The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1869-01-28
ASSASSINATION OF MIR. LIONCOLN.
The Completely of John Surratt.
CONFESSION OF SAMUEL B. ARNOLD,
MADE APRIL Is, 1865.

N"hb- ANIL AOI AOON'
To Whom, it May Concern:
Know ye that l Samuel B. Arnold,
about the latter part of August or first
part of September, 1864, was sent for by
j. Wilkes Booth, who was guest at Bar
NUNS Hotel, in the city of Baltimore,
Nd, to call to see him | had not seen
the same j. Wilkes Booth since 1852,
when we both were schoolmates at St.
Timothy's Hall, President L. Van Boke-
lin then having said Hall as place of
tuition. His reception Of me was warm.
Calling for wine and cigars, we conversed
short time upon our former schocl-boy
days. We were interrupted by knock
as the doer, when Michael O'Laughlin
was ushered in; After formal intro
duction, We sat slipping our wine, and all
three smoked cigar. During smoking,
he having heard previously of my politi-
cal feelings, or sentiments, he spoke in
glowing terms of the confederacy and the
number of Surplus prisoners in the hands
of the United States Then ensued the
proposition by j. Wilkes Booth, and
which he g. Wilkes Booth) thought
could be accomplished, viz: Of kidnapp
ing President Lincoln, as he frequently
went unguarded out to the Soldiers
Home and he thought he could be pick
ed up, carried to Richmond, and for his
exchange produce the exchange for the
President of all the prisoners in the Fed
eral hands.
He, J. Wilkes Booth, the originator Of
the scheme, asked if we would enter into
it. After painting the chances of success
in such glowing colors, we consented,
viz: Michael O'Laughliu and myself.
We were bound not to divulgc it to liv-
ing soul | saw him once more in Balti-
more, and then he (J. Wilkes BOOTH left
to arrange his business up North, first to
New York, thence to the Oil Regions,
and from there to Boston and finally to
Canada He was to be back in a month
| received letter, which I destroyed,
stating he was laid up with erysipeas in
his arm, aud as soon as he was able he
would be with US Months rolled around,
and he did not make his appearance un-
till some time in January. la his trunk
he had two guns, cap cartridges, which
were placed in the gun stocks-Spencer
rifles | think they we're called-revo!vers,
knives, belts, cartridge boxes, cartridges,
caps, can;eens-all fully fixed for service
which were to be used IN case OF pur
suit, aud two pair handouts to handcuff
the President. His trunk being heavy,
he gave the pistols, knives and handouts
to Michael O'Laughlin and myself, to
have shipped or bring to Washington
He then returned from Washington, to
which place he had gone, bought horse,
harness and buggy wagon, leaving the
| team, &c, with US to drive On TO Wash
ington We started from Baltimore about
/ twelve or one o'clock, after having shipp-
! ed the box containing the knives, hand
cuffs and pistols, arriving in Washington
about seven or half-past seven the same
evening. We met him on the street as
we were passing the thetare. We alight-
ed, took drink, and he told US of the
theatre plan slightly, saying he would
wait till we put the horse away, and tell
US more fully He had previously, as |
now remember, spoken Of the chances at
! the theatre if we could not succeed in
the other plan at the Soldiers Home
! We went to the theatre that night, he
q. Wilkes Booth) telling US about the
different back entrances, and how feasible
the plan was lie had rented stable in
the rear of the theatre, having bought
two horses down the country. One was
in the stable behind the theatre, the 9th
I er at livery. Met him next day went
! together to breakfast with him. He was
always pressed with business with a man
unknown to US then, by the name of John
Surratt; most of his Booths time was
spent with him. We were left entirely
in the dark. ~
Michael OLaughlin and myself rented
a room on d street, No. 420, and obtain
ed meals at the Franklin House, on the
corner of ID and Eighth streets. We thus
lived for nearly two mouths, seeing him
perhaps three or four times during the
week, and, when seen, always but for a
short time, having still pressing business
always on hand, viz to see John Surratt
Michael O'Laughlin any myself drove
out, occasionally, the horse liveried at
Mr.. Majors stable. We drove always
(but once) in the city and Georgetown
the once excepted across the Eastern
Branch Bridge, when we went upward Of
FIVE miles, l suppose, and returned. Tbis
was the only time | ever went over the
bridge. How often j. Wilkes Booth
crossed | cannot state, but, from his own
words, often. Thus was Michael o.
| Lauohlin's and nv time sDept for the
most part-down at Rullman's Hote
(now Sinclair House,, on Pennsylvania
avenue and Louisiana avenue, in drink
ing and amusements, with other Balti
moreaDs besides ourselves congregatins
there, all of whom knew nothing of oul
business but that of selling oil stock
Oil stock was the blind for them as wei
as my family. During the latter part o
March, whilst standing on Rullman':