Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-08-12
SINGULAR SCRAP OF HIS
TORY.
why President Lincoln was As
snSsinatcd.
From tho Now York Democrat,

and to give a chance for "a respite to the
South, John Yates Beal was sent into
Canada to operate on the frontier, as
we will show in detail next week. His
was nature much like that of Booth
-hot-blOoded, yet cautious. Daring,
but not rash. Booth tried to dissuade
him from the step, but In vain, but
promised to stand by him If there
came time when the life of Beall
should be In jeopardy.
For years previous to the arrest of
Beall and his trial, between John
Wilkes Booth and himself had exist
ed the closest intimacy. They had
drank from the same cup-slept in the
same bed-admired the same girls
spent convivial nights together, and
so ran their social lives into each that
like Damon and Pythias, they were
more than brothers.
When last we saw John Wilkes
Booth in Chicago, at time during
the war. when he, Artemus Ward, or
Charles +. Browne, and the writer
hereof were in the refreshment room
under McVicker's Theatre, as certain
men in Chicago remember, he was
then, as for years, firm friend of
Beali This friendship began long be-
fore-it never ended.
With the plan to abduct Lincoln and
hold him in some isolated retreat in
the South, till, for his release, all South
ern prisoners in Northern hsnds should
be given up, Beall and others, includ-
ing poor Mrs. Surratt, were familiar.
When Beall went as the special
agent of the South on a hazardous
mission, the friendship of Booth went
with him.
AT last Beall was arrested. He was
tried sentenced to death. Then, with
him looking into the Eternal Mirror,
our chapter begins its ending.
John Wilkes Booth resolved to make
| n grand attempt to save the life of his
friend Beall, and conveyed information
of his purpose to him, with the whis-
| per of hope n part thereof.
| At this time Booth loved with strange
and tender devotion daughter of John
p. Hale, United States Senator from
| New Hampshire. He worshipped her
as, in his mind, the best and purest
| woman he had ever seen. She admir-
cd him, but not with that eternal
reaching wildncss of love his was for
her.
For the purpose of our recital we
| must draw aside n curtain to reveal a
glimpse of family picture.
Booth loved her for her worth, vir-
tue, purity, and goodness. But hc was
| reputcd gay man Of the world, and
she feared to trust her heart and desti-
nics into his keeping, though we have
reason TO believe she greatly admired
him. And her father, looking to the
happiness Of his daughter, as he
thought, was not quite willing the alli-
ance Booth desired should be formed.
But for the gifted genius he had lik-
ing and an admiration.
One night i'm Washington after Beall
was doomed, John Wilkes Booth and
John =. Hale called on G. w. Mclean,
of Cincinnati, who was then in
Washington. They wanted Mclean
to go with them to find Col. John w.
Forney, and. with him in company,
call upon Lincoln.
| Mclean was unusually intimate
with Lincoln, and had more influence
with him than any other Western
Democrat. And he was check by jOwl
with Forney. Mclean was to vouch
for Booth, with Hale and FOrney
to join in asking executive clemency
for Beall.
1t was past midnight when the car
riage containing Hale, Booth and Nc
Lean left the hotel where the latter
was stopping, and was driven to For
ney's residence. Forney was in bee
under the influence of liquor.
. After some little talk and explana
ton he arose, bathed his head in ice
water, made hasty toilet, and took
seat in the carriage.
The party were then driven to the
, White Honse, reaching there about
two o'clock in the morning. They
were admitted past the guards, anc
found President Lincoln in his room
: not yet retired.
Then came an explanation of the OBJ
ject of the visit.
PresidentLincoln sat by the side o
Senator Hale and listened to the par
ticulars. Booth then and there tol6
that once he was in scheme 10 abduc
the President, not to iniure him, bu
TO aid in the release of certain friends
who could not be exchanged. He tolC
that all that was of the past, so far a
he was concerned.
,, And then he asked for the repriev'
, of Beall, promising on his honor as !
, man to ever after be as good frient
. to Mr.. Lincoln rs n man could be Il
one who had rendered such favor-t'
! warn the President if it come TO hi
!, knowledge that his life was in danger
and to hold himself personally respon
sible for Tie good behavior of Beall
ever after.
It was a question of life or death
. Bcall was doomed. No power save tn,
Executive could save him. Bootl
pleaded with all the impassioned elo
auence of his nature, and thousand
. upon thousands know what that was
senator Hale asked the pardon o
. Beall as q favor to himself ank family
! Forney asked for it for reasons thei
Z and there given, rs did Mclean, AM
4 the reosons we can give at the prope
! time.
Booth told the President of thel
long established friendship-of III
love for the young man who was doinl
e for his people In the South just wha
: n patriot in the North would haV
: done for the cause and the people dea
! TO him.
/ President Lincoln was greatly NOV
= ed, even to tears, and gave to Boot
a his word of honor as man that II
e should be pardoned.
. Then there was Joy and happines
: I'm that room. Booth kissed the ham
. of the President, and thanked hin
; with terful eyes and choked Voic.
. even after his friends had taken thei
u hats to leave the presence of the ON,
u Magistrate of the nation, who ha
= promised and whose promise Boot
relied upon.
n But alas for human promises BeaI
3 was hung. The President did no
d keep his word-did not pardon him
e Seward, whose linking bell sent hi
Il betters TO bastiles, said il would not q
that Liuooln's duty To the Ropubl
II can party demanded the execution {
8, Beall to keep tinted the sentiment {
d the North for such blood.
p LncolI said Beall must be pardono,
70 for he had promised it.
d Seeward said no must not be pardon
n ed, or there would be strange reveal
5. ments.