Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1876-05-11
Why John Wilkes Booth
Assassinated Abra-
ham Lincoln.
From Pomeroy's Democrat.

| lldIllcu JOIln w likes DOOCu.
From his father he inherited a
certain taint of frenzy under
excitement that was cousin-ger-
man to insanity. This Booth
was reckless, handsome fell
low, whose delight was to dress
we'll, feed upon female hearts,
and in mimicry mouth the ut
terances of men of 5 eative
genius. His blood was hot, and
passions quick to kindle. In
his loves and friendships he was
cratic and peculiar. He did
not try to steady himself, and
grew up wild and tumultuous.
Among the chosen friends of
his boyhood was a dashing,
chivalrous young man named
John Y. Beal, whose home was
in the beautiful Shenandoah
Valley, not far from Winches-
ter, as we know from having
been there. Damon and Pyth-
las were not more attached to
each other than were Booth and
Beal. They rode, walked, dined,
drank and intrigued together
Beal was Southern in his SYM
pathies, and was to a certain ex-
tent as much martyr as was
erratic John Brown, who was
taken in a raid, hung in the
.jail-yard at Charlestown, Vir-
ginia, by order of Governor
Wise, and whose scaffold, as
we write this, is now in our Of
flee. Beal planned raids on
Northern cities, and at last was
captured at or near Buffalo,
tried for piracy on Northern
lakes, and sentenced to be hung
on Bedloe's Island, in the har-
Dor of New York. In prison
waiting his doom, we leave him
for a time.
One afternoon, in the city Of
Washington, while Beal was
under sentence Of death, there
alighted from Il carriage two
men, who walked into the room
occupied by Washington Nc
Lean, Of Cincinnati, who was
at that time in Washington in
the interest of his business
These men who called were
Senator Hale, from New Hamp-
shire, and John Wilkes Booth,
with whom, through the Nor
gans, of Kentucky, Mclean
had become quite we'll acquain-
ted.
Their errand was briefly told.
Booth was anxious to save the
life Of Beal, his chum and con-
fidential personal friend. He
had interested Mr.. Hale in his
behalf, who, from his former
Identification with the political
movement that had grown into
the elevation of Lincoln to the
Presidency, had come to ask at
the Executive the favor Of mer-
cy for a brave enemy, who had,
in defense Of his friends in the
South, done no more than peo-
pie in the North applauded their
scouts and adventures for do
ing or attempting.
They importuned Mclean to
90 with them to the President,
as a Democrat-as a friend Of
Booth-as a man who had much
influence with Mr.. Lincoln, and
to vouch with Mr.. Hale, for any
promises Booth might make in
return for this great favor to
him. After a protracted inter-
view, Mclean accompanied
Hale and Booth in a carriage to
the residence of John w. For
ney, who was then in bed, the
hour being late. Forney was
awakened from his sleep and
told the object Of the call. His
sympathies were enlisted, as he
was always ready to serve his
friends.
1t was an hour or more past
midnight when Hale, Forney,
Mclean and Booth were driven
to the White House. The guard,
at the request of Forney, ad-
mitted the carriage to the
grounds. Mr.. Lincoln was called
from his sleep, and there, in the
dead hour Of the night, he sat
and listened to the prayers of
Booth and the Endorsements OF
those who came with him TO
ask the favor Of Executive
clemency.
That interview lasted till 4
o'clock in the morning. 1t was
one of tears, prayer and petit
ton. There was not dry eye
in the room as Booth knelt at
| the feet of lincoln. clasped his