President's slayer met an dragnet search of Washington had begun. I said I was ready to take the saddle, Ignominious fate twelve days after the and was confident of taking Booth alive. that moment . commission of the crime. At "Mr. Stanton forthwith issued an order the funeral train bearing Lincoln's body directing me to take up the pursuit at once, was speeding westward between Albany and authorizing me to call on all army and navy officers for aid. In twenty-four Syracuse. A few hours later General and hours I had detectives at the gateway of Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army lower Maryland and others on their way to to General Sherman. Join the Confederate command of Colonel Mosby. Racked by pain from his broken leg, an "With 6ix detectives and twenty-five leaped to the Injury ho suffered when he privates and non-commissioned officers, stage from the box In Ford's Theatre after under Lieutenant Laverty, a gallant officer, mortally wounding the President, Booth I quit the saddle, and we dashed down the Potomac on the flagship Martin eluded capture day after day. War De- to Port Tobacco, where Booth and his ac detectives and soldiers swarmed partment complices played poker, drank whiskey and his way southward on his trail as he mado hatched their plot. desperate effort to reach the Con- In a "Going ashore, we scoured the Bryan- federate lines. But, aided and accom- town swamp, a noisome, pestilential, his accomplice, David Harold, panied by oozing morass, the home of the owl, bat fed and sheltered by sympathizers and and serpent, and a sink of disease and along the route. Booth succeeded In trav- filth. After hours In this sea of slime, I miles of Maryland and Vir- ersing fifty stopped in a comparatively dry spot and ginia swaiups and thickets without de- lighted my pipe. I threw the light among even crossed and recrossed tection- He dry leaves and a little blaze sprang up. the Potomac Biver, which was thick with A» I stamped it out I saw a three cornered federal and patiols on the look- gunboats hole in t|ie ground. Booth had been there. out for him. It was his crutch mark. and Harold were trapped In a Booth "We followed that crutch mark tc the barn near Port Royal, Ya., on the Rappa- river, crossed and took It up again. For two o'clock on the hannock River, at miles over bog and through thicket that Detectives ana morning of April -6, 1863. onark led us until my men could go no Colonel L. C. Baker sur- soldiers under further from sheer exhaustion, after ten rounded the barn and' ordered' the fugi- days of pursuit. We returned to. Port To- tives to surrender. Harold obeyed but baoco for supplies, and there met S. C. H. Booth refused. Beckwlth, chief cipher operator on Grant's Shot by Sergeant Corbett. staff, who had been sent to join us. We At three o'clock the barn was set on tapped a telegraph wire and sent Mr. fire. Booth stumbled toward the door Stanton a message that Booth was near with a revolver in his hand. As he did so Port Royal. There the assassin was crevice brought to bay the next day." Sergeant Boston Corbett, through a | 1 near the door, shot the assassin fn the head. Dragged forth dying, Booth lingered for three hours, alternately losing and regain- ing consciousness. He was defiant to the end. His last words were, "Tell mother I died for my country.'.' General James R. O'Belrne, of No. 8G2 West 117th- street, this oity, special deputy in the -Supreme Court, and who has been Comuwssloner of Charities and Commis- sioner of Immigration, found the clew and instituted 'the search that led to Booth's capture. General O'Belrne was .Prov«#t Marshal of the District of Columbia and major of the Twenty-second regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, wiben Lincoln was eaaaealnated. and he says he Is the only "per»oa now Jiving who was In the room to : which itihe wounded President was carried. Afterward peneral O'Belrne was the Washington correspondent of tihe N«W ' COiiGER llsmu*, ... .-. Y.pfcS . _. _*u. ,.i„*. "

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Photo by Phylli* Harper now FAMILY HISTORIAN - EmibMEfitir^_FLesseX J (sides at Lee Manor nursing home, but she brought many lmily records and pictures from her Guntown home. wns Was He John Wilkes Booth?

By PHYLLIS HARPER have held that Booth was in Dr. J.F. Booth, one of 11 Feature Editor Guntown, that he spent several children of Harper Booth, and Did John Wilkes Booth find years there with the Booth his brother, Dr. George refuge in Guntown after he family to whom he was related. Washington "Washie" Booth, assassinated Abraham Lincoln? Family records and word-of- landed near Fulton after Many historians today agree mouth stories say a mysterious traveling via the Tombigbee on that the body brought from the man known to the children as a small commercial craft, say burning barn in Virginia was not "Unky" lived upstairs in the family records. that of the actor who shot Booth home and only left his They settled in Guntown with Lincoln on that Good Friday room at night. large landholdings and Mrs. evening in 1865. k "Yes, I'm sure it was Pressey says her grandfather Theories about Bqpg|h's (Booth)," affirms Emily Epting gave the "school grounds that whereabouts abounded for years Pressey, 86, granddaughter of are still in use, and he and his after the assassination at Ford's Dr. John Fletcher Booth, brother organized and built the Theater in Washington, D.C. physician and plantation owner Methodist Church." Relatives, a couple even who served in the Army of the Dr. J.F. Booth raised a claiming to be the actor's Confederacy. company for the cause of the grandchildren, years later •'I remember my mother South early in the war, went into asserted that Booth survived telling about when Unky came. I action, was wounded and taken and lived a long time.An elderly judge he stayed at least a year prisoner. He was released under man died in Enid, Okla., in 1903, or two. You must realize that a gentleman's agreement that after "confessing" that he was John Wilkes Booth would have Booth. been a hero at that time and n Rumors through the iarjs place," she explains. Continued on Page 18 fa he would "refrain from and physicians. Most of my secretive. their way to Guntown. bearing arms" against the uncles, cousins; brothers Mrs. Pressey talks with Whether John Wilkes was, Union again. have been doctors." a chuckle about "my one of them will probably He consequently It appeared from the relatives, the mad never be known. returned to Guntown and boxes and trunks of old Booths," and cites a book, turned his 2,500 acres into letters, clippings and other "The Mad Booths of "It's all supposition growing food for the Army records that Mrs. Pressey Maryland" published by Doubts will always of the South. The Booth kept for years in her Bobbs-Merrill in 1950. linger," says Mrs. home was across U.S. 45 Guntown home that the "All the Booths were Pressey, but she's, due West from downtown family was clannish, that from England, you know," personally convinced that Guntown of today. The they were frequent letter she says. "They landed in the mystery man who lived original house was a two- writers, if perhaps this country at Booth's upstairs was John Wilkes story log structure with ^*.-V--*&w»&»^ Ferry," Some Jater made Booth. later additions and iprovements. It burned jveral years ago. i "After the war people] / jre starving," says Mrs. \ •essey. "My grandfather le and tried to see that erybody was plowing, trying to grow food. * "My mother used to tell how a group of Yankee soldiers came through ransacking, stealing everything, but they saw the Masonic emblem on pay grandfather's bouse, and their leader told them 'driveon.'" Crumbling letters, clippings and Mrs. Pressey's memory recall details concerning the mysterious uncle who, came to live in Dr. J.F. Booth's home, though dates have never been found. She says a cousin has additional records* Many of Mrs. Pressey's 'Si records, sM says (Some historians mention a mysterious John Wilkes Booth contact named Jenny, but this Jenny was said to have lived in Canada. Booth and 'ariveonr Crumbling letters, clippings and Mrs. Pressey's memory recall details concerning the mysterious uncle who came to live in Dr. J.F. Booth's home, though dates have never been found. She says a cousin has additional records. Many of Mrs. Pressey's stories came^^from her Imipiai Booth ting, who was a keeper of family records, she says. (Some historians mention a mysterious John Wilkes Booth contact named Jenny, but this Jenny was said to have j lived in Canada. Booth and his conspirators used many code words, as possibly did some of the family correspondence,

| further obscuring the identity of Booth or "Unky.") "My mother said Unky almost never left his

; upstairs lair, then only at night. A few times he left the home and was gone for j a week or so," says Mrs. g Pressey. "He called my mother Jenx, and she was the only I one of the three children ". allowed to take meals | upstairs or visit with him. They had been admonished not to talk about him outside the family." The mysterious uncle with limp — | walked a John Wilkes Booth broke his leg 1 when he leaped from the box in Ford's Theater after « Lincoln was shot. This "uncle" was a cousin, not a brother, of Dr. Booth, say family records. His infirmities i and idiosyncrasies did not

< dim his intellect nor his 9 wit, judging from the stories that Jenx related to £ her daughter. & "He was obviously a I man of breeding and intelligence," says Mrs. 'Rressey/F" "He knew the classics. Nearly all the ^earjy Booths were ac

MM Jli iilitti

' I » " Guntownf s Mysterious Unky: Was He John Wilkes Booth?

he would "refrain from and physicians. Most of my secretive. their way to Guntowns bearing arms" against the uncles, cousins, brothers Mrs. Pressey talks with Whether John Wilkes was Union again. have been doctors." a chuckle about "my one of them will probably He consequently It appeared from the relatives, the mad never be known. returned to Guntown and boxes and trunks of old Booths," and cites a book, turned his 2,500 acres into letters, clippings and other "The Mad Booths of "It's all supposition. growing food for the Army records that Mrs. Pressey Maryland" published by Doubts will always of the South. The Booth kept for years in her Bobbs-Merrill In 1950. linger," says Mrs. home was across U.S. 45 Guntown home that the 'All the Booths were Pressey, but she's due west from downtown iainlly was clannish, that from England, you know," personally convinced that Guntown of today. The ">ey were frequent letter she says. "They landed in the mystery man who lived original house was a two- writers, if perhaps this country at Booth's upstairs was John Wilkes

1 Ferry." later Booth, story log structure with J^^asfeAtaaU. .i.„. . A Some made later additions and improvements. It burned several years ago. "After the war people were starving," says Mrs. Pressey. "My grandfather rode and tried to see that

£ everybody was plowing, I trying to grow food. "My mother used to tell 1 how a group of Yankee soldiers came through ransacking, stealing everything, bat they saw the Masonic emblem on my grandfather's house, and their leader told them 'drive on.'" Crumbling letters, clippings and Mrs. Pressey's memory recall details concerning the mysterious uncle who. came to live in Dr. J.F. Booth's home, though dates have never been found. She says a cousin has additional records. Many of Mrs. Pressey's stoi_ ZJK _wJ Who'wa! family records, she (Some historians I mention a mysterious John

v Wilkes Booth contact named Jenny, but this

j Jenny was said to have | lived in Canada. Booth and ' his conspirators used many code words, as possibly did some of the | family correspondence, further obscuring the -'identity of Booth or fc "Unky.") I "My mother said Unky

. almost never left his f upstairs lair, then only at night. A few times he left I the home and was gone for v a week or so," says Mrs. g Pressey. r "He called my mother (" Jenx, and she was the only 5 one of the three children ; allowed to take meals upstairs or visit with him. f , they had been admonished not to talk about him . ,. outside the family ! ',' The mysterious uncle iwalked with a limp — John

, Wilkes Booth broke his leg when he leaped from the box in Ford's Theater after Lincoln was shot. F This "uncle" was a I

cousin, not a brother, of | ' Dr. Booth, say family records. His infirmities . ' and idiosyncrasies did not 4 idlm his Intellect nor his silt, judging from the stories that Jenx related »« her daughter. "He was obviously man of breeding an CAPTOR OF BOOTH DIES

Wat in party which trapped Lin- coln's astauin |LU^

Plattburgh, Feb. 11 (JPy—Th» death on a farm near here Thursday of Abraham Snay, 82-year-old Civil War veteran, marked the passing of the last of the volunteer party which In

April 1865, catured John, t Wilkes Booth, slayer of Abraham Lincoln. Snay, who enlisted in the Union army at the age of sixteen stood within ten feet of Sergeant Boston Cprbett, when the latter fired the shot which caused Booth's death, after the assassin had been trapped n a barn. The eity yesterday throbbed with fierce excite- Harrold, as the cavalry disappeared, made for

ment when the news readied it that the mur- t!»o woods, iu which they remained fill they derer of the great President had been captured, came in to supper. They evidently had no idea and had met a fate iu every way suited to his that that cavalry would return there in the night, character and to his crime. The anxiety for his and believed that in the barn, if not in the dwell- capture had become a very mania with our ing, they would be as safe as iu the woods. To people, and when the news of its accomplish- this conclusion they were iu all probability driven ment had reached them there was a general by the strong logic of physical suffering and OF THE ASSASSINS. FLIGHT satisfaction, a feeling that a duty which it was unrest. that barn a solemn obligation to perform had been ucconi- i Iu Booth had his crutches, rendered plished at last. necessary to him by the fracture of his leg, and PLAN FOR THEIR CAPTURE. The details of the flight and Lhe pursuit will'' one seven-shooting rifle, one revolver, a carbine,

suggest to every reader the sum of punishment and a bowie-knife ; but not the one he had on the that met the assassin between the committal of eventful night of the 14th April, for that knife COLONEL BAKER AND HIS FORCE. crime and its final retribution here. He died was not a bowie at all. like a coward, burned out of a trap like a rat; The I'ursuil. armed to the teeth, but fearing to use his arms, Colonel i.. C Baker, chief detective of the either on his pursuers or even on himself, lie War Department, has the honor of having Till: QTJXCIC 1»XJK.!-»IJIX. showed he could be a bravo before a theatrical planned the pursuit which has succeeded in the audicntc, but failed to show that he eoidd faca capture of Booth and Harrold; and if we take death with the common coiu-age of a bandit. into consideration the fact that the Colonel was Like another actor, city the BOOTH BROUGHT TO BAY. I many he could uot act to a absent from the when assassination oc-

poor house. curred ; that he had all to learn ere lie could

His misled accomplice, the paltry partner of begin to act ; that there was no clue but what he his flight and approver of his crime, shared his must find for himself, it is impossible not to ad- SURRENDER OF HARROLD. ' sufferings, skill displayed in but not his nerveless apathy,' for he I mire the he obtaining it, the surrendered without any attempt at acting, and rapidity and confidence with which he acted

li''s now awaiting the sentence that he has I upon it. DEATH OF J. WILKES BOOTH. 1 bought with so much recklessness, so much To the parties acting under Colonel Baker's guilt, and so much suffering. orders no little credit is due for the faithfulness, i"! i^Bu of tJhe Assassins. industry, and endurance which they displayed HIS INFAMOUS DYING WORDS. Booth left here ' and Harrold together after the in the expedition. For the sixty-two hours oc- assassination, and made their way into Mary- , cupied in the pursuit uo flagging was permitted. land, remained the in swamps until the IWd The work TNas continuous, and so worn were instant, The Living and the Dead Assassin in Washington and then crossed over into Virginia, via the physical powers of lhe men by this lengthened Point, Swan's landing at Bluff Point. They exertion thar it was with the utmost difficulty then took the road to Port Royal, and finally to that they could be Kept awake at Its closing hours.

