The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-21
shawn. at the Old Capitol Prison; was

che vas at tho Old Ospitol Prison; was
offered free and unconditional pardon for
herself and son, If she would accompany
an officer and point out the road which
Booth had probably taken. She protested
that she had no idea which road he took,
and had no knowledge Of bis intention TO
assassinate the President, when he visited
her house, and positively refused to FAC
company the officer, as she could not be
of any service. Pc arr r,.-s....yr b. 5a,
Synopsis of AtzerOd.'s Confession-De.
tails Of the Attempted Abduction. b,
BALTIMORE, July 9.-The american has
received special report of the confession
of Atzerodt which was prepared by one
who has known him since his arrest. The
details of the plot to abduct and murder
the President, which are set forth below,
were given the authorities by Atzerodt but
q short time before his death. ~
G. A. Atzerodt was born in Prussia, in
1886; came to this country with his par
ents in 1874, and arrived at Baltimore, in
which place he resided with his family for
one year, when, with bis parents he
moved to Westmoreland County, Va.
His father farmed and carried on his bust
ness, that OF blacksmith, at the Court
House. Atzerodt was placed as an ap-
prentice to the coach making business, at
the Court House, where he learned the
painting branch. he remained there un-
til 1866, when he went to Washington,
and worked for Young, also AcDermott,
well-known coach manufacturers. In 1867,
hejoined his brother in the coach-making
business at Port Tobacco. This continued
four years, when the firm was dissolved.
After this he carried on painting in Port
Tobacco until after the fall, when he met
J. h. Surratt and man named Hurline.
Surratt induced him to join in the conspir-
acy for abdacting the President. ,Atze-
rodts knowledge of the men and country
in the vicinity of Port Tobacco, and in fact
of all the counties bordering on the Poto-
mac, gave the conspirators valuable assist
ance. He was well acquainted with Har-
old, whom he was not long in finding out,
and who was also engaged in the conspir-
acy. Surratt went several times to Port
Tobacco, and afterwards sent to Atzerodt
to come to Washington, where he was
known to many. In Port Tobacco he was
looked upon as very weak minded man,
and regarded as being q harmless, silly fell
low. 10 Surratt introduced Atzerodt to
Booth, who Toasted him and furnished him
with horses, they being held in Surratts
name, who appeared. to be the principal in
the absence Of Booth. % ~ 9'.i d. .a .g
The first meeting of all the conspirators
actually engaged was at . saloon in Penn
sylvAnia avenue called the Gatler. At
this meeting. OLaughlin, Arnold, Booth,
Sarratt, Harold and Atzerodt were pres
emit The first attempt to abduct the
President was to be on the Seventh street
road. This was to be about the middle of
March, when they expected the President
to visit camp. Harold left with buggy
and with carbines, for the plan was 10
seize the coach of the President, and Sur
rstt to jump on the box and make for the
Potomac in the vicinity Of Nargomey
Greek, where loaf was waiting with men
to carry over the party. The boat was
capable Of carrying fifteen men, and was
. large dat-bottomed bateau, painted lead
color, which had been bought for the pur-
pose BY Booth, from two men named
Browner and Sweat. This plan failed, the
President not coming a. they expected.
Harold went the next morning to WASH
ington. All remained quiet some time.
Booth went North, Arnold and OLAugh-
lin to Baltimore, Payne or Ward to New
York. A man named Howell was about
this time arrested. This alarmed SurIatt,
and he left with Mrs. Slater for the North.
This was about the first of April. The
next plan was to visit the theatre on the
night the President was expected there.
It was arranged that Surratt and Booth
were to 60 to the box; Arnold and
O,Laughlin and Payne were to act some
important part in getting him out; Harold
and Atzerodt were to have charge of the
horses, and an actor was to be secured. to
put ont the gas. Booth represented that
the best assistant he had was an actor in
this plan. Buggies and horses were to be
used. Arope, which was prepared, 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 to cross the Eastern Branch
Bridge. This affair failed aud Booth said
it was all up, and spoke of going to Rich
mond and opening theatre, and promised
Atzerodt employment in some capacity.
Atzerodt was waiting for Booth to ar
range bis going to Richmond. When the
affair was renewed again he had taken q
room at the Kirkwood House. Harold
called on him and left pistol and coat at
his room, and told him Booth wished to
see him at the Herndon House, to which
place he repaired, in company with Harold.
This was six in the evening. We there
met Atzerodt. Booth told Atzerodt :
You must kill Johnson" Atzerodt de-
INJURED, when Booth replied: "Harold
has more courage; he will do it. So get
your horses. What win become of you,
anyhow, Atzerodt?" Harold went down
on the 9th. While together, Atzerodt said
to Harold, we must not disturb Mr.. John
son. Harold laughed and wanted the key
of the room. It was refused by Atserodt,
who expressed himself as fearful that harm
might be done Mr.. johnson. Harold left
tn ro In eco Roofh went tn Ovafar