The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-01-28
i'm. We were lcf, entirely in tho

House, on the corDCr of D and Eight
streets. We thus lived for nearly
two months, seeing him perhaps
three or four times during the week
and when seen always but for short
time, having still pressing busiucs,
always on hand, viz; to SEQ John
Surratt. Michael O'Laughliu and
myself drove out occasionally, the
horse livericd at Mr.. Majors stable
We drove always (but once) in tho
city and Georgetown; the once ex-
cepted across the Eastern Branch
Bridge, when we went upward Of five
miles, | suppose, aud returned. This
was the cnly time | ever went over
the bridge How often J. Wilkes
Booth crossed | eau not state, hut.
from his own words, often. Thus
was Michael O'Laughliu's and my
time spent for the most part down
at Ru.lmau's Hotel Cnow Sinclair
llousc), on Pennsylvania avenue and
Louisina avenue, in drinking and
amusoments, with other Baltimoreans
besides, ourselves cougregaling there
all of whom knew nothing of our bu.
siness but that Of selling oil stock
Oil stock was the blind for them as
we'll Os my family. During the lat
tor part Of March, while standing on
Rollmans porch, between ii aud II
O'Clock 2. NJ, young man-uame
unknown, as | can not remember
uamcs-about five feet six inches
high, thick set, long nose, sharp
chin, wide checks, small eyes (gray.
| think, dark hair, and we'll dressed
(color | don't remember), called
Michael O'Laughlin aside, and said
j. Wilkes Booth wished to see us
both at Gotier's saloon, on the ave
nue.. was then for the first intro
duced 20 him, but forget his name.
We walked up together. Michael
O'Laughlin, this unknown and my
self, were ushered into the presence
of j. Wilkes Booth, who introduced
me to Jehn Surratt, Atzerodt, alias
Port Tobacco, Moseby, making
in all seven persons. j.
Booth had sent word to
Michael 0'Laughlin to bring me up
in a good humor, (still always in
the dark. Then commenced the
plan for seizing the President
Each had his part to Perform
First, | was to rush into thoprivate
box and seize the President, while
Atzerodt, alias Port Tobacco, and
J. Wilkes Booth were 20 handcuff
him and lower him on the stage,
while - Moseby was to catch
him and hold him till we got down
Surratt and the unknown were to
be on the other side of the Eastern
Branch bridge to facilitate escape.
1t was afterward changed to Mos
by and Booth to catch him in the
box and to lower him to me on the
stage. O'Laughlin and the un-.
known were to put the lights out,
Surratt and Atzerodt, alias Port To-
1acco, to be on the other side of
.he bridge. l was opposed to the
whole proceeding, and said it could
lot be accomplished. If ever,
which was an impossibility, we
could get him out of the box and to
he bridge, we would be stopped by
he sentinel. "Shoot the sentinel"
'aid Booth. l said that would not
10, for if an alarm was given the
whole thing was up, and, as for me,
[ wanted the shadow of chance
or escape and success. Michael
)'Laughlin argued the same way,
yhereupon j. Wilkes Booth said, |
you find fault with everything
concerned about it," / said not
hat l wanted to have a chance,
md l intended to have it; that he
could be the leader of the party,
)ut not my executioner. Where
lpon j. Wilkes Booth remarked, in
/ stern, commanding and angry
7oice, "Do you know you are liable
% be shot ? remember your OATH"
told him the plan or basis had !
and compact on the part
If one broken is broken by ALL
If you feel inclined to shoot me,
you have no further to go; L shall |
iefend myself. This, if 1 remember
fright, was on Friday, or may be
Thursday night, when l said :
Gentlemen, if this is not accom- |
,lished this week, / forever with
lraw from it. l staid PIP till about
} or 7 o'clock next morning, Fri
lay or Saturday, and then went to
,ed. remained indoors until II,
yhen | arose and l went to get my |
Michael O'Laughlin and |
nyselfroomed together. Went to
,ed that evening about q o'clock. |
his day that ] went to bed so early we |
meet about or thereabOuts; Booth told me | |
poke angrily the night of the meeting said
had been drinking. l told him no. / was 10 |
~ sober senses, and meant. every word / said;
not accomplished this week withdraw. |
'ext day the thing was to be accomplished |
n Seventh street but failed On Sunday |
laid In Washinnton, and on Monday or |
tuesday went to the city of Baltimore and |
hence TO Hookstown, j. Wilkes Booth in the
mean time went to New York, and returned |
0 Baltimore during the week, on Saturday, |
think. lie said he wauted to see me on |
cry urgent business and my father sent
or me. | came from the country, aud he
ad gone to Washington, whereupon wrote
i'm the letter which was found in his trunk
he Richmond authorities, as far as know,
new nothing of the conspiracy. The let
er was written after my return TO the coun- |
nv, after finding he could he could not wait |
, see me in Baltimore. During the week |
came to the city and met Michael o Laugh
N vbn aknd ma 10 oro N .sFttb