' Bowling Green, narrold, t J?ofSt Jklovtem lilxiimiiiiiitioii. however, is lie only On Monday, the 24lh, a detachment of the one of the two who went 6o far as Bowling 1 lthh New York cavalry were ordered by General Green, Booth stopping at Garrett's, where Har- Hancock to report to Colonel L. C. Baker, OF HARItOLD. row rejoined him. Their evident intention was special detective of the War Department. The CHARACTER to reach the mountains of East Tennessee, by detachment numbered 2o men, under command the way of Orange Court-house. of Lieutenant Dougherty. On the afternoon of POPULAR EXCITEMENT. It appears to be pretty well ascertained, that the same day, Colonel Baker detailed Lieutenant THE when Booth alighted on the btage at the theatre, Colonel E. J. Conger and Lieutenant Baker, of as he jumped from the bor, he broke the lesser his detective force, to go in pursuit of Booth, bone of his leg a little above the ankle, and, placing the aforesaid body of cavalry in their OFFICIAL BULLETIN. though the excitement of the moment drowned charge, and under their implicit command.

the pain, when he began to ride, the broken At :i 1'. M.. the force left this city on the J no. bone mnst have caused him most excruciating 8. Ide, and at iO P. M. they disembarked at

War Department, pain. The leg was clumsily reset for him, and Belle Plain , and took the. road toward Fredericks- Washington, D. C, April 37, 1805. with the help of crutches he made his way burg, travelling ihcreon three miles, and then

Major Vvn'tral Dix, New York : through swamps and over roads, with death for turning in a southeasterly direction, toward the J. Wilkes Booth and Uarrold were chased from a jack-o'-lantern lighting him to the barn at Rappahannock. They stopped at all the houses the swamp iu St. Mary's county, Maryland, Garrett's. Willi a party of Confederate soldiers on the route, inquiring for anyMaryland men of and pursued yesterday morning to Garrett's whom they met, he passed himself off as a Lee's army who might be travelling in that sec- farm, near Tort Royal, on the Rappahannock, wounded officer, being ashamed to own even to tion. They continued their journey through the by Colonel Baker's force. a rebel that he was but a murderer, fleeing from night and the next day until noon, when they The barn in which they took refuge was fired. human law and national wrath. reached Port Conway, on the north side of the Booth, in making hie escape, was shot through Booth stopped at Garrett's. Uarrold went to river, opposite Port Koyal. There they found a man, who, upon seeing the head and killed, lingering about three hours, Bowling Green ; returned to Garrett's ; there and Harrold taken alive. they had supper. Before they had supper, a the photographs of Booth, Harrold, and Surratt, Booth's body ami Harrold are now here. party of cavalrymen, whose appearance there pointed out the two former as two men whom Edwin M. Stanton, the reader will understand from our account of he was positive he had seen the day before, at

Secretary of War. the pursuit, passed the house, and Booth and one P. >i., at Port Conway. He said these men J endeavored to hire him to convey ihem to Bowl- ing Green, but that they could not agree in the

bargain ; and that, subsequently, Harrold came 1

Booth fell as soon as shot. to kirn aud said they bad met friends, and did The ball had Harrold, in company with others also con- informant also severed the thorax. Lieutenant Colonel Conger not want hie services. Their | nected with the conspiracy, and Lieutenant Baker with two soldiers was photographed stated that bo saw a party of Confederate sol- tbcu en- yesterday is tered the barn and carried into yard. at 5 o'clock afternoon. Harrold a diers convey the two men whom he bad reeog- him the about its At first he seemed as if life had left youth well known the Navy-yard and ni/ed by the photographs across the river. him, but he soon revived and endeavored vicinity. A druggist by profession, "a sport" Lieutenant Colonel Conner and Lieutenant to speak. Lieu- tenant Colonel Conger, placing his ear to the by choice, lie was fond of horses aud fancy Baker decided to take this man as a guide. They mouth of the dying man, heard arms. The horses he could seldom keep long, commenced crossing the river with their force at him say, "Tell mother I died for my country/' selling them to pay their board, lie was for a 2 P. 11. Having a boat which could only carry He was then carried to the time employed as clerk by Mr. Walsh, and left seven at onee, they did not finish the crossing porch of the bouse, aud the Lieutenant Colonel despatched a at the time, of his father's death, which occurred till 5 o'clock. They then proceeded half-way messenger to Port Royal for a some months ago. from Port Royal to Bowling Green, where they physician. "When the doeter arrived Booth He has since that time led a reckless life, living found some women, who stated that the party was too ex- hausted to be revived carelessly, w ithout visible income. He was born of Confederate soldiers bad returned on Tues- by human skill. Booth was also heard by Lieutenant Baker to say, in this city some twenty-two years ago, and did day, one less in number, and that neither of "I thought I was doing best not possess either literary or artistic tastes likely those who came back was lame. Tbcy subse- the for the country. Kill me, kill other to have made him an agreeable companion to a quently ascertained that the soldiers went three me!" and expressions seem- ingly of the same purport, which Booth before the contemplation of murder had miles with Booth, to the house of Mr. John W. were not con- tinually audible, while transformed bis nature. Harrold was a Garrett, and that Harrold continued on to Bowl- and Lieutenant Baker boy in everything, easily led aud moulded ing Green on Monday night, also that Llarrold was rubbing bis paralyzed hands, be daid, "use- by a common will, and so given to returned to Uarrott on Tuesday afternoon. less, useless!" 'ilie Death. bragging that few of his intimates ever The pursuing force passed Garrett's bouse a attached any importance to anything he said. few moments after Ilarrold's return to it, and He was shot at fifteen minutes past throe, Harrold always talked " chivalry," and all his went on some fifteen miles to Bowling Green. last Tuesujy morning, the twenty-fifth instant., sympathy, as far as he had any, wentDixieward There they captured one of the Confederate sol- and died at ten minutes past seven, twelve min- In conversation he was obscene to such a degree diers who had been with Booth the day before, utes earlier thau the great soul of his atigust as to render him loathsome to even his own lie made a statement to them as to the wherte- victim left earth to bear witness against hhu, at associates. abouts and movements of Booth and Harrold, the bar to which fate was hastening him. His arrival at the Navy-yard, with that of fully confirming that above given. This was at The dead body of Booth, and the bving one of Booth's body, attracted immense crowds thither, 11 o'clock on Tuesday night. They then went Harrold, were soon after conveyed to Belle anxious to obtain a view of all that remains of back to Garrett's, which they reached at 2 A.M., Plain, placed on the steamer Jno. S. Ide, which be assassin and of Harrold, who in that neigh surrounding the dwelling and out-houses. still remained awaiting the return of the little borhood, t,was weU known to everybody ; but To the first inquiry as to the whereabouts of command and the coming of the assassins. none were admitted save those holding passes Booth and llarrold, the family gave no satisfae" They arrived at the Navy-yard at 1 o'clock signed by the Secretary of War aud the Secretary to.y reply; but soon after the son of ouc of the yesterday morning. Harroki was then trans- of the Navy. Garrett brothers, confessed his knowledge of ferred to a secure custody, while the body of their both- being at that moment in the barn. Booth was landed at the Navy-yard, and an The Capture. autopsy held by Surgeon General Barues and The force, which had been extended in loose several assistants. cordon around the whole premises, was then Locality of the Capture. Bowling Green, near which place Booth formed in heavier line around the barn alouc, was killed, is a village, with orders so to remain. The line was at an post the capital of Caroline county, Ya., the average distance of thirty feet from the barn on road from Richmond to Fredericksburg, forty-five miles north walls. of the former, and is situated in a fertile and healthy Lieut. Colonel Conger sent Garrett's 60n into region. 'It contains two churches, three stores, the barn to tell the fugitives to surrender to him tvto mills, and about 300 inhabitants. their arms, and come out and deliver themselves Port Royal is a post village in Caroline county, up. Booth threatened him,, saying he had be Va., on the right bank of the Rappahannock trayed them, and he must leave the barn. Lieu- river, twenty-two miles below Fredericksburg. tenant Baker then went to the door and again It has a population of six hundred, aud there is demanded them to surrender, upon which a long a good steamboat lauding near the place. parley ensued, Booth positively refusing. Incidents. Lieut. Colonel Conger then pulled some hay

through a crack in the wall, ignited it, and

pressed it back into the mow. The dames rose rapidly, firing the whole building. Booth came to the corner where Conger stood to shoot the party who had fired the building. He stood with pistol raised, peering into the darkness, but seemed unable to perceive any one. He then turned, gazed upon the flames, and suddenly started for the door. Sergeant Conger, of the cavalry force, in vio lation of orders, left the line, and going close to the wall before him, fired his pistol through a crack, shooting Booth in the neck. -

John Wilkes Booih, tho assassin, w as not a meuilwt of my company, and had no engagement with me foe THE ASSASSINS over a year. As any actor who had attained soum prominence in his profession, and was not suspected ot evil intent would have had, ho Lad the entroe'oH my theater; and of this privilege he availed himself to [,or- lietrato tho infamous crime which no one lts.isaspectell, TISEia PftOBABLS iHDIft'Ci-PLACI. with which no one had less sympathy, which no On* would have douo more to prevent, which no one mora deeply deplores that I; yet that it should have uksn pSaec in a building andor niy control will always aJ»l poignancy to the regret which 1 /eel ia common wttfc my countrymen. Prince George, Charles, Sfc. and Mary's I have been surprised and pained to learn that siuo* this event somo persons, to whom my unwavering ;or- Counties, Bid., Indicated. alty must be well known, have yet sought to plaoo aa unjust construction upon the fact that a Rebel baud ii^l played at my theater in Baltimore. That ban! cama lo me iu Baltimore ueoieJitod as prisoners who hast taken the oath of allegiance, and had p.-rloiiuad at tu» THE AUTHORITIES ¥IGILAH% War Department and at Grorer's theater in Washing- ton: Before receiving them I conferred with tho military authorities, and engaged the band with then/ knowledge and full concurrence. They were instructed to play, und did play, the national airs, and played n« I£ep©s*tcd Accident t® itit^th. Southern air or tune which could be construed as ex- pressive of Southern sentim.-uts-or sympathies, except "Dixie, "which our now lamented President had Jos( proclaimed a " captured tune." It was designed but —> a spectacle of captive musicians preseuting a "cap- HIS LEG PROBABLY FRACTURm tured tune, " and as a gratification to loyal cilizoiu. With such I have always acted, and tp sncti tins b<-iri explanation, made at the earliest possible moment after my arrival borne this morning, is due. Such can par- tially appreciate (I pray they may never fully know) Interesting Incident3 of the As3&ds»iu*fci<>a the painful embarrass men t in which this loul crime ha» placed me. JOUS T. l'O'stD. Baltimore, Apiil 18, 1863. -^ .

Nlaliiai1 ..! ol' a. i A< (or. 'fl'hc Iiatr*t Abnal SSoDtu.

From ttie Chicago Post, April -M. . Washington, April S3, iwa, Mr. William J. Hawke of iLis city, v/ao r»- sides ut No. 'J54 Statc-st., has received a letter from hl« Circumstances whiekhave come to the knowl- son Harry, who is a member of Liuia Keene's theatrical company, who were playing '*Uur Cousta" edge of the Government, rondev it nearly certain th*i American at Ford's Theater in Washington on the night of tb« Booth's horue fell with him on I'riday night (14th iast.L horrid tragedy, lie gives some new facts in icfcreao* to the assassination and the assassin. We arc per- I und, it lit believed, caused a fracture of one of Lis lag* mitted to publish the letter, which is is follows; It is also reported thut,ho has divested himself oS hw WA.S1HKCV0N'. April 10, !Bu5. This is the first opportunity 1 have had to w;ita lo mustache. you since the ussaisiuatiou of our dear President oa Pridiiy nij»os; these hundred and twenty dollars, On him was found while traveling on Wednesday, and made 1/j er,t&l3Lv* uisobargos- of tb* a penknife, two conflicting army his identity. *ame date for George B. Love, a receipt from II. btocfc- bridge, of Baltimore, for two hundred and fifty doll-tr*. from George B. Love for legul bcrvicea, and a wato*

and chain. . The evidence seems to indicate that he wa* 00»« eemed in tho assassination plot, ' ' -

Card from lUasia^jer Ford. As my name has been unhappily assooiatod yfiiix in* deplorable tragedy which has plunged the nation iu sor- row, a brief statement is duo tho public—CspeoisAf to those wilh whom I am personally acquainted. Entertaining the highest respect and reverouoe bit President Lincoln, I long ago placed the State box la my thcatro in Washington at his command whenere* he might see fit to attend tho exhibitions; and of thl» privilege ho has occasionally availed himself. Oa Tum- day, April 11, impeivious filial duty constrained me t« g-, to ltiohmond, and I 1 ad, and could have no connection, either in. gonerul or detail, with what tiauppiwd

iu Washington from that time forward. .; : ^:-.-

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THE NEW VORK TIMES, SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1985

Retracing the Flight

OfLincoln 's Assassin

By MARJORIE HUNTER Special u> ll» Ne« Yort Times

WASHINGTON, April 12 — It was Good Friday, 120 years ago. A man limped out the back door of Ford's Theater, jumped on his horse, and sped down darkened Baptist Alley. Only minutes earlier, the theater i*V: audience had witnessed the most dramatic show ever staged there. John Wilkes Booth, an actor who had played the theater several times, had fatally wounded President Lincoln. Ford's Theater still stands in downtown Washington, and most of the alleys and streets used by Booth are still there. On a recent walking tour sponsored by the National Park Serv- ice, in fact, Dr. Edwin Steers Jr. of had used that route of escape, turning the National Institutes of Health" a right into F Street. The gate is no past president of the Lincoln Group of longer there. the District of Columbia, traced as much as is known about Booth's ac- After John An Uncertain Path tions within the city that night of Wilkes Booth Little is known about Booth's move- April 14, 1865. And later this month shot President E ments in that area from then on. He Dr. Steers will lead an even more ex- Stables Stables Lincoln at may have ndden past the Patent Of- tensive tour, tracing Booth's flight IS fice, now the National Portrait Gal- not Just within the city but all the way Ford's Theater, 1£ lery, at the intersection of F and to the Virginia farm where he was fi- the assassin Ninth Streets. He may have turned nally cornered and killed. leaped onto the IS right on Ninth or Eighth Street as he stage, breaking I headed toward the Capitol, possibly A Fateful Evening his leg. He then passing Matthew Brady's photo- in Ford's Thea- 1 The first tour began slipped through graphic studio on Pennsylvania Ave- ter, on 10th Street Northwest, and ALLEY nue. downtown area. Ac- the back door, covered a small The Park Service's walking tour cording to Dr. Steers, this is the se- mounted his was confined (o downtown Washing- quence of events from that fateful waiting horse ton and included a few buildings that evening and escaped. were standing in Lincoln's day. The Arriving the alley behind the in tour did not cover the known route theater shortly after 9 o'clock on the taken by Booth as he crossed the night of the assassination. Booth south grounds of the Capitol and called for Edraan Spangler, a stage- across the Navy Yard Bridge on his hand, to come hold his horse. Mr. way to southern Maryland, and later Spangler, who had work to do inside, to Virginia. got an errand runner known today only as "Peanut John" to hold the 3 Stales, 225 Miles mare. Ford a Theater The more extensive tour, starling Booth entered a saloon next door, 10th STREET in the theater and tracing Booth's had returned to several drinks, and movements through Maryland and Ford's by the front door, making his Virginia, will be conducted by Dr. *j£i way to the doorway of the Presiden- and out the back door into the alley. Alley Into what is known as Public Seers on April 27. under the auspices tial box on the right side of the thea- Grabbing the reins from Peanut Alley, then through an open gate into of Marker Tours. The 225-mile bus ter. Lincoln's attention was focused John. Booth mounted his mare and F Street, midway between Ninth and tour, costing $26. will Include such on the stage, where a cast headed by raced down Baptist Alley, so named 10th Streets. Maryland stops as the Surratt Tav- Laura Keene was performing Tom because the theater once housed a However, Jim Bishop, in his book ern, In Surrattsville; the home of Dr. Taylor's British comedy, "Our Amer- Baptist Church. At the time of the as- "The Day Lincoln Was Shot," said Samuel Mudd, who set Booth's ican Cousin." sassination the alley was lined by Booth had shunned Public Alley be- broken foot, and a pine thicket where Opening the box door. Booth shot stables, including one where Booth cause of the gate and instead had rid- Booth hid for five days. the President through the head, raced kept his horses, and by two shanties. den into Ninth Street, a block behind also will Include a number to the front of the box and jumped to The alley, stretching slightly down- the theater. The tour at the Gar- the stage, his right foot catching on hill from the back of the theater, is Dr. Steers maintains that careful of Virginia sites, ending Bowling Green, where the Treasury regimental flag as he still there, but the stables and shan- research, including testimony at the rett farm near in a tobacco bam fell. Despite the pain of the foot ties have long since been replaced by trial of conspirators implicated in the Booth was cornered 25 and killed broken in the fall. Booth crossed the larger buildings. assassination plot, shows that Booth by the cavalry on April gate sergeant as the bam went up in «*;- stage, made his way down a narrow According to Dr. Steers, Booth and had seen to it (hat the F Street by a corridor lined with dressing rooms his mare turned left from baptist was left open that night and that he flames. nnnli.,,!. ai

