The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-02-24
[Erom the Baltimore Gazette, l7th nstan:.1

For some time past efforts have been
made by the friends of the late John
Wilkes Booth, who was killed by Ser
geant Corbett short distance South
of the Rappahannock some ten days
after tho Assassination of Abraham
Lincoln, to obtain his remains for
burial. His remains woro removed
to Washington, and by order of the
authorities inferred in the Arsenal
grounds. For long time all knowl-
edge of the place of tho deposit of
his romans was kept from tho public,
and it was not known until they were
cxhumed and reinterrcd, with those
Of Mrs. Snrratt end others who wore
executed by order Of military com
mission for alleged completely in the
assassination Of the President. From
that time Mr.. Booths friends have
not ceased i'll their efforts to obtain
the body that it might have Christian
burial and Il resting place by the side
Of his father (lhe late Junius Brutpa
Bouth,) in Baltimore cemetery. His
brother, Mr.. Edwin Booth, has also
used every exertion to accomplish the
desire of the family, and last week lie
sent by Mr.. John II. Weaver, the
undertaken on Fayette-strcct, in this
city, a letter to President johnson
again pressing his request. On Friday
MIR. Weaver went to Washington and
delivered the letter TO tho President,
and ut the same timc expressed de-
sire to be permitted to at once obtain
possession of tho remains. After
reading the letter from Mr.. Edwin
Booth the President remarked that
1T was a serious matter and one that
he would have to take into considera-
tion, promising, however, to give him
final answer on Monday.
On Monday morning Mr.. Weaver
returned to Washington aud called on
the President, who then gave him an
order for the body. TO guard against
any delay, Mr.. Weaver took the order
of the President to the War Depart
mcnt, where it was countersigned by
tho Assistant Adjutant General. Thus
armed with authority, he proceeded
to the Arsenal. The following is a
| WY VI lnC VI uGT
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1869.
To Brfgadier General Ramsey, Com.
mandimg at arsenal:
The President directs that you give
over the body of John Wilkes Booth
to the bearer, Mr.. John H. Weaver,
Sexton of Christ Church, Baltimore,
to be by him taken in charge for pro-
per reintermcnt. Please report tho
execution of this order.
(Signed) e. ID. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant. General.
The order was issued at 8 o'clock in
the afternoon, aud at 4 O'Clock Mr..
Weaver, accompanied by NIessrs,
Mari Il Harvey, undortakers, of
Washington, drove into the Arsenal
grounds. The order was delivered to
Captain Phiprs, the oflieer of the
day, who after a short delay directed
the order to be executed. Mr.. Wea-
yer then proceeded to the warehouse,
the iron doors of which were opened,
and he was led to side room, under
the floor of which the remains of
John Wilkes Booth had been laid. In
the centre of the room the ordinary
ilagstone flooring had been taken up,
and had not been replaced since the
disinterment of tho remains of Mrs.
Surratt and of Hcrold week be
fore. All the bodies had boon laid
in trench fifteen feet long and five
feet deep. Capt. Phipps gave in
formation Of the position of the re-
mains, which lay at the farther end.
A file of soldiers was then ordered to
the work, and in three-quarters of an
hour they had the box which contain
ed the last of John Wilkes Booth, so
that it could be raised by the aid of
hooks inserted under the ends. The
box was found in good state of pre-
servation.
Soon after the box was placed in
another box, and started for the depot
to be brought to Baltimore. The
body was dressed in dark blue over
coat, vest and pantaloons; such as
were supposed to have been worn by
him at the time he received his death
wound. On his right foot was boot,
and on the loft, the one injured by
his jump from the box of the theatre
to the stage at the time of the assassi-
nation, was shoe or brogan. The
body when exposed to view showed
that the flesh was entirely gone. The
teeth, WHICH we're very perfect, were
completely preserved, and a quantity
of long, curly black hair still remain
ed. The entire body was wrapped in
heavy dark blankets, which were also
we'll preserved. In his vest pocket
were found two buttons and pistol
cartridge. These we're the only arti-
cles found on'his person. AS soon as
tho box containing the remains were
placed in the wagon, it was driven to
the depot, without having excited any
attention, rs the whole proceeding
was perfectly quiet.
Mr.. Weaver reached this city after
night, and as the whole people were
ignorant of what was going on, the
n.