The Van Buren press., 1869-02-16

ing. Ithen went out G street toward the
Baltimore depot; went between the old
and new capitol, came on the avenue
again, and concluded to come back. /
rode down the avenue and the cavalry
we're dashing by me. This was the first
heard of the murder. l then went up
Eighth street, Left the horse at the stables
opposite the Franklin Bouee, and heard
little boy talking about the murder.
This was about II o'clock. and | met two
young men named Briscoe and Spates,
with whom had some talk After walk.
ing some distance / took ear to the
corner Of Sixth street and Pennsylvania
avenue. Here met a man iuquiring for
. place to sleep at. Itook him round to
the Rinnei House, ard We retired to one
room with ak beds in 1t. I LEFT early
next morning and passed through George.
town on my way TO Montgomery county.
No one left the hotel with me ] saw
Mike O'Laughlin about week before
the President was killed I never wanted
OLaughlin and Arnold's aid: met
IO'Laughlin once or twice at Suthard's.
and few times in the street. When we
were at Murrsy's. on the night Of the
murder, Harold he had letter from
printer to Andy johnson. He said he
was going to give it to him, and he wanted
me TO give him the key Of my room,
which refused to do,
Previous to the arrangement for the
murder Booth heard the President Was to
visit a camp. The coach was to be taken
out Seventh street. Surratt was 10 jump
on the box rs he was the best driver, and
drive through Old Fields to the Long
Bridge This was about the middle Of
March. OLaugh,int Samuel Arnold,
Payne. Surratt, Booth, Atserodt and
Harold went to the Long Bridge with two
carbines, aud were to wait for US. Tnsy
did SO until midnight and returned to
Washington next morning. This failed
All was quiet then for some time. Booth
vent TO New York, Arnold to Baltimore
y Laughl,n also. and Payne left for New
York. After this Howell brought wo.
man across the Potomac. Howell was
made prisoner, and Surratt took her
North, about week before the murder
Booth told me that Surratt was 1t tht
Herndon House on the night Of the muir
der, the l4th Of April, we were not al
together at the Herpdop House. Booth
told me Surrast was to help at the box
that he expected others in the box Both
Invent from the Herudon House, dowr
Ninth street. The words of Booth were
~ saw Surratt few moments egg All
the parties appeared to be engaged 81
something on that night, and were moi
together Booth appointed me and Ha.
rold to kill John son IN going dows che
street told Booth we could not do Il
Booth said Harold had more courage ant
he would do it. Harold and were o,
Pennsylvania avenue together. / tolt
him I would not do Il, and should not ~
to my room for fear he would disturb
MI. johnson. He left me to 20 for Booth
This was after nine o'clock went to
the Oyster Bay, and Harold came in and
said that Booth wanted to see me- Harold
left me here. promised to get ny horse
and come. l was not at the Kirkwood
House after two o'clock / have no re,
collection OF being there after that. had
nothing to say at any of the meetings
One Of the attempts was at the theater
the gas was to be put out. etc. No dis
cussion was had about failure, and wha
to do in that case. The coil of rope a
Lloyd's was to stretch across the road
to trip the cavalry. know nothing about
Spangler's rope; believe him innocent
Booth told me an actor was to be the bes
assistant in the theater to turn of the gas
Arnold and OLaughlin were to grab ths
President and take him of, and Bootl
said, when applied to for money, hi
would 60 to New York and get some, q.
he had it there, Mrs Surratt, Mrs Slater
Major Banon, and John Surratt lef
Washington together; got horses a
Towards. Mrs. Surratt stopped at Sur
rattsville, John Surratt and MIRA. Slater
crosssd, and Banon and Mrs. Surratt came
bach. Banon was in the rebel army.
don't think Banon knew anything about
the conspiracy. sold horse for Booth
and thought the affair was about over
The murder was preached first on Tho
l4th, at night, vixen Harold came for me
lid hear Rooth say Lincoln ought K
hs kiIled