The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-05-25
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THE BOOTH DIARY


True Copy OF the Diary Taken from
rra the Body OF the ASS assin. -, a
Judge advocate General Holt certifesthat
the following Is copy Of the writing in pen
Gil. found on the body OF Booths ~ 80 =
4. EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY.
''TEANo, April l314-Friday, the SIDES
Until to-day, netAiug was ever Thought Of
sacrificing to our country's wrongs. For six
months We had worked to capture, but our
caase being almost lost, something decisive
and great must be done; but its failure was
owing 10 others who did not strike for their
country with heart. | struck boldly, and
not rs the papers say. | walked with Iold
step through thousand Of his friends, and
only stopped once, A Colonel was at his
side. | shouted sic senaper before fired In
jumping broke myleg. Ipassed his pickets,
rode sixty miles that night, with the bone of
my leg tearing the flesh at every jump. Lean
never repent it, though we hated to kill Our
country owed all her troubles 10 him, and
God simply made me the instrument for his
punishment. The country is not in April,
1865, what il was. This forced Union is not
what have loved. care not what becomes
Of me. have no desire to ontlive nv coun.
try. This night, before the deed, | wrote a
long article and left it for one OF the editors
OF the National Latel6gencer, in which fully
set forth the nature OF our proceedings.
FRiDAY, 2lst.-After being hunted ike a
dog through swamps and woods, and last
night being chased by gunboat till was
forced TO return wet and starving, with every
mans hand against me, am here in despair,
and why for doing what Brutus was honor
ed for, and what made Tell XIII tyrant,
Yet ! for striking down greater tyrant than
they ever knew, am looked upon as COM
mon cut throat. Ny act was purer than
theirs. One hoped to be great, the other had
not only his couutrys, but his own wrongs to
ayenge, | hoped for no gain. ] struck for
my country and that at once-a country that
groaned beneath this tyranny and prayed for
this end, and yet now behold the cold hand
they now extend to me. God cannot pardon
me If have done wrong, yet | cannot see
my wrong except in serving degenerate
people. The little, the very little, left be-
hind 10 clear my name, the Government viii
not allow to be printed So ends all for my
country. ! have given up all that makes life
sweet and holy, brought misery upon my
family, and am sure there is no pardon in
heaven for me since man condemns me so.
] have only heard what has beendone except
what did myself. and it ILLS me with sor-
row. God try and forgive me and bless my
mother. Tonight | will once more try the
river. though have greater desire and al
most mind to return to Washington, and.
IN measure, clear my name, as think can
do. do not repent the blow. think |
have done WELL though am abandoned, with
the curse Of Cain upon my brow, when, If the
world knew my heart, that one blow would
have made me great, though did desire no
greatness Tonight ! try TO escape these
blood. hounds once more. Who can read his
fate God Will be done. | have too
great heart to die like criminal May
be spare me that and let me die bravely
| bless the entire world; have never hated or
wronged any one. This last was not a wrong
unless God judges it so, and it is with Him
to damn or save me. Hard for this brave boy
with me, who often prays-yes; before aud
since this-with true heart. Was II crime
IN him? If SO, why can be pray? | do not
wish to shed a drop Of blood, bat must fight
the course, It's all that's left. .
Upon piece Of paper found in the diary,
and supposed TO have been torn from il, was
written the following:
Dea--; piece torn OUT. Forgive me,
but have some little pride. cannot blame
you for want of hospitality. You know your
own affairs. | was sick, tired, with broken
limb, and in need Of medical assistance,
would not have turned dog away from my
door in such plight. However, you were
kind enough to give Us something to eat, Tor
which not only thank you; not for the re-
buke and manner in which to-(piece torn
OUT. Ii is not the substance but the way in
which kindness is extended that makes one
happy in the acceptance thereof. The sauce
to meat 10 ceremony. Meeting were bare
without it. Be kind enough 10 accept the en-
closed FIVE dollars, although hard to spare,
for what we have had
Judge Holt says;
The diary purports to be one for 1864, and
the leaves cut or torn from it probably con
tanned entries of that year, and we're thus de-
stroyed by Booth himself. 1t is absolutely
certain that the diary is in all respects as 1t
was when il came into my hands; and Col.
Conger, who was prominent in the pursuit
and capture of Booth, after having carefully
examined it in my presence, on yesterday,
declared its condition TO be precisely the same
as when be took it from Booths body, when
he was shot, the writing being the same, and
all in which il then contained.
Conger was examined before the Judiciary
Committee of the House to-day.
tSigned1 ]. Hour,
Judge Advocate General.