Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-05-11
Ghuite Mlistsllaug.
Particulars Of the Arrest ofJ. w,
Booth, the Assassin.

From The washington Republican-I
Hitherto the accounts of the capture o
Booth have been made up and published b.
piecemeal. The following corrected state
ment, as given by Lieut.. l.. b. Baker, brothe
of Col. L. G. Baker, and belonging to his
detective force, will therefore be found ex
; ceedingly interesting at this time. 1t is bu
justice TO add that Lieut. Col. Conger
detective officer, also detached for the same
service by COL Baker, corroboratcs in al
particulars the statement of Lieut.. Baker
who is a gentleman of Intelligence, a close
observer, and was with Booth constantly
during his last hours.
The party having arrived in the vicinity
Of CARROTS house, moved cautiously up and
surrounded it. The old man Garrett came
out OF tho kitchen door aud asked, Whats
this?" lie was directed to light candle
and he would be told. He went in to obey
the order Mentime Col. Conger stationed
a small guard near the barn. Lieut.. Baker
went into the house, and the old man soon
Joined him with lighted candle. Baker
caught him by the shoulder, aud holding a
pistol near the old mans head, said, II
want to know where those two men are that
wsre here this afternoon" The old man
said he did not know. Baker said They
are here. and if yeu don't bring them III
blow your brains out" The old man said
the men had gone to the woods in the after.
noon when the cnealry passed (meaDlng
Bakers party) Baker again threatened to
take CARROTS life unless he disclosed.
At this moment Conger returned, aud at
the same instant CARROTS son, who ap.
peared to have been listening outside, entered
the room dressed in Confederate uniform
The son said. Father, we had better tell
them ALL" Conger presented his pistol to
young CARROTS head and threatened to shoot
him if he did not speak the truth. Young
Garrett then offered to conduct the parties
the barn where he said they were concealed.
As they approached the barn they met an
other son of Garrett, also dressed in Cen
federate uniform. The whole cavalry force
had now surrounded the barn, mounted. =
Baker told young Garrett he must go in and
bring out the arms of those men and deliver
them over. He hesitated, but finally said
he would do it. He took the keys and un-
locked the door.
The barn was an old fashioned building,
| 80 by 40 feet, nearly empty, and had in it
some straw, hay and farming utensils. -
Garrett went in, but soon returned, saying
they refused to give up their arms, had
threat ened to shoot him, and he had there
fore come out. He locked the door, and
gave the keys to Baker. Conger, Baker
and Dougherty, then held conference, and
concluded to make Booth and Harold do
one of two thngs-either put their arms in
the hands of Garrett lin whose custody they
were found, and surrender, or they would
fire the barn, and the thing would end in
bonfire and shooting match. Baker was to
make these propositions.
Baker went up and addressed the parties
lin the-b stating what he had concluded
to do, telling them that we had come to take
them prisoners, and would treat them as
prisoners, and would give them five minutes
to consider
A voice from inside (which was afterward
found to be Booth 81 Who are you, and
what do you want OF me?"
Baker" We want you and intend to take
YOU"
Booth" This is a hard case 1t may
be that am to be taken by my friends"
After further conversation he seemed to
be convinced that he was surrounded, and
said: "Give me a chance for my life; am
cripple, with but one leg Withdraw
your men one hundred yards, and l will
corne out and fight YOU"
Baker" We did not come to fight you,
but to take you prisoner. You must give
up your arms and surrender.
Booth asked time to consider, which was
granted.
A low conversation was heard going on
between Booth and his com panion, and they
could distinguish Booths voice saying.
'Go away from me, you damned coward!
Leave me now, will you-you damned COW:
ard"
While this was going on the cavalry were
disnounted, and the horses taken out of the
reach of the contemplated firing.
Booth then called out: Captain, whs
are you? could have picked off halfa
dozen Of your men while we were talking
and could have had half dozen good shots
at you."
Baker-"Then give up your arms and
surrender; wo have come here to take you,
and not to fight you"
Bsoth-"I will never surrender. shall
never be taken alive"
Baker" Ifyou don't Immediately sur
render, We will inmsdiately set fire toths
barn"
Booth" Well, my brave boys, prepare
a streteher for NO."
A short pause ensued, and farther low
toned conversation was had inside of the
barn. h
Booth directly said: "Thsre is man here
that wants to surrender"
Baker" Then let him hand out his arms
and come cut"
Another conversation inside, in which
Harold seemed to be trying to get his arms
from Booth, who was heard to say; go
away from me; don't want anything to do
with You"
Harold then came to the door and asked
to be let out.
Baker went to tho door and told him:
"No; hand oat your arms.
Harrold replied: 81 have no arms"
Baker said. You have; you brought
carbine in the ferry-boat; hand out the
carbins and one pistol, and you can come
out"
Booth" He has no arms; they are all
mine. Upon my word, as gentleman, he
has no arms; they all belong to me.
Baker opened the door a short distance,
and Harold put out both hands. Baker
took hold of them, brought Harold out,
and handed him ever to Dohsrty, and i'm
mediately shut the door and locked it.
Col. Conger then went to the side OF the
barn, drawing small wisp of hay from the
crack, set it on 6Ie and thrust it back, and
Immediately the hay and straw inside caught
and lighted up the barn as light as day.
The first seen of Booth he was standing
| 80. tha n;dAla af tho harm laanin0 On hia