Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-01-20

out occasionally; the horse was livericd
Mt Mr.. Majors. stable. We drove, al
ways but once, in the city and George
town. The once excepted was when we
went across the Eastern Banch bridge,
when we went upwards of five miles,
suppose, and returned.
This was the only time | ever went
over the bridge. How often j. w. |
Booth crossed | can't state, but from his
own words often.
Thus was Michael O'Laughlin's and
my time speht for the most part down
at Rullman's Hotel and New Sinclair
House, on Pennsylvania Avenue and
Louisiana Avenue, with drinking and
amusements, whera other Baltimorcans
beside ourselves congregated, all of
whom knew nothing of our business but
that of selling oil stock. Oil stock was
the blind Tor them, rs we'll as my fami-
ly.
During the latter part of March while
standing on Rullman's porch, between
IL and II o'c.ock p. M, young man,
name unknown, as | cannot remember
names, about five feet five rsix inches
high, thick set, long nose, short chin,
wide CT eeks, small eyes (gray, think,
dark hair, and well dressed, color do
not remember, called Michael O'Laugh-
lin aside. and said j. w. Booth wanted
see us both at CATERS saloon, on the
avenue.
| was then for the first time intro
duced to him, but forgot his name. We
walked up together. Michael O'Laugh-
lin, this unknown, and myself were
ushered into the presence of J. Wilkes
Booth, who introduced me to John Sur
raft, Atzerodt alias Port Tobacco, and
Mosely, making in all seven persons.
J. Wilkes Booth had sent word to
Michael O'Laug lin to bring me up in
good humor, still always in the dark.
Then commenced the plan for selling
perform.
First, / was to rush into the private
box and seize the President, VIII lie At
zerodt, alias Port Tobacco and J. Wilkes
Booth were to handcuff him and lower
him on the stage, whilst Mosley was to
catch him and hold him till one got
down.
Surratt and the unknown were to be
on the other side of the Eastern Bridge
to facilitate the escape. 1t was after
wards changed to Mosely and Booth to
catch him in the box and to lower him
to me on the stage.
O'Laughlin and tie unknown were to
put out the lights, and Surratt and At
zerodt, alias Port Tobacco, to be on the
other side of the Eri lge. | was opposed
to the whole proceeding, and said it
could not be accomplished. If even
(Which was an impossibility) we could
get him out Of the box and over the
br; dye, we would be stopped by the SEN
tinel.
"Shoot the sentinel" said Booth. l
said that would not do for if an alarm
was given there the whole thing was
up, and as for me l wanted the shadow
Of a chance for escape and success"
O'Laughlin wanted to argue the same
way, whereupon j. w. Booth said,
you find fault with everything con-
cerned about it," | said no, that
wanted to have a chance, and that
intended to have it; that he could be
the leader of the party but not my eX-
ecutiOner.
Whereupon Wilkes Booth remarked
in stern, commanding and angry
voice I" DO you know you are liable to
be shot remember your Oath.n | told
him the plan or basis had changed, and
a compact on the part of one broken is
broken by all. If you feel inclined to
shoot me you have no further to go.
shall defend myself. This, if remem-
Der Alright, was on a Friday or Thurs
day night, when l said, Gentlemen,
if this is not accomplished this week, l
| forever withdraw from it,
stayed up til about or O'Clock the
next morning. Friday or Saturday, and
then went to bed. | remained in doors
till II O'clock, when ! arose and went to
get my breakfast. Michael o Laughlin
and myself roomed together. Both rose
at the same time, and were always in a
measure together. Went to bed that
evening about seven and Il half o'clock.
This day when / went to bed so early
| told me that l spoke angrily the night
of the meeting, and said | had be n
drinking. | told him no, l was in my
sober senses and met every word l said =;
| if the act was not accomplished this
week, l should withdraw.
The next day the thing was to be ac-
cOmplished on the Seventh street road,
and failed. On Sunday 1 staid in Wash
ington, on Monday or Tuesday / return
ed to the city of Baltimore and thence
to Harkstown, j. w. Booth, in the
meantime, went to New York and re-
turned to Baltimore during the week,
on Saturday, think.
He said he wished to see me Ola i'm
portant business, and my father sent for
me. [ came from the country and he
wrote the letter which was found in his
trunk The Richmond authorities, as
far as l know, knew nothing of the con-
spiracy.
The letter was written after my return
to the country, after finding he could
not wait to see me in Baltimore. Dur
ing the week l came to the city and
met Mr.. O'Laughlin, who asked me to
go to Washington with him to finally
arrange his affairs. Invent in the morn
ing, Friday, L think, and returned the
same night home, having cut loose for
ever from it.
The next day received letter from
j. w. Wharton, at Fortress Monroe,
piVinp me eDlDIOVmant went tn the