Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1869-04-09
DIR. MUDD AT. HOME.

i O1U1 L ODIANOS ~
DIR. MUDD AT. HOME.
visit of a Newspaper Correspondent
to his Residence in Charles County
Interesting Interview and State
ments.
The New York Herald has a letter
from correspondent. who gives an inter-
esting account of a visit to Charles coun-
Ity, Md. and an alleged interview with
DIR. Mudd. lately released from the Dry
Tortugas. After describing the country
through which he passed as terra ia,cog-
nita quite suitably selected by Booth as
the route of his fight. he relates his ap-
proach to the domicile of Dr. Mudd,
where the aspect of the country became
beautiful, yet secluded, and proceeds:
We knocked for admission at the same
door that Booth did after his six hours
ride-it took us right-and were prompt
lily answered by pale and serious-looking
gentleman. who. in answer to our inquiry
| if be were Dr. Mudd. replied: That's
my name" It was gratifying. after so
long journey. to find the man you sought
directly on hand and apparently prepared
to furnish you with the amplest store of
information regarding his connection with
Booth. &c. Having stated the object Of
our visit-that the Herald felt an inter-
est in learning some particulars of his ex-
perience in the Dry Tortugas. and bis re-
collections of the assassination conspira-
tors-bis face grew extremely serious. and
be answered that of all things he wished
to avoid it was newspaper publicity, sim
ply because nothing was ever printed in
connection with his name that did not
misrepresent him.
"a burned child breads the fire." be
exclaimed, land I have reason to be sus-
picious of every one. It was in this way
Booth came to my house, representing
himself as being on journey from Rich
mond to Washington. and that his horse
fell on him. fracturing his leg and other
wise injuring him. Six months or SO
from now. when my mind is more settled,
and when I understand what changes
have taken place in public opinion regard
ing me. Ishall be prepared to speak freely
and fully on these matters you are anxious
to know about. At present, for the rea-
son stated, I would rather not say any
iiLiug - =----= s-s So s.
Having, however. convinced the Doc.
tor that it was with no motive to misrcp.
resent his statement that we paid him this
visit. and that between Booths case and
ours there was no analogy. he invited us
to pass the evening at bis house and post.
pone our return to Washington till the
morning Left alone for while in the
parlor. an ample. square apartment, with
folding doors separating it from the din
ing-room. we began to feel an Irresistible
inclination to imagine two strangers on
horseback riding up to the door in the
dim gray Of an April morning. the young
er Of the two lifting the other from BIZ
saddle. and both like evil stars crossing
the threshold of an innocent and happy
household to blast its peace forever. DIR
Mudd's return disturbed our reveries.
The Doctor says he is thirty-6ve years
of age; married in 1860; built the house
in which he now lives after his marriage
owned well stocked farm of about thirty
acres. and was in the enjoyment of a pref
ty extensive practice up to the time Of hi
arrest in 1865. The world went well anc
smoothly with him previous to that un
happy event. His house was furnished
with all the comforts of country gentle
mans residence. He had bis horses ant
hounds, and in the sporting season wa
foremost at every fox hunt and at every
manly outdoor sport. He had robus
health and vigorous athletic frame il
those days, but it is very different will
him now. Above the middle height, will
reddish moustache and chin whisker,
high forehead and attenuated nose, hi
appearance indicates man of calm ant
slow reflection. gentle in manner, and O
a very domestic turn. He says be wa
born within few miles of this house, an,
has lived all his life in the country. Hi
whole desire now is to be allowed to spen,
the balance of his days quietly in the bo
! son Of bis family. In bis sunken. lustre
less eye. pallid lips and cold, ashy com
iplexion one can read the words ''Dr
Tortugas" with terrible significance.
! In the prime of his years. looking pre-
maturely old and careworn, there are fes
indeed who could gaze on the wreck am
ravage in the face of this man before then
without feeling sentiment of sympath
and commiseration. 'Ihave come home,
1said the Doctor sorrowfully, "to find no
thing left me but my house and family
No money, no provisions, no crops in th
ground. and no clear way before me wher
to derive the means of support in my pre-
sent enfeebled condition. There was n
\ deception here. In the scanty furnitur
of the house and in the pale, sad counte
nance of the speaker. there was evidenc
enough of poor and altered fortune. !
, was now evening and growing rapid
dark. A big fire blazed on the ampl
hearth. and Mrs. Mudd, an intelligen
and handsome lady. with one of her chil
dren, joined the Doctor and ourselves i
the conversation over the events of tha
memorable April morning after the assas
sination.
did you see Booth, Mrs Mudd ?" W