Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-07-13
The Assassination Plot COnfes-
sion Of AtzerOtt.

| when was prepared Dy one VINO mas known
| him since his arrest. The details of the
plot to abduct and murder the President
were given by Atzerott short time before
/ his death, and cover some points not before
stated.
| George Andrew Atzerott was born in the
kingdom of Prussia in 1885, and came to this
country with his parents In 1874. He ar
rived at Baltimore, in which place he resid-
ed with his family for about one year, when,
with his parents, he moved to Westmore-
land county, Va! His father farIned and
carried on his business, that of q black
smith, at the Court House. Atzerott was
placed as an apprentice to the cOach-mak-
ing business at the Court House, where he
learned the painting branch. He remained
at the Court House until 1856 when he went
to Washington and worked for Young, and
also for Mr.. Dermott well-known coach
makers. ,.. BIN. .. ..,r.s .,,,,
In 1867 he Joined his brother in the coach
making business at Port Tobacco. This
continued for four years. when the firm was
dissolved. After this he carried on paint
ing in Port Tobacco, until last fall, when
he went with John III. Surratt and man
named Herline. Surratt induced him to
Join in the conspiracy for abducting the
President. Atzerott's knowledge of men
and the country in the vicinity of Port To-
bacco, and, in fact of all the counties border
ing on the Potomac. gave to the conspira-
tors valuable assistant. He was well ac-
quainted with Harold, whom he was not
long i'm finding out, and who was also en-
gagged in the conspiracy. Surratt went sew
eral times to Port Tobacco, and often sent
to Atzerott to come to Washington, where
he was known to many as well as in Port
| Tobacco, and looked upon as very weak
minded man-in fact was regarded as a
| very harmless and silly fellow.
Surratt introduced 'sAtzerott to Booth,
who feasted him and furnished him with
horses the horse being held in the name of
SUrratt, who appeared to be the principal
| in the absence Of Booth. The first meeting
of all the conspirators actually engaged was
at saloon in Pennsylvania avenue, called
Geteer's. At this meeting O'Laughlin, Ar
mold, Booth, Snrratt, Harold and Atzerott
were present. e The first attempt to abduct
the President was to be on the Seventh
street road. This was to be about the mid
die Of March, when they expected the
President to visit camp. OLaughlin,
Arnold, Payne, Surratt, Booth and Atzerott
were present. Harold left with the buggy
with the carbines for T. B. The plan was
to seize the coach of the President, Surratt
to jump on the box, as he was considered
the best driver, and make for Il. b. by way
of Long Old Field to the Potomac river, in
the vicinity Of Nargomey creek, where they
had boat waiting with men to carry over
the party. The boat was capable of carry
ing fifteen men, and was large tlat-bot-
toned batteau, painted lead color, which
had been bought for the purpose by Booth,
from two men named Branner and Smoot. I
This plan failed, the President not COM
ing as desired. Harold went next morn
ing to Washington. All things remained
quiet for some time after this. Booth went
North, Arnold and O'Laughlin to Balti-
more; Payne, or Wood, left also for New
York. 4
A man named Howell was about this
time arrested. This alarmed Surratt, and
he left with Mrs. Slater for the North. This
was about the first OF April. The next
plan was to visit the theater on the night
che President was expected to be there. 1t
was arranged that Surratt and Booth were
to 60 to the box; Arnold, O'Laughlin and
Payne were to act some important part in
getting him out; Harold and Atzerott
were to have charge of the horses; and an
actor was to be secured to put out the gas;
Booth represented that the best assistant he
had was an actor. In this plan buggies and
horses were to be used. A rope, which was
prepared and to be at Keyd's, was to be
stretched across the road to impede the cav
airy in the pursuit. The route at this time
was the same as before, except that they
were to cross the Eastern Branch bridge.
The whole affair failed, and Booth said,
"It is all up" and spoke Of going to Rich
mond and opening theater, and promised
AtZerott employment in it in some capaci-
| ty.., Atzerott was waiting for Booth to ar
range his going to Richmond. When the
affair was renewed again he had taken
81, Ill
ed on him and left his knife, pistol and coat
in the room, and told him Booth wished to
ehim at the Herndon House, to which
place he repaired in company with Harold.
This was in the evening about six o'clock.
We there met Booth and Payne. Booth
told Atzerott, "You must kill Johnson
AtzerOtt demurred, when Booth replied,
" Harold has moro courage; he will
do it; go get your horses; what will
become Of you anyhow" .Atzerott and
Harold went down Ninth street together
AtZerott said to Harold, "We must not
disturb Mr.. Johnson" Harold laughed,
and wanted the key of the room.. 1t was
refused by Atzerott, who expressed himself
as fearful that harm would be done Mr..
johnson: Harold left to go and see Booth,
and Atzerott went to the Oyster Bay.
Harold came after him, and said Booth
turn to the Kirkwood House, that night.
l One OF Booths plans to- obtain an en-
trance to the Secretary of States house was
an invention which, II successful, would
have involved others in his foul acts. He
had made the acquaintance of a woman of
strong Southern feelings, living not tar
from the ,Secretary's house, who was to
make the acquaintance OF a servant who
was to be introduced to Booth, and by this