The Van Buren press., 1867-06-14
From The ". o. Picayane, l6M.
of Is J. Wilkes Booth Alive'


GALVESTON, TEXAS, May 10, 1861
Notwithstanding two years have elapsed
since the assassination Of President Lincoln,
and the subsequent capture and death (as
it was officially announced Of the assassin,
j. Wilkes Booth, you are doubtless aware
of the fact that many persons who, during
al! this time, have doubted, and still doubt,
the identity Of the party alleged to be
Booth; and believe the identical, bona .fde
John Wilkes Booth to be in existence still,
Since my arrival here have met and
gained the following information from Cap
tain j. r. johnson, who has recently re-
turned from China and the East Indies, ana
whose name is well known to many of the
citizens of New Orleans. Knowing him,
as i have, for number Of years, and al
ways having found him man of veracity,
l can youch for the truthfulness of his state
ment, the substance Of which is as follows:
While lying at anchorin the port of Cal
cutta, British India, prior to starting on
our ihomeward voyage. in the latter part Of
December, 1866, my attention was attract
cd by the arrival Of magnificent clipper
ship--the most beautiful model / ever saw
carrying English colors, and which
dropped her anchor only few rods from
my vessel. | soon ascertained she was
called the /" Bird of the Ocean, and was
commanded by the notorious Lieutenant w.
Martin TolbeIt. Having been well ac-
quainted with him during the war, dis
patched messenger 10 apprise him of my
close proximity, and requested an interview
In reply, he invited me to "come on board
at onee,p'which | did. After half an hour
spent in social intercourse over bottle of
wine, in her elegantly ftted-up cabin, he
very politely begged to be excused. stating
he had business in the city which demanded
his immediate attention, promising me he
would visit my ship the same evening.
The evening wore along, and had given
him up coming for the night, and was
making preparations to turn into my ham
mock, when the plssh of oars greeted my
ears, and in few moments more the cap
tain stepped upon my deck, accompanied
by another young gentleman, whom re-
cognized as Mr.. Robert Troth formerly an
engineer ip the Confederate navy.) The
first remark Tolbert made was this -
"Wake up, johnson, you are boarded by
pirates" From my knowledge of the man,
l knew he was in for nights sport, and
decided to let him have his full swing
After reaching the cabin, assuming con-
fdential manner, said he Captain John
son, you and l have always been friends,
and / have come on board your ship tc
have "good time with you. | have jus,
won a bet OF FIVE hundred pounds, in Cal
cutta, from one Of my Boston friends
When was here, just six months ago
lacking two days, / had a wager of fiv,
hundred pounds sterling that Wilkes Bootl
was alive, which was accepted and tn,
money staked. The conditions were tina
Twas to furnish the proof Of the fact in
side Of six months. Two men were Sc
lected by my adversary to accompany me
their expenses to be paid by the loser.
We have just got back to-day-anC
those two men, after being duly sworn
said "they had seen John Wilkes Booth
the actor had conversed- with him and
that he is alive and enjoying excellent
health The judges, after debating tn,
question at length, finally rendered de
cision IN my favor, and the money wa
handed over forthwith. Booths where
abouts is known to five persons only. VIII,
know that he is Booth. He is living il
obscurity, for from his native land, and il
perfectly safe, as his disguise is so com
plete that his own brother would not re
cognize him." l sailed from Calcutta OF
the following day, and have not heard from
the dashing young exlieutenant since
What he told me made deep impression
ON my mind. ! Ipondered over the matte
on my return voyage, and must say that
firmly believe Booth is alive, and Captain
w. NJ. Tolbert knows where he is
The above are almost psr6ottn his owl
words, and comment is unnecessary b,
me. Respectfully, &c., your obedient sv't
~r.alsVe ANDREW nj. WILSON.