Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-07-14
Confession Of Atzer oft.

gwen a short time before his death:
| George Andrew Atzcrott was born in
the Kingdom Of Prussia in le35, and
came to this country with ills parents in
lel4.
He arrived at Baltimore, in which place
he resided with his family for about a year.
and then removed to Virginia In 1856
he went to Washington. In 1857 he join.
cd his brother IN the eoachmaking busi-
mess i'll Port Tobacco. Last fall he went
with John II. Surratt and person named
lIalpine. Surratt induced him to join in
the conspiracy for abduoting the Prexi-
dent. Atzcrott's knowledge Of the men
and the country in the vicinity Of Port
Tobacco gave tn the eonspirators q valua-
bic assistant. Surratt went several times
to Port Tobacco and often sent for AtxcI-
OFT To come to Washington where he was
looked upon rs n very weakminded man.
Surra,t introduced Atzcrott to Booth.
who feastcd him and furnished him with
horses being held in the name Of Surratt.
who appeared 10 be the principal in the
absence Of Booth. The first meeting Of
all tho conspirators. actually engaged, was
at a saloon on Pcnpsy Ivania Avenue
called Gran,icr's. At this meeting o.
I.aughlin, Arnold, Booth. Surratt, Harold
and Atzerott, were present.
| The first attempt to abduct the Presi-
dent was to be on the 9TH street road
| This was TO be about the middl. Of March.
when they expected the President to visit
"A camp. OIanghiu. Arnold Payne.
Surratt. Booth and Atzerott were present.
Harold left with the buggy with the car
bincs for L. Il. The plan was tn seize tho
coach of the President; Surratt to jump
on the box. rs he was considered the best
driver, and make for I. b., by way Of
Long Oldhelds to the Potomac river in tho
vicinity of Margomcry Creek, where they
had boat waiting with men to carry over
the party. The boat was capable Of carry
Ing Is men; it had been brought by
Booth for the purpose from two men
named Branner and Smoot This plan
failed, the Presiaen, not coming; Harold
went next morning To Washington.
All things renamed quiet for some timc
after this Booth went North. Arnold and
o'Lauglilin to Baltimore. Payne left also
Tor New York.
\ man named Howell was about this
time arrested which alarmed Surratt. who
left with Mrs. Slater for the North. This
was about the first Of April.
Tie next plan was tn visit the Theatre
on the night the President was expected to
he there. 1t vas arranged that Surratt
aud Booth were to GO to the hox, Arnold.
/ Payne aud O'l.augiilin were to act some
| important part in getting him out; Har-
old and AfZcrott were TO have charge of
/ the holscs, and an actor was TO he secured
| to put on; the gas. Booth represented
( that the best assistant he had was an actor
1 in this plan. Burgics and horses were /"
be used rope which was to be prepared
aud be ut kcycd's WIS To be stretched
across the road to impede the cavalry in
the pursuit. The route at this time was
to be the same as before. except that they
were 10 cross the eastern branch bridge
This whole affair failed, and Booth said.
at is all up" and spoke of going to Rich
mond and opening theatre, and promls-
cd Atzcro,t engagement in it in some
capacity. Atzeroit was waiting for Booth
to arrange his going to Richmond. when
the affair was named again. He had
taken room at the kirkwood House;
Harold called OH him and left his knife.
pistol and coat in the room, and tsid Booth
he wished to see him ut the H~slou
House, to Which place he repaired in COM
pany with Harold. This was in the even
ing. He there met Booth and Payne
Booth told Atzcrott, "You must kill John
son." Atzcrott dcmurrcd when Booth
replied Harold has more courage, he
will do it go get your horses; what will
become of YOU any how Atzerott and
Harold went down 9th street together;
Atzerott said to Harold: I'VE must not
disturb Mr.. Johnson" Harold laughed,
and wanted the key of the room; it was
refused by Atzerott who expressed himself
fearful that harm would be done Mr.. John
son Harold left to 20 to see Booth, and
Atzcrott went to Oyster Bay. Harold
came after him. and said Booth wanted to
see him did not return to the EirkwOod
House that night. Booth told Atzcrott that
Surratt was in the city. Atzcrott did not
see Booth after leaving him at the Kirk
wood House. aud roamed about the streets
nearly all night; he first heard of the
murder about 10 IL o'clock while passing
up the avenue.
The cavalry was rushing by at the time
in pursuit; he threw away his knife that
night and parted with his pistol next morn
Ing to friend in Georgetown.
Atzer0tt had rotling to say at any OF
about the rope found with Spangler, and
when applied to for money would
remark that he had money III New York
and would get some.
/, At one time, in the spring or late in tho
winter, Mrs. Slater, Mrs. Surratt, John
Surratt and Major Barron, formerly of tho
rebel army, left Washington together
They got horses from Towards stable
Mrs, Surratt stopped at Surrattsville, the
others went TO the Potomac, Major Barron
returned. Atzerott did not think Major
Barron had anything to do with the con-
spiracy.
One Of Booths plans to obtain an en-
trance to the Secretary Of States house
was an invention, if successful, would have
involved others in his foul act. He made
the acquaintance # woman Of strong
Southern feelings. living not far from the
Secretary's house. She was to make the
acquaintance of a servant who vas to be
introduced to Booth. and by this means he
would learn something of the location OF
the rooms, &c. Tho scheme failed
Booth was well acquainted with Mudd'
and had letters of introduction to him.
Booth told Atzer0tt about two weeks be-
fore the murder, that he had sent provis-
ions and liquor to DIR. Mndd for the sup
ply of the party on their way to Rich
mond with the President.
Michael O'LaughlIn has made no regu-
lar confession os far as is publicly known,
but he has confessed to the original con-
spiracy. He denied any knowledge OF the