Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-07-10
Confession OF Azerott.


known him since HE arrest Details Of the
plot to abduct and murder the President
which are set forth below were given the
anlhor by AtEerott, but short time before b 8
death d
q A, Aizerott, born in kingdom Of Prussia.
1885 came to this country with his parents,
1874 arrived at Baltimore, at which place
he resided with his family for one year. when,
with his parents, moved 10 Westmoreland
county, Virginia Hts father fsrmed, and
carried on his business, that Of blacksmith,
at the Court house
Aizerott was placed "a an apprentice to
the coach making business at the Court house,
where he learned the painting branch He
remained there until 1856, when he went TO
Washington and worked for Young, also for
Mr.. Desmotle, well known manufacturers. Ia
1857 be joined his brother IN the coach
making business at Port Tobacco. This CON
tinued for four years, when the frm was
dissolved After this he carried on painting
in Port Tobacco until after fail, when he went
after j. II. Surralt and man named Harln
Surratt induced him to join in the conspiracy
for abducting the President
AtzerotCs knowledge of men and country
in the vicinity Of Port Tobacco, aud, in TACT,
of all the counties bordering on the Poiomac,
gave the conspratcrs very valuable aid He
was well acquainted with Harold, whom he
was not long in finding out, and who was
also eng aged in the conspiracy. SurraC went
several times to Port Tobacco, and often sent
to Atzerott to come to Washington. He was
known to many in Port IoOacco, and was
looked upon as q very weak minded man,
and regarded as being harmless, SHY fellow.
Surratt introduced Atzerott to Booth, who
feasted him and furnished him with horses,
they being held in Surrah's name, who ap-
peared to be the principal IN his absence.
Booth, the foremost OF all the eOnspirslors
actually engaged, was at a saloon Uu Penn
sylvania Avenue, He called Gatlen ut this
meeting O'Laughlin, Arnold, Booth, Sur-
raft, Harold and Alzerott were.present The
hrst attempt TO abduct the President was TO
be on The Seventh Street Road fhis was TO
be about the middle of March when they
expected the President to visit camp
OLaughlin, Arnold, Payne, Surratt, Atze-
rott and Booth were present Harold left
with buggy with csrbines, for the plan was
to seize the coach OF the President Surralt
was to jump on the box and make for /. B
by way OF Long Old fields, TO the Potomac,
in the vicinity OF Nargamony Creek where u
boat was waiting to carry over the party. The
hatbottomed batteau, painted lead color,
which bad been bought for that purpose by
Booth from two men named BrGnner and
Smeat
The plan failed, the President not coming
as they desired.
Harold went next NOR ming to Washington.
All remained quiet for some tune. Booth
went North, Arnold and O'Laughlin went 70
Ral nd ~ Nag
York A man bsmed Howell was about this
time arrested. THIS alarmed Surratt, aud he
left with Mrs Slater Tor the North lhis was
about the first Of April
The next plan to visit the thealer on the
night the President was expected to be there,
was arranged Surratt and Booth were to
90 to the box; Arnold and O'LaughIin and
Payne were to act some important part in
getting him out, and Harold and Alzsrott
we're TO have charge OF the horses, aud hn
actor was TO be secured to put out the gas.
Booth represented that tue best assistant be
had was the actor 10 this plan, The buggles
aud horses were to be used The rope winch
was prepared and TO be used at Keys, was TO
be stretched across the road TO impede the
cavalry in pursuit The route at this time
was the same as before, except that they
were 10 cross the Eastern Branch Bridge.
This affair failed, and Booth said "lt is all
up and spoke of going to Richmond and
opening the tbeater, and promised Alzerott
that he would employ him in some capacity
Alzerott Was waiting for Booth 10 arrange
his going TO Richmond, when the affair was
renewed again. He had taken II room 1t the
Kirkwood House. Harold called on hun
and lefta pistol and coat in, thedoom, and
told him that Booth wished to see him al the
Hoyden House, to which place he repaired IN
company with Harold This was sIx in the
evening He there met Booth and Payoe,
Booth told Alzerott that he must kli Johnson
Atzerott demurred, when Booth replied Har'
rold has more courage, he will do II; 90 get
your horses what will become OF you anyhow
AiEerott aud Harold went down Ninth
together. Aizerott said TO barr Did, "We must
not disturb Mr. JohnsonT r. Harold laughed,
and waDted the key Of the room. Il was
refused bJ A'Eerott, who expressed himself "a
iearfu that harm might be done Mr. johnson
Harold left to go TO see Booth went TO
Oyster Bay, Harold came after him, and said
Booth wanted TO see him; Atzerou did not
return to Kirkwood that night.
Booth told Atzerott that Surratt was in the
city. AiEerott did not see Booth after leav.
ing him ct HeydsD House, and he toamed
about the streets nearly all night, aud first
heard OF the murder about half past ten, while
passing up the avenue The cavalry rushing
BY Al the time, in pursuit, be threw away his
knife that night and parted with his pistol
next evening to friend in Georgetown.
Aizerott had nothing to say at any former
meetings be knew nothing about the rope
found with spAngler he believed spAnglsr