The Capture oi Lincoln s Assassin, the Thrilling Story of the Pursuit and Death of John Wilkes Booth. 4 =jjN THE night of April 14, 1865— 59 years ago—Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, \\as assassinated while sitting in ( a box at ford's theater in Wash-,

ington. Tlie shot was bred by i John Wilkes Booth. Never before nor since lias the nation been so stunned and grieved. It was truly a time that tried the souls of men and women. Never was there such j unanimous determination in capturing and I punishing the man guilty of this crime. of Booth was one 'a he pur.-uit and capture j of the most exciting episodes in criminal! stories have been written annals. Many \ sotting forth the details of the grim chase, j One of the best was from the pen of George Alfred Townsend, one. of the star Washing- ion correspondents of that generation. Townsend was born at Georgetown, Del.,' January :30, 1S4L He died in 1914. His lather, the Rev. Stephen Townsend, was a %. remarkable man. For 50 years he preached the gospel of Methodism. At the age of 50 felt the need of a little diversification he j in his labors and therefore studied and j practiced medicine along with his preach-, ing. At 70 the old gentleman obtained the J university study. degree of i h. 1>. by actual energetic father it is no won- With .Mich an a&ffSfe' ^ _i;^_i. der that young Townsend made good at an early age." When he graduated from the high Georga Alfred Townsend school of Philadelphia, Pa., in I860, he at once tackled the newspaper game. His first job the hue and cry against the escaped Booth. was on the Philadelphia Press, where he soon The sagacious de ective found that 'nearly became dramatic critic and city editor. 10,000 cavalry, and one-fourth as many po- This was in I860. At this time he also began licemen, had been meantime scouring, with- his career as a public speaker. In 1862 he out plan or compass, the whole territory of became war correspondent for the New southern Maryland. They were treading on York Herald. Later that year he went to each other's heels and mixing up the thing Europe and wrote for various American and so confoundedly that the best place for the English periodicals, and gave a series of culprits to have gone would have been in lectures on the. Civil war. In 1864 he became the very midst of their pursuers. Baker war correspondent of the New York World. at once possessed himself of the little the At the close of hostilities he entered the War department had learned, and started held as a professional lecturer, but between immediately -to take the usual detective lectures continued miscellaneous writings measures, till then neglected, of offering for the press. Tn 1866 he went to Europe a reward and getung out photographs of to report, the Austro-Prussian war. His pen the suspected ones. He then dispatched name. "Gath," was first used in 1868 in let- a few chosen detectives to certain vital ters to the Chicago Tribune. Some of the points and awaited results. papers to which he contributed were the 'The first of these was the capture of Cleveland Leader, Cincinnati Commercial Atzeroth. Others, like the taking of Dr. and Missouri Democrat. His leading pub- Mudd, simultaneously occurred- But the lications in book form are "The Bohemians," district suspected being remote from tin a plav; "Campaigns of a Non-Combatant," railway routes and broken by no telegraph "Life "of Garibaldi," "Real Life of Abraham station, the Colonel, to place himself nearer Lincoln," "The New World Compared With the theater of events, ordered an operator the Old," "Washington Outside and Inside," 1 with the necessary instrument to tap the -Tales of the Chesapeake," "Bohemian wire running to Point Lookout, near Chap- ] Days," "The Entailed Hat," "President pell's Point, and send him prompt mes-

Cromwell" and "Katy of Catoctin." I sages. TOWNSEND'S STORY "The steamer which took down the operator and two detectives brought back one It was on the night of April 28, 1865, that of the same detectives and a negro. This Townsend wrote his great account of the negro, taken to Colonel Baker's ollice, stated pursuit and capture of Booth, which reads so positively that he had seen Booth and us follows: another man crossing the Potomac in a "A hard and grizzly face overlooks me as fishing boat, while he was looking down on I write. Its inconsiderable forehead is them from a bank, that the Colonel was at frowned with turning sandy hair, and the first skeptical; but when examined the deep concave of its long, insatiate jaws is negro answered so readily and intelligently, almost hidden by a dense red beard, which recognizing the men from the photographs, <>an not still abate the terrible decision of that Baker knew at last he had the true the large mouth, sc> well sustained by scent. searching eyes of spotted gray, which follow CAVALRY IN PURSUIT and rivet one. This is the face of Lafayette "Straightway lie sent to General Hancock Baker, colonel and chief of staff of the for 25 men and while the order was going secret service. He has played the most drew down his coast survey maps with that perilous parts of the war. and is the cap- quick detective intuition amounting almost turer of the late President's murderer. The to inspiration, lie cast upon the probable story that I am to tell you, as ho and h:s route and destination of the refugees, as trusty dependents told it to me, will be well as the point where he would soonest aptly commenced here, where the net was strike them. Booth, he Knew, would not woven which took the dying life of Wilkes keep along the coast, with frequent deep Bon'll. rivers to cross, nor, indeed, in any direction "When the murder occurred Colonel east of Richmond, where lie was liable at "Bauer was absent from Washington. He any time to cross our lines of occupation; returned on the third morning and was at nor, being lame, could he ride on horse- once brought by Secretary Stanton to join the soft clay, nor broke the all-foreboding time the candle brought from the house, to silence anywhere, till the second gate swung the barn was burning close beside the two open gratingly; yet even then nor hoarse detectives, rendering it easy for anyone nor shrill response came back, save distant within to have shot them dead. This ob- croaking, as of frogs or owls, or the whiz served, the light was cautiously removed out of its of some passing night-hawk. So they sur- and everybody took care to keep rounded the pleasant old homestead, each reflection. By tins time the crisis of the horseman, carbine in poise, adjusted under position was at hand; the cavalry exhibited the grove of locusts, so as to inclose the very variable inclinations, some to run dwelling with a circle of fire. After a pause, away, others to shoot Booth without a sum- Baker rode to the kitchen door on the side, mons, but all excited and lit fully silent. At and dismounting, rapped and halloaed lusti- the house nearby the female folks were seen and the necessi- ly. An old man, in drawers and nightshirt, collected !n the doorway hastily undrew the bolts and stood in the ties of the case provoked prompt conclu- threshold, peering shiveringly into the dark- sions. The boy was placed -at a remote ness. Baker seized him by the throat at' point, and the summons repeated by Baker. onco and held a pistol to his ear. 'Who— '"You must surrender inside there. Give who is it that calls me?' cried the. old man. up your arms and appear. There is no •Where are the men who stay witli you?' chance for escape- We give you live min- challenged Baker. 'If you prevaricate you utes to make up your mind.' are a dead man!' The old fellow, who proved A BOLD REPLY to be the head of the family, was so over- awed and paralyzed that he stammered and 'A bold, clarion reply came from within,! shook, and said not a word. 'Go light a so strong as to be heard at the house door: candle,' cried Baker sternly, 'and be quick •"Who are you, and what do you want it.' The trembling old man obeyed, about A\ ith us?' in a moment the imperfect rays flared and '"Baker again urged: 'We want you to de- upon his whitening hairs and bluish pallid liver up your arms and become our pris- face. Then the question was repeated, oners.' backed up by the glimmering pistol, 'Where are those men?' The old man held to the "'But who arc you?' hallooed the same wall, and his knees smote each other. They strong voice. are gone,' he said- 'We haven't got them "Baker: 'That makes no difference. We you. in the house; I assure you they are gone.' know who you are, and we want We 1 Here there were sounds and whisperings have here 50 men, armed with carbines and pistols. You can not escape.' There was in the main building adjoining, and the pause, and then Booth said: 'Captain, j a long lieutenant strode toward rue door. A lu-l this is a hard case, 1 swear. Perhaps t am dicrous instant intervened. Mho old man's' being taken by my own friends.' No reply modesty outran his terror. 'Don't go in from the detectives. there,' he said feebiy; 'there are women 'Well, to undressed in there.' "Booth: give us a little time consider.' THE BARN "Baker; 'Very well; take time.' '"Here ensued a long and eventful pause. "In the interim Conger had also appeared, and while the household and the invaders What thronging memories it brought to Booth we can only guess. In this little were thus hi tableau, a young man ap- interval he mado the resolve to die; but peared as if lie had risen from the ground. he was cool to end. Baker, The muzzles of everybody turned on him and steady the after a lapse, hailed for the last time. in a second; but while he blanched, he did " 'Well, we have waited long enough. Sur- not lose his loquacity. 'Father,' he said, 'we render your arms and out, or we'll fire had better tell the truth about this matter. come the barn-' Those men whom you seek, gentlemen, are "Booth answered thus: T am but a cripple, in the bam, I know. They went there to a one-legged man. your forces sleep.' Leaving one soldier to guard the Withdraw 100 yards from the door, and I will come. old man— and the soldier was very glad of Give me a chance for life, captain. I the job, as it relieved him of personal hazard my will never be taken alive/ in the approaching combat—all the rest, "Baker: 'We did not come here to fight, with cocked pistols at the young man's head, but to capture you. I say again, appear, or lollowed on to the barn. It lay a hundred the barn fired.' yards from the house, the front barn-door shall be lacing the west gable, and was an old and BOOTHS DEFIANCE spacious structure, with floors only a trifle. "Then, with a long breath, which could above the ground level. The troops dis- be heard outside, Booth cried, in sudden mounted, were stationed at regular inter- calmness, still invisible, as we* were to him, vals around it, and ten yards distant at his enemies: every point, four special guards placed to "Well, then, my brave boys, prepare a command the door, and all with weapons stretcher in supple preparation, while Baker and Con- for me.' "There was a pause repeated, broken by ger went direct to the door. It had a pad- low discussions within between Booth and lock upon it, and the key of this Baker his associate, the former saying, as if in secured at once. In the interval of silence answer to some remonstrance or that ensued the rustling of planks and straw appeal, "Get away from me. You are. a was heard inside, as of persons rising from damned coward, and mean to leave in distress; sleep. At the same moment Baker hailed: me my " but go, go. I don't want you to stay.' Then To the persons in this barn. I have a he shouted aloud: There's a man inside proposal to make; we are about to send who wants to surrender.' in to you the son of the man in whose cus- "Baker: 'Let him come, if he will bring tody von are found. Either surrender to his arms.' Here Herold, rattling at the him your arms and then give yourselves up, door, said: 'Let me out; open the door; I or we'll set fire to the place. We mean to want to surrender.' take you both, or to have a bonfire or a your arms, then.' shooting match.' No answer came to this "Baker: 'Hand out 'I got of any kind. The lad, John M. Garrett, who "Herold: have not any.' carried was in deadly fear, was here pushed "Baker: 'You are the man who the carbine yesterday; bring it out.' through the door by a sudden opening of it, and immediately Lieutenant Baker locked "Herold: 'I haven't got any.' the door on the outside. The boy was heard 'This was said in a whining tone, and with almost visible shiver. Booth cried to state his appeal in undertone. Booth an j this 'He hasn't got any replied: 'Damn you. Get out of here. You; aloud, at hesitation: I kept them.' have betrayed me.' At the same time he arms; they are mine, and have "Baker: 'Well, he carried the carbine, and placed his hand in his pocket as for a pistol. A remonstrance followed, but the must bring it out.' and honor of a gen- boy slipped out of the reopened portal. "Booth: 'On the word he has no arms with him. reporting that his errand had failed, and tleman, They are and I have got them.' that he dared not enter again. All this. mine, At this time lierofd was quite close up move, nor Dreatne, nor gasp, conger ana to the door, within whispering distance of two sergeants now entered, and taking up Baker. The latter told him to put out his the body they bore it in haste from the hands to be handcuffed, at the. same time advancing flames and laid it without upon drawing open the door a little distance. the grass, all fresh with heavenly dew. Heroic! thrust forth his hands, when Baker, "Water,' cried Conger, 'bring water.' seizing him, jerked him into the night and "When this was dashed into his face he straight way delivered hi in over to a depu- revived a moment, and stirred his lips. tation of cavalrymen. The fellow began to Baker put his ear close down and heard talk of his innocence and plead so noisily him say: 'Tell mother— 1 die—for my coun- that Cunger threatened to gag him unless try.' lie Booth made his last ap- ceased. Then "They lifted him again, the fire encroach- voice.: peal in the same clear, unbroken ing in hotness upon them, and placed hiin "'Captain, give me a chance. Draw off on the porch before the dwelling. A mat- your men and I will fight them singly. I tress was brought down, on which they killed six tonight, could have you times placed him and propped his head, and gave, brave but I believe you to be a man, and him water and brandy. The women of the would not murder you. Give, a lame man household, joined meantime by another son, a show.' who had been found in one of tiie corncribs, THE FIRE watching, a.s he said, to see that Booth and Horold did not steal the horses, were nerv- "It was too late for parley. All this time ous, but prompt to do the dying man all middle Booth's voice had sounded from the kindness, although waved sternly back by of barn. he ceased speaking, the Ere the detectives. They dipped a rag in brandy Conger, slipping around to the rear, Colonel and water, and this being put between drew some, loose straws through a crack, Booth's teeth he sucked it greedily. When lit match. and them with a They were dry ho was able to articulate again, he mut- in instant, carrying and blazed up an a tered to Mr. Baker the same words, with sheet of smoke and flame through the an addenda. 'Tell mother I died tor my parted planks, and heaving in a twinkle a country. 1 thought I did for the best.' world of light and heat upon the magazine Baker repeated this, saying at the same within. The blaze lit up the. black recesses time, 'Booth, do I repeat it correctly?' barn till every wasp's nest of the great and Booth nodded his head. By this time the in the roof was luminous, flinging cobweb grayness of dawn was approaching; moving of red and violet across the tumbled streaks figures inquisitively coming near were to gear in the corner, plows, harrows, farm be seen distinctly, and the cocks began re hoes, rakes sugar mills, and making every crow gutturally, though the. barn by this grain in the high bin adjacent separate time was a hulk of blaze and ashes, send- like a mote of precious gold- They gleam ing toward the zenith a spiral line of dense tinged the beams, the upright columns, the smoke. The women became importunate at clover and timothy, piled barricades, where this time that the troops might be ordered high, held toward the hot incendiary their to extinguish the lire, which was spreading separate straws for ths funeral pile. They toward their precious corn-cribs. Not even bathed the murderer's retreat in a beauti- death could banish the call of interest. Sol- ful illumination, and while in bold outline diers were sent to put out the tire, and his figure stood revealed, they rose like an Booth, relieved of the bustle around him impenetrable wall to guard from sight the drew near to death apace. Twice he was bated enemy who lit them. Behind the heard to say, 'Kill me, kill me.' His lips blaze, with his eye to a crack, Conger saw often moved, but could complete no ap- Wilkes Booth standing upright upon a preciable sound. He made once a motion crutch. He likens him at this instant to his which the quick eye of Conger understood mother Edwin, whom he says he so much to mean that his throat pained him. Con- resembled that he half believed, for the ger put his finger there, when the. dying moment, the whole pursuit to have been a man attempted to cough, but only caused mistake. At the gleam of the lire Wilkes the blood at his perforated neck to flow dropped his crutch and carbine, and on both more lively. He bled very little, although hands crept up to the spot to espy the in- shot quite through, beneath and behind the cendiary and shoot him dead. His eyes ears, his collar being severed on both sides. were lustrous like fever, and swelled and A soldier had been meanwhile dispatched rolled in terrible beauty, while his teeth for a doctor, but the route and return was >vcre fixed, and he wore the expression of quite six miles, and the sinner was sinking one in the calmness before frenzy. In vain fast. Still, the women made eu'orts to get he peered with vengeance in his look: tin' to see him, but were always rebufTed, and Idazo that nfade him visible concealed his all the brandy they could find was demand- enemy. A second he turned glaring at the ed by the assassin, who motioned for strong fire, as if to leap upon it and extinguish it, drink every two minutes. He made fre- but it had made such headway that this quent desires to be turned over, not by was a futile impulse and he dismissed it. speech but by gesture, and he was alter- As calmly as upon a battlefield a veteran nately placed upon his back, belly and side. >tands in the midst of hail of ball and shell His tremendous vitality evidenced itself al- and plunging iron, Booth turned at a man's I most miraculously. Now and then his heart door, carbine in -.tride and pushed tor the , would cease to throb, and his pulse, would poise, and the last resolve of death, which be as cold as a dead man's. Directly life we name despair, set on his high, bloodless would begin anew, the face would hush up forehead. eirulgently, would again be dispossessed by THE FATAL SHOT the same magnilicent triumph of man over mortality. Einally the fussy little doctor "As so he dashed, intent to expire not arrived, in time to be useless. He probed a disobedient sergeant at unaccompanied, the wound to see if the ball were not in it, fatal an eye-hole drew upon him the bead. and shook his head sagely, ami talked learn- The barn was all glorious with conflagratioi edly. and in the beautiful ruin this outlawed mai "USELESS, USELESS!" strode like all that we know of wicked valor -tern in the face of death. A shock, a shout "Just at his coming Booth had asked to have his a gathering up of his splendid figure as i hands raised and shown him. They to overleap the stature Cod gave him, ant were so paralyzed that he did not know John AVilkes Booth fell headlong to tin their location. When they were displayed floor, lying there in a heap, a little lit' he mittered, with a sad lethargy, 'Useless, remaining. useless.' These, were the last words he ever uttered. As he began to die "•fie has -Ik. i himself/ cried Baker, in the sun rose and threw beams into all aware pf the source of the report, an the trcetops. It was of a i.ian's height when the struggle rushing in, he grasped his arms to guar of death twitched and fingered against any feint or strategy. A momen in the fading bravo's face. Bis jaw drew convinced him that further struggle wit spasmodically and obliquely downward; his eyeballs rolled the prone, flesh was useless. Booth did no ,1 toward his feet and began to swell; livid- knew nothing, so help him, Cod, etc. But taess, like a horrible shadow, fastened upon nobody listened to him. All interest of him, and, with a sort of gurgle and sudden crime, courage and retribution centered in check, he stretched his feet and threw his the dead flesh at his feet. Ac Washington, head back and gave up the ghost. high and low turned out to look on Booth. '"They sewed him up in a saddle blanket. Only a few were permitted to see his corpse This was his shroud; too like, a soldier's. for purposes of recognition. Herold, meantime, had been tied to a tree, SECRET SERVICE but was now released for the march. Colonel Conger pushed on immediately for "Yesterday the Secretary of War, without Washington; the cortege, was to follow. instructions of any kind, committed to Col. Booth's only arms were his carbine, knife Lafayette Baker the stark corpse of J. and two revolvers. They found about him Wilkes Booth. The secret service never bills of exchange, Canadian money and a fullilled its volition more secretively. 'What diary. A venerablee old negro living in the have you done with the body?' said I to vicinity had the misfortune to possess a Baker. 'That is known,' he answered, 'to horse. This horse was a relic of former only one man living besides myself. It is I generations, and showed by his protruding gone, t will not tell you where. The only ribs the general leanness of the land. lie man who knows is sworn to silence. Never moved in an eccentric amble, and when put till the great trumpeter conies shall the upon his speed was generally run back- grave of Booth be discovered.' And this is ward. To this old negro's horse was har- true. Last night, the 27th of April, a small nessed a very shaky and absurd wagon, rowboat received the carcass of the mur- which rattled like approaching dissolution, derer: two men were in it; they carried the that and each part of it ran without any con- body oft" into the darkness; and out of nection or correspondence with any other darkness it will never return. In the. dark- part. It had no tail-board, and its shafts ness, like his great crime, may it remain were sharp as famine; and into this mimicry forever, impalpable, invisible, nondescript, of a vehicle the murderer was to be sent to condemned to that worse than damnation, river bottom may ooze the Potomac river, while the man he had ! annihilation. The murdered was moving in state across the about it, laden with great shot and drown- mourning continent. The old negro geared ing manacles. The earth may have opened up his wagon by means of a set of fossil to give it that silence and forgiveness which harness, and when it was backed" to .Gar- man will never give its memory. The. fishes rett's porch they laid within it the discol- may swim around it, or the daisies grow ored corpse. The corpse was tied with ropes white above it, but we shall never know. Mysterious, incomprehensible, unattainable, around the. legs and made fast to the wagon like the dim times through which we live sides Heroid's legs were iied to stirrups, upon as if we only dreamed them ., , „ think ho was placed in the centoi of,,, our,,,,, mur- and and fever, the assassin of a na- derous looking cavalrymen The two sons | in perturbing despite, head rests somewhere in the elements, of Garrett were, also taken along tion's if indignant seas or and petitions of the old folks ana i and that is all; but the the sob? ever vomit this women, but the rebel captain who had given the profaned turf shall nights agi- Booth a lift got oft amidst the corpse from their recesses, and it receives tations and ay.:s not rearrested. So moved humane or Christian burial from some who with death in the cavalcade of retribution, | do not recognize it, let the last words those Royal. its midst, along the road to Port decaying lips ever uttered be carved above "MURDERER'S BLOOD!" them with a dagger, to tell tho history cf a young and once promising life—useless- "When the wagon started, Booth's wound, useless!" began to run till now merely dribbling, Booth's possessions, at the time of hi.s the crack of the anew. It fell through capture, consisting of two pistols, a belt, r. wagon and fell dripping upon the axle, and bovvie knife, a pipe, a diary, some money terrible wafers, it .-potting the road with and ft compass (the latter covered with blankets; stained the. planks and soaked the tallow from a candle hold at night to see dabbled and the old negro, at a stoppage, in which direction hi was going", v/ero back his hands in it by mistake; he drew turned over to Secretary of War Stanton. instantly, with a shudder and -tilled exple- de IDENTITY CERTAIN tive, 'Gor-r-r, dat'll never come oft in his world; it's murderer's blood-' He. wrung In order to be absolutely certain that tho hands and looked imploringly at the offi- body brought from the Garrett farm was I cers, and shuddered again. 'Gor-r-r, that of John Wilkes Booth, a careful post wouldn't have dat on me for a tousan mortem examination was held. Dr. May, tousan' dollars." The progress of the wagon a reputable Washington physician, who had was slow, with frequent danger of wreckage, some two years before removed a tumor but toward noon the cortege tiled through from Booth's neck, was called as a witness out Port Royal, where the citizens came and positively identified the scar. The tes- a to ask what was the matter, and why timony of half a dozen other witnesses blankets, man's body, covered with somber placed the identification beyond all doubt. was going by with so great an escort They From that day to this irresponsible gos- were told that It was a wounded Confed- sipers have taken delight in spreading the erate, and so held their tongues. The little rumor that Booth was never captured nor look them over ... requisition, . ferry, again in . killed, but that he his escape.., , made good ort ^on-> by squads, and they pushed from I and onlv dietl in Oklahoma -some declare, reached m way to Belle Plain, which they it was Texas-just a few years ago. There afternoon.atternoon. auAH themu way»«o< the middle otof the isjs j ust aboutarj0u t as much truth in that s'ate- in a the blood dribbled from tne corpse menfc ag thore is that Calvin Cc'bolidge and slow, incessant, sanguine exudation, inc King White House I could not speak but under to I sent him back to Washington 6tood there breathless and gesticulating. guard, and we proceeded on to Bryan- At last 1 spluttered out, 'The President has town, making inquiries along the way. been shot! ' The officer in command of the Four miles from Bryantowu lived Dr. cavalry knew the President was at the A. Mudd. I left the cavalry at | Samuel theater. He did not ask another question. rode over with Liouteu- I Bryantowu, and I heard a few quick orders cried out; there Lovett and two Secret Service men to | ant was a sudden scramble of men, a clattering in, but bis wite ! Dr Mudd's. He was not of hoofs, and away dashed the cavalry diuner with him, I sent for him. We took down the avenue, like the rush of a whirl- him closely, but he said he I and questioned wind. It was beautiful. When the cavalry straugers m that I bad seen nothing of arrived upon the scene they cleared Tenth neighborhood. We went away and began guard around for street from K to F, and set a a diligent scouring in the country the entire place. We came to Dr. Mudd's in a few " Booth. It was an hour or two after this that hours, and questioned him again. 'I forgot marshal last Gen. O'Beirne, who was provost tell you when you were here the to passed of the district, ordered me to report to him time,' he said, 'that a stranger at the Kirkwood House, corner of Twelfth here. He bad hurt his leg, and I dressed it. Palais and Pennsylvania avenue, where the He also shaved off his moustache.' Royal stands. called for the soap aud razor the man " "I Vice-President Johnson was at that had used, aud it was brought. Then I house, occupiug the front suite of rooms showed Dr. Mudd a picture of the man on the second floor. I met Gen. O'Beirne who had shot the President." in bis office. "Oh that's not the man who was here. " ' ? Have you got your pistol ' he asked. Booth by sight. It was not he!" " I know 'I have, indeed,' 1 replied. Just then Mrs. Mudd came to the door, " ' Well, you'd better examine it and see and said that the boot the injured man had if it's loaded, and go up on the second floor worn was upstairs. It was brought down. stay with Vice-President Johnson. there was and I turned the leg insiae out, and " I pistol out and walked up the being blurred took my printed 'J. Wilkes,' the rest steps, examining it. A sentry was pacing out and the name of the maker in New the hall with loaded musket. the win- up and down a York I called Dr. Mudd over to Just as I got there, with my pistol in my dow and said, 'What do you think of this?' hand, the Vice-President came out of the " Ho looked at it aud said, ' For Heaven's door to cross the hall. He spied me and my sake dou't mix me up in this case.' Then pistol, and jumped back, getting the sentry sent Dr. Mudd to Washington under '/ I ' between us. Who is that man ' he. cried. spent nearly all of our time m " guard Wo 'I dou't know, sir," said the sentry. thesaddle scouring thecountry.gettmg but "'Put him down stairs!' he roared, few opportunities to sleep. Then General dodging behind the sentry. Hancock came down aud put Bryantowu " ! 'Get down ' commanded the sentry. under martial law. The most rigid penal- " 'Hold on,' said I ; 'let explain.' a driuli me ties were attached to giving Booth " satis- 'Get down!' repeated the sentry, cook- of water or a crust of bread. I soon his and taking aim at mo. That in Mary- ing gun fied myself that Booth was not bolted. I to let was enough. I went down the land, and asked General Hancock stairs as if I had been shot out of a gun. me go over into Virginia, but be refused. Then General O'Beirne brought me up, One day along came Captain Doherty with to the Vice-President, .Virginia and, introducing me bis cavalry, crossed over to the to stay there all night. details told me side, and soon captured Booth. The " I sat down in a chair by the door, pistol of the capture do not need repeating. in hand. The Vice-President was excited and nervous. He paced up and down the lioor, turning like a caged lion. Occasion- ally he would wring his bauds and mutter: 'They will suffer for it! They will suffer for it!' meaning the South, I suppose. At every unusual noise in the street—and there were plenty of them that night—he would start nervously and say: 'What's that?' Occasionally some one on the street would throw a piece of coal or stone, wrapped in paper, through the window. Then he would dart to the other side of the room and order me to pick it up. We were afraid of torpedoos. "About daylight there was a rush of cavalry down the street, with olatter of hoofs and clanking of sabres. They drew up short before the hotel. The commotion frightened him. 'See what's the matter,' he commanded. At that moment General O'Beirne came up stairs. 'Williams, I want you to take this oavalry and hunt Booth. Do uotoome back here until you find him!' he said. Lieutenant Lovett commanded the cavalry. 'Lead, oaptaiu, and we will follow!' he said. I mounted a big black stallion and away we dashed to the East. I knew Booth had turned East on F street, after leaving the theater, and that the Eastern Branch Bridge road would be his only route. Just as the sun was rising we reached the Eastern Branch Bridge. A guard was stationed there and a sentry ran out into the road brandishing his musket and ordering us to halt. On we swept at a breakneck pace, bearing down upon the sentry. I was in the lead, and, putting spurs to my horse, he jumped J Wn I clear over the sentry, knocking him down. UHT

