The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-04-20
Established 4 in 1o46.
Abraham Lincoln.

uVWA "a w0u VSWohs W0C SVlAHuAvsO~A
at Washington City tho foulest nur-
der in all tho dreary catalogue Of
crime.
On that fatal night !. Wilkes
Booth. . besotted and ianatical ennis
sary Of the bafied and crushed slave
holders rebellion, crept stealthily
upon Abraham Lincoln, while he
wAs sitting with his family and
friends 10 . box In Ford's theatre,
enjoying an innocent play, and with
out . moments warning sent bull
let crashing through his brain, which
in few brief hours heralded into
eternity one Of the noblest mon, and
grostest hearts which ever thrcbed
for his fellow mon.
The murder Of Lincoln was only
an incident 10 : conspiracy which
had for it's object the assassination
Of all tho principal officers Of the
goyernmeDt, which plan only failed
In its execution on account of the
cowardice of all the designated in
struments, except Booth and Payne,
the former of whom done his work
only too well, while tho latter failed
to kiln the Secretary Of State and his
Assistant through the heroic Of.
forts Of Sergeant Robinson.
The writer Of this article was liv-
ing on that bloody night, within less
than block from the scene OF Lin
ooln's murder, and was on tho street
in front of the Theatre. in few
minutes after it occurred.
Language is totally inadequate to
describe the scenc Of excitement
which ensued. II should be remem-
bsred that the city was unusually
crowded with loyal people from the
adjacent northern States, who were
there to see to the interests of their
fathers, husbands, sons and lovers,
who were packed into the numerous
hospitals Of the CITY, as holocaust
from the bloody fields around Rich
mond.
Moreover an unusually largo nnm-
Der offurloughed officers and soldiers
we're in tho city, Of whom Mr. Lin
coin was the idol.
At first it was rumored and gem
orally credited, that Lincoln, Seward,
johnson and Stanton, were all killed
and that the rebels of tho city had
seized tho reins Of government
through brilliant and bloody coup
dc ee0t.
Con. G. @. Augur was in command
of tho city at the time, and within
a few minntes after the denouement
OF the conspiracy, his headquarters
on l4th street presented the appear
ance Of an army commander during
q field day-oficers and soldiers
generally armed, were to be
seen hurrying to. headquarters,
from every direction to tender their
services IN the emergency, whichever
and anon squad of cavalry, with an
officer at its head, were sent gallop-
ing at fearful pace in different di.
rections 70 prevent the escape Of the
murierers. In an hour, perhaps, af.
ter the occurrence. the entire popu-
lation Of Washington was on the
streets, eagerly enquiring Of every
officer, or other person appaSpntly in
authority, which they could meet, OF
the situation. 1t was fully midnight
before the extent Of the calamity
was generally understood, while but
=
few, loyal people at least, went TO
bed again that night.
In tho meantime, Mr.. Lincoln was
tenderly removed across the street
10 tho house of Mr.. Patterson, and q
guard limo stationed across Tenth
street, at either end of tho block, to
keep out the dense throng of people
who wore anxious to hear of the con
dition of the dying man.
The balance Of the sad story is soor
told. Mr.. Lincoln died during the
night. and his remains wereremovet
to his homo at the Va b House ths
next morning, tho streets being linec
with an affectionate and fearful peo
pie, who uncovered their heads whils
tho sad cortege pursued its dreary
way. O.
| Booth was pursued and shot in th'
Il
burning barn, and his remains wer,
removed to tho Capital and idcntifi
| cd.
| Harold, Payne, Atzerott, ant
Mrs. Soratt were captured, convicted
and executed, wh'lo Arnold, Mud,
and Mclaughlin, were sent 70 tn
Dry Tortugas for lifo, aud Spanglo