The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1870-12-17
TIE DEMONSTRATION OF LINCOLN
Lecture by John II. surra,a

WASHINGTON December S.-Johu II. Sur
raft, the alleged conspirator, lectured at
Rockville last night, on his connection with
Lincoln's assassination. He said he was
there through the fierce of that which has OBJ
liged many other men to do things quite as
distasteful--- pecuniary necessity--for the
supply of which no more available chance
presented itself. He was mostly engaged in
giving information regarding the movements
of the United States army, stationed In
Washington and elsewhere, and carrying dis
patches to Confederate boats on the Potomac.
They had a regular established line from
Washington to the Potomac, and being the
only unmarried mau on the route, had most
cf the hard riding to do. lie devised various
WAYS to carry the dispatches sometimes in
the heel of his boots, sometimes between the
planks of his buggy. lie never came across
a more stupid set of detectives than those
generally employed by the United States
Government, in the fall of 1864. Surratt
further said: 81 first met Booth and had
some conversation, after which he said Il
have an important project to reveal There
was long and ominous silence which | at
last was compelled to break by asking :
We'll, sir, what is your proposition ? lie
| sat qnet an instant and then before answer
ing me, arose and looked under the bed, into
the wardrobe, in the doorway and the pas
sage, and then said 'We will have to be
careful walls have ears He then drew his
chair close to me and in whisper said: 1t
is to kidnap President Lincoln, and carry
him off to Richmond 7 confess that stood
aghast at the proposition, and looked upon it
as fool-hardy undertaking, to think of sue
cessfuly Selling Mr. Lincoln in the capitol of
the United States, surrounded by thousands
of his soldiers and carrying him off to Rich
mond 1t looked to me like foolish idea,
and told him as much. He went on to tell
with what facility he could be seized, in va
rious places in and about Washington as for
example, his various rides to and from the
Soldiers Home, and his summer residence.
lie entered into the minute details OF the pro-
posed capture, and even the various parts to
be performed by the actors in the perform
ance. | was amazed, thunder-struck, and liz
fact might also say frightened at the I'M
raralleled audacity of this scheme. After
two days. reflection, told him ives willing
to try it. Such thing as the assassination
of Mr.. Lincoln never heard spoken of by
any of the party. The Government seems
to have got wind of our project, and at a
meeting Of those who were to carry out the
capture proposed to abandon it. Every one
seemed to coincide in my opinion except
Booth, whc sat silent and ahstraated, saying
at last, and bringing down his fist upon the
table: Well gentlemen, if the worst comes
to the worst, | shall know what to do
Some hard words, and even thrests, then
passed between him and some of the party.
Four of us then rose, one saying: If | un-
derstand you to intimate anything more than
the capture of Mr.. Lincoln, [ for one will bid
hra ha
same opinion. We all arose and commenced
putting our hats on, when Booth said pro-
badly that he had gone too far. and asked
| pardon, saving that ne had drank too much
champagne. Some time after, the kidnap-
ping project was revived, and one day we
read information that the President would
visi: the Seventh street Hospital for the pur-
pose of being present at an entertainment to
| be given for the benefit Of wounded soldiers
The report only gave us about three quarters
| of an hour before the time appointed but SO
perfect was our communication that we were
instantly in our saddles and on the way to
the hospital. This was between one and two
o'clock in the afternoon. 1t was the inten-
ton to seize the carriage, which was drawn
| by a splendid pair Of horses, and to have one
of our men to mount the box and drive direct
for Southern Maryland via Benning's bridge.
We felt confident that all the cavalry in the
city would never overhaul us. We were all
mounted on swift horses, besides having a
thorough knowledge of the country, it being
determined to abandon the carriage after
passing the city limits. Upon the sudden
ness of the blow and the clerty of our move
ments we depended for success. By the time
tie alarm could have been given, and horses
saddled, we would have been on cur way
through Southern Maryland toward the
Potomac river. To our great disappointment,
however, the President was not there, but
one of the Government officials, Mr.. Chase,
| if | mistake not. Under this failure the pro-
| iect was totally abandoned" He further
| said he soon left Washington, and knew moth
! ing of Lincoln's assassination until he heard
of it in Canada. lie repels the charge that
he deserted his mother, and says Washing
ton friend advised him that she was in no
danger, but does not mention that she knew
anything of the abduction plot. and while a
clerk in the War Department. furnished Sur
raft with knowledge of Federal troops,
which the latter conveyed to Richmond.