He paced the floor of his room and wou ia Gods knows I have never wring his hands and say "they shall suffer itf poverty, but t trust or done that which 1 be- TRUE TO WILKES BOOTII for tins. They shall suffer for this." bitraved a While I was not About daylight a cavalry under com- lli ved dishonorable. ashamed of the part. I played in that sad mand of Lieutenant Lovett, dashed up to it. tragedy, I was never given to speakingof Man Would Not Betray Him the front of the hotel, and General the past, A Who I preferred to 'nave it buried with O'Beirue commanded Captain Williams of and but for 'Vie mean little spite-work Offered $300,000. to take the cavalry and hunt Booth. i Though Mudd this matter would "Where must I go?" asked the captain. Congressman have never com f, out. "How do I know?" replied the general. to return to Booth and Herold. l ''Go and don't return to Washington un- "But did the best 1 could for them—gave them FACE TO FACE WITH A DETECTIVE til you find Booth, but miud don't harm a eat aud waited my chance. At hair of his head!" plenty to expiration of the sixth day I was over Mounting a magnificent charger the the and heard the officers give The Man Who Ferried tho Murderer captain clapped spurs, and a at Allen's Fresh with "Come cavalry to go down in St. boys!" the cavalry were soon going orders for the Across the Potomac Meets Captain Will- at a that the assassins were rapid speed toward the Eastern Branch .Mary's county, iams, Who Led the Pursuit Alter the This was chance, and mounting Bridge, which was successfully crossed by there. mv Tragedy. I made good time to where Booth Memorable Ford's Theater the captain knocking the sentry down by my horse Herold were concealed. Booth was running over him with his horse. and to kuow that his time to get into Vir- "There was no time to stand and ex- glad WILKES BOOTH, with a plain the sentry," said tho ginia had come. JOHN to captain; was dark, and Herold and I broken ankle, sick, and suffering "time was precious." "The night lifted Booth onto my horse. I went a little the tortures of the damned, was The first stop was made at Surratts- in advance and Herold walked by the ville, \\ here John M. Lloyd kept a tavern, placed in his hands to be spirited horse, leading him. Our progress was and Tit which place Mrs. Surratr, had left across the river, and $300,000, or even slow, but we finally reached my house and a field glass and two carbines for Booth two men stay in the orchard $3,000,000, would not have caused him and Herold. Lloyd was arrested and I made the I went in to get them something to to turn traitor to the Southern Confed- sent back to Washington under guard. while eat. Booth wanted to get off the horse eracy, the people he loved, and surrender a "And from here we went to Bryantown," and go in, but I kuew it would never do. as life was in his keeping, even said the captain, eyeing Jones closely, "and man whose there were too many negroes about. His of course f remember you. I can never forget if he did know he had assassinated Presi- but it was the beat 1 that come-to-the-Lord-and-be-saved expres- appeals were pitiful, dent Lincoln. could do. .-..-.- j sion you wear now and wore then. But if speaker was Thomas A. Jones, who The I had known then what I do now, how "I had already told my negro, Henry was recently discharged from the Wash- ' different would things have been! Why, Woodland, where to leave tho boat, and ington navy-yard through the influence you ought to be shot! If you had told me after we got supper we proceeded to the of Congressman Mudd, of Maryland, and where Booth was you would have been the river. We lifted Booth from the horse and biggest in America, placed him in by the direct order of the Secretary of the man and would have carried him to the boat and had money by the flour barrel lull." the stern, while Herold took the oars. I Navy, who knew that Jones had played a "Yes, anda conscience as black as purga- then lighted a candle and showed Booth tory," said Jones, "and the everlasting by his compass how to steer to get into J0* hatred of the people I loved. No, captain, Machodoc creek, and gave him directions I never the first tune thought of betraying to Mrs. Quesenberry's, who I thought Booth. After he was placed in m}r hands would take caie of him." I determined to die before I would betray "Booth was profuse iu his thanks to me, him." and gave me a few dollars for my boat. "Who placed him in your hands?" He offered me more, but I thought he "Samuel Cox. It was on the morning of woald need money worse than I, though the 16th of April, Sunday morning, that Jt was the only boat I had. That was the one of Cox's white men came to my house la3t I saw of Booth. on Huckleberry Farm, and told me that "You remember my beiug under arrest Cox wanted to see me at once. I suspected at Brayntown?" said Jones to the captain. something, as I had heard the evening be- "Yes, and Jones, let me say to you that fore that Lincoln had been killed. I had myself and other officers believe that you a horse saddled and rode over to Cox's knew more than you would tell, but that and there he told me that Booth and Her- sanctimonious look of yours saved you." old had been there, and wanted assistance "Well, I could sit there and hear orders ta tret across the, river. I was told where given and reports received which I knew the men were— in a pine thicKet, aoouT a were lies. Some of the reports of the mile and a-half from the house. 1 was scouting parties were lies made out of the given instructions how to reach them whole cloth, but, of course, I said nothing. without being shot— certain signs by I knew Booth had hit the Virginia shore. whistling, &c. Upon reaching the dense I was cursed and abused until I felt I pines I met Herold, to whom I explained could not restrain myself. Every body THOMAS A. JON'ES. that I was sent by Cox. 1 was then seemed to have a special spite at me. piloted to where Booth was. He lay on the bills ordering all prominent part in tho escape of John When you posted the ground, wrapped in a pile of blan- citizens to join in the search for Booth, Wilkes Booth. kets, and his face bore traces of pain. and that to furnish bread or water to him When Jones delivered himself of the Booth asked me many questions as to meant death, I felt shakier than ever. sentence quoted he was standing face to what people thought of the assassination. After keeping me thereat the hotel several He appeared to be proud of what he had days I was told that I would have to come face with Qfl.pt. William Williams) in his done. 1 at the time thought he had done to Washington, aud was seat here in u.u detective ollioe on F street fne meeting a good act, but, great God! I soon saw that ambulance in charge of Detective Frank- yesterday. between the two men occurred it was the worst blow ever struck for the lin, of Philadelphia, who used every effort Captain Williams had been four years in South. to get me drunk and make me tell what I the United States Secret Service before "Well, captain, I can talk now. and I kuow. Ho didn't succeed by a long jump, Lincoln was assassinated, and was the did the best I could for the poor fellow. I carried him something to eat and papers first man to go to Maryland in search of to read, and tried to keep him in good of- the assassin, and it was he who had spirits until I got a chance to send him fered Jones $300,000 to tell where Booth across the river. The country, as you was secreted, though, of course, he did know, wtis full of soldiers and detectives, not know that Jones possessed the facts and I did not know how soon 1 could get I it was the following he so much desired. him away. think Tuesday 1 went up to Port Tobacco to see was well acquainted Captain Williams how 'the land lay,' and it was there, in the of assas- with liooth, and on the night the bar of Brawner's Hotel, you said you would sination, April 14, 1805, he passed Booth give $300,000 to any man who would tell standing in front of Ford's Theater, and where Booth was." asked to join him in a glass of beer. him "Yes, and if you had given me the itifoag Booth thanked him and declined. While mation you would to-day be General JotloC the captain was in Doc Clagg-Jtt's restau- instead of a discharged laborer from i ilw rant, corner Tenth and Pennsj Ivania navy yard." | sent our, that the avenue, the alarm was "That, may be true, but how could I give President had been shot at Ford's Theater. | up the life of that poor devil over there in there The captain ran to the theater, and the pine thicket hovering between life and be was ordered to bring the cavalry from death, and the confidence reposed in me by i.lie While House. The order was carried the best friend I ever had. Samuel Cox!' 1 out, few the clatter of and in a moments was a creature of circumstances. 1 did sounded down tho cavalry horses the not know Booth, but when Cox put him in avenue. After Captain Williams returned my keeping nothing would have tempted to the theater Provost Marshal O'BeirilQ WILLIAMS. me to betray him. I could have placed my CAPT. WILLIAM to report to the ICirlrwood ordered him hands on him, but honor and truth were and finally gave up and took it out in House, where the Palais IVW'-l now ,f»jid-. worth more to me than the entire wealth me. 1 remained seven weehLS iu and where Vice President, Johnson was ; cursing of the Government. Carroll prison, and was not used as a wit- fchucaDtain j living, and to guard him. This "Ihavo lived iu plenty and I have lived did through the long and trying night. There was little rest for the Vice President. El I

