The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-01
Ll,,eoIn.s Assassina IA, 3.

LisicOIn's Assassination.
AN AUTHENTICATED STORY THAT BoorH ar
TEMPTED TO TAKE Ills LIFE AT THE SECOND
SAUaURATIoN--A NEW YORK NAN. THEN OP
THE CAPITOL POLICE, WHO ARRESTED Tue
COURSE OF THE woULD-BE ASSASSIN.
7. WASHINGTON, April 27.-An interesting
incident, which foreshadowed the tragic
late OF President Lincoln, but which has
never before found its way into print, ia
vouched FOX by number OF persons, still
In ashington, and who were witnesses OF
1t. On the day when Mr.. Lincoln was in
augurated the second time, In 1895, and
lust as he had passed from the rotunda OF
the Capitol to the platform at the east por-
tico, where his inaugural was to be deIiv-
cred, man who was recognized by several
persons to be John Wilkes Booth pushed
hurrledly through the passage leading from
the Senate chamber to the rotunda, and in
an excited and determined manner broke
through the line OF policemen which kept
the crowd back from the procession, and
made desperate effort to reach the eastern
door OF the Capitol. He was discovered by
member Of the Capitol police-hIr. j. w.
Westfall, Of New York--who on several oc-
casions before, as well as since, has given
evidence OF his faithiulness and efficiency.
He seized the excited stranger, and after a
severe struggle, during which Major 3. B.
French, then Commissioner OF Public
Buildings, at the suggestion OF Dir.
Westfall, caused the door TO be closed
and aid to be furnished, succeeded in forcing
him back into the crowd. Booth had
already been noticed by at least two persons
who knew him passing rapidly from the di-
rection OF the Senate chamber toward the
rotunda, and some idea Of his determine
tion to reach the inaugural platform may be
formed from the fact that he broke away
from the man who first seized him, Mr..
Wcstfall, and but for the closing of the door
would probably have accomplished his pur-
pose, whatever it was.
Those who stopped Booth on that day,
and who in all probability preserved the
Presidents life, were not aware who the eX-
cited stranger was, but the importance Of
their action can hardly be over-estimated.
It will be remembered that at that time the
great work Of Mr.. Lincoln's life had not
been accomplished. The war was still going
on. BY this act Of Mr.. WestfalPs the Presi-
dents life was probably spared for time, at
least, and he was permitted to see the dawn of
peace. After the assassination Of the Presl-
dent, and when it became known that Wilkes
Booths attempt to reach the inaugural plat
form had been thwarted by Mr.. Westfall, the
latter was promptly promoted to be 4 lieu
tenant Of the Capitol police force, q position
which was created for him by the Hon. B.
B. French, then Commissioner of Public
Buildings and Grounds, and devoted friend
OF Mr.. Lincoln, rs mark OF his appreciation
OF the great service which Mr.. Westfall had
rendered the country. This position he
held until the meeting OF the XLINth Con-
gress, since which time he has been dis
charged Correspondence Nep YORK; 1ri-
6une.
EXPLANATION FROM COLONEL FORNEY-TlIE
BOOTH-BEALL STORY DENIED-HOW ROGER
A.PRYOR'S PARDON WAS OBTAINED-LINCOLN
AS A PR0MIsEMAKER-TH "GENTLE SEW
ARD.
PomerovS Democrat recently published
story that Booth and Captain Beall, who
was tried and hanged at one OF the forts in
New York harbor, were fast friends-a new
Damon and Pythias, in fact-sworn to each
other; that Booth being at Washington
when Bcall was condemned to death, and
hearing OF the sentence the night before it
was to be executed, went to the rooms OF the
Hon. John p. Hale, then OF the Senate, at
late hour, and having reused him from his
sleep, stated his purpose to see the PrcSl-
dent and save his friend that very
night; that upon consultation they repaired
to the house Of Hon. John W.. Fcrney
and got him to go with them to the Prcsl-
dent. This resolution they carried into eX-
ecution. going to the White House long after
midnight; that Mr.. Lincoln received them,
and heard Booths appeal for mercy for his
dear friend; that in making this appeal ne
confessed the conspiracy between himself
and others at Mrs. Surratts house to alb.
duct the President, DC, and on his Bonded
knees, and Frustrated before the President,
weeping like a child, besought pardon for
Beail; that ut last, about 4 O'Clock in the
morning, "pity won," the President bid
ding him get up like a man, and, while
weeping himself, soemnly promised the de-
sired pardon; after which Booth, Hale, and
Forney left the President still in tears.
Next morning, the story goes, when Mr..
Lincoln stated his promise to pardon Beaii
to Secretary Seward that gentleman remon-
strated against it, and satisfied him that he
ought not to keep his promiset to Booth, and
that he did not.
For this, says the story, Booth killed the
President.
Colonel Forney says: "The whole story,
so far as / am concerned, is an utter fabrl-
cation. To my knowledge ! never saw >.
Wilkes Booth in my life. The only time
ever visited Mr.. Lincoln to secure pardon
was in company with my old friend, Wash
ineton Mclean, OF the Cincinnati En-
ouirer, some time, / think, in Febru.
airy OF 1865, to ask the release OF another
old friend, General Roger A. Pryor,
who was a prisoner in Fort Lafayette,
New York harbor. Mr.. Lincoln heard our
| statement and set General Pryor free
| OH the quaint condition that he should
| report at my residence, on Capitol Hill,
| where he remained my welcome guest
for several weeks, until was author
| lied to return him to his friends
and family in Virginia. 1t is alto.
gether probable that signed letter
to Mr.. Lincoln asking the pardon OF
the celebrated Captain Beall. l recon-
mended every southern man to mercy,
charged with whatever crime, mt the close
of the war. 1t is one of the sweetest OF
nv recollections that l never turned away
such a petitioner from my door, and never
refused to 20 to the prisons in which south.
ern men were confined to solicit their dcliv-
erance. As to Mr.. Pomeroy's general state
ment itself. so far as it relates to the other
narties and our martyred President, wish
to add that if Mr.. Lincoln had made such
promise he would have fulfilled 1t at all
hazards, and that Mr.. Seward, with his gen
tie and generous bearing to the South, would
have been the last to ask him to break his
| word.
Virgin River.
. ,,,,,m no n1,u cpp,r c.rrr NJNES oF eOTjTlI.