The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1869-04-14
DR.. Mudd at Home.

The New York Herald has a
letter written from a correspond
ent, who gives an interesting ac
count Of a visit to Charles County,
Maryland, and an alleged inter
view with DIR. Mudd, lately re-
leased from the Dry Tortugas.-
After describing the country
through which he passed as terra
ancogaita, quite suitably selected
by Booth as The route Of his flight,
he relates his approach to the dom.
icile of DR.. Mudd, where the as.
pect of the country became beau.
fifui, yet secluded, and proceeds:
We knocked for admission at
the same door that B, oth'did after
his six hours ride--it took us
right-and were promptly answer
ed by a pale and serious.looking
gentleman, who, in answer to our
enquiry if lie were DR.. Mudd, re-
piled, - That's my name." 1t was
gratifying, after so long a journey,
To find the man you sought direct
" on hand and apparently pre-
pared to furnish you with the am
plest stores Of information regard.
ing his connection with Booth, &c.
Having stated the object of our
pisit-that the Herald felt ain inte-
rest in learning some particulars
of his experience in the Dry Tor
tugas, and his recollcctions of the
assassination conspirators- his face
grew extremely serious, and he
answered that of all things he
wished to avoid it was newspaper
publicity, simply because nothing
was ever printed in connection
with his name that did not misrep-
resent him. s5rg..t 1-.s \
=" a burned child breads the
fire." he exclaimed, sand / have
reason to be suspicious of every
one. 1t was in this way Booth
came to my house, representing
himself rs being OIL a journey from
Richmond to Washington, and
that his horse fell, on him, fractur-
ing his leg and otherwise injuring
him. SIX months or SO from now,
when my mind is moro settled.
and when l understand what
changes have taken place in pub
lie opinions regarding me, I shall
be prepared to speak freely and
fully on these matters you are
anxious to know about. At pres.
ent, for the reason stated, I would
rather not say anything" s-#
Having, however, convinced the
Doctor that it was with no motive
to misrepresent 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 postponed our return to Wash
dngton till the morning. Left
alone for awhile in the parlor, an
ample, square apartment, with
folding doors separating it from
tho dining room, we began to feel
an Irresistible inclination to imag.
inc two strangers on horseback
riding up to the door in the dim
gray of an April morning, the
younger Of the two lifting the other
from his saddle, and both like evil
stars crossing the threshold of an
innocent and happy household to
blast its peace forever. DR..
Muddis return disturbed our rev.
cries. stas ~
= The doctor says he is thirty.five
years Of age; married in 1860
built the bonse in which he now
aiyes after his marriage; owned a
well stocked farm OF about thirty
acres, and was in the enjoyment
of O apretty extensive practice mp
90 the time of his arrest in 1855.
The world went well and smoothly
with him previous to that unhappy
event. His house was furnished
with ell the comforts of country
gentleman's residence He had
his horses and his hounds. and in
the sporting season was foremost
at every fox hunt, and every man.
~ outdoor sport. He had a ro.
bust health and a vigorous athletic
frame in those days, but it is very
different with him now. Above
the middle height. with . redish
issoustache andscbin whisker, high