uess, because uoboily Knew tnac s. ituew anything." "Did you know that Booth was going to kill Lincoln?" "Upon the word of a man I did not. I did know that plans were made to kidnap the President and take him to Richmond, and. if the public roads had not been in such an awful condition in the fall and winter of '63 and '64, the plans would have been carried out. too. The weather had been very mild, and the roads were soft and muddy, making it impossible to make good time. Everything for this scheme was in readiness all the time. Booth was in it. Lincoln could have been caught most any time at the navy yard or at the old War Department, where he frequently 'remained until late at night. It would have been no trouble to have crossed the Eastern Branch bridge, and, with relays of fast horses, Port Tobacco could have been reached, and across the Potomac he would have been sent. The boats and men were in readiness all the time. Booth's bullet put an end to this." "You were in the secret service of the Confederacy? * "I was chief signal agent o£ the Can&uL eracy north of the Potomac, and I may say that I worked day and night for the same. I had charge of all rebel mail, and the boats along the river. I seldom missed getting the mails into Richmond on time. I took great chances of being killed, and when Richmond was evacuated I was there to collect what was due me, $2,500, and I did not get a cent of it. I also had about $3,500 in Confederate bonds. It all went, and I was left penniless. The war was a bad tiling for me all the way through. It is pretty tough on me now in my old age, but I have never regretted being true to my trust." After Jones left Captain Williams said: "I have dealt with and sized up many men during my life, but that man Jones beats them all. He has changed vjjry little during the past twenty-five years. This is the first time I have seen him since we met at Port Tobacco and Bryantown, and yet I remember every feature. He is a wonderful man, and one that, when he believes he is nothing can change. I rememberright, when I made that offer of $800,000 in the isaloon he was standing next to me at the bar, and I could not detect the least move- ment or change of his face. There was something which told me ho knew where 'Booth was, or could give us information which could lead tt/his "apture, but he couldn't be worked. No amount of money or glory would have Erupted him. No human being can read his face and tell what is passing in his mind. It is like a stone. He would have gone the hemp

, route if the facts he now gives had been known then. If he had only told me where Booth was Boston Corbett would never have had a chance to shoot Booth. We wanted him alive.

"What a tragedy 1 What a tragedy! At 10 o'clock Friday night, April 14, 1865. Booth shot the President, mounted his horse, and dashed through the city and across the Eastern Branch Bridge; stopped at Surratt's tavern and got his carbines and whisky. Here he was ioined by David Herold, and the two proceeded to Dr. Samuel Mudd's, where Booth had his leg dressed, a crutch made, and shaved off his moustache. From here ho went to Cox's, and there was placed in the keeping of Jones. Great God. how my blood boils, and yet I admire the loyalty and fidelity of Jones. His part was the grandest of any that was played. Notiiing would tempt him! In the pine thicket Booth was nursed by his faithful friend until he could be sent to Vir- ginia, and meet his death in Gar- rett's barn. While the flames swept ouud him he stood like some wild beast ounded to its death, and received the bullet from Corbett's gun. Mrs. Surratt,

Lewis Payne, George Ataerndt . and David Herold paid the penalty on the scaffold. Dr. Samuel Mudd, Michael O'Laughlin, and Samuel Arnold were sentenced to im- prisonment for life at Dry Tprtugas. &pah«ier got six years at the same place. Dr. Mudd was pardoned afterward, and is '.now dead. John Surratt, who escaped to [Italy, was brought back and tried. He escaped on plea Ot the statute of limitation. [Corbett, who killed Booth, is in an insane [asylum. And Jones is here to tell more *han was ever known before!'' T <*»*»* - . >. ...^ . ....,- :,...;_ .„,,.. .»,,;... aL , , .r — i" i ifni n T v\t*j Wu /> I L>. Jf/c & 7- i^-^Ca^ 6/

TUESDAY MA£CH 15, 1938

Girard's Talk Of the Day New Attempt to Unravel Mystery of Lincoln's Murder

Charles Bromback, 304 Diamond st., is trying to unravel another mystery connected with the assassination of Lincoln. He seems to think that two pages in a register of the St. Lawrence Hotel, Montreal, of which he has made photostat copies, hold a clue. Three names, all written in that register on Oct. 18, 1864, are J. Wilkes Booth, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Blackburn and W. J. Pol- lock, Philadelphia. Blackburn gave no address and he is alleged to have been the notorious "Dr. Blackburn," who offered the South a scheme for introducing yellow fever and smallpox in the Union Army. This strange individual's room was No. 159, while Mr. Pollock occu- pied No. 158 and Booth had No. 150. You remember that Booth confessed after capture that his idea had for six months been to kidnap President Lincoln, not kill him. His journey into Canada may have been concerned with plans for that dark crime. But what of Pollock? Mr. Bromback believes he was one of Secretary of War Stanton's secret service agents sent to Canada to watch Booth and his friends. William Curtis Pollock, Jr., grandson of Governor Pollock of Pennsylvania, tells me he cannot identify the Pollock of the Mon- treal hotel register.

Comedian's Story of Booth

An even more popular actor than J. Wilkes Booth wrote the best account of the assassin's capture and death. Francis Wilson, star singing comedian when "Erminnie" was the year's sensation, took a lot of polish off the sentimental glamor that some authors have tried to put on Booth. Wilson gave all the official data, minus claptrap, of that evil episode. No shred is left of the weird tale so often repeated in the past 70 years that Booth escaped. Wilson was for years one of the younger friends and worship- ers of Edwin Booth, brother of the assassin, so that he wrote with a sympathetic recollection of that illustrious tragedian. But the cold facts were that Wilkes Booth planned his crime with great deliberation. He galloped 50 miles in the night following the shot he fired into the President's head. Dr. Mudd set his broken leg, for which service Mudd was sent to the Dry Tortugas. Booth's last surprise and lament were that he was branded as a murderer and not exalted as a martyr. His punctured vanity hurt him almost as much as did the death wound he received in Garretfs tobacco shed. V>^ (^

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Booth trip to Mudds After Mudd to Friday nite effort to cross Potomac Final landing Sunday Morning at Mrs Q Bryan take 3 him to Stewarts Experience at Stewarts How he spent nite at niggerhouse sends note to Stewart makes trip to Pappa scene at ferry trip to fiarretts The story as told by Pug and Bain The arrival of the pursuers at pt Poyal Rug and B notify B of the pursuers and what follows whereabouts of Herold Pursuers arrive at B Green Trip back accompanied by Jett arrival, at Garretts bv pursuers what follows see zne Cong Globe Baker says the pursuers so weary at B Green they had to be kicked Into the saddles.

Cut ba- k and take up pursuit qucD'te Baker and other sources Oldroyd etc The large number of soldiers in the field OBeirno and his experiences His asking permission to pursue and its denial Baker says he went back satisfied? Baker sends out the party ignores the information furnish by O'Beirne ostensibly,. invents nigger informant Who was doctor sent for to attend the man shot at the barn? Why never called as to identity? Go into the matter in detail as to what happened at the barn.

Trip back to the city with the remains Boston Corbett in charge taken to Belle Plain and taken aboard John S Ide Doherty and Baker boat it back to town and arrive about five P.M. report* to Baker and then to Stantcn Stanton orders Baker to get a tug and meet the Ide and take the body arrival at the Navy yd Handling and disposition of the body The Inquest commission and its conduct The testimony adduced comment upon Or May and his testimony :

14. Morrislllinois August 31st. 1864.

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Booth and Hakold. The fact that these wretches were enabled to traverse four entire counties and cross the Potomac and Rappahan- they nock rivers down near their outlet, where !N there are very wide, argues conclusively that were friends and confederates who harbored them -%' and assisted in their escape. Harold and Atzerott are not the only villians who must atone with their Uycs for this conspiracy.

HOBE PARTICULARS OF THE PURSUIT OF

BOOTH AND HIS ACCOMPLICE. .

The Occurrences tat the Place to which They were Tr&ched. IUAY, Washington, 21th. The Star's account of the cap- APKIL Hui5. ture of Booth shows that ho was traced by information from a negro, that the assassin crossed the river at Swan Point, paying SfiJOO lor a boat. Liout. Dough- erty and a squad of cavalry discovered Booth and Harrold in Ganett's barn well armed. They surrounded them and in order to capture them alive, set tire to the barn, whieh had the effect to cause the latter to surrender. While an officer was placiug handcuffs on Harrold, Booth tired, which was returned by Sergeant Boston Corbett, tho bullet striking Booth In the nock. Be- BY TELEGRAPH fore dying, Booth said "Tell my 7nother I died for TO TUB my country." He was shot about 4 and died at 7 o'clock in the morning. He was compelled to use crutches, which were found hi the barn. Booth had some bills of exchange, but only $175 in treasnry mi Mir ran mam. notes. Tt appears that Booth and Harrold left Washington together, on the night of the murder of the Presi- THE dent, passed through Leouardtown, Md., and con- PEESIDEanAL FUHEBAX C0BTE3E. cealed themselves in the vicinity until an opportunity was afforded to cross tho rivor at Swan Point. The man who hired Booth the boat was captured, Impreewive Scene at W»*hi« but alterwards escaped. stom. Port Royal Is a vhlage in Caroline Co., Va., on the right bank of the Rappahannock, twenty miles below BOOTH tircdexicksburg. NOT^CAPTTJRBD. RETORTED ESCAPE OF JOHNSTON'S ARMV FROM GEN. SHERMAN.

{Special IMtpatch to tKe Transcript.]

WASHINGTON, April 81. Present Lincoln's funeral cortege left here punctually at tight o'clock this mining. T , scene was boxh solemn and impress** The iSZinT ~" —•*****»- !»*» It has been arranged for tho funeral car which contains the remains to be carried over railroads, to ^ Springfield, 111. Booth has not yet been captured

th J «» i " »"'*>« «»s escaped from H^J^T*Sherman and is making his way f Georgia.

