The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-17

W
letter from Baltimore, giving some curious
and interesting details, going to show not
only Mrs. Surratt's guiltlessness of any par
ticipation in the plot for the murder OF the
late President Lincoln, but the impossloliity
OF her having had any knowledge OF IL.
The writer also adduces strong argument 10
show that DR.. Mudd, Arnold, O'Laughlin,
Snanrler. and John Fl. Surratt, had no fore
knowledge of the assassination, and that,
Of course, neither of these parties had any
thing whatever to do with it. He argues
and if the statements made prove true it
would seem effectually-that John Wilkes
Booth, the acknowledged head and front
of the conspiracy, only made up his
mind to the rash deed few hours be.
fore it was perpetrated. On the GOOD
Friday during the evening of which
the President was killed Booth rose at
an unusually late hour, and breakfasted
with q young lady guest at the National
Hotel. He then walked leisurely to the
house of Mrs. Surratt, the writer surmises
for the purpose of making inquiry in refer
ence to John H. Surratt, who was then IN
Elmira, New York, and who was warm,
particular friend. Here he met and con-
verscd . short time with Mrs. Surratt, who,
"a Booth left, took her unfortunate ride
with Weichman to Surrattsville for the pur-
nose of collecting certain moneys due her,
whereby she could cancel claims on her
estate held by the executors of the estate OF
the late Charles B. Calvert. Booth, up to
this time, it is assumed, had not deter
mined on the assassination, and this was
the last he saw of Mrs. Surratt on earth.
After leaving the house of Mrs. Surratt the
writer in the World thus describes the
movements of Booth.
Thence he took the easy, careless, grace
full stride which was one of the characterls-
tics of his street appearance, up Pennsyl-
vania avenue, and thence to Ford's Theatre,
to get his letters. At the theatre, Harry
Ford, brother of the proprietor, thought to
have n Joke with Booth, being on the best
Of terms with him, and said:
"John, the President is going to be here
tonight with General Grant. They've got
General Lee here as prisoner, and he's
coming, too. We're going to put him IN the
opposite box" ,,.,
At the same moment Harry Ford handed
Booth a letter enclosed in long envelope,
addressed to him. Booth broke the seal,
rcmarking in n careless sort OF tone, On,
no: thoy haven't got Lee prisoner; they
certainly wouldn't bring him TO Washing
ton"
It was only an hour or two before g mes
seneer had come from the White House to
the theatre to say that the President and
General Grant, with Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs.
Grant, would visit the theatre that evening.
At that hour, when the messenger came
with this announcement, Booth must nave
hccn about getting out Of bed or at break
fast: and rs Booth had already seen Mrs.
Surratt. and as she was then bowling along
in q buggy towards Surrattsville, and AS she
was not to, and did not, return to Washing
ton till nearly or after dusk, the case en-
deavored to he made out against her on the
trial-that she went up to Surrattsvllle on
Booths errand, with foreknowledge of his
purpose to undertake the assassination at
the theatre that evening-collapses in the
frat place. Booth had no possible means
of knowing, nor is it supposed that he
knew, anything about the purpose OF MIR.
Lincoln to attend the evening performance
until he visited the theatre at this time,
and heard the news from Harry Ford's
tongue.
The writer then goes on to give the move
ments of Booth after leaving the theatre.
He first went to the kirEwood House, walk
ing much faster than was his usual custom.
Here, ii is supposed, he met Atzerott, who,
with PavDe and Hcrold. are known to have
been in the previous plot to abduct the IRE
sident and carry him to Richmond. After
his visit to the Kirkvood House Booth was
not seen on foot during the afternoon. 1t
was there the plan was probably arranged
Atzerott was to take the life OF SIce-Presl-
dent johnson: Payne was to slaughter
Secretary Seward and Booth undertook to
attend 10 both the President and General
Grant.
Booths whereabouts between his leaving
the Kirkwood House and his second appear
ance TT Tord's Theatre at night were never
copiectured. One clue alone has been
afforded to them. Payne stated IN prison
before his execution that they met again
that some doubt arose, and that 1t vas not
until 8 o'clock that night the final resolve
WAS made. Herold was appointed to con-
duet Booth along the route beyond wash
iprton, The visit TO DR.. Mudd was made
solely at the suggestion Of Herold, TO have
Booths broken ankle set and tied with
g bits. The doctor's house was a cOnsidera-
BILE distance from the direct line Of escape.
Booth and Herold arrived late at night,
when Booth explained to the doctor that he
was hurt by being thrown from his horse.
lie remained after the doctor had attended
to his ankle 20 have cru;ch made, and
then left. When lie had finished with his
patient, DR.. Mudd quilted the room, and
lid not see Booth near enough to speak with
him again, but observed him at a distance
leaving the place with Herold.
Arnold (now under sentence for life
vas at the time CT the assassination, and
had been for weeks, employed in G suffers
store at Fortress Monroe. There is no trace
of any correspondence and no evidence Of
IN interview between Arnold and Booth
during the month of April. O'Laughlin
(now dead), whom barber, at the trial Of
Surratt, swore Booth had called "Mac,"
was employed in Baltimore, but was in
Washington on business the day Of the as
sassinatiOn. His movements were perfectly
accounted for by some officers Of the navy.
Spangler was at and about the theatre. His
admiration for NIr. Lincoln and his inno-
cence of completely or knowledge in
Booths plan are firmly believed in by
everybody who knew him. He was not
even arrested Tor several days.
TEad Stevens