The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-02-11
LANCASTER, OHIO, FEB. II, 1859

VIVA W inC lsOuR DItuSe. MS
was about the middle of March
O'LnDglilin, Samuel Arnold, Payne,
Surratt, Booth, Alzerodt and liar.
old went 70 the Long Bridge with
two carbincs, and were TO wait for
US They did so until midnight,
and returned 10 Washington next
morning. This failed. All was
quiet then for some time. Booth
went 10 New York. Arnold to
Baltimore, O'Laughiin also, and
Payne left for New York. After
this Howell brought a woman
across the Potomac. Howell was
made prisoner, and Surratt took
her North, about week before
the murder. Booth told me that
Surratt was in tho Herndon
House; on the night OF the murder.
the l4ih OF. April. we were not ali
together at the Herndon House.
Booth told me ihnt Surratt was to
help at the box; that he expected
tothers in the boz. Booth went
from the HcrDdon down Ninth
street. The words OF Booth were,
"Isaw Surratt u few moments ago y
All the parties appearc1j 10 be en-
gagged at something, and were not
togethcr. Booth.appointed me and
Harold 10 kill'J ohnson; in going
ldown the street / told Booth
VIC could not do it. Booth said
Harold had more courage and he
would do it. Harold and | were
on Pennsylvania avenue together
/ told him | would not do il, and
should not 20 TO my room for fear
he would disturb MIR. johnson -
He left me 10 20 for Booth. This
was after 8 O'Clock. | went TO the
Oyster Bay, and Harold came in
and said Booth wanted to see me;
he left me here. | promised TO
get my horse and come. was
not at the Kirkwood House utter
two o'clock. | have no recolicc
ton of being there alter that. !
had nothing to say at any OF the
meetings. One Of the attempts
was at the theatre; the gas was TO
be put out, &c. No discussion
was had about failure, and what
to do that case The coil OF
rope at Loyds was to stretch across
the road 10 trip the cavalry. |
know nothing about Spangler's
rope; l believe bin innocent
booth told me an actor was TO be
the best assistant in the theatre TO
turn off the gas. Arnold and
O'Laughlin were TO grab the Presi.
Edent and take him off; and Booth
said, when applied TO Tor money
hc would go 10 New York and get
some, as ho had it there Mrs,
Surratt, Mrs. Slater, Maj Banon
and John Surratt lett Washington
together; got horses at Howard's.-
Mrs. S stopped at Surratlsvlle.--
John Surratt and Mrs. Slater
crossed, and Banon and Mrs. Sur.
ratt came back. Banon was in
tho rebel army. | don't think
Banon knew anything about the
conspiracy. | sold a horse for
Booth, and thought the affair was
about over. The murder was
broachcd first on the 14th, at night
when Harold came for me. | did
hear Booth say Lincoln ought to
be killed. A widow woman was
living near Mr. Stewards, and
Booth said by her influence he
could get entrance 10 Stewards
house, through her influence with
the chambermaid and house ser.
want. The girl at the house was
good looking and knew the widow
narhorn was into it first; he came
J 10 Port Tobacco for me with John
| Surratt during the winter, The
boat was at the head of Goose
creek and moved to Nanjemoy
creek. 1t was Il lead cOIored, fiat
bottom boat, and will cary fifteen
men. This boat was bought Of
James Brawncr, the old man.
Mrs. Slater went with Booth q
good deal. She stopped at the
National Hotel"