The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-05-17
: NO. 40.
An Improbable Story Laid At Rest.

.
Colonel John W. Forhsy etfectual-
ly disposes of a story originally prin-
ted in an obscure sensational paper,
setting forth certain alleged personal
reasons why John Wilkes Booth as
sassinated. President Lincoln. In
brief, the story stated that Booth
and the rebel Captain Beall were
fast friends; that Booth being in
Washington, and hearing Of the APP
preaching execution of the latter on
the morrow, went to the rooms OF
John P. Hale, then Of the Senate, at
a late hour at night, and having
reused him from his sleep, stated
his purpose to see The President and
save his friend, and that upon con-
sultation they resolved to 60 to the
house of Mr.. Forney and get him to
go with. them to the President; that
the three went together to the White
House long after midnight; that Mr..
Lincoln heard Booths appeal for
mercy for his dear friend; that in
making his appeal his appeal he con-
fessed the conspiracy between him
self and others at Mrs. Surratt's
house to abdhct the President &c,
and on his Bonded knees before the
President weeping like 4 child, be-
sought pardon for Beall, that at last,
about four. O'clock in, the morning,
pity won," the President bidding
him get up like a man, and, while
weeping himself, solemnly promising
the desired pardon. Next morning,
the story goes, when Mr.. Lincoln
stated his promise to pardon Beall
to Secretary Seward, that gentleman
demonstrated against it, and satisfied
him that for the sake of the country
he ought not to keep his promise to
Booth, and that he did not. For
this, says the story, Booth killed tho
President. Colonel Forney, the only
living witness, says: 'sThe whole
story, SO far as I am concerned, is an
utter fabrication. TO my knowledge
| never saw J. Wilkes Booth in my
life. The only time | ever visited
Mr. Lincoln to secure a pardon was
in COMPANY with my old friend,
Washington Mclean, Of the Cincin-
natl Enqnirer-some time I think,
in February of 1S65-to ask the re-
lease 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 on the quaint
condition that he should report at
my residence Oh Capitol Hill, where
be remained my welcome guest for
several weeks, until I was authorized
to return him to his friends and fam
lily in Virginia. 1t is altogether
probable that I signed letter to
Mr. Lincoln asking the pardon Of
the celebrated Captain Beall. / re-
commended every Southern man to
mercy, charged with whatever crime
the close Of the war. 1t is one Of
the sweetest ofmy recollections that
! never turned away such a petition.
erfrom my door, and never refused
to go to the prisons in which South
ern men wefe confined to solicit their
deliyeronce. As to the. statement
ITSELF SO far as it relates to the other
parties and to the. martyred Presi-
dent, / wish tt, add that iii Mr.. Lin
coin had nude such a promise ho
would have fulfilled 1t at all hazards
and that Mr.. Seward, with his gentle
and generous bearing to the South,
would have been the last to ask him
to break his word. [Chicago Times.