Kappa. I

The Captors of Booth. three days returned, and wasarrestea Dr. A representative at the house of Mrs. Surratt in Wash- Mudd was a prominent physi- of the National cian Tribune visited the war department ington, which appears to have been at Byrantown, in Maryland. Booth in quest of information that would en- the headquartei's of the conspirators. stopped at his house in his flight, early able him to definitely answer the" in- Mrs. Surratt made no effort to es- the next morning after i the assassination, quiry of a correspondent in relation cape, perhaps relying upon her sex and Dr. Mudd set his broken leg. Booth's to the men who captured John Wilkes as a protection. She was arrested the ; stay was brief lor he knew Booth, the slayer of President Lin- following day at her house. avengers were on his I track. After coln, and the distribution of the re- General Grant was also to have telling Mudd what he had done he ward paid by the Government for the been assassinated, but escaped by un- remounted his horse and dashed off. service. expectedly leaving the city that day. Dr. Mudd aided in his escape by Those directly connected with the He did so at the urgent solicitation of purposely misdirecting a body of crime, so far as has ever been ascer- his wife, who had a presentiment of soldiers who having tracked Booth to that tained, were ten in number: danger, although neither of them had place, inquired as to the road John Wilkes Booth. David Herold, the slightest intimation of the plot. he had taken. It was not shown upon Lewis Payne, George A. Atzerodt, Dr. Mudd was arrested at his home the trial that Mudd had lany previous Mrs. Mary E. Surratt, John H. Sur- in Maryland at Fortress Monroe, and knowledge of or partic- ipation in ratt, Dr. Samuel B. Arnold and M. O'Loughlin and Spangler near Wash- the conspiracy, but he was convicted of O'Loughlin. Immediately after the ington, all within a few days after being accessary after the ntei murder of the President and the at- the murder. The only one who escap- ^d to confinement at ,nardEl uilabor%for tack on Secretary Seward, most of ed was John H. Surratt. He made his life. these persons fled in different direc- way to Europe, and in Italy joined tions, each bent on his own safety. the Papal Zouaves. Being discovered Herold, who was but a boy, scarcely in 1867, he was surrendered to the U. 21 years of age, was the immediate S. authorities and brought back to associate of Booth. He held the horses Washington. He was tried before a saddled and bridled, in the rear of civil court, but was saved by a dis- the theater. Booth and himself mount- agreement of the jury. There was no ed and rode away immediately after doubt as to his connection with the the shooting. They fled into Mary- conspiracy, and had he been tried at land, and thence crossed the Potomac the same time as his fellow plotters, into Virginia. For twelve days they there is little question what the re- eluded their pursures. They were fin- sult would have been. ally brought to bay in a barn on the The rewards offered by the Govern- farm of one, Garrett, 80 miles south- ment for th arrest of the principal as- west of Washington. The barn was ' sassins, apportioned and ordered paid surrounded by a detachment of the 16 by a special act of congress, were dis- New York Cavalry at 2 o'clock in the tributed on the basis of the propor- morning of April 26, 1865, the assas- tion which the services of or informa- sination having taken place April 14. tion furnished by each contributed to The fugitives were ordered to surren- the success in each case. The names der. At first both refused, but after of those sharing the rewards, and the some parleying Herold gave himself amounts paid severally to each are, up, knowing that he would be shot if as follows: he did not. Booth, though one of his For the capture of Booth and Her- legs had been broken when he leaped old: E. J. Conger $15,000 from the President's box to the stage L. C. Baker 3,750 of the theater, defied the soldiers and Luther B. Barker 3,000 with a Spencer rifle which Herold Lieut. E. P. Doherty 5,250 had carried, determined to sell his life O'Bierne as dearly as possible. Then the torch James R. 2,000 fifteen other was applied to the barn, Booth having Also men, $1,653.85 each 4'.000 been previously warned that this would be done if he did not surrender. Total $75,000 By the light of the fire Sergent Bos- L. A. Baker was chief of the detec- ton Corbett shot him, while the lat- tive force. E. J. Conger, who received er was in he act of aiming his rifle at so large a share, was a detective, one of the soldiers. The avenging bul- whose services were particularly val- let took effect in the neck. Booth was uable. Lieut Doherty commanded the taken into Garrett's house and died at 7 in the morning. cavalry detachment that made the capture. To Atzerodt was assigned the mur- For the Capture of Atzerodt. der of Vice President Johnson, who Maj. E. R. Artman $1,25000 was boarding at the Kirk wood House. Serg't. Z. P. Gemmill 3,508.5-1 He a was few minutes late in his ar- Christopher Ross 2,878.78 rival. The alarm of the President's as- D. H. Baker 2,878.78 sassination had been given, and Mr. Albert Bender 2,878.78 Johnson had timely his warning of S. J. Williams 2,878-78 danger. Atzerodt fled, and was captur- G. P. j Young 2,878.78 ed in Maryland six days later. James W. Purdum 2,878.78 Payne's part was to kill Secretary Seward. The latter was sick in bed' Total $25,000.00 at the time. Payne forced his way For the Capture of Payne. past the guards into the Secretary's Maj. Smith $1,000.00 room on the pretense that he had an Richard C. Morgan, Eli Devore, C H. imporant message from the physician. Rosch, Thomas Sampson, W. M. Wer- Without hesitating an instant he at- merskirch, each $500 2,00000 tacked Mr. Seward with a large knife, P. M. Clark 500 inflicting serious wounds, which Susan Jackson 250 proved to be not fatal. The Secre- Mary Ann Griffin 250 tary's nephew, Frederick Seward, who was attending him grappled with the $5,000 assassin, and was badly wounded in The eight prisoners were brought the struggle, though he prevented the to a speedy trial before a Military full accomplishment of the murderous Commission which finishes its labors design. This part of the tragedy last- June 30. Payne, Atzei-odt, Herold and ed but a moment. There was prompt Mrs. Surratt were sentenced to death, response to the call for help, and and the sentences were approved by Payne, finding himself foiled, took the president. Great efforts were hasty flight, dashing out of the house made to save Mrs. Surrat, but the mid making his escape Tie left the authorities were inexorable,

j er was in he act of aiming his rifle at so large a share, was a detective, sion, justified a verdict of guilty. He particularly val- j one of the soldiers. The avenging bul- whose services were was sentenced for life. Lieut Doherty commanded the ; let took effect in the neck. Booth uable. was All these findings and sentences taken into house and died cavalry detachment that made the Garrett's were approved by the President, who at 7 in the morning. capture. designated the dry Tortugas, Fla., as i For the Capture of Atzerodt. To Atzerodt was assigned the mur- the place of confinement. The prison- Maj. E. R. Artman $1,250-00 der of Vice President Johnson, who ers were sent there early in July, Serg't. Z. P. Gemmill 3,508.54 was boarding at the Kirkwood House. 1865. 2,878.78 He was a few minutes late in his ar- Christopher Ross 2,878.78 O'Loughlin's health gave way un- rival. alarm of the President's as- D. H. Baker The der the fright and excitement of the sassination had been given, and Mr. Albert Bender 2,878.78 2,878-78 trial. He died in a hospital at Fort Johnson had timely warning of his S. J. Williams 2,878.78 Jefferson, Fla., in September, 1867, danger. Atzerodt fled, and was captur- G. P. Young 2,878.78 after a confinement of a little more in six days later. James W. Purdum ed Maryland than two years. In February 1869, Payne's part was to kill Secretary $25,000.00 the President ordered that his re- Seward. The latter was sick in bed Total For the Capture of Payne. mains be delivered to his mother, and at the time. Payne forced his way they were Maj. Smith l $1,000.00 brought to his old home past the guards into the Secretary's and buried. room on the pretense that he had an Richard C. Morgan, Eli Devore, C H. imporant message from the physician. Rosch, Thomas Sampson, W. M. Wer- The three other prisoners were par- 2,000-00 doned by proclamation of President Without hesitating an instant he at- merskirch, each $500 Johnson, tacked Mr. Seward with a large knife, P. M. Clark 500 just before his retirement, on Feb. inflicting serious wounds, which Susan Jackson 250 Mudd 8, 1869, and Arnold and 250 Spangler in March, after three years proved to be not fatal. The Secre- Mary Ann Griffin and nine of confinement. tary's nephew, Frederick Seward, who months The was attending him grappled with the $5,000 official records show that these par- brought dons, by proclamation of the Pres- assassin, and was badly wounded in The eight prisoners were Military ident, were "full and unconditional" the struggle, though he prevented the to a speedy trial before a finishes its labors and 'for good and sufficient reasons.' full accomplishment of the murderous Commission which and The latter will be understood by the design. This part of the tragedy last- June 30. Payne, Atzerodt, Herold following. ed but a moment. There was prompt Mrs. Surratt were sentenced to death, approved by response to the call for help, and and the sentences were In 1868 Florida was scourged with efforts were Payne, finding himself foiled, took the president. Great yellow fever. It was in malignant Surrat, but the hasty flight, dashing out of the house made to save Mrs. form and was fatal to many. Dr. and making his escape. He left the authorities were inexorable, and all Mudd had experience before in treat- city, but after wandering about for were hanged July 7. ing this disease. During its contin- three davs returned, and was arrested Dr. Mudd was a prominent physi- uance at the Dry Tortugas he was un- cian at Byrantown, in Maryland. tiring and efficient in his labors- 1 Among those who died was the U. S la .U.J.UM, I-!, ffie o.untry was y.l 1 .anlu.L .-,,-, JU UW^^^" medical officer at that place. Dr. jtatled by a rumor that President serving a degenerate people. The lit- Mudd took charge of the hospitals, Lincoln had died by poison. That day tle, very little, I left behind to clear and abated none of his efforts until Booth was a guest of the McHenry my name the government will not al- the plague had disappeared. Arnold House, Meadville, Pa. With a dia- low to be printed. So ends all! For my and Spangler volunteered as nurses mond he scratched the following up- country I have given up all that and served faithfully to the end. Not on a pane of glass in one of the win- makes life sweet and holy, brought one of the three took the fever. The dows of his room: misfortune upon my family and am President rewarded them by full par- Abe Lincoln sure there is no pardon for me in the don. Whether or not the hope of re- heavens, since man condemns me so. j Departed this life lease may have influenced them in I have only heard of what has been Aug. 13, 1864, their labors for the cause of humanity I done (except what I did myself) and the fact remains that their services By the effect of poison. it fills me with horror. God, try and | were most valuable and praisworthy. | After Mr. Lincoln's death by the forgive me and bless my mother. To- The softening influence of time had hand of this man the pane became an night I will once more try the river scarcely yet been felt and there were object of interest. It was taken from -with the intention to cross; though I many who severely criticised the the window forwarded to Washington have a greater desire and almost a President for pai'doning thesa men. by Miss McHenry and placed in this mind to return to Washington and in But sixteen years have passed, and collection of relics. a measure clear my name, which I there are probably few who would The most interesting article is the feel I can do. I do not repent the blow now question the lenient official act pocket dairy, old, woril and stained, I struck. I may before my God, but that set them free. taken from Booth's person. All the not to man. I think I have done well Dr. Mudd returned to his old home leaves previous to April 14—the day though I am abandoned, with the and resumed the practice of his pro- of the murder—were cut out by him. curse of Cain upon me, when, if the fession. He died about three years It is supposed that these leaves con world knew my heart, that one blow ago. Spangler and Arnold have dis- tained the details of the arrangement would have made me great, though I appeared and no traces of them can of the conspiracy, and were probably did not desire greatness. Tonight I be found. destroyed by him. In the pocket of the try once more to escape these blood- Mementoes of the Tragedy. were five photographs of young wo- hounds. Who, who can read his fate! In the office of the judge advocate men, presumably actresses, a small God's will be done. I have too great a general of the army are kept a few silver horse shoe charm, and a Ro- care to die like a criminal. Oh, may mementoes of the great tragedy. They man Catholic medal or amulet. Many He spare me that and let me die are not publicly exhibited, but may be pages written after the tragedy, bravely. I bless the entire wrold. I while one. seen by those curiously inclined, on the murderer was a hunted fug- have never hated or wronged any application. The pistol with which itive, were fully identified by the This last was not a wrong unless God friends of Booth as being in his hand it so, and it is with Him to President Lincoln was shot is a small deems writng. Our reporter copied the fol this old fashioned derringer. Its whole damn or bless me. And for brave lowing, which will be read with in with me, who often length is but a trifle more than six boy Herold, here terest: and since,) with a inches, and the barrel is but two and prays (yes before sincere heart, was it crime a half inches long. The calibre is Extracts from Booth's Diary. true and in him? If so, why can he pray the larger than that of similar weapons "April 14, Friday, the Ides—Until same ? I do not wich to shed a drop of of the present day. The bullet taken today nothing was ever thought of blood, but I must fight the course. 'Tis from the head of the President is al- sacrificing to our country's wrongs. all that's left me." so there. It was flattened against For six months we had worked to The old Ford theater in which Lin- the skull which the doctors said was capture him, but our cause being al- coln was shot is on Tenth street, be- of unusual thickness. In a small glass most lost, something decisive and tween E. and F. Once after the fatal case are fragments of the fractured great must be done. But its failure night a theatrical performance was skull and the silver probe that was was owing to others, who did not advertised to take place in it, but it used on that occasion. strike for their country with a heart. was forbidden by the authorities. It There is a large, villianous, double I struck boldly, and not as the papers was then bought by the government, edged knife, or dirk that was taken say. I walked with a firm step thru National Medi- from the person of Booth. The handle andau is now used as a a thousand of his friends; was stop- I -,, cal| Museum is of horn, and the blade seven inches ped but pushed on. A Colonel was at j in length. It is of the kind commonly his side. I shouted 'sic semper' before' John I!.. Sui'..-iii has been some clerk in the office spoken of as a "Bowie,' 'though the I fired. In jumping, broke my leg. I years engaged as a latter strictly speaking, has but one passed all his pickets; rode sixty of a steamboat line in Baltimore. For edge. One side of the blade is neatly miles that night with the bone of my a considerable time during the war ornamented, and bears the inscrip- leg tearing the flesh at every jump. he was one of the secret agents of the that capacity tion: "America, the land of the free I can never report it. Though we hat- Confederacy, and in Rich- and the home of the brave; liberty ed to kill, our country simply owed all made repeated trips between and independance." Booth had this her troubles to him, and God simply mond and Canada. In a recent inter- Surratt knife in his hand when he leaped to made me the instrument of his pun- view, speaking of those trips, the stage of the theater, shouting ishment. The country is not what it said: "sic semper tyrannis!" Booth's hat, was. This forced Union is not what I "There were not many difficulties. which was picked up in the Presidents have loved. I care not what becomes The fact is that the North was so box, is of dark cloth, finely quilted in of me. I have no desire to outlive my honeycombed by latent rebellion and the style much worn at that time. country. This night, before the deed, resident sympathizers that the diffi- There is also a cavalry boot, reach- I wrote a long article and left it for culty was how to avoid hospitality ing nearly to the hip, that was remov- one of the editors of the National In- and accept the best aid in traversing limb. ed by Dr. Mudd from the broke telligencer, in which I fully set forth t. There was no trouble. Once on the At the instep is a slit, ten inches long our reasons for our proceedings. He Maryland side, coming north, and the made by Mudd for the purpose of ex- (Lincoln) or the south. re st was as easy as traveling now.

