The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-08

his connection with John Wilkes Booth and the
Lincoln conspirators. He spoke as follows
Ladies and gentlemen entering that
door a few moments ago the impression on my
mind was so strong to viyidly recall scenes of
three years ago. l am not unacquainted with
courtroom audiences. (Sensaiton.) L have
stood before them before; true, not in the char
aeter of a lecturer, but as prisoner at the bar,
arraigned for the high
CRIME OF MURDER.
In contrasting the two positions L must con-
fess felt more at ease as the prisoner at the bar
than do as a lecturer. Then felt confident of
success: now do not. Then / had gentlemen
of known ability to do all my talking for me;
now unfortunately, have to do it for myself,
and feel lily capable of performing the task;
still hope you will all judge me kindly. am
not here to surprise you by any oratorical effort
not at all-but only to tell a SIMPLE tale. l
feel that some explanation, perhaps indeed, an
apology, is due you for my appearance here TINS
evening. In presenting this lecture before the
public do it no spirit of self-justifcation. In
a trial of sixty-one days | made my defense to
the world, and have no need or desire to re-
On the contrary, dislike notorietY, and leave
my solitude and obscurty unwillingly. Neither
is it an itching for notoriety or fame My object
is merely to present 9 simple narrative of events
as they occurred l stand here through the
force Of that which has obliged many other
men to do things quite as steful-pecuniary
necessity for the supply of which no more
available channel presented itself This is a
, reason easily appreciated. So you will take it
kindly, trust, and the ground we will have to
20 over together will guarantee sufficient inte-
rest to repay your kind attention. In this my
first lecture | will speak of my Introduction to
j. Wilkes Booth, his plants failure-our final
separaton-my trip from Richmond, and thence
to Canada-then my orders to Elmra-what
was done there-the first intimatlon had of
MR.. LINCoLNs DEATH,
my return TO Canada and concealment there,
and final departure for Europe. At the break
ing out Of the war was q student at st. Charles
College, in Maryland, bat did not remain long
there after that important event. l left in
July, 1861, and returning home commenced to
take active part in the stirring events of that
period. l was not more than eighteen years of
age, and was mostly engaged in sending in
formation regarding the movements of the
United States army stationed in Washington
and elsewhere and carrying dispatches to the
Confederate boats on the Potomac. We had
regular established line from Washington to the
Potomac, and being the only unmarried man
on the route, had most of the hard riding to
de- (Langhter.) devised various ways to carry
the despatehes-sometimes in the heel of my
boots, sometimes between the planks of the
buggy. l confess that never in my life did
come across more
STUPID SET OF DETECTIVES
than those generally employed by the United
States Government. They seemed to have no
idea whatever how to search men. In 1864 my
family left Maryland and moved to Washing
ton. where l took still more active part in the
stirring events of that period 1t was
FAsCINATING LIFE TO ME-.
1t seemed as if l could not do too much or run
too great q risk.
In the fall of 1854 l was introduced to John
Wilkes Booth, who, was given to understand,
wished to know something about the main ave-
nues leading from Washington to the Potomac.
We met several times, but as he seemed to be
very reticent with regard to his purposes, and
very anxious to get all the information out of
me be could, refused to tell him anything at
all. At last said to him, 1T is useless for you,
NJ info fro,
at all; ! know who you are and what are your
intentions" He hesitated some time, but
finally said he would make known his views to
me provided would promise secrecy. replied
II will do nothing of the kind. You know well
| am a Southern man. If you cannot trust me
we will separate" He then said:-"Iw coufde
my plans to you; but before doing 80 will
make known to you the motives that actuate
me. In the Northern prisons are many thou
sands of our men whom the United States Gov
ernment refuse TO exchange. You know as we'll
as l the efforts that have been made to bring
about that much desired exchange. Aside from
the great suffering they are compelled to un-
dergO, we are sadly in want of them as soldiers.
We cannot spare one man. whereas the United
States Government is willing to let their own
soldiers remain In our prisons because she has
no need of the men. have proposition to
submit to you which think If we can carry
out will bring about the desired exchange
There was a long and
oMINoUs SILENCE
which at last was compelled to break by ask
ing, "Well, sir, what is your propositions" He
sat quiet for an instant, and then, before an
swering 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 care
ful; walls have ears" He then drew his chair
close to me and in a whisper said,
''IT IS TO KIDNAP PRESIDENT LINCOLN
and carry him off to Richmond" ''KidnaI
President Lincoln" | said. confess that
stood aghast at the proposition and looked upoG
it as foolhardy undertaking. To think of sue
cessfully seizing Mr.. Lincoln in the capital of
the United States, surrounded by thousands O
looked to me like foolish idea told him al
much. He went on to tell with what facility he
could be-sezed in various places in and abou
Washington. AS for example in his various
rides to and from the Soldiers Home his sum
mer residence He entered into the minute
details of the proposed capture, and even tht
various parts 10 be performed by the actors il
the performance. / was amazed d-thunder
Strickland in fact might also say, frightened
at the
UNPARALLELED AUDACITY
of this scheme. After two days reflection
told him l was willing to try it. l believed il
practicable at that time, though now regarC
1t as foolhardy undertaking. hope you viii
not blame me for going thus far. honestly
thought an exchange of prisoners could b,
brought about could we have once obtained
possession of Mr. Lincoln's person. And now
reverse the case. Where is there a young maJ
in the North with one spark of patriotism in
his heart who would not have will
enthusiastic ardor joined in any under
taking for the capture of Jefferson Davis anC
brought him TO Washington? There is not one
who would not have done SO. And so was lee
on by a sincere desire TO assist the South il