The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-05-18
How the Details Of the Conspiracy were
H# Obtained,

A Washington letter gives the following
account of the way in which the details O
the assassination conspiracy came to the
knowledge of Government
1t seems that about three weeks before
the plans were put into execution, one Of
the party revoted at the part of the work
which the leaders had allotted TO him on
the eventual night, and manifested de-
sire to back out He was, however, re.
minded. Of his oath, and every effort was
made to bring him up to his work
But the more he thought of it, the more
he became alarmed at the fearful PROPOSE
ton Of the hellish schemes. After several
days parleying he succeeded in getting the
consent OF his associates to relieve him from
all further connection with them, on the
condition that he should leave the city and
not return i'll sixty days. He left the city
4 and was somewhere within the limits of the
Potomac when the news came there Of the as
assination Of the President. He immediate
Iy repaired to Fortress Monroe and gave
himself up, and was sent to Washington,
arriving there the next morning after the
funeral services Of Mr.. Lincoln at the White
House.
When taken before the authorities he
made full confession of all that be knew
of the plot, as to when and where they met,
and who were concerned in it. 1t is under
stood that the proclamation issued during
that day by Secretary Stanton, offering an
additional reward for Booth, also large re-
wards for Atzerot and Harold, were based
upon the confessions of this prisoner.
At any rate the arrests on that day were
numerous and several residents of Washing
ton were among the number. This opened the
way for future important developments, all
of which will in due time be made public
The number engaged in executing the
plot is much larger than has been generally
supposed. Booth and his accompices in and
around the Theatre, the assassination of
Seward, and Atzerot at the Kirkwood, there
were number engaged in cutting the tele-
graph wires leading from the War Depart
ment, and still another set endeavoring to
divert the attention of the authorities from
the fleeing culprits.
1t appears that at precisely ten minutes
past ten, there were twenty-five wires
leading from the War Office in different d.
rections, and connecting with the fortified
lions and outposts, cut. These wires hav-
ing been cut at considerable distance from
each other, together with the simultaneous
ness of this work shows very plainly that
number OF men were engaged in it; and
it is now believed that there were twenty
two men appointed TO do this work.
The persons engaged III the plot present
a motley crew, from the wild and eccentric
actor down to mere stage carpenter, in
Guiding the Pennsylvania avenue dandy,
blockade runners and men with their heads
silvered over with the SHOWS of many win
tiers, and the rattle-headed youths hardly
out of their teens. .a>s.a. ,s1t
The testimony already obtained is so
straight forward and convincing, that there
is no doubt but at least tweuty-three, per
sons will suffer the penalty of death There
is hardly one chance i'll thousand that
they can escape-the evidence is so dam
ming against them.
1t is SAID some three persons confederates
in the conspiracy, who have been pardoned
by the President and escaped death by his
tender heart and humane feelings.
There is no truth in the report that the
would be assassin of Mr. Seward has tried
to beat his braius out in prison He has
remained silent and morose ever since he
has been in custody, and has not asked q
single question about his arrest or why he
is confined. He is said to be fine formed
and athletic person and takes his confiue
ment in logged silence.
The carpenter who fixed the box in tn,
theatre has also been found. 1t Is said tina
. he took charge OF Booth horse early in til,
vening on the night of the tragedy, and al
the proper time led him into the alley at tin
rear of the theatre, and employed a negr
boy called Peanut john" to bold it nea
the door and close to a box, so that the AMI
NAL could be easily mouuted and then fix
ed the door leading to the rear of the stag
so chat there could be no delay in Booth
exit. This person is said to be the sam
one who built Booths stable in the alley
and also the carpenter employed to do til
work in the theatre, such as putting up ne,
scenery, &c
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