amination. In the collection is a pine i "Friday, 21—After being hunted The same was true on the return stick, three feet long and two inches like a dog through swamps and woods journey, but the Potomac was closely square, which Booth had provided be- and last night being chased by gun- guarded and it was a serious matter forehand, and used to fasten the boats till I was forced to return wet, to get across. Our disguises were door after he entered the President's cold and starving, with every man's manifold, however and whatever dis- box, that no one might follow him. hand against me, I am here in des- patches we had were towed and The stick lay upon the floor as Mr. pair and why? For doing what Bru- weighted astern of the boats, so that Lincoln was carried out, and drops of tus was honored for, what made Wil- in case of capture we could dispose of blood fell upon it, the stains of which liam Tell a hero; and yet I, for strik- them effectively. We were, at least I are distinctly seen. There are also a ing down an even greater tyrant than was, and so were all the people en- light colored slouch hat, worn by they ever knew, am looked upon as a gaged as agents, fired at a score of Payne when he entered Secretary common criminal. My act was purer times, both by cannon and rifle, but in the than either of theirs. to Seward's room, which he lost One hoped be I was not hit. Other people were occa- struggle, and two eigh shooting Spen- great himself; the other had no only sionally less fortunate. We used to cer rifles which were concealed at a his country's but his own wrongs to choose dark, rainy nights for our ex- tavern in Surrattsville before the avenge. I hoped for no gain; I knew peditions, and usually managed to murder, for the use of Booth and Her- no private wrong. I struck for my avoid patrol boats. Traveling on this old in their flight. Their route of at- country and her alone. A people side was easy enough. We simpy tempted escape had been carefully ground beneath this tryranny prayed bought railway tickets and traveled laid out. Herold took one of the wea- for this end, and yet now see the cold as other people did, and, like other pons, but Booth did not, owing to his hands they extend for me! God can- people we were let alone. It was a suffering condition. not pardon me if I have done wrong; nasty business though, because of the apprehension we dwelt in; you can imagine that. I remember I used to take, as a rule, an evening train to Baltimore and one at 9 o'clock or so from there to Harrisburg. Then I had to wait for a train west or north, at times. I went to the bridge sometimes by way of the Reading railroad to New York via. Easton and up Lake Champlain, and at others to Detroit. But we used to go regularly to Har- risburg, and we had to wait there, where the detectives were thicker than any other kind of passengers. I never made any disguises, but went about my business as one who had le- gitimate errands in traveing." Speaking of his mother Surratt said: "Now let me solemnly say that I never knew that my mother was in serious danger. I deemed it only a matter of time, a few months, when she should by reason of the revulsion of public feeling, be released. In that belief I was confirmed by those about me, who insisted that she was to be discharged and kept the newspapers away from me. When I heard that she was sentenced to death I was absolutely crazy. I was restrained by force which I tried to overcome, from coming to the States, if not to save to die with her. Alas, I could not do it. I fought and plead, but those about me had their lives at stake and my return might be a clew to their place of living and they stopped me. It I had known earlier; but I did not know. I have had every conceivable unkind thing said of me. They have said that had I come forth from hiding and her and myself. I do not believe that the temper of the people would have allowed any one to be saved; but that said, "Here I am," I would have saved would not have mattered in the least. I would have come had I known. I would, as God is my judge." —Nov. 13, 1886. A Dance At Midnight. "Cincinnati Sanitarium," situated in been previously warned tnat this Brandejee in New York Tribune. the village of College Hill, ond the would be done if he did not surrender. It was known that Lee had crossed Mount Pleasant road, some six miles By the light of the lire Sergent Bos- into Pennsylvania threatening Wash- from the Probasco fountain, and rea- ton Corbett shot him, while the lat- ington, and that battle had been join- ched by street cars to Cummingsville er was in he act of aiming his rifle at ed near Gettysburg, upon which in thence by bus to the place of destina- one of the soldiers. The avenging bul- all probability the fate of Washington tion. The grounds and buildings were let took effect in the neck. Booth was and the issue of the war depended, originally appropriated for female ed- taken into Garrett's house and died showed how desperate the attack was ucational purposes under the name of at 7 in the morning. department and dispatches had been "Ohio Female College." Three years To Atzerodt was assigned the mur- received of the first day's fight, which ago the premises were purchased by der of Vice President Johnson, who showe dhow desperate the attack was, ten medical gentlemen with wide ex- was boarding at the Kirkwood House. the stubborness of the defense and perience in the treatment of dement- He was a few minutes late in his ar- that the result was indecisive. All that ed cases, and appropriated to its pres- rival. The alarm of the President's as- day and the next Mr. Iincoln was in ent use. The grounds are about 300 sassination had been given, and Mr. an agony of anxiety, running oyer, as feet front, and enough deep to em- Johnson had timely warning of his was his wont to the war office to as- brace 17 acres, and are covered with danger. Atzerodt fled, and was captur- certain for himself the latest news, in- grass, trees .shrubberies, walks, ar- ed in Maryland six days later. stead waiting for the reports to be bors, and lakes. The main building is Payne's part was to kill Secretary sent to him. Then came a long inter- at the rear end of the grounds and Sewai'd. The latter was sick in bed val when nothing was heard from reached through a long avenue, shad- at the time. Payne forced his way [ Meade, and the President was ed with trees and margined with past the guards into the Secretary's wrought up to an intense pitch of ex- grasses. It is of brick, four stories room on the pretense that he had an citement. Night came on and Stanton high, about 100 feet front by 100 in imporant message from the physician. seeing the President worn out with style and elaborate in execution. The Without hesitating an instant he at- care and anxiety, persuaded him to depth. The architecture is gothic in tacked Mr. Seward with a large knife, return to the White House, promis- premises give no indication that they inflicting serious wounds, which lunatic ing if anything came over the wires are for purposes. No black proved to be not fatal. The Secre- during the night to give him immed- iron bars shade the windows to give tary's nephew, Frederick Seward, who iate information. At last, toward mid- it the appearance of a prison, but in was attending him grappled with the night, came the electric flash of the their stead, extending midway up the assassin, and was badly wounded in great victory which saved the union. windows, are apparently delicate wire the struggle, though he prevented the Stanton siezed the dispatch and secure enough to prevent escape, that full accomplishment of the murderous ran as fast as he could to the Execu- serve to banish from the patient's design. This part of the tragedy last- tive mansion up the stairs and knock- mind the terrible truth of imprison- ed but a moment. There was prompt ed at the room where the President ment and restraint. The rooms of the response to the call for help, and was catching a fitful slumber. "Who institution are elegantly furnished, Payne, finding himself foiled, took is there?" he heard in the voice of and admirably served, especially hasty flight, dashing out of the house Mr. Lincoln. "Stanton." The door was those in the department to which Mrs. and making his escape. He left the Lincoln assigned. opened and Mr. Lincoln appeared with has been —June 15, city, but after wandering about for a light in his hand, peering through 1875. three days returned, and was arrested the crack in the door, "in the short- at the house of Mrs. Surratt in Wash- est night dress and longest legs," as The Captors of Booth. ington, which appears to have been Stanton said, he ever saw on a hu- A representative of the National the headquarters of the conspirators. man being. Before Stanton, who was Tribune visited the war department Mrs. Surratt made no effort to es- in of information that en- out of breath, could say a word, the quest would cape, perhaps relying upon her sex able him to definitely answer the in- President, who had caught with uner- as a protection. She was arrested the quiry of correspondent in relation ring instinct the expression on his a following day at her house. to the men who captured John Wilkes face, gave a shout of exultation, grab- 1 General Gx-ant was also to have Booth, the slayer of President Lin- bed him with both arms around the been assassinated, but escaped by un- coln, the distribution of the re- waist and danced him around the and expectedly leaving the city that day. ward paid by the Government for the chamber until they were both ex- He did so at the urgent solicitation of service. hausted. They then sat down upon a his wife, who had a presentiment of Those directly connected with the trunk, and the President, who was danger, although neither of them had crime, so far as has ever been ascer- still in his night dress, read over and the slightest intimation of the plot. tained, were ten in number: over again the telegram, and then dis- ' Dr. Mudd was arrested at his home John Wilkes Booth. David Herold, cussed with him the probabilities of in Maryland at Fortress Monroe, and the future and the results of the vic- Lewis Payne, George A. Atzerodt, near Wash- , O'Loughlin and Spangler Mrs. Mary E. Surratt, John H. Sur- tory until the day dawned. ington, all within a few days after ratt, Dr. Samuel B. Arnold and M. Such a scene at midnight between the murder. The only one who escap- O'Loughlin. Immediately after the two of the greatest Americans whom 'ed was John H. Surratt. He made his murder of the President and the at- this generation has produced, to Iway to Europe, and in Italy joined tack on Secretary Seward, most of whom all wise providence had com- the Papal Zouaves. Being discovered these persons fled in different direc- mitted in largest measure the fate of in 1867, he was surrendered to the U. tions, each bent on his own safety. Republican liberty in this western S. authorities and brought back to Herold, who was but a boy, scarcely world, may not afford a subject for Washington. He was tried before a 21 years of age, was the immediate the loftiest conceptions of the poet or civil court, but was saved by a dis- associate of Booth. He held the horses painter, but more than any other in- agreement of the jury. There was no saddled and bridled, in the rear of cident within my knowledge it shows doubt as to his connection with the the theater. Booth and himself mount- the human nature of these two great conspiracy, and had he been tried at ed and rode away immediately after men, and brings them home to the the same time as his fellow plotters, the shooting. They fled into Mary- hearts and the hearthstones of the there is little question what the re- land, and thence crossed the Potomac plain people of whom Mr. Lincoln sult would have been. they was, on whom he depended, and into Virginia. For twelve days The rewards offered by the Govern- eluded their pursures. They were fin- whom he loved. It shows him brood- ment for th arrest of the principal as- ally to bay in a barn on the ing all through those awful days, with brought sassins, apportioned and ordered paid Garrett, 80 miles south- an anxiety akin to agony, which no farm of one, by a special act of congress, were dis- Washington. The barn was one could share—worn and weary west of tributed on the basis of the propor- a detachment of the 16 with the long and doubtful conflict be- surrounded by tion which the services of or informa- York Cavalry at 2 o'clock in the tween hope and fear—treading the New tion furnished by each contributed to April 1865, the assas- wine press for his people alone. And morning of 26, the success in each case. The names place April 14. at last when the lightening flash had sination having taken of those sharing the rewards, and the ordered to surren- lifted the dark cloud, dancing like a The fugitives were amounts paid severally to each are, after school boy in the ecstacy of delight, der. At first both refused, but as follows: himself and exhibiting a touch of that human some parleying Herold gave For the capture of Booth and Her- would be shot if nature which makes all the world up, knowing that he old: Booth, though one of his akin.—2—4—1887. he did not. E. J. Conger $15,000 legs had been broken when he leaped L. C. Baker 3,750 President's box to the stage Mrs. Lincoln's New Home. from the Luther B. Barker 3,000 of the theater, defied the soldiers and P. Doherty 5,250 A St. Louis correspondent of the Lieut. E. with a Spencer rifle which Herold R. O'Bierne 2,000 Globe Democrat writes of the insti- James had carried, determined to sell his life Also fifteen other men, $1,653.85 tution where Mrs. Lincoln's home is as dearly as possible. Then the torch each 4'.000 to be: The asylum is known as the applied to the barn, Booth having was I by reason of his association with is of horn, and the blade seven inches ,tal $75,000 some of the participants he was made in length. It is of the kind commonly L. A. Baker was chief of the detec- the victim of circumstantial evidence, spoken of as a "Bowie,' 'though the tive force. E. J. Conger, who received which, in the opinion of the Commis- latter strictly speaking, has but one so large a share, was a detective, sion, justified a verdict of guilty. He edge. One side of the blade is neatly whose services were particularly val- was sentenced for life. ornamented, and bears the inscrip- uable. Lieut Doherty commanded the All these findings and sentences tion: "America, the land of the free cavalry detachment that made the were approved by the President, who and the home of the brave; liberty capture. designated the dry Tortugas, Fla., as and independance." Booth had this

For the Capture of Atzerodt. the place of confinement. The prison- knife in his hand when he leaped to I Artman $1,250-00 ers the stage of the theater, shouting Maj. E. R. were sent there early in July, | Serg't. Z. P. Gemmill 3,508.54 1865. "sic semper tyrannis!" Booth's hat, 2,878.78 Christopher Ross O'Loughlin's health gave way un- which was picked up in the Presidents 2,878.78 box, is of cloth, finely D. H. Baker der the fright and excitement of the dark quilted in 2,878.78 the style Albert Bender trial. He died in a hospital at Fort much worn at that time. 2,878-78 There is also cavalry boot, S. J. Williams Jefferson, Fla., in September, 1867, a reach- 2,878.78 ing nearly to the hip, that remov- G. P. Young after a confinement of a little more was 2,878.78 ed by Dr. the broke James W. Purdum than two years. In February 1869, Mudd from limb. the instep is a slit, long the President ordered that his re- At ten inches $25,000.00 Total mains be delivered to his mother, and made by Mudd for the purpose of ex- of Payne. amination. collection is pine For the Capture they were brought to his old home In the a Maj. Smith $1,000.00 and buried. stick, three feet long and two inches Richard C. Morgan, Eli Devore, C H. square, which Booth had provided be- The three other prisoners were par- Rosch, Thomas Sampson, W. M. Wer- forehand, and used to fasten the doned by proclamation merskirch, each $500 2,000-00 of President door after he entered the President's 500 Johnson, just before his retirement, P. M. Clark box, that no one might follow him. I Mudd on Feb. 8, 1869, and Arnold and Susan Jackson 250 The stick lay upon the floor as Mr. Spangler in March, after three years Mary Ann Griffin 250 Lincoln was carried out, and drops of and nine months of confinement. The blood fell upon it, the stains of which official records show that these par- $5,000 are distinctly seen. There are also a dons, by proclamation of the Pres- The eight prisoners were brought light colored slouch hat, worn by ident, were "full and unconditional" to a speedy trial before a Military Payne when he entered Secretary and 'for good and sufficient reasons.' Commission which finishes its labors Seward's room, which he lost in the The latter will be understood Atzerodt, Herold and by the June 30. Payne, following. struggle, and two eigh shooting Spen- Mrs. Surratt were sentenced to death, cer rifles which were concealed at a In and the sentences were approved by 1868 Florida was scourged with tavern in Surrattsville before the the president. Great efforts were yellow fever. It was in malignant murder, for the use of Booth and Her- made to save Mrs. Surrat, but the form and was fatal to many. Dr. old in their flight. Their route of at- Mudd had experience before in treat- authorities were inexorable, and all tempted escape had been carefully ing this disease. During its contin- were hanged July 7. laid out. Herold took one of the wea- | uance at the Dry Tortugas he un- Dr. Mudd was a prominent physi- was pons, but Booth did not, owing to his tiring and efficient in his labors. cian at Byrantown, in Maryland. suffering condition. Among those who died was the Booth stopped at his house in his U. S. In August, 1864, the country was medical officer at that place. Dr. flight, early the next morning after statled by a rumor that President Mudd took charge of the hospitals, the assassination, and Dr. Mudd set Lincoln had died by poison. That day and abated none of his efforts until his broken leg. Booth's stay was brief Booth was a guest of the McHenry the plague had disappeared. Arnold for he knew avengers were on his I House, Meadville, Pa. With a dia- and Spangler volunteered as track. After telling what he nurses mond he scratched the following up- Mudd j and served faithfully to the had done he remounted his horse and end. Not on a pane of glass in one of the win- one of the three took the fever. The dashed off. Dr. Mudd aided in his es- dows of his room: President rewarded them by full par- cape by purposely misdirecting a Abe Lincoln don. Whether or not the hope re- body of soldiers who having tracked of lease may have influenced in Departed this life Booth to that place, inquired as to them their labors for the cause of humanity the road he had taken. It was not Aug. 13, 1864, the fact remains that their services shown upon the trial that Mudd had By the effect of poison. were most valuable and praisworthy. any previous knowledge of or partic- death the The softening influence of time had After Mr. Lincoln's by ipation in the conspiracy, but he was hand of this the pane became an scarcely yet been felt and there were man convicted of being accessary after the object of interest. It was taken from many who severely criticised the fact and sentenced to confinement at the window forwarded to Washington labor life. President for pardoning thesa men. hard for by Miss and placed in this But sixteen years have passed, and McHenry Spangler was the stage carpenter collection of relics. theater. there are probably few who would at the For two days before The most interesting article is the now question the lenient official act the tragedy he assisted Booth in ar- dairy, old, and stained, that set them free. pocket worn ranging the details of the plan. On taken from Booth's person. All the Dr. Mudd returned to his old home the trial Spangler claimed and it must leaves previous to April 14 the day and resumed the practice of his pro- — be said that this was not fairly dis- of the murder—were cut out by him. proved, that he fession. He died about three years knew nothing of the It is supposed that these leaves con- plot to ago. Spangler and Arnold have dis- kill Mr. Lincoln. He said he tained the details of the arrangement had no appeared and no traces of them can personal acquaintance with of the conspiracy, and were probably Booth, be found. but the latter told him that destroyed by him. In the pocket of the the arrangements he was making in Mementoes of the Tragedy. were five photographs of young wo- the theater were for the production In the office of the judge advocate men, presumably actresses, a small of a new play. Knowing him to be a general of the army are kept a few silver horse shoe charm, and a Ro- celebrated actor, he supposed this to mementoes of the great tragedy. They man Catholic medal or amulet. Many be true. The j Commission, however, are not publicly exhibited, but may be pages written after the tragedy, deemed the evidence j sufficient to con- seen by those curiously inclined, on while the murderer was a hunted fug- vict him as an accssory, and he was application. The pistol with which itive, were fully identified by the sentenced for six years. President Lincoln was shot is a small, friends of Booth as being in his hand Arnold was an | obscure wagon mak- old fashioned derringer. Its whole writng. Our reporter copied the fol- er living near Surrattsville. He pro- length is but trifle will read with in- a more than six lowing, which be | vided vehicles for the use of the chief inches, and the barrel is but two and terest: conspirators at different times when a half inches long. The calibre is perfecting Extracts from Booth's Diary. the plot. He disclaimed larger than that of similar weapons any knowledge of "April 14, Friday, the Ides—Until their purpose, but of the present day. The bullet taken the evidence against him today nothing was ever thought of was strong from the head of the President is al- and he was sentenced sacrificing to our country's wrongs. to confinement so there. It was flattened against for life. For six months we had worked to the skull which the doctors said was O'Loughlin was the capture him, but our cause being al- youngest of the of unusual thickness. In a small glass prisoners, with the most lost, something decisive and exception of Her- case are fragments of the fractured old. It is not clear great must be done. But its failure what part he took skull and the silver probe that in the scheme. was was owing to others, who did not He was of good family used on that occasion. It was, and still strike for their country with a heart. is, urged by his There is a large, villianous, double friends in his behalf, I struck boldly, and not as the papers that he was in- edged knife, or dirk that was taken nocent of any say. I walked with a firm step thru share in the crime, but from the person of Booth. The handle a thousand of his friends; was stop- pea bLil jiushed on. a (Joionel was at his side. I shouted 'sic semper' before John H. Surratt has been some I fired. In jumping, broke my leg. I years engaged as a clerk in the office passed all his pickets; rode sixty of a steamboat line in Baltimore. For miles that night with the bone of my a considerable time during the war leg tearing the flesh at every jump. he was one of the secret agents of the I can never report it. Though we hat- Confederacy, and in that capacity ed to kill, our country simply owed all made repeated trips between Rich- her troubles to him, and God simply mond and Canada. In a recent inter- made me the instrument of his pun- view, speaking of those trips, Surratt ishment. The country is not what it said: was. This forced Union is not what I "There were not many difficulties. have loved. I care not what becomes The fact is that the North was so of me. I have no desire to outlive my honeycombed by latent rebellion and country. This night, before the deed, resident sympathizers that the diffi- I wrote a long article and left it for culty was how to avoid hospitality one of the editors of the National In- and accept the best aid in traversing telligencer, in which I fully set forth it. There was no trouble. Once on the our reasons for our proceedings. He Maryland side, coming north, and the (Lincoln) or the south. rest was as easy as traveling now. "Friday, 21—After being hunted The same was true on the return like a dog through swamps and woods journey, but the Potomac was closely and last night being chased by gun- guarded and it was a serious matter , boats till I was forced to return wet, to get across. Our disguises were cold and starving, with every man's manifold, however and whatever dis- I hand against me, I am here in des- patches we had were towed and pair and why? For doing what Bru- weighted astern of the boats, so that

