The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-25
ATzERoTH's CONFESSION.

/
| Atzeroth, 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 to the author by
| Atzeroth himself but short time before his
death
| George Andrew Atzeroth was born in the
| kingdom Of Prussia in 1885, aud came 20 Amer
lea with his parents in 1874 They arrived in
Baltimore, at which place he resided, with hls
| family for about one year, when, with his parents
he moved to Westmoreland county, Virginia.
His father farmed and carried on his business
that of blacksmith, at the Court House. At
| zeroth was placed as an apprentice to the coach
making business at the Court House, where he
learned the painting branch, and remained until
1856, when he went to Washington and worked
for Young, and also for McDermott both we'll
known coachmakers. ln 1857 he joined his
brother in the coachmaking business at Port
Tobacco This continued for four years, when
the frm dissolved. After this he carried on
painting in Port Tobacco, until last fall he met
with John III. Surratt and man named Hur-
loni. Surratt induced him to join in the con-
! spiracy of abducting the President.
Atzeroth's knowledge of men and the country
in the vicinity of Port Tobacco, and, in fact, of
| all the counties bordering on the Potomac, gave
to the conspirators a valuable assistant He was
we'll acquainted with Harold, whom he was not
long in finding out and who was also engaged
In the conspiracy. Surratt went several times
to Port Tobacco, and often sent for Atzeroth to
come to Washington, where he was known to as
| many in Port Tobacco, and was looked upon
| as very weak minded man; in fact, as very
harmless and silly fellow.
Surratt introduced Atzeroth to Booth, who
feasteG him and furnished him with money and
horses, the horses 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 actively engaged was at saloon on
Pennsylvania avenue, called "Getteers" At this
meeting OLaughlin, Arnold, Booth, Surratt,
Harold and Atzeroth were present. The first
! attempt to abduct the President was to be in the
Seventh street road, about the middle of March
| They expected the President to visit camp.
O'Laughlin, Arnold, Payne, Surratt, Booth aud
Atzeroth were present.
Harold left with the buggy, with the carbines
for I. Is. 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 T. B.
by way of Long Old Fields to the Potomac
River, in the vicinity of Nanjemoy Greek, where
they had boat in waiting, with men, to carry
over the party. The boat was capable of carry
ing itteen men, a large fat-bottomed batfeau,
painted lead color, which had been bought for
the purpose by Booth from two men named
Branner and Snoot. This plan failed, the Pres
dent not coming as they desired
Harold went the next morning to Washing
ton, and all things remained quiet for some time
after this. Booth went North, Arnold ard
O'Lauehlin to Baltimore, Payne or Wood left
also for New York A man named Howell was
about this time arrested, which alarmed Surratt,
and he left, with Mrs Schatter, for the North.
This was about the LIST of April t
The next plan to visit the Theatre on the
night the President expected to be there
It was arranged that Surratt and Booth were to
go to the box; Arnold O'Laughlin and Payne
were to act some important part in getting him
out. Harold and Atzeroth 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 for 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 this time was the same as before,
except that they were to cross the Eastern
Branch bridge. This whole affair failed, and
Booth said, sit is all up" and spoke of going to
Richmond and opening theatre, and promised
Atzeroth employment in it in some capacity
| Atzeroth was waiting for Booth to arrange his
going to Richmond, when the affair was renewed
again He had taken a room at the Kirk wood
House. Harold called on him and left his knife,
pistol and coat in the room, and told him Booth
wanted to see him at the Herndon House. to
which place he repaired with Harold.
| This was in the evening, about six o'clock,
and he there met Booth and Payne. Booth
said, "You must kill johnson" Atzeroth de-
INJURED, when Booth replied, "Harold has more
courage; he will do it. Go get your horses
| What will become of you, anyhow" Atzeroth
and Harold went down Ninth street together,
and Atzeroth said, ave must not disturb john