The Portland daily press., 1869-01-20
The AssasskuatiOM Conspiracy.
THE CnNEESsIaN 0E ARNAIn

Tuesday. That of Arnold was made volunta-
rily, only four days after the assassination -
AtHerodt wrote his confes sion in his cell on
the night before he was executed. We copy
from the Boston Traveller the main points of
Arnold's statement. He says -t
Know that l. Samuel B. Arnold. ah~.v the
,attar mart of Angus. or the first part of Sep
tember, 1854, was sent for by J. Wilkes RH.,h,
who was guest at Ba II gan to see him i'm 'n
city OF ba a... same j. W. Booth since 1852,
na l1l. I'VE both were schoolmates at ST. limo
tGy's Hall, President L. Van Bokeip then
having said hall as place of tuition. His re-
ception OF me was warm; he; called for wine
and cigars. We conversed short time upon
our former school boy days. We were inter.
rupted by a knock at the door when Michael
O'Laughlin was ushered in. After formal
introduction we sat slipping our wine, and all
three smoked cigar. During the smoking,
behaving heard previously of my political
feelings or sentiments-spoke in glowing
| terms of tbs coutederacy and the number Q,
surplus prisoners in the hands of the UnIte4
States. Then ensued the proposition gy q.
| Wilkes Booth and which he I J. WnEes
Booth) thought could be accopPiisnea-EeH ,
| of kidnapping President Lincoln, as he ire,
quenty went Hs ou,d % b se nn
carried to Richmond f ana a. aGp my excns ma
tphe ,ssisoners in the federal hands. He (J.
r
| asked if we would enter into it. After paint
| ing the chances of success in such glowing
| eolors we coDsented-viz., Michael OIaugh-
| lin and myself We were bound not to divulge
more, and then he (J. Wilkes Booth) left to
| arrange his business up North-fi:st to New
York, thence to the ell regions, and from there
to Boston, and finally to Canada.
Arnold then remarks upon the delay which
ensued, and the return of Booth in January
with quantity of firearms, ammunition, and
handouts designed for the President. These
were sent ahead of the party to Washington
from Baltimore, Booth going by the railroad
and Arnold and OLaughlin by wagon. The
narration continues: . 81. -...........
We met him on the street as we were pass
ing the theatre. We allghted, took a drink
and he told us of the theatre plan, slightly,
saying he would wait till we put the horse
away and then tell us more fully. He had
previously, as now remember, spoken of the
chances at the theatre if we could not sue
coed in the other plan of the Soldiers Home.
We went to the theatre that might, he 81. W.
b. } telling us about the different back en-
frances, and how feasible the plan was. He
had re nted a stable in the rear of the theatre
the other at livery Met him the next day,
when we went together to visit him. He was
always pressed with business with man (un-
known, to us then) by the name of John Sur
raft. Most of his (Booth's) time was spent
with him.. We We're entirely in the dark. Mr..
o'Laughiini ami myself rented a room n on D.
street, No. 420, and obtained meals at the
Franklin House, on the corn er of d and 9Th
streets. We thus lived for nearly two months,
seeing him perhaps three or four times during
the week, and when seen always but tor a
| short time,-having still pressing business al
ways on hand, viz, to see John Surratt.
He then relates now OLaughlin and him
self passed their time, and remarks that they
used the story about oil stock as a blind for
their companions and families.
During the latter part of March while stand
ing on Rullman's porch between II and II
o'clock P. NJ, young man, name unknown, as
L cannot remember names, about five feet five
or six inches high, thick set, long nose, short
chin, wide cheeks small eyes (gray, 1 think, J
dark hair, and well dressed, color don't re"
member, called Michael O'Laughln aside, and
said j. w. Booth wished to see US both at Ga
tiers store on the avenue 1 was then for the
first time introduced to him, but forgot his
name. We walked up together Michael
O'Laughlin, this unknown and myself were
ushered into the presence of j. Wilkes Booth,
who introduced me to John Surratt, Atzerodt
alias Port Tobacco alias Mosely, making in all
seven persons. Sd Sd trT Frel .40
[ J. Wilkes Booth had sent word to Michael
O,Laughlin to bring me up in good humor
still always in the dark. Then commenced
the plan for Selling the President. Each had
his part to perform. First, / was to rush into
the private box and seize the President whilst
Atzerodt alias Port Tobacco and j. Wilkes
Booth were to hand-cuf him and lower him
on the stage whilst Mosely 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 Branch bridge, to facilitate the
escape. 1t was afterwards changed to
Mosely aud Booth to catch him in the
box and to lower him to me on the stage.
O'Langhlin and the unknown were to put out
the lights, and Surratt and Atzerodt alias
Port Tobacco to be on the other side of the
bridge. was opposed to the whole proceed
ing, and said it could not be accomplished
Ii even (Which was an impossibility) we could.
get him cut of the box and over the
bridge, we would be stopped byethe senti-
NEIL "Shoot the sentinel" said Booth
| said that would not do, for if an alarm
was given there the whole thing was up, and
as for me wanted the shadow OF chance for
escape and success" O'Laughtin wasted to
argue the same way, whereupon j. w. Booth
said, "ycn find fault with everything CONCERN
ed about t."s said no, that wanted to have
chance, and intended to have it, that he
could be the leader of the party but not my
executioner. Whereupon Wilkes Booth re-
voice Do y ytefk a62WPYoanRdlag and angry
shot; RENE ber yonr oath" 1 tod him the
plan or bass had changed and compact on
the part ofrone broken is broken by all. II
you feel inclined to shoot me you have no fur
ther to go. l shall defend myself. This, if
remember Alright. was on q Friday or Thurs
day night when 1 said, Gentlemen, if this is
not accomplished this week forever withdraw
from it, -.... .... IT,. ..
This, according to Arnold's story, was the end
of his connection with tie plot. There were
some attempts to carry out the plan, but they
failed, and he remarks that he ''cut loose torev-
CIR FROM the plot, after which. Il" the next |
day" / received a letter from j. w. Wharton, |
at Fortress Monroe, giving me employment;
went to the country, got my clothing. and on
Saturday the first of April. left Baltimore for
Fortress Monroe, at which place have re-
never corresponding with Booth or
seeing him from the above named date to the
present writing. The ground work was to kid
nap the President without violence. He never,
to me, said that he would kill him. Farther
than this know nothing, and am innocent of
having taken any part in the dark deed COM
mtted. . it b G.Sa.5. 3D.
The plan of escape was 30 place Mr.. Lin
coin in the buggy purchased for that purpose
and cross the Eastern branch Bridge. Surratt
and Atzerodt alias Port Tobacco were to fol-
low them to where he had a boat concealed,
turu the horse loose, place the prisoner in the
boat and cross the Potomac to the Virginia
shore, and thence to make our way to Rich
mond. Slratt knew the route and was to act
as pilot. '-
A box painted black, like unto sword box,
was sent by Booth from the hotel by the por
ter there to our room. The next day it was
transferred in wagon and O'Laughin acted
as pilot to some place. / was not present At
ter giving the box to fine driver, we went to
Georgetown, and OLaughlln had the full
charge of it. M. O'LOughin said he took it to
Mr.. Heard's, aud from thence the unknown
carried it home. Took the guns out and carried
them to Pede's. This latter clause Booth told
me. L'' .-'-" '. 100
n a