i tus was honored for, what made Wil- in | case of capture we could dispose of liam Tell a hero; and yet I, for strik- them effectively. We were, at least I ing down an even greater tyrant than was, and so were all the people en- they ever knew, am looked upon as a gaged as agents, fired at a score of common criminal. My act was purer times, both by cannon and rifle, but than either of theirs. One hoped to be I was not hit. Other people were occa- great himself; the other had no only sionally less fortunate. We used to his country's but his own wrongs to choose dark, rainy nights for our ex- avenge. I hoped for no gain; I knew peditions, and usually managed to no private wrong. I struck for my avoid patrol boats. Traveling on this country and her alone. A people side was easy enough. We simpy ground beneath this tryranny prayed bought railway tickets and traveled for this end, and yet now see the cold as other people did, and, like other hands they extend for me! God can- people we were let alone. It was a not pardon me if I have done wrong; nasty business though, because of the yet I cannot see any wrong except in apprehension we dwelt in; you can serving a degenerate people. The lit- imagine that. I remember I used to tle, very little, I left behind to clear take, as a rule, an evening train to my name the government will not al- Baltimore and one at 9 o'clock or so low to be printed. So ends all! For my from there to Harrisburg. Then I had country I have given up all that to wait for a train west or north, at makes life sweet and holy, brought times. I went to the bridge sometimes misfortune upon my family and am by way of the Reading railroad to sure there is no pardon for me in the New York via. Easton and up Lake heavens, since man condemns me so. Champlaln, and at others to Detroit. I have only heard of what has been But we used to go regularly to Har- done (except what I did myself) and risburg, and we had to wait there, it fills me with horror. God, try and where the detectives were thicker forgive me and bless my mother. To- than any other kind of passengers. I never night I will once more try the river made any disguises, but went about with the intention to cross; though I my business as one who had le- have a greater desire and almost a gitimate errands in traveing." Speaking his mind to return to Washington and in of mother Surratt said: "Now let solemnly a measure clear my name, which I me say that I never knew that mother in feel I can do. I do not repent the blow my was serious danger. I deemed it only I struck. I may before my God, but a matter of time, a few months, not to man. I think I have done well when she should by reason of the revulsion though I am abandoned, with the of public feeling, be released. curse of Cain upon me, when, if the In that belief I was confirmed world knew my heart, that one blow by those about me, who insisted that she would have made me great, though I was to be discharged and kept the did not desire greatness. Tonight I newspapers away from me. try once more to escape these blood- When I heard that she hounds. Who, who can read his fate! was sentenced to death I was absolutely God's will be done. I have too great a crazy. I was restrained by force care to die like a criminal. Oh, may which I tried to overcome, from com-? ing He spare me that and let me die to the States, if not to save to die with her. bravely. I bless the entire wrold. I Alas, I could not do it. I have never hated or wronged any one. fought and plead, but those about me This last was not a wrong unless God had their lives at stake and my return might deems it so, and it is with Him to be a clew to their place of living damn or bless me. And for this brave and they stopped me. It I had boy Herold, here with me, who often known earlier; but I did not know. I prays (yes before and since,) with a have had every conceivable unkind thing said true and sincere heart, was it crime of me. They have said that had I in him ? If so, why can he pray the come forth from hiding and her and myself. same ? I do not wish to shed a drop of I do not believe that the temper blood, but I must fight the course. 'Tis of the people would have allowed all that's left me." any one to be saved; but that said, The old Ford theater in which Lin- "Here I am," I would have saved would 1 not coln was shot is on Tenth street, be- have mattered in the least. I would tween E. and F. Once after the fatal, have come had I known. I night a theatrical performance was would, as God is my judge." —Nov advertised to take place in it, but ill 13, 1886.

peu Hill! pushed on. A Uoionel was at his side. I shouted 'sic semper' before John H. Surratt has been some I fired. In jumping, broke my leg. I years engaged as a clerk in the office passed all his pickets; rode sixty of a steamboat line in Baltimore. For miles that night with the bone of my a considerable time during the war leg tearing the flesh at every jump. he was one of the secret agents of the I can never report it. Though we hat- Confederacy, and in that capacity ed to kill, our country simply owed all made repeated trips between Rich- her troubles to him, and God simply mond and Canada. In a recent inter- made me the instrument of his pun- view, speaking of those trips, Surratt ishment. The country is not what it said: was. This forced Union is not what I "There were not many difficulties. have loved. I care not what becomes The fact is that the North was so of me. I have no desire to outlive my honeycombed by latent rebellion and country. This night, before the deed, resident sympathizers that the diffi- I wrote a long article and left it for culty was how to avoid hospitality one of the editors of the National In- and accept the best aid in traversing telligencer, in which I fully set forth it. There was no trouble. Once on the our reasons for our proceedings. He Maryland side, coming north, and the (Lincoln) or the south. rest was as easy as traveling now. "Friday, 21—After being hunted The same was true on the return like a dog through swamps and woods journey, but the Potomac was closely and last night being chased by gun- guarded and it was a serious matter boats till I was forced to retui- n wet, to get across. Our disguises were cold and starving, with every man's manifold, however and whatever dis- hand against me, I am here in des- patches we had were towed and pair and why ? For doing what Bru- weighted astern of the boats, so that tus was honored for, what made Wil- in case of capture we could dispose of liam Tell a hero; and yet I, for strik- them effectively. We were, at least I ing down an even greater tyrant than was, and so were all the people en- they ever knew, am looked upon as a gaged as agents, fired at a score of common criminal. My act was purer times, both by cannon and rifle, but than either of theirs. One hoped to be I was not hit. Other people were occa- great himself; the other had no only sionally less fortunate. We used to his country's but his own wrongs to choose dark, rainy nights for our ex- avenge. I hoped for no gain; I knew peditions, and usually managed to no private wrong. I struck for my avoid patrol boats. Traveling on this country and her alone. A people side was easy enough. We simpy ground beneath this tryranny prayed bought railway tickets and traveled for this end, and yet now see the cold as other people did, and, like other hands they extend for me! God can- people we were let alone. It was a not pardon me if I have done wrong; nasty business though, because of the yet I cannot see any wrong except in apprehension we dwelt in; you can j serving a degenerate people. The lit- imagine that. I remember I used to tle, very little, I left behind to clear take, as a rule, an evening train to my name the government will not al- Baltimore and one at 9 o'clock or so low to be printed. So ends all! For my from there to Harrisburg. Then I had country I have given up all that to wait for a train west or north, at makes life sweet and holy, brought times. I went to the bridge sometimes misfortune upon my family and am by way of the Reading railroad to sure there is no pardon for me in the New York via. Easton and up Lake heavens, since man condemns me so. Champlaln, and at others to Detroit. I have only heard of what has been But we used to go regularly to Har- done (except what I did myself) and risburg, and we had to wait there, it fills me with horror. God, try and where the detectives were thicker forgive me and bless my mother. To- than any other kind of passengers. I never any disguises, night I will once more try the river made but went about business with the intention to cross; though I my as one who had le- have a greater desire and almost a gitimate errands in traveing." Speaking of his mind to return to Washington and in mother Surratt said: "Now let me solemnly a measure clear my name, which I say that I never knew that mother was in feel I can do. I do not repent the blow my serious danger. I deemed it only a I struck. I may before my God, but matter of time, a few months, not to man. I think I have done well when she should by reason of the revulsion though I am abandoned, with the of public feeling, be released. In curse of Cain upon me, when, if the that belief I was confirmed world knew my heart, that one blow by those about me, who insisted that she would have made me great, though I was to be discharged and kept the did not desire greatness. Tonight I newspapers away from me. try once more to escape these blood- When I heard that she hounds. Who, who can read his fate! was sentenced to death I was abso- God's will be done. I have too great a lutely crazy. I was restrained by force care to die like a criminal. Oh, may which I tried to overcome, from com-f ing He spare me that and let me die to the States, if not to save to die with her. bravely. I bless the entire wrold. I Alas, I could not do it. I have never hated or wronged any one. fought and plead, but those about me This last was not a wrong unless God had their lives at stake and my return might be deems it so, and it is with Him to a clew to their place of living damn or bless me. And for this brave and they stopped me. It I had boy Herold, here with me, who often known earlier; but I did not know. I prays (yes before and since,) with a have had every conceivable unkind thing true and sincere heart, was it crime said of me. They have said that had I in him? If so, why can he pray the come forth from hiding and her and myself. I same ? I do not wish to shed a drop of do not believe that the temper blood, but I must fight the course. 'Tis of the people would have allowed any all that's left me." one to be saved; but that said, The old Ford theater in which Lin- "Here I am," I would have saved would not coln was shot is on Tenth street, be- have mattered in the least. I would tween E. and F. Once after the fatal, have come had I known. I night a theatrical performance was would, as God is my judsre." —Nov advertised to take place in it, but ill 13, 1886. was forbidden by the authorities. It Win was then bought by the government, and is now used as a National Medi- cal Museum. " PUNISHMENT OF THE PLOTTERS Pursuit and Death of Booth—Fate of Rest of Those Tried for Partici- pation in the Con- spiracy That Re- sulted in the Mur- der of President Lincoln.

r HILE Abraham Lincoln lay

' dying, at Ford's Theatre, John Wilkes Booth, his assassin, galloped " ugh the streets of Washington, suf- lg excruciating pain at every step from his broken leg. His id get away into the South. In those days Washington ilitary rule and people were not sup-

to leave it at i " at the Navy Yar

bbed the yo

i explained b°*»> that, as the night urder. He discovered them, heard who dark, he 1 to t

;r young Dav his house and and O'Laughlin, me . erold came galloping up. gave thein «• are of Thomas conspiring trio, were arrested at Fort "Why are you so late?" asked the Jones, his foster-brother. Monroe and Baltimore respecth Jones took them food and Payne, after htding near Washington, ipany," answered While they lay in the thicl 1 unkempt, at the - of Davy—as truthful a remark as he could —'armed on the pine wood that Jones deemed it best house of Mrs. Surratt, already full detectives, and was promptly taken into possibly have made. He, too, got past. in every hamlet of the Booth and Herold away. He put d and to get ' the d into custody. With him went A strange commentary is that a third vicinity, and talk of rewards of thou- them in a boat and pushed them out landlady, already under deep suspicion for in- of the Potomac n, from whom the graceless Herold sands upon thousands of dollars the network of creeks before the assailant of Seward ventured hours, had hired his horse and who was madly formation regarding Booth was in the region. They rowed about for " on the Virginia shore, and begged shifter, Atzevodt, the carriage- chasing him in an endeavor to retrieve air everywhere. On more than oW-fle- -'lalidett ; scene refused, shelter of a ' Dr. Stuart". He maker, and Dr. Mudd followed. Only John his property, was summarily halted and casion Jones drank and talked wiVh sol- them hospitality, but directed thenf to H. Surratt, the Confederate spy, son of turned back. and heard the many rumors of the diers, the cabin of a negro on his place. Mrs. Surratt, escaped the authorities. He _i__^i.—i_ .* t»~~*i, which were rife. Herold soon caught up with Booth a This fled from Canada to Europe, and was not word. two years later, t the two appeared in the dead of night at But he never saia a until lying in awful wrote " it was hard to I punishment, the tavern owned by the Surratts at In that pine thicket, although he Atzerodt, Payne, O'Laughlin, hundreds, with nothing spare," in payment for his reluctant aid. ^rold, Surrattsville, thirteen miles southeast of pain, hunted by Then they met three Confederate of- Ai-nold, Mrs. Surratt, Mudd and Spang- but death before him, Booth made re- Washington. They woke Lloyd, its_ on their way to the ler were placed on trial before a militar " ficers, who set them markable entries in his diary. I struck heavily manacled, keeper, who was drunk, picked up some farm of one Garrett. Through one of court. They were wrote. "I walked with a chained, hedged about with arm things left there some weeks before, in- boldly," he these officers pursuers at last got on and thousand of his 's. During the progress of the t cluding a carbine, when the abduction firm step through a the right ti e North howled for ve stopped, but pushed on. were in the Gar plot was brewing, and rode on. *-*—Is, waE detect. __ rs were fillc nt it, though we soldiers and of "; Their next stop was at the house — 1 pictures ot t " "~—ett to tell wl kill. Our Dr. Samuel Mudd, who treated Booth's hated to ded tlu showing them as hideous and inhi troubles to him, and God simply s, were everywhere hawked. broken leg. After resting a short time rley Herold emerged. was an endeavor to impli so. The men set There at the doctor's, Booth and Herold rode -»o visible Confederate leaders in the plot, but it On Friday, the 21st, -.,- .-- nth, plainly *f. But their progress was sloW> as came to nothing. Important Southern t through the head Booth added this: suffering terribly the murder, sympathizers in Canada may have known .urderer was :,

sent. Many then thought her ini today the belief is much more

1 Hancock, and Prcsi-

. Stanton and

do nothing. Mrs. Surratt, Davy Herold, A *' and Payne were hanged on Fi — .. s than three months after the mur-

i at Washington. Of the oth u., O'Laughlin died in captivity, and Dr. Mudd, Spangler, and Arnold we pardoned by President Johnson in 1869. Booth's body was taken from the Gar-

arily buried there. In ily obtained

!i to disinter it and take it to "" nore, where it liei

to Junius Brutus Booth, the ; in s father, and Edwin Booth, his illn»- trious brother.

% 0'

*• d

> z