The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-11
THE ASSASSINS.
A Minister'S Vfsft to the Condo IN N ed-
sixteen Hours i'm tho Cells.

From the Washington Chronicle July 10
The Rev. DR. Gillette, pastor of the First Baptbt
church improved the soemnities OF the past well by
appropriate discourse, especially to young men. He had
never been more impressed with the Importance Of this
duty than during the sixteen hours which h passed with
the convcs in the penitentay between Thursday after
noon ard that Of Friday
on Thnrsday Dr G. was called upon by Assistant sccrc-
tary OF War Ecket who invited him TO visit the cells Of
the doomed convcts Tor the purpose OF administering to
them such spiritual coneoations were needed. Step
ping into the Sccretarys carriage ho at once accom-
panied him thitheE On their arrival Mr.. Eckcrt intro
duccd him to other officers and then TO the convicts
Their first call was upon Payne whose real name
he soon ascertaned 10 be Lewis Thornton Powell,
his middle name beng after the Rev. DR.. Thornton,
Presbyterian clergyman o. Charleston South Caro-
lima. Powell welcomed him, and at once proceeded
relate his early history. His father Baptist
minister The convict had been from infancy brought
up under religious influence Al twelve years OF age he
his father consecrated To- God in baptism,
and became member of the church In direct opposi-
ton the wishes Of his family he entered the rebellion.
For time he endeayored TO rean his religious charac-
ter but became connected with Gilmor This was his
second great step downward That was followed by BIS
getting into hosby's gang, which was far worse His
next companion was Booth
DR. Gillette found Powell to be young man OF cult
vated mind, INGENIOUS, frank candid, and an earnest
supplicant for Divine favor. In conversation no
ercd TO his mother and wept bitterly to his sisters to
the pleasant enjoyed by him In the church,
the sabbath school and the al relies Powell frankly
stated his conviction OF the cnorny Of his crime Tho
he fled from the house OF Secretary Seward and
leapcd INTO the saddle of his horse, hts mind was
quickcned into realizing sense OF tbs horror " tho
dampnbo deed which hc had perperacd and he became
miserable wretcbed--hfc itself b ,caine loathsome.
The Doctor here corrected points Ia the pubish
statement II reported that he wore "a jauny hat
That hat placed upon his head by the advice and
hands of Dr o., when Powclls hands pinioncd
behind him Dr g.. suggested the hat account Of tho
intense heat of the sun Sccondy--ft gaid tho
morning Of his execution that he ate heartily, nc ON
that morning he positively declined taking any food.
and hc equally persistent In refusing siimUahs of
auv kind His last prayer was, AZ suggested by his
friend the Doctor, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit
Tie preacher then visited Harold, and his description
corrcsponded with these already published. Win great
eloquenoe described the ia which Harolds sis
ters were present One of them read to him from her
prayer book and after DR. had offered prayer tho
came sister followed In Invocation 10 the throne o
Divine grace behalf Of her brother which Affected all
present "
His next call was Azcrott He at once commenced
remarks which crminatcd Mrs Surratt but gently
reminded that higher duties dcvulvcd upon hm-a
utcuarai,on 10 meet his God. In this he acqucsc'd
For twenty.nne years, he acknowledged he had been
steepcd IN sin the victim Of base passions, and Of the
wilcs OF artful designing men III wonder was II his
| soul could tc saved. Rev. Mr. Butler the Lutheran
preacher arrived, and attended him most faithfully.
From The latter clergyman learn that ho professed
| have 70 md peace with Heaven
the pecuarit,es of tho Catholic Church prevented
him from offering any assistance TO Mrs Surratt sho
was well attended by the Rev. Fathers Wgot and Walter
DR. g. described the OF the daughters hasty
turn 20 her mothers cellthe anxious inquiries 81 that
mother ia there any hopc" She replied, "hope "
gone.p ooh, Fathers Wigot and Walter prepare my
mother for doalh.u In her agony she fell against tho
speaker la the doorway, and said ''hopo s He'd"
The Doctor stated that these remarks were made strict
" religious point Of view, that being the place for
other