Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-12-16

much for my former connection with him I
thought. After fully realizing the state of
the case, concluded to change my course
and go direct to Canada. left Cansndaigus
on Monday at ~ NJ, going to Albany, ar
rlving there on Tuesday morning in time
for breakfast When I stepped on the plat
form at the depot at St. Adams I noticed
that one of the detectives scanned every one,
head and foot, myself as well as the rest
Before leaving Montreal for Elmira Pre-
vided myself with an oxford cut Jacket and
round top hat, peculiar TO Canada at that
time. l knew my trip to Elmira would be
g dang erous one. and l wished to pass my
self off as Canadian, ana I succeeded in
SO doing, as was proved by my witness in
Elmira. believe that costume guarded me
safely through St. Adams. l went in with
others, and moved around, with the oetsc-
tive standing there most of the time looking
at US. OF course was obliged to talk as
loud as any body about the late tragedy
After having hearty msal l lighted. a
cigar and walked up town. One of the
detectives approached, stared me directly in
the face, and l looked him quietly back =
In few moments was speeding on my
way to Montreal, where arrived at two
o'clock in the afternoon, going again to the
St. Lawrence Hotel Soon after | called
on friend, to whom explained my former
connection with Booth, and told him | was
af aid the United States government would
suspect me of completely in the plot Of
asssination. He advised me to make nay
self scarce.
Immediately went to the hotel, got my
things and repaired to the room of friend.
When my friends tea time come l would
not go to the table with him, but remained
in the room The ladies wanted to know
Why he didn't bring his friend to tea with
him. He replied that didn't want any
One of the ladies' remarked, 81 expect you
have got Booth in there" Laughter. =
"Perhaps So" he answered laughingly.-
That was rather close guessing. Laughter.
At nightfall | went to the house Of one who
afterwards proved to be most devote
friend. There I remained until the evening
of the next day, when was driven out IN a
carriage with two gentlemen, strangers to
me- One day I walked out and | saw
Weichman on he lookout for mo-
H. had little idea I was so near. One
night, about II o'clock, my friend, in
whose house [ vas, came to me and said,
in smiling way 1.-The detectives have
offered me 500, $50 i'll will tell them where
you are" Every we'll" said ''give NE
one half and let them know" They sus-
pected this gentleman OF protecting me, and
they had really made him the offer. Ono
day, about - o'clock, I was told that they
were going to search the house, and that [
must leave Immediately. which did. They
searched it before morning. This gentle
man was poor man, with large family,
and yet money could not buy him. APP
plause I remained with this gentleman
uutil left Montreal, within week or so
afterwards The detectives were now hunt.
ing me very closely, and would doubtless
have succeeded in capturing me, had it not
been for blundsr Oh the part of my friend
Wiechman.
He had, it appears, started the detective
on the wrong track, by telling thcm that 1
had left the house Of Mr.. Porterfsld in
company with some others, and was going
north of Montreal Soon that section was
swarming with detectives. I was not with
that party, but about the same time too,
left Montreal in hack, going eight OR nine
miles down the St. Lawrence river, cross
ing that stream in small canoe. | was
attired as huntsman At 4 o'clock We'd
nesday morning we arrived at our destina-
tioa, a small Town lying south Of Montreal
We entered the village very quietly, hoping
no one would see US.
It has been asserted over and over again,
and for the purpose of damning me in tho
estimation of every honest man that [ de-
serted her who gave me BIRTH in the direst
hour Of her need. Truly would [ have
merited the execratlon Of every man had
such been nay case. But such wa. not the
case. When left Montreal there vas 10
cause for uneasiness on my part, and upon
my arrival in the country [ wrote to my
friends in Montreal to keep me posted in
regard to the approaching trial, and to ,end
me the newspapers regularly [ received
letters from them frequently, in all Of which
they assured me there was no cause of
anxiety that it was only matter of time,
and it would all be we'll After While
papers did not come so regularly, and
those that did spoke very encouragiagly p
A little while afterwards, when they came,
sentences were mutiiated with ink and pa
per.
[ protested against such actions, and for
some time [ received no papers at all l
became very uneasy, and wrote an article
for publication signed by myself, which I
sent to Montreal to be forwarded for publ
cation in the New York World. 1t is need
less to say it never went. Things continu-
ed in this way for sometime, until could
stand tho suspense no longer. I determin-
ed to send a message to Washington for
that purpose, and secured the services of an
intelligent and educated gentleman,
paying all expenses. I gave him a letter to
a friend or mine in Washington, with in
structions to say to him to put himself in
communication with the counsel for the
defense, and to make correct report to mo
as to how the case stood. if there was any
danger; and also to communicate with me
if my presence was necessary, and inform
me without delay with an urgent request
that he would see and inquire for himself
how matters stood.
He left ME, and God alone knows the sus-
pense and anxiety of my mind during the
days Of bis absence. 1 imagined and though.
all kind Of things; yet I was poweress to act.
At last he returned, and so bright and
cheerful was his couptenance that confess
one half of nv fears were di.pelsd. He