The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-24
FIRST EDITION
~ P A ~ q H e R
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
The Pardoned Conspirator
Makes Statement His
knowledge of the
Terrible Crime.

together TO assassinate President Lincoln. For his
participation in that plot he was sentenced TO the
Dry TortugaS, in company with the notorious DIR.
Mudd just before his administration had closed,
President johnson pardoned these two individuals,
and among people of prof. Rebel tendencies they have
both, since their return, been extensively lionzed.
Spanger, It will be remembered was o scene-shifter
at Fords Theatre, and was on the stage when Booth
shot President Lincoln and jumped from the box TO
the stage. He has Just written the following
statement, and, one would naturally expect, as
serts his entire innocence, denounces the finding OF
the cOurtmartia in unmeasured terms, declares
against the justice Of his sentence, impeaches the
integrity of those who testified against him, and
dwels at length on the "horrors" to which he was
subjected while on the Dry TOrtugas, in the face of
many impartial accounts published since his ncar-
ceration, all agreeing that there was no special
hardships inflicted upon him. This is his statement,
Ueybdttnt ct Reratin, found in the New York World
this morning.
have deemed it due truth to prepare for publi-
cation the following statement-at time when l
hearing my arrest, trial, and Imprisonment for
alleged completely in the plot to assassnate the late
solemnly assert now, as always have since 1 was
arraigned for trial the Washington Arsenal, that
OF the crime which John Wilkes Booth committed
save what knew in common with everybody after
it took place. l further soemnly assert that John
Wilkes Booth, or any other person, never mentioned
nj, me any plot or ntimaton of plot, for the abduc
tion or assassination of President Lincoln; that did
not know when Booth leaped from the box to the
stage of the theatre that he had shot Mr. Lncoln and
that did not in any way so help me God assist in
his escape; and further declare that am entirely
innocent Of any and all charges made against in
that connection. 1 never knew either Surratt,
Payne, Atzerodt, Arnold or Harold, or any OF the
so-called cOnspiratOrs nor did l ever see any of
them until they appeared in custody While impri-
soned with Atzerodt Payne and Harold, and after
n their trial was over, was allowed a few minutes
exercise In the prison yard heard the three unite
in asserting Mrs Surratts entire innocence, and
acknowledge their own guilt contning the crime, as
they did, entirely to themselves, but duplicating the
witness Wechman in knowledge of the original plot
to abduct; and with furnishing information from the
Commissary OF Prisoners Department, where
{ Weichman was a clerk
was arrested on the morning of the 18th of April,
1866 and with Ritterspaugh also scene-shifter)
taken to the police-station on street, between
Ninth and Tenth The sergeant, after questioning
me closely, went with two policemen to search for
p Peanut John Uhe name of the boy who held Booths
horse the night before) and made him accompany us
to the headquarters of the police on Tenth street.
where John and were locked up, and Rtterspaugh
was released. After four hours confinement was
ham, and told them of Booth bringing his horse to
the theatre on the afternoon Of the 14th @ Of April
be done with me?" and they replied, 1--WE know
where to find you when you are wanted" and or
dered my release. returned to the theatre, where
P remained until Saturday, when the soldiers took
possession of it; but the oicer OF the guard gave
eed m at p M and t gaarG ws
placed over me, who remained until A. NJ
did not leave the theatre until Sunday evening
and on our return this attache Garland by
name) and myself were arrested by Detective
Larner. Instead of taking to the guard-house,
he said he would accompany home to sleep there,
but we all went to Police Headquarters on Tenth
street. and when Garland asked if we were wanted,
officer sharply said mo" returned to the
theatre that night aud remained the next day till
went to dinner corner Seventh and streets. That
over, remained few minutes, when Rtterspaugh
meeting me, said ;-'I have given my evidence, and
would IKE how to get some Of the reward"
walked out with Ritterspaugh for half an hour,
called for me to tell them that was lying down.
Two hours alter was called down stairs to see two
rlnnh ho1 0lln1f 0oid hat
was wantei down street. On reaching the sidewalk
they placed in hack and drove rapidly to Carroll
afterwards Detective, or Colonel, Baker came to my
room, and questioned me about the sale of horse
j told him ali about it freely and readily.
on the day following ! was called into the
Sergeant Dye, who merely nodded his head as en-
tered, and then he left dye subsequently testified
that he sitting the steps of the theatre just
+ before Booth fired the shot, and to seeing mystic
rious persons about) / was allowed on the fourth
day OF my imprisonment TO walk the prison yard,
\ but from that evening was closely confined and
guarded until the next Saturday at midnight when
VIVA 70 I've 70 sec some ewer
for yOu.n He handcuned me with my arms behind
eaG and and ea To Re e YARD were paGsS 9
legs were manaced, and pair OF Lille handouts
placed on my wrists .o was put IN p0at @ ana ToWed @
thrown into small, dirty room, between two water
closets and on TO eed 1d nltny depreseFvers s & ana
was kept there for three days had been thus
lined three days on the vessel when Captain Monroe
came 70 me and said -"Spangler I've something
that must be told but you must not be frightened.
We have orders from the Secretary OF War, who
must be Obeyed, 70 put a bag on your head" Then
two came and tied up my head 80 securely that
could not see daylight ! had plenty OF food, but
could not eat with my face 80 mutlled up True
there was small hole In the bag near my mouth,
INIT / could not reach that my hands were
WedQed down by the iron. AT last, two kind-heared
soldiers took compassion on me- and while one
watched, the other fed me- ON Saturday night
man came TO me- and after drawing the bag so tight
as TO nearly suif0cate me- said to the guard Don't
let him 20 TO sleep, we will carry him out to hang
him directly" | heard them go up on the deck,
when there was q great rattling Of chains and
other noises and While l was trying TO imagine
what was going on and what they intended
TO do, / was dragged out by TWO men,
who both pulled me at times In different directions.
We, however, reached boat In when was placed,
and were rowed a short distance. l could not say
then where we stopped, for my race was still
covered After leaving the boat was forced TO
walk some distance with the heavy irons still on
my legs. / was then suddenly stopped, aud
made TO ascend three or four flights OF stairs; {;
and as stood at the top waiting some one struck
me o severe blow ON the TOP OF the head whlch
stunned aud half threw me over, when was pushed
INTO a small room, where remained in an uncon-
scioug condition for several hours The next morn
INC some one came with bread and coffee I
remained here several days. suffering torture from
me bag or padded hood over my face. IL was on
. Sunday when 10 was removed and was shaven IL
4 Was then replaced. Some hours after, General
IIartranft came and read to me several charges
that j was engaged In plot 10 assassinate the
president-and the day following | was carried into
military court, and still hooded before all OF ts
- members. / remained but short time, when was
returned TO my cell for another night and day, and
XII then again presented In this court Mr.. Bingham,
# Aesistant Judge-AdyOcate, read the charges
against me and asked me II had any objection 10
the court and replied mo- ana aae iiy pea oI