Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-07
DIR. MUDD AT HOME.
Visit of Newspaper Correspondent
to his Residence I'm Charles County
Interesting Interview and State

| The New York Herald has letter
from correspondent, who gives an in.
teresting account of visit to Charles
county, Nd, and an alleged interview
with DR.. Mudd, lately released frem the
Dry Tortugas. After describing the
country through which he passed as O
terra incognita quite suitably selected
by Booth as the route of his fight, he re-
lates his approach to the domicile of Dr.
Mudd, where the aspect of the country
became beautiful, yet secluded, and pro-
cseds:
We knocked for admission at the same
door that Booth did after his six hours
ride-it took us right--and we're promptly
answered by pale and serious-looking
gentleman, who, in answer to our in
quiry if he were DR.. Mudd, replied
THAT is my name" 1t was gratifying
after 80 long journey, to End the man
you sought directly on hand and appa'
rently prepared to furnish you with the
amplest stores of information regarding
his connection with Booth, etc. Having
stated the object of our visit-thst the
Herald felt an interest in learning some
particulars of his experience in the Dry
Tortugas, and his recollections of the as
sassination conspirators-hi face grew
extremely serious, and he answered that
of all things be wished to avoid, it was
newspaper publicity, simply because
nothing was ever printed in connection
with his name that did not misrepresent
him.
"a burned child breads the fire." he
exclaimed, "and have reason to be sus-
picious of every one. 1t was in this way
Booth came to my house, representing
himself as being on journey from Rich
mond to Washington, aud that his horse
fell on him, fracturing his leg and other
wise ipjuring him. Six months or 80
from now, when my mind is more settled,
and when / understand what changes
have taken place in public opinion re-
gardiog me, | shall be prepared to speak
freely an / fully on these matters you are
anxious to know about At present, for
the reason stated, / would rather not say
anything"
Having, however, convinced the Doc.
tor that it was with no motive to misrep-
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 his house and
postpone our return to Washington till
the merning. Left alone for while in
the parlor, an ample, square apartment,
with folding doors separating it from the
dining-room, we began to feel an ire
sistible inclination to imagine two
strangers on horseback riding up to the
door in the dim gray of an April morn
ing, the younger of the two lifting the
other from his saddle, and both like evil
stars crossing the threshold of an inno-
cent and happy household to blast its
peace forever. DR.. Mudd's return dis
turbed our reveries.
The Doctor says be is thirty-five years
of age; married in 1860; built the house
in which be now lives after his marriage
owned we'll stocked farm of about thirty
acres, and was in the enjoyment of
pretty extensive prsctice up TO the time
of his arrest in 1865. The world went
we'll and smoothly with him previous to
that unhappy event. His house was furn-
| ished with all the comforts of country
rentleman's residence. he had his
horses and hounds, and in the sporting
season was foremost at every fox hunt
and at every manly outdoor sport. He
had robust health, and a vigorous,
athletic frame in those days, but it is
very different with him now. Above the
middle height, with q redish mustache
and chin whisker, g high forehead, and
attenuated nose, his appearance indi'
Gates q man of calm and slow reflection,
gentle in manner, and of . very domes-
| tic turn. He says be was born within a
few miles of this house, and has lived all
his life in the country. His whole desire
now is to be allowed TO spend the balance
of his days quietly in the bosom Of his
family. In his sunken, lustreless eye,
pallid lips and cold, sshy complexion,
one can read the words DRY Tortu-
gas" with terrible significance.
In the prime Of his years, looking
prematurely old and carsworn, there are
few indeed who could gaze on the wreck
and ravage in the face of this man
before them without feeling a sentiment
of sympathy and commiserstion. /
have come home" said the Doctor sor-
rowfully, ITO find nothing left me but
nv house and family. No money, no
provisions, no crops in the ground, and
no clear way before me where to derive
the means Of support in my present en-
feebled condition" There was no de-
ception here In the scanty furniture Of
the house and in the pale, sad eounte-
nance Of the speaker, there was evidence
enough of poor and altered fortune. II
was now evening and growing rapidly
dark. A big ere blazed on the ample
hearth, and Mrs. Mudd, an intelligent
and handsome lady, with one Of her chill
drsn, Joined the Doctor and ourselves in
the conversation over the events Of that
memorable April morning after the as
sassinatiou.
"Did you see Booth, Mrs. Mudd 2 We
inquired, With a feeling Of intense inter
est to hear her reply.
"Yes," she replied, "I ssw himself
and Harold after they entered this par