The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-09

WdhHLlEN
honorable that might tend toward the ac-
complishment Of that object. [Tremend-
Gus applause
Such thing rs the assassination Of MIR.
Lincoln / never heard spoken Of by any
of the party-neVer. Sensation.
Upon one occasion, l remember, we had
called meeting in Washington for the
purpose Of discussing matters In general,
Us we had understood that the Govern
ment had received information that there
was plot of some kind on hand. They
had even commenced TO build stockade
and gates on the navy yard bridge gates
opening toward the south, as though they
expected danger from within, and not
from without. At this meeting l explain.
cd the construction Of the gates, &C., and
stated that was confident the Govern.
ment had wind of our movements, and
that the best thing We could do would be
to throw up the whole project. Every
one seemed TO coincide in my opinion eX-
ccpt Booth, who sat silent and distracted.
Arising at last, and bringing down his fist
upon the table, he said: "Well, gentlemen,
il the worst comes to the worst, ] shall
know what to do" Some hard words,
and even threats, then passed between
him and some Of the party; four OF US
then arose, one saying, "If l understand
you to intimate any thing mole than the
capture Of Mr.. LtncOlns l, for one, bid you
good bye" Every one expressed the same
opinion. We all arose and commenced
putting our hats on. Booth perceived
probably that lie had gone too far, and
asked pardon, saying that he had drank
too much champagne. After some diff
Guilty everything was amiCably arranged,
and we separated at 5 o'clock in the morn.
Ing. Days, weeks and months passed by
without an opportunity presenting itselffor
us 10 attempt the capture, We seldom saw
one another, owingto the many rumors
atloat that q conspiracy OfsOme kind was
being concoctcd in Washington. We had
all arrangements perfected 10 escape from
Washington. For that purpose boats
were in readiness TO curry us across the
river. One day we received information
TINT the President would visit Seventeenth
street Hospital, for the purpose OF being
present at an entertainment to be given
iOr the benefit of the wounded soldiers.
The report only reached US about three
Quarters Of hour before the time appoint
ed. but so perfect was our communication
that VIC were instantly in our saddles and
on the way to the hospital. This was be-
tween one and two o'clock In the alter
noon, 1t was our intention to seize the
carriage, which was drawn by q splendid
pair of horses, and To have one OF our men
mount the box aud drive direct for South
ern Maryland by way of Bennings Brlgde.
We felt confident that the cavalry In the
city could never overhaul us. We were
all mounted on swift horses, besides hav-
ing thorough knowledge of the country,
il being determined to abandon the car
rage Gfter passing the city limits. Upon
the suddenness OF the blow and the celeri-
ty of our movements we depended for sue.
cess. By the time the alarm could have
been given and horses saddled we would
have been on our way through South.
ern Maryland toward the Potomac River.
To our great disappointment, however,
the President was not there, but one Of
the Government officials, Mr.. Chase, II l
mistake not We did not disturb him, as
we wanted bigger chase Qaughtcr) than
he could have afforded us. 1t was Ger.
tainly bitter disappointment, but yet l
think Il fortunate one iOr US. 1t was our
last attempt, We soon after this became
convinced that we could not remain much
longer undiscovered, and that we must
abandon our enterprise. Accordingly q
separation finally took place, and | never
after saw any Of the party, except one, ana
that was when l was on my way IRON
Richmond to Canada on business OF quite
a different nature, about which presently.
Such is the story Of our abduction plot
The last time SAW any OF the party,.I
went to a hotel and stayed over that
night, rs a detective had been to my house
induiring Of the servant my whereabouts.
In the early train next morning, Tuesday,
April 4, 1865, lett for New York. and
that was the last time ever was in Wash
ingtOn until brought there by tho United
States Government, captive In irons, all
reports to the contrary notwithstanding
Tie United States, as you will remember,
tried to prove my presence in Washington
on the 18th of April, the day on which Mr.
Lincoln met hfs death. Upon arriving
in New York called ut Booths house;
and was told by. tho servant that he had
lett that morning suddenly, on the ground
OF going to Boston 10 fulfill an engage.
ment at the theater. In the evening Of
tho some day took the cars for Montreal,
arriving there the next day, and put up at
the ST. Lawrence Hotel, registering my;
self as John Harrison, such being my two
first names. . ,9a' 9. q ...',' ."'
Then he detailed his trip made once to
Elmlra, New York, to make q sketch oil
the Confederate prisons there, and to per
feet a plot formed in Canada to release
tho prisoners. The next day after his
arrival ut Elmira he heard Of the asSassi-
nation, and Just as he was about tofstart
for Washington, but recOnsidered his trip
and went straight back to Canada, where
he was secreted till he went TO Europe.
He repels the charge that he deserted his
mother. Hesays Washington friends I'd.
vised him that she was in no danger, but
does NOT mention that she knew anything
ofthe abduction plot He says 'the wit
ness WeiChman, on whose testimony Mrs,
Surratt was hung, was in the abduction
plot, and while q clerk in the War Depart
ment, furnished Surratt with knowledge
Of Federal troops, which the latter CON
veyed to Richmond.
-<lIB1s9=siI- : = 49, 49,
Movement Against Mr.. Sumner