Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-17
THE ASSASSINATION PLOT,
ASTOUNDING DEVELOPMENTS.

ASTOUNDING DEVELOPMENT.
Further developments serve to confirm the
statement published in the Star Extra yester-
day that the plot to assasslnate the Presiden,
and Cabinet was planned long ago, and that
the conspirators were only waiting for ia.
vorable opportunity to carry out their designs
That the "Knights Of the Golden Circle" were
the originators OF the conspiracy there is no
doubt, and it is also assured that the 4th O,
March was fixed for the commission Of the
deed. The assassination of Mr.. Lincoln
throws light upon much which had seemed
strange in the conduct OF Booth during the past
winter. and there is good reason to believe that
in numbering Mr.. Lincoln he was complying
with an obligation of the order OF which he
was member, and which obligation had fallen
to him by lot.
During the last two months he had seemed
70 be completely absorbed in some project
which none Of his friends could fanthom. In
the midst OF associates he would frequently
remain SILENT or Il conversing, would talk in
pointless way, as if thinking Of some great
trouble. On the 4th of March his conduct was
particularly noticed as being unusual During
the morning his nervous actions attracted con.
siderable attention among his acquaintance,
from among whom he suddenly disappeared
ana was not seen again until q friend found
MIN standing on the embankment at the north
wing OF the Capitol near which spot the Pres.
ident would necessarily pass. Booth was
dressed In SLOUGH suit, with his pants tucked
into the tops Of his boots, and an old felt hat
drawn over his face. His friend hailed him
two or three times, receiving no reply, and
finally went up where Booth was standing
when the latter for the first time manifested
bis recognition of the gentleman, his manner
conveying an impression that he did not wish
to be recognized.
As the President passed, he turned away
with his friend, as if disappointed by the
absence OF some one, and preserved through.
out the day moody silence.
On Friday last he was about the National,
~ usual, and strolled up and down the Ay.
enue several times. During one Of the strolls
he stopped at the Kirkwood House and sent in
to Vice President johnson card, upon which
was written,
81 do not wish to disturb you. Are Won in q,
81. WILKES BOOTH"
gentleman OF Booth Is acquain lance, at this
time met him In front OF the Kirkwood House,
and in the conversation which followed, made
some allusion to Booths business, and in q
testing way, asked "what made him so gloomy!
Had be lost another thousand in Oil ~ Booth
replied that he had lost considerably by thu
freshet, that he had been hard at work that
day, and was about to leave Washington.
never to return. just then a boy came out and
said to Booth, eyes, he is in his ROOM" upon
which, the gentleman walked on, supposing
Booth would enter the hotel.
came Down from his room at the National
and was spoken TO by several concerning his
paieness. which he said proceeded from in.
disposition. Just before leaving he asked the
clerk If he was not going to Ford's Theater,
and added, "Rhere will be some ucry fms acting
there Tonight" The doorkeeper at the the.
ater noticed Booth as he passed in, and
shortly after the latter entered the restaurant
next the theater and In a hurried manner
called for "Brandy, brandy, brandym rap.
ping at the same time ON the bar.
Judge Cartier and q Mr.. Ferguson saw
Booth lettering about the entrance to the Pres.
tdents box, and just previous to the fatal shot
lost sight Of him.
As before stated In the Star, the State box oc.
cupied BY the President was formed By re-.
moving the partition between two Of the upper
boxes, thereby leaving two doors opening into
tho double box thus formed, one Of which was
locked. In rear Of the box, and between the
wall OF the theater, was q narrow passage
with door at the entrance leading from the
dress circle. During the day Booth had eyi.
IDENTITY visited the box, as is shown nv tbe
preparations made for the assassination. Re-.
hind the door Of the passage q hole had been
made In the wall, in which at night Booth in
serted the end OF board as q brace asainst
the door, thereby presluding any ono from fol.
lowing him from the dress circle. The screws
were next removed from the lock Of the farther
door opening into the double box, the thread OF
the screw holes broken and the lock and screws
replaced SO that should the inmates Of the box
iasten the door by which they entered the other
door might be easily pushed open.
Judge Olin and others, on visit to tho tha.,a,
satisfied themselves by actual exper,msnt that
the door ostensibly locked could TINS ha rrsnoa
In with the greatest ease. The apertnra ~ ,na
panel OF the door, which was thought 70 ~
been . bullet hole, and thus formed a con,..
dictory feature In the chain Of evidence .,
now appears was made with knife, ana wa.
designed 10 enable the assassin to survey tia
position Of the occupants of the box pre- yious
TO entering himself. The large arm chair al.
ways used by the President at the theater, had
been removed from its usual position, enaslin .
ihs murderer to carry out bis design more
readily as he passed through the box. A peck.
CT knife, the one probably with which the hole
was cut in the door, was found lying on the
cushion Of the balustrade when Mr.. Lincoln .
party entered the box.
Much OF this work Of preparation must ha ve
teen done previously by the assassin, or some
confederate knowing the premises, and was
probably dore during some portion Of the day
when the theater, or that portion OF 1t, is unoc-
cupted. 1t would appear, too, from the ease
with which the somewhat dificui Jump and
rebound was made-a leap FORWARD and OBJ.