The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-01-29

think9 dark hair, and we'll dressed
color don't remember-called Michaei
I0'Laughlin aside, and said J. Wilkes
Booth wished to see us both at Gotier's
saloon on the avenue. was then fol
the first time introduced to him, forgot
his name. We walked up together.
Michael 0Laughlin, this unknown and
myself were ushered into the presence
: Of J. Wilkes Booth, who introduced me
to john Surratt, Atzerdot alias Port To
bacco; --,0lias Moseby, making in
all seven persons. ]. Wilkes Booth had
sent word to Michael O'Laughlin to
bring me up in a good humor (still al
4 ways in the dark. Then commenced
the plan for the seizing the President.
First, / was to run into the box and
Eseize the President whilst Atzerodt,
: alas Port Tobacco,and j. Wilkes Booth
were to handcuf him and lower him on
the stage, whilst - Moseby was to
Icatch him and hold him till we got
IdoEn. SdTVatt and the unknown were
to be on the other side of the Eastern
Branch Bridge to facilitate escape. II
was afterwards changed to Moseby and
Booth 10 catch him in the box and to
lower him to me on the stage
O'Laughlin and the unknown. were to
put the lights out and SuFratt and
Atzerdot, alias Port Tobacco, to be on
the other side of the bridge. 1 was op-
posed to the whole proceeding, and
said it could not be accomplished. If
even, which was an impossibility, we
could get him ont of the box and to the
bridge, we would be stopped by the
sentinel. "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, l wanted
the shadow of a chance for escape and
success Michael O'Laughlin wanted
to argue the same way, whereupon ].
Wilkes Booth said, "You find fault with
everything concerned about it" l said
no; that wanted to have chance, and
I intended to have it; that lie could be
the leader Of the party, but not my ex-
|ecutioner. Whereupon J. Wilkes Booth
remarked, in stern, commanding and
angry voice, "Do you know you are
liable to be shot9 remember your oath"
/ told him the plan or basis had chang
ed, and compact on the part of one
broken is broken by all. If you feel
inclined to shoot me you have no fur
ther to 60, shall defend myself This,
if ! remember Alright, was on Friday,
or may be Thursday night when 1 |
said, gentlemen, if this is not accom-
plisbed this week l forever withdraw
from it. l stayed up till about six or
seven O'Clock next morning, Friday or
Saturday, and then went to bed. l re-
manned in doors until twelve, when l
arose and went to get my breakfast.
Michael 0'Laughlin and myself room
ed together, both arose at the same
time, and were always, in a measure,
together. Went to bed that evening
about II o'clock. This day that 1 went
to bed SO early we met about two
o'clock or thereabouts; told me spoke
angHly the night ofmeeting; said had
been drinking. l told him no; / was
in my sober senses, and meant every
word / said; if not accomplished this
week / withdraw. Next day the thing
was to be accomplished on the Seventh
street road, and failed. On Sunday
stayed in Washington, and on Monday
or Tuesday 1 returned to the city Of
Baltimore, and thence to Hookstown.
Wilkes Booth in the meantime went to
New York, and returned to Baltimore
during the week, on Saturday, l think.
He said he wished to see me on very
urgent business, and my father sent for
me. I came from the country, and he
had gone TO Washington, whereupon l
wrote him the letter which was found
in his trunk. The Richmond suthori-
ties, as far as / know, knew nothing of
.he conspiracy. The letter was written
after my return to the country, after
inding he could not wait to see me in
Baltimore. During the week 1 came to |
he city and met Michael 0rLaughlin, L
Who asked me to 90 to Washington
With him to finally arrange his affairs.
went in the morning-Fridsy, / think
and returned home the same even
ug, having cut loose forever from It
Next day received letter from ]. W.
at Fortress Monroe, giving
ne employment Went to the country,
,ot my clothing, and on Saturday, the I
irst day of April, left Baltimore for !,
fortress Monroe, at which place / have q
emained, never corresponding with Z
3Ooth or seeing him from the above
lamed date to the present writing. The !
groundwork was 70 kldnap tne ti = l'5i resi- ! =
lent without violence. He never said I
. me that he would kill him. Further v
han this 1 know nothing, and am in c
oeent of having taken any active part s.
D the dark deed committed. iP
SAMUEL B. ARNOLD. I
THE PLAN or ESCAPE =
Vas 10 place Mr.. Lincoln in the buggy Il,
for that purpose, and cross Il
le Eastern Branch Bridge. Surratt o
nd Atzeodt, ais Port Tobacco, were V
, follow them to where he had boat II
turn the horse loose; place Z
le President in the boat, and cross tc
le Potomac to the Virginia shore, and Al
hence to make our way to Richmond, In
urratt knew the route, and was to act to
} pilot SAMUEL B. ARNOLD. To
A box painted black, ike unto a o
word box, was sent by